Dam Cottage & Kettlehills

We couldn’t believe our luck with the weather today after yesterday’s wind and wet, wet, wet. You can tell be this photo what a gorgeous autumn day we spent in the hills above Kettlebridge. It was a difficult drive through mud and potholes to reach our car parking spot, but we eventually met up at Damside Cottage where we met the owners Margaret and Walter SIMPSON who had invited the walkers to spent some social time at their beautiful cottage which has been in Walter’s family since his grandparents time. And the Simpsons have generously shared it with hundreds of people attached to Bennochy Church over the years - it’s a long standing favourite outing for BB boys.

MARGARET led the walk today as she knows the country so well. This photo was taken half way, just as we reached Burnturk and we stopped to soak up the beauty of the landscape. I started humming, ‘All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above.’ Harvest time is beautiful in the Howe of Fife.. Sybil measured the walk - 4.21 miles - just a wee stretch of the legs for Bennochy Walkers. 

When we reached the cottage again, Walter had the magnificent open fire blazing and the heat and smell of woodsmoke beckoned us into the welcoming living space where the kettle was singing and the table spread with cakes of all descriptions which some of the ladies had provided.

Lots of chat and laughs rang out as we toasted by the fire, feasting on the goodies. The cottage garden is always well kept by Margaret and Walter, and today we were invited to pick the remaining apples from the trees as it was a bumper harvest this year. So many crumbles, pies and chutneys are to be made for church from their produce.

L to R.    Lucy the hen(look closely), Janis, Audrey, Hilda. front Mary

 Four ladies met up with Lucy, the resident hen who was out for a wee stroll but didn’t fancy getting her photo taken. Lucy apparently was the only hen to escape the ravages of a fox that got into the hen coop. And she’s lived peacefully with the Simpsons for 8 years. 

On that happy note, we said our Walkers prayer, and thanked our hosts for once again sharing their country home with our group to enjoy. What a lovely Sunday it’s been.