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.

Markinch and

After all the amount of rain we've had over the last few weeks we were keeping our fingers crossed that our walk would take place. 

Parking in Balbirnie Park we had a very short walk along the B 9130 into Markinch where we took a left turn into Commercial Street leading us into School Street and then Northall Road which took us under the railway viaduct and to the start of the Braes Loan Circular Trail, a historical walk. A very good information board and leaflets were available here and obviously a good sweetie stop. Starting at this point the walk is 2.5 miles and after a short, steepish, muddyish start you soon get lovely views of the Lomond Hills and over the Forth to Berwick Law, and Arthur Seat. The track is well signposted with various points where you can stop and enjoy the views and There is another information board half way along the walk. Balgonie Castle is pictured on the information board but it took the 14 of us quite a while to spot it in reality and we only did that because we saw a very tiny Saltire fluttering in the distance above a group of trees. A photo opportunity here with a field of sheep watching the high jinks

Following the circular route we returned to Markinch and made a bee line to Banners House where tea, coffee and scones awaited us. We were very comfortable and cosy here and as always the chat flowed through a variety of topics and all too soon we were on our way back to the cars. As always good friends, good company and dry weather

Dunnikier Park 24th January

The walking group were pleased to have Irene and Lorraine join us on Sunday 24th January . We left Asda's car park to walk through dunnikier park and the woods that skirt the golf course. The top path was very muddy with big puddles but no one had a Dawn French moment thankfully. We carried on along the path to carberry road and the industrial estate , it's not the prettiest place in kirkcaldy but it's not helped by the fly tippers who think it's ok to dump rubbish there ! The rest of the estate is very tidy and we walked on to the garden centre, June met us there and we all enjoyed tea and scone etc at the cafe. Back along the main road to our cars we were pleased we went on the walk, the weather was ok dry and mild for a change. Thanks to all who joined Audrey and me and for your great company.
 Janis

Limekilns

The planned walk to Anstruther had to be abandoned today as the weather was pretty wild and one by one, walkers were chickening out until we were down to four people. So we chose the Limekilns route we did in 2012 instead. Folk seeing us with walking gear on at church thought we were mad but we four carried on regardless in the pelting rain.
By the time we parked up at Limekilns it had calmed down to a monsoon so we donned our waterproofs and made our way along the promenade, Taking the path along the saltpans road at Charleston and past the old harbour, we found a 'short cut' through glaur to West Road and out into country roads. We walked a circle bringing us back into Charleston village where coffee and scones were enjoyed at the Elgin Hotel.
Making our way back to the car, it was dry but cauld and Janis Phil, Carol and Dianne agreed that it had been worthwhile doing the walk to blow away the cobwebs from the old year.
   

Ravenscraig Park

Sandra   Hilda   Isabel         Ian                                                                                 Mary Kerry  Janis Wilma       

                                                                          

Cupar and the Simpson Bridge

Eleven walkers left the church at the usual time and headed for Fluthers Car Park.   Yes, it was raining, but the optimistic group thought it might be ok.

We left the car park, walking past the War Memorial into Station Road, turned right into Waterend Road and from there we walked along the riverside as far as Millgate.   On a good day this would be a beautiful, peaceful walk seeing flora and fauna on the way to the nature ponds but...it was raining more heavily.

From Millgate we walked into Millbank (it was raining even more heavily) and then into Brighton Road, passing some lovely houses whose gardens would normally have caused us to 'stop and stare' and the playing fields but no-one was playing as it was pelting down!

We entered Cuparmuir and it was then that the decision was taken to abandon the walk; defeated we returned to the car park.   Rained off!

However....smiles soon returned when we arrived at Muddy Boots.   Warm, drier, and with cups of tea or coffee and lovely scones, cream and jam, the usual chat and laughter returned.

Maybe not the best walk we've ever had, but I'm sure we'll remember it and maybe even try it again when the weather's fairer.