Oriel Road/ Longbraes

We're still staying round about the doors as the weather can't be trusted, so today we walked down Salisbury Street again and along Balsusney Road till we reached Bennochy bridge ( there's that word again...). This time we went along Forth Avenue crossed over to Masserene Road and along Ferrard Road. Once on Oriel Road, moving north we soon reached the woods and it felt like being in the countryside again, even although we were only a few yards from very busy traffic on th A910. It was a bit muddy in parts but a pleasant walk for all that, approx one mile and on a very gradual incline - not tough enough to get pecht. There were 8 walkers today - Irene, Mary, Joe, Winnie, Hilda, Lorraine, Rona and Dianne, and boy could we all talk. So much so that we probably didn't look around as much as usual. Too busy putting the world to rights. Anyway, we emerged from the woods at the bottom of Broom Road and proceeded along Longbraes, with Rabbit Braes on our left. The view from the crest of the hill of course was, as always, breathtaking as it is never twice the same. Today we could see far across the water where there is still snow on the Pentlands. The Forth was busy with boats of various sizes and although there was a little atmospheric water vapour (we don't get rain)today, it could not spoil the pleasure we took from the panoramic overview of our town. And the new Victoria Hospital looks spectacular from up there! Always ready for a cuppa, we popped into the Steadings. It is Valentines Day today and the Steadings staff were apparently anxiously awaiting an influx of romantic celebrants to fill their many empty tables and so we were asked to sit near the door. Maybe it was the boots. We enjoyed our coffees and still found more to talk about. And as we left, the Steadings staff were still waiting for the lovies to arrive....
We walked at a fair skelp today so arrived back at the church much earlier than expected. I had been so distracted by the irritating need to keep putting my hood up and down again, I forgot my duty to take photos for the blog. Let's hope Mary's one turned out . To be added at a later date.

Beveridge Park

Happy New Year to all who follow our blogsite. And welcome to our new member in the photo above. No, not the one with the beard and the hoodie! We had 2 new walkers actually - Joe and Winnie and we hope they'll walk with us again. As the weather has been a bit unreliable we decided to stay close to home for our first walk of the year. Ten walkers started at the church and walked down Salisbury Street, stopping to see the progress of the new building at Dunnikier primary school and hearing from Mary that there has been a 1914 newspaper found in the old gym hall which is being demolished. That would be fascinating to read. Along Balsusney Road and passing Bennochy Cemetery, Lorraine explained that the first railings on the cemetery wall were removed during the war and used to make artillery. These new ones were painted by none other than her husband, the ubiquitous Brian Fairful who seems to have painted in every toon in Fife! We came down past the Museum and Library and through the memorial gardens which, even in winter look lovely and well-kept and our council gardeners got a bit of praise here. Moving along Abbotshall Road we kept in twos so there were 5 conversations going on at once! At Abbots Mill, Dianne reminded us of Bennochy Mills which used to stand there, built for N Lockhart Linen Works in 1865 and closed in 1985. At Beveridge Park gates we read the plaque which tells that it was the wife of Provost Michael Beveridge of Beechwood who donated the park to Kirkcaldy. Beechwood, now a nursing home for the elderly, stood to the north of Bennochy Cemetery. It was Irene who had this piece of local knowledge. Lorraine was equipped with Kirkcaldy civic society's books about Beveridge Park and filled in any gaps in our knowledge, and it was she who took us on the wee detour to see the Wizard in our photo. We all rather took a shine to him.
Dianne took us on another, unintentional, detour but it turned out to be a nice walk through the woods where we happened upon what we thought might be Datie Mill and the Spanish house? which most of us had never seen before. Moving on, we had to cross Boglily Road to reach Raith Lake, which you might just be able to see by the photo, had been completely iced over, but today as it is very pleasant has started to thaw. There were patches of ice throughout the woods however and we did have to take care. Up on dry land we wandered through the Raith housing estate and back onto Abbotshall Road again past the gates which used to be the entrance to Raith estate and the walled garden. We were all wrapped up prepared for a cold day but as usual we were blessed with beautiful weather and so we were all overheating by the time we reached Beveridge Park Hotel where we enjoyed our cups of coffee. Conversations there ran from keeping fit to kirk business and it was good to hear different points of view.
The Union of our church with St Andrew's is drawing ever closer and it was heartening to hear and feel the acceptance of change in our wee group. We decided that as we won't be called St John's Walkers in future we should propose new suggestions and take a vote on the best of these for our new name. Anyone from St John's or St Andrew's interested in our group, whether they walk or not, can make their proposal to Hilda over the next 4 -5 weeks.
Back at the church we said our blessing once more before going our separate ways and I'm sure we felt differently today, for the change is on everyone's mind. But as I write this an old gospel chorus comes to mind.
“Yesterday, today, forever,
Jesus is the same.
All may change, but Jesus never!
Glory to His Name!

Reassurance, as aye.

Church to Dysart Sunday 29th November 2009

Of a' the airts the winds can blaw, we got the full blast of them today. We started at the kirk, walking down Salisbury Street, Townsend Crescent, Townsend Place and Coal Wynd before we reached the Harbour end of the town. Rona, leading today's walk took us past the Harbour and Hutchison's flour mills and on to, I mean right onto, the beach. Bracing it was, and a few of us were almost caught out when a wave came further in than expected and had us squealing and clambering onto some wee rocks for safety. We followed the pathway under Ravenscraig Castle and some remembered the area from childhood when there was a beautiful beach there and they used to pick a spot by the big wall to sunbathe on their beach towels. Alas, there is no attractive beach there any longer, but still a nice walk with great views across the Forth and even along the coastline. And a couple of wee robins posing on branches just waiting to be admired reminded us that today is the first Sunday in Advent. We had booked lunch at the Harbourmaster's House Bistro at Dysart. We were therefore suitably dismayed when we got there only to find the door locked. So we chapped and rang the bell and keeked in the windows till someone came and explained that the fire alarm had gone off and wouldn't stop ringing. No fire , just the alarm. But H & S regulations meant that they couldn't let us in for our baked tatties. Royal Hotel, here we come. We all had a fine hot bowl of scotch broth, then cakes, scones and a cup of coffee. It was just the biz.
We didn't delay too long though as, even at 3.00pm, the light was changing and the cauld getting caulder. We walked back through Ravenscraig park this time, blethering non-stop as always. After St Clair Street, we went along Commercial Street and through Pathhead village, stopping only briefly to wave to Jenny Walker in her wee hoose.
Those in front were speed-walking along Victoria Road, but had to stop and tie our laces a couple of times to let the auld folk catch up. Up Dunnikier Road and onto Meldrum Road and the end was in sight. Back at the kirk we said our blessing together and thanked each other for the good company we've shared over the last six months on Sunday afternoons. That will be our last walk until January when at least three new people have intimated that they will be joining the group. Until then, enjoy a warm, peaceful, happy time with the folk you love. Christmas blessings to all.

Seafield to Kinghorn

Today we had planned a country walk near Ceres, but as the nichts are fair drawin' in we thought it safer to stay nearer home. We walked instead from Seafield to Kinghorn and back, which is part of the Fife Coastal walk. The forecast once again led us to believe that we were going to be hit with gales and so we wrapped up well as you can see in the photos above, but can you also see the colour of the sky? It turned out to be the most beautiful day - the sun was shining and warm and the sky was so so blue. It felt not at all like November. We started off in pairs but as the path narrowed we formed a single file, each watching the boots of the one in front so that if she didn't slip on the mud then we'll follow her. It was very muddy, in fact treacherous in parts, but we all stayed upright, with difficulty. We stopped a couple of times to take in the beauty of the Forth today, and talk about the seabirds, the boats and the hills across the water. It always amazes me just what we get to talk about on our walks. Our tongues are never still. We share experiences we've had and learn a lot from one another. Whether having fun or supporting each other, this is a lovely way to bond with other adults and we have all come to value the familiarity that we have developed. As we approached Kinghorn our pace quickened as we imagined the buttered scones and coffee waiting for us at Niven's in the High Street. The owners very kindly pulled tables together and we continued our fun and fellowship there. They didn't seem to mind a bit about our clarty footwear. The return walk was every bit as pleasant although when we stopped this time we could feel the temperature had dropped somewhat. And when Joe related a gruesome story about the beauty spot we were taking in, the conversation turned to an airing of diverse views on capital punishment. Moving sharply on then, a little too sharply I may add, as one of us lost her footing and skited on the glaur, but injuring only her dignity. Just as we thought we weren't going to see any, there she was, basking on a rock in the last of the sunlight. One lonesome seal whose pals (according to Joe) were along at the May Isle as this is the mating season. She was named Wallflower.
Back at the carpark we said our Gaelic Blessing together again and exchanged a few witticisms before going our separate ways once more, all feeling peaceful and contented .

Falkland Estate: Maspie Den and Pillars of Hercules

Now well into autumn (in fact the clocks went back an hour last night) we were chancing it going a country walk if we wanted to keep our feet dry. As always though, the weather was kind to us and although it was smirring rain to begin with, we did not surrender.

We welcomed new walkers today: Ashley, Kirsty, Blair and Bernadette.

We were wading through beautifully coloured leaves as we entered Maspie Den and Janice remarked that they reminded her of her mother's carpet. Mary showed us stones in a dry stane dyke which had Scots words engraved on them: Bletherin, Danderin, Stravaigin and the like. They were very interesting and I wonder how we could find out who put them there and why. We passed 'Tom's place' where Tom had been making wooden garden furniture which was displayed for sale. So caught up were we, blethering as we strode out, that the walk leader took an unintentional detour and missed out a great chunk of the planned walk. It was not until we happened upon the Pillars of Hercules well ahead of schedule that this error was discovered.

The walk leader has now been replaced.

We had smashing cups of coffee and scrumptious organic cakes at the wee cafe there and then got on the move once more before we became lazy. We retraced our steps back to Tom's place and picked up the proper route again. Unfortunately, as we had to reverse the walk, we had a very steep climb, so one or two auld folk were peching like auld horses by the time we reached the top. The views were great from that spot but we didn't linger as the light was already fading. At last we saw the Yad waterfall which we were able to walk behind to the delight of the children. From there it was all downhill; a beautiful walk back down through the Maspie Den from a different angle. It was a bit slippy and muddy underfoot though, so we did have to take care. Plenty more beauty spots, waterfalls, burns and lovely wee bridges before we exited Falkland Estate. The village itself of course is charming and we enjoyed looking at it's quaint old houses and nice wee coffee shops. Back at the car park before we left for home we said a Gaelic Blessing together, the last line of which goes, 'May God hold you in the palm of his hand until we meet again.' Top that, as they say.

Mystery History Walk

The secret is out! Nineteen of us travelled by minibus & car to St Andrews for one of Bob’s guided walks. Beautiful sunshine was accompanied by (severe) gale-force winds ---- but that didn’t hold us back!

After a snack lunch at the University’s Gateway café we headed off on our three & a half mile walk and our route took us along a path created by Dr Beeching
(i.e. the site of the old railway station and a bit of the St Andrews to Crail railway line!) before heading up the Canongate and down through the sheltered Lade Braes to the centre of the old town. We had short stops (while the tour-guide blethered to us!) at Parliament Hall, St Mary’s College, the Cathedral, the Castle, St Salvator’s College & Chapel and, of course, the Old Course --- where the Dunhill Links Championship had been cancelled for the day because of the very strong winds!

Weatherbeaten, but happy, we returned to our vehicles for the journey back to civilisation! This was the biggest number on our walks so far – long may it continue to grow & prosper.