Townhill Loch Dunfermline

A beautiful blue sky and warm sunshine greeted us as we left in the cars heading for Townhill Loch and Wood. A very select group of 8 walkers today so 2 cars transported us very comfortably

Parking the cars near the The Loch Cafe we set out to walk a bit around the loch watching the water skiers busy at their sport. A bit too strenuous for us, watching was tiring enough. We then left the path and headed over a stile at one end of a field, doing a shimmey under what we though was an electric fence, being escorted through a field of inquizative horses by the owner of the horses and then over the final stile. Work out completed we were then able to enjoy the remainder of the walk

We were blessed with lovely views over the bridges, Edinburgh and the Pentlands and took a photo opportunity at the village sign. A lovely walk through the woods eventually led us on the path back to the Loch Cafe where we enjoyed our refreshments

Well done everyone on enduring the workout


  

monimail

On Sunday 3rd July we had a lovely walk around Letham village and Monimail. This was a repeat walk as we had walked it some years previously but it was just as nice this time around. Letham is a pretty wee village with traditional cottages and lovely cottage gardens with flowers blooming. You very quickly walk through the the village and up School Brae, a bit of a pech. We headed west and then south taking us past Monimail Parsh Church to a road junction where there was a large triangular piece of grass with a seat and large tree which later offered a bit of shelter when we stopped to have our picnic

At this point there are two graveyards, one very old with a part structure of the original church and a newer graveyard, of which we had a walk around. The names on the grave stones caused much discussion especially when we saw names such as Stark and Traill

Bearing north we walked up a lane/track and were greeted by a wee dog who wanted to say hello. Horses in the fields were also very inquizative. We continued up this track until we took the turn for Pathcondie Farm which then took us in a circuit back to our picnic site. On our approach Joe opened the boot of the car and brought out a picnic table, flasks, cups, home baked cakes and biscuits. Well a small shower wasn't going to dampen that

Suitably restored we investigated Monimail tower and gardens before heading back to our cars parked at Letham village hall. This was a lovely peaceful walk which gave good countryside views and could easily be extended to give a longer walk

Dysart to W Wemyss and return

Kirkcaldy to West Wemyss and return

Following a lovely week of weather we had high hopes for our wee bit coastal path walk and we weren't disappointed.
Parking at Dysart harbour we headed east along the coastal path which bordered Dysart village to the lovely conservation village of West Wemyss. The countryside was blooming with vegetation probably at its best. There was a cooling breeze coming off the Forth so some of us were wearing more layers than others
Tongues went like the clappers with vast and various topics ranging from Power of Attorney, Ronnie's recent trip to the USA to Andy Murray's current tennis match. Reaching West Wemyss after about 2 and a bit miles we headed for the Walk In Wemyss or now renamed as the Suburban Pantry in the middle of the High Street. This was a lovely wee coffee stop with lots of choice of goodies.14 customers left well satisfied. Hello Jo, it was lovely that you could meet us there with your daughter, grandson and dog
The return journey was just as good and tongues never tiring we were soon back in Dysart concluding with our walkers prayer and a photo stop at Dysart harbour
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24th May

Mary showed the group the quilt she has been making at home for Rachael House's 21st year. It is really beautiful Mary and the rainbow signifies hope in a place where children's  lives  are prayed for so deeply. 

Mary and Margaret preparing the wallhanging for quilting. 

And the new Mrs Morris, just back from her recent marriage in Boston, makes the tab tops which we'll attach next time. Its really coming together now. 

The group is planning to have a car boot sale to raise funds for our next wallhanging whuch we wull start after the summer break. 

Falkland

We had a lovely walk on Sunday 8 May in Falkland Estate which just happened to coincide with The Open Studios Day. Falkland was abuzz with visitors and the wee shops busy as we left the car park to head towards the start of our walk around part of the estate. We were really pleased to have Hilda back with us again after her recovery from injury. The weather was sunny and warm and was bringing people and their dogs out in droves. Our first wee sojourn was to the Centre of Stewardship situated in a lovely old building which also hosts a cafe. There are lovely sets of wooden seats outside ranging in size, just like daddy bear, mummy bear and baby bear sizes and just shouting out for a photo opportunity. Inside a lady was carding and hand spinning wool. We would have loved to stop longer but the walk awaited Heading uphill and past a small farm we walked on grassy tracks where the butterflies were sunning themselves and then onto a forest track where everyone enjoyed the shade. Descending again we arrived at Hollytree Crafts a woodworking workshop owned by two brother. One makes smaller items and the other does internal work in houses, bespoke staircases etc. Wilma and I sat on a lovely stool made out of 9 different woods which spelt out BE AT PEACE, just lovely Walking past the Pillars of Hercules folks were sitting in the cafe, in the patio area and in the garden. We headed back to Falkland to the Hayloft Cafe where 15 of us (lovely to see Joe who joined us there) enjoyed scones, cakes and coffees. Thanks to the staff who very kindly accommodated us and worked late so we could enjoy our refreshments Back to the carpark we said our walkers prayer and gave thanks for our time spent with friends

The Wemyss 10th April 2016

Coastal and country walk

It was drizzling a bit as we left the church but forever hopeful we set out in the cars for West Wemyss. Parking at the lovely wee harbour at West Wemyss we struck out on the coastal path for East Wemyss. Rain had made the path a bit muddy so there was some dodging of puddles but as we walked on the drizzle stopped and the sun came out. The most strenuous part of the walk was the climb from the shore up towards McDuff Castle but there's a couple of benches where we had a brief stop to get our breath back

Crossing the A 955 we followed a  small path which led onto a grassy track, some bits a bit muddy and walked out into the countryside. We headed up a lovely track towards Easter Newton farmhouse, now sadly boarded up. This was the home of Mr & Mrs Shedden who worship at Bennochy and was their home for 52 years. They regularly walked the track from the farmhouse to the church at East Wemyss and also hosted the Sunday School picnic in the field in front of the house. Mr Shedden recalled filling up an urn of cows milk from their dairy for the children coming to the picnic. 

Daffodils were in full bloom, some in great swathes and others in in small clusters. Spring greens were starting to show in the hedgerows and trees and the birds were singing away enjoying the warmth from the sun. Following tracks and paths we walked into Coaltown of Wemyss and from there it was all downhill and back to the cars at West Wemyss

Driving to Wellsgreen Golf Range we enjoyed our tea, coffee and cakes before saying our walkers prayer and heading home. This was a slightly longer walk at 6 miles and s lovely day to enjoy it in

Birnie and Gaddon Lochs and Collessie

A lovely calm and dry afternoon greeted us as 16 walkers started our walk from Birnie & Gadden Loch car park. It was lovely to have Joe with us again and he paced himself as we set out on the mostly clean paths around the lochs. The car park was busy today and most folks must have had the same idea to get out and enjoy the spring like weather. 

We admired the beautiful daffodils adding a splash of welcome colour to the countryside and noted some bushes sprouting their new green growth. The groups of dainty but resilient snowdrops reminded me when the St Johns BBs planted snowdrops during a small service we held in the church garden following the Dunblane tragedy, exactly 20 years ago. How time moves on

Walking around Gaddon Loch and some way around Birnie Loch we then left them behind as we headed for Collessie, a beautiful conservation hamlet. Luckily we had Isabel back with us and she regularly visited her grandparents home and she was able to regale us with lots of information. There are lots of lovely thatched cottages and wee wynds. We stopped at the tap where she was sent to fill the pail with water before she had to lug it back to the cottage. 

Pooh sticks then just happen to be mentioned so nothing would do but Pooh sticks were sourced and sent off sailing under the wee bridge that crossed the Den Burn. 6 were launched and three sailed successfully under the bridge. As you can see we were intent on spotting them!

Passing the Thatched Studio (The Auld Washie), Marianna Lines the Artist hailed us and opened the studio so we could look around. Marianna told us about the conversion of the wash house and built into the walls we spotted an Ammonite, pieces of pottery and some bones together with small pebbles and large stones

Retracing our steps we completed the walk around Birnie Loch, collected our cars and made our way to the Lomond Hills Hotel in Freuchie, where we were warmly welcomed into the lounge with lit fire where we enjoyed coffee, tea and scones

Another lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.