Glenrothes

It's exctly 2 years since we did this walk, and not surprisingly exactly the same weather.  As before we began at St Columbas church car park and headed for Riverside Park. The paths, and particularly the steps down into the park, were impassable because of snow and ice so all 15 of us cautiously teetered down the banking, without any calamities. The obstacle course continued through the park as we had to avoid pretty deep puddles as well as flowing water. Our boots were well and truly tested today. The river Leven was in full spate and we wondered if it would stay put when all this snow melts. We've seen a lot of floods on the news recently including some freak weather in Fife. We just have to accept that this could be the norm from now on and take precautions to avoid our land

and properties from being drowned.

We passed the once magnificent Leslie house, built for 7th Earl of Rothes, and in our lifetimes an eventide home owned by the Church of Scotland. Sadly after a fire destroyed the building in 2009 it is just a shell, gutted and left for us to remember how majestic it once was. Emerging near Fettykil Fox we crossed the road and made for the Whinneyknowe housing estate near Leslie. The rain came on a bit there and we felt a bit exposed to the elements. Just off Ballingall Road there are stairs which take you right to the Balgeddie House Hotel and so we made our way there, looking forward to our refreshments by then. The management of the hotel was expecting us, and despite being forewarned about our muddy boots, they had set a long table for us in a delightful room. Pots of tea and coffee and gorgeous hot scones with jam and cream were served which made everyone warm to the hotel and talk about going back there for a meal or a spa. Very good service.

Once refreshed, we found our way to the woods through mire and glaur but safely to Whinneyknowe once again. There is a long straight path which led us directly to Balgeddie Lodge near the main Leslie Road. We had intended to take a lovely wee walk next to the river, past the waterfall and under the A911, but barriers had been placed there for our safety lest the river burst its banks and so we had to take a detour through the park again but from a different angle.
The last part of the walk was uphill so a few of us were peching a bit by the time we reached Napier Road. And the chat at that time was sharing memories of first houses after marriage in Glenrothes.
That seemed to happen a lot in the 70s/80s because Glenorthes Corporation at that time built good social housing for families with gardens, garages and dining rooms. Previously unheard of for 'ordinary' folk to have a dining room.
You don't notice the miles going by when you're chatting. It must have been around 5 miles though.
Back at our starting point we said our prayer and our goodbyes. Another good one chalked up.