Well, wasn't that lovely. It's been so long since Bennochy Walkers actually walked, we weren't sure if there would be an appetite for getting together one last time under that moniker. Oh ye of little faith - 17 of us got to the destination in one way or another.
The intention was to travel from Kirkcaldy on the new trainline to Leven then walk 3.5 miles to Lower Largo. The first hiccup we encountered was that the 1304 train was cancelled. That was plan A. There was no plan B.
However, with little persuasion, four walkers offered to drive the rest of us along to Leven Train Station from where we began our walk. A nice, flat, canny start in the stoating rain. That was the second hiccup as this was opposite to the weather forecast. But nae fear - Mary was to hand with a bootful of brollies, so we were all equipped. We happened upon a Scottie dug who asked to have his photo taken with us.
By the time we reached the other end of the prom, brollies were folded again. There was just enough blue in the sky to mak a pair o' sailor's breeks as my mother would have said.
We walked alongside the golf course and noted that it hadn't rained there. Never does. We then opted to walk along the beach as it was easier under foot on the wet sand and we made reasonable progress given that we were yapping like there was no tomorrow. So much catching up to do.
An essential element of our walks is the coffee and scone at the end. So by the time we reached Lower Largo, we pressed on, aware that our coffee stop, The Aurrie, was awaiting our arrival. Having looked up the word Aurrie on Google, it 's a Scots word meaning the space between pews down the centre of a church - the centre aisle then. It was an old Baptist church after all. Well I never.
Anyway their scones, coffee and homemade jam were to die for! We agreed there would be repeat visits to the Aurrie.
The third hiccup was that buses serving Lower Largo are few and far between on Sundays. An hour between actually, so folk that were not doing the return walk only had a short time to socialise before catching the bus back to Leven. The rest of us walked the 3.5 miles back. Just a wee stretch of the legs. Honestly, the Forth was so calm, we were almost paddling, and the sound of lapping water reached our souls. So peaceful were we that we just stopped there and then and said the Gaelic Blessing together.
On the way back to the cars, we were reminiscing of walks we had done many years ago and fondly recalled the fun and fellowship we had shared. So maybe this was the swansong for Bennochy Walkers, but today might well have rekindled a spark bright enough to propose a new group with a new name in the new Langtoun Church.
