Historical, Scotland, Uncategorized15 Comments

The Bridge of Sighs – Edinburgh

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

[*Supporting information on my article EDINBURGH’S BRIDGE OF SIGHS in the November/December2022 edition of the Edinburgh Life magazine* by Johnny Jones/ Jack Jones/John A Jones] Hidden and Enigmatic Statue I was born in 1934 and as a child every time my family walked over the Dean Bridge, my father would lift me up to let me see ‘The Little Sailor Boy’. He would tell me that the statue had been put there in memory of a sailor who had committed suicide by jumping off the bridge and that it had been put there to act as a warning to others … Continue reading The Bridge of Sighs – Edinburgh

Golf, Scotland5 Comments

I’ve given up Golf – 4 of 4

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

Now that I have accepted that my last chance of getting a hole in one has gone, all that is left for me to do is clear out my locker, hand in the key and make way for one of the younger, fitter members. However my playing partners and I have managed to spend a good portion of this last year out in the fresh air enjoying the camaraderie of playing the game that has, for so many years, been an important part of our lives. As a non-playing member I can still meet up with and enjoy the company … Continue reading I’ve given up Golf – 4 of 4

Golf, Scotland1 Comment

I’ve given up Golf – 3 of 4

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

I, like my partners, now find that staying on an even keel to play a shot has – bit by bit – become a lottery. Our stance has narrowed significantly, a shoulder turn is almost non-existent, keeping the left arm straight is a no go position, with the inevitable result that we have lost our confidence to strike the ball cleanly. Consequently, the ball no longer flies as far as it once did, to the embarrassing extent that, any of the ground-staff working more than 150 yards ahead of us, now know that our tee shots offer no threat to … Continue reading I’ve given up Golf – 3 of 4

Golf, Scotland1 Comment

I’ve given up Golf – 2 of 4

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

Most golf books are written with the intention of helping players to get to the top of their game, but here from personal experience I can now reveal what happens to golfers who have gone over their peak, slid down the slippery slope and arrived at the bottom. In thinking back to our decision, we must have felt then that the writing was already on the wall as, during this past year, our gradual descent from grace has become more and more apparent. In some ways our decline was exacerbated by the course closures brought about by Covid, and we … Continue reading I’ve given up Golf – 2 of 4

Golf, Scotland4 Comments

I’ve given up Golf – 1 of 4

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

For my two regular playing partners and myself, with a combined age of somewhere in excess of 260 years, the 31st of December last year was a momentous day. Exactly one year before that we had agreed to hang up our clubs at the end of the season and transfer to non-playing membership of the world’s 4th oldest golf club – the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society in Edinburgh. And on balance, it has turned out to be a decision that has proved to have been made just in time! A few years ago our group numbered around a dozen but … Continue reading I’ve given up Golf – 1 of 4

Charity, Golf, Scotland6 Comments

Donors raise £1200 for charity

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

The last few months have been hectic, with the launch of my 3rd book, A Storm On Any Course. To celebrate the launch of the final book in the Zander Trilogy, and my retiral from writing, we put out an offer to not only purchase a copy, but to also have their names printed at the rear of the book, under the title of Donors. All money received would be donated to our nominated charity, Get2gether. (They arrange social activities for people with disabilities in safe and friendly places in Edinburgh and the Lothians). With very limited access available, due … Continue reading Donors raise £1200 for charity

A Storm on Any Course, Golf, Scotland, Zander Trilogy20 Comments

Is it finally time to relax?

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

Well, it has been a long time in coming, but I have finally received copies of my final book in paperback, this week. A wee bit of panic when one box went missing from the delivery van, however it is all sorted out, but I could have done without the drama. A Storm On Any Course has finally arrived, and will be getting distributed shortly, as the date for publication is the 11th November 2021. I recently created an initiative to allow people to have their name printed in the book, in exchange for a donation to my chosen charity. … Continue reading Is it finally time to relax?

A Storm on Any Course, Golf, Zander Trilogy7 Comments

A Penalty Drop  –  Liberton

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

A few days later, Zander and Grunt had a second encounter with the local “ball boys”. A group of elderly visitors were playing immediately ahead of them. No one had thought to tell them about the problem posed by the local children and blissfully unaware of this on-course hazard, they had started out. Zander and Grunt hung around the starter’s box until the last group had teed off, then followed them out onto the course. They played the long downhill first without incident, then as they teed up on the short par-four second –  which runs parallel to and in … Continue reading A Penalty Drop  –  Liberton

General, Historical, Scotland4 Comments

Hurdling: Take it in your stride!

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Tokyo Olympics on TV and as I watched the athletics it brought back memories of the days when I could run, jump and throw things well enough to get me national recognition, but not quite to the standards expected of an Olympian. On a number of occasions I represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the Decathlon. However one match against Holland in Vlardingen, 1963, is carved into my memory, as that was the day when I demolished a hurdle in the 110 metre race and as a result met a legend of track and … Continue reading Hurdling: Take it in your stride!

General, Historical7 Comments

The closest I got to the Olympics

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

In all my 20 odd years of competitive athletics, my performances were just never quite up to Olympic standards. However not to be beaten, my wife Ann and I travelled over to Greece a few years back where we visited the original Ancient Olympic Arena at Olympia. I must have been crazy to try a 100 metre sprint in the 30 degree heat, especially since I had not worn a pair of spikes in over 30 years, but the old urge took over! It was a interesting day out and one that we both thoroughly enjoyed. I find the history … Continue reading The closest I got to the Olympics

A Storm on Any Course, Golf, Scotland, Zander Trilogy2 Comments

Background to the Sample story

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

I wanted to share some background to the sample story from my upcoming book, A Storm On Any Course. The main two components of this Sample story happened in other and quite different places. 1     The collapse of the motor bike line happened during a parade day in Rome. The riders, all policemen, had parked their bikes just as described and gone off to act as crowd marshals. I did not see what started it, however I did witness the spectacular and noisy domino effect of the bikes falling down! 2     The seagull was hit by a lone … Continue reading Background to the Sample story

A Storm on Any Course, Golf, Scotland, Zander Trilogy1 Comment

Sample story

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

Taken from my upcoming book A Storm On Any Course, the final chapter of Zander’s Trilogy. A Birdie  – Melville Golf Centre Zander’s leg was improving by the day, but wasn’t yet strong enough to let him walk out to the practice areas in the middle of the course, let alone get all the way round and, with the club’s driving range out of commission for at least another two weeks, how was he going to hold his game together? Then he thought about going to a public driving range and heard someone talking about, The Melville Golf Centre on the … Continue reading Sample story