The Kelpies, Falkirk

We departed from the church at 1000 precisely in  Viewforth HS 's luxurious minibus heading for Falkirk to visit The Kelpies. A cloudy morning with a decidedly autumnal twist, we were dressed rather differently to the last time we met. It was an easy journey through, the driver having googled the whole journey the previous night. Again, right on time, we arrived at our parking spot at Falkirk football stadium where some if us felt the need to use the facilities before moving on to meet our tour guide, Steve.





Mary bought a postcard at the ticket office so I bet George D reads it out at church on Sunday. The Helix park is very exposed so it was bitterly cauld during our tour and we shared hats, gloves and scarves around. We walked about 15 mins before even reaching the Kelpies. They are magnificent. These were sculptor Andy Scott's vision 8 years ago and he must feel completely satisfied at the wonderful result.

The surrounding plaza,  Lagoon , Playground,  wetlands, cycle paths and lots more make this a tourist attraction not to be missed for Scots folk and a real pull to the central belt for visitors to our country. I expect it will be even better once the tourist centre opens in 2015. So many people of all ages and nationalities were having a great time. Steve told us the history of the Kelpies and took us inside Duke, the head down horse, it's neighbour being called Baron, named after two life models chosen by Andy Scott for the character of their faces. Two massive Clydesdales - a testament to the industrial past if the Falkirk area.  Made from stainless steel plates - each one different- the contours of the horses' faces clearly visible.

The tour lasted 45 mins then we had to walk back to the Falkirk stadium for lunch. Very nice it was too, and some say they will return with their families. Unfortunately we had to return by the same route after lunch to go on our walk, so past the Kelpies this time and into the community woodland, trying to follow a map which was neither use nor ornament. Seeking two pieces of community sculpture in the woods, we did find one.  Charlie offering himself as the sacrifice as you see. This was a human sun clock but as it was very cloudy we couldn't really check out the time. 

 

 

 

 

 

We got A little bit lost trying to  find the other sculpture until a kind man out for a daunder showed us the way to 'love and kisses'.
Massive lips made from corten steel. As you see the children in our party used it as a plaything.






 

Back on the bus we shared our admiration of the Kelpies and the whole Helix Park. A quiz  was handed round with a valuable prize at stake for the winners. Alison and John were the winners which was nice as they were the 'new walkers' today. We then played a variation of pass the parcel - Pass the Pawkie - which June won, then shared her prize out with  the rest of the bus. The average age in the bus by the way, was 65.

We had an east journey home and arrived back at the church just after 5pm ending our meeting as always with prayer

DW

Balbirnie and Markinch

Janis wrote -

Fifteen walkers left the church on Sunday 28th September for Balbirnie Park, we parked our cars at the hotel car park, it was busy because of a Wedding Fair.

We set off down the drive and our first stop was at the walled garden allotments,it was great to see all the wonderful produce and flowers and we even got some tips on growing and cooking veg from the allotmenteers.

On through the park and into Markinch and a stop at the church for a photo, then up the road to the east lodge entrance. Back in the park we had a good tour around the gardens and the woodland walks,having a look at the wild life pond  and taking a few wrong turns along the way! The weather  was just perfect as we waked along the bridle path to the north lodge, past the golf course arriving at the club house where we were having tea. As we had some time to spare us ladies just had to go and visit the wedding fair,leaving Joe, Charlie and Bob to check out the golf results.

Back to the club house to have tea and cake and a good chance to agree on a super walk,with great company and perfect weather. Finishing with our walkers prayer.

 

Holl, Ballo and Harperleas reservoirs

 

 

 

Rona wrote......

The Water of Life route in the Lomond Hills Regional Park saw 13 walkers setting off on Sunday

 It was a lovely day, some cloud and a gentle breeze as we parked the cars at the Holl Reservoir.Starting off with one of Mary's sookie sweeties we had a gentle start on a Tarmac road which took us around the north end of Holl Reservoir, through a kissing gate to start a gentle ascent on farm tracks which were mainly dry underfoot. Passing Drumain Reservoir on our right we headed through open grassland with grazing sheep towards a tree belt which once through led us to a fertile strip between Ballo and Harperlees Reservoirs. Crossing between the two waters gave us fabulous views of the West Lomond and we were just thankful that we weren't going to climb it. A gentle ascent from the reservoirs led us onto a firmer track with fenced fields taking care to stay on the track and not going near the territory which stated "danger bull in field". A brief stop was had at a lovely old ruin and this necessitated a photo call as the open views were just amazing.Discussion took place as to the origins of the ruin.

Striding onwards we exited the track on the south side of Craigmead car park and heading in this direction on the road we eventually took a track through a field to our left. This was rougher walking and walking poles were a boon here with Kelly taking the lead and shooing the sheep out of our way. Walking for a bit by the shore of Ballo Reservoir we again had a steep rise but stopped to say hello to two ponies, a Jack Russell terrier, billy and nanny goats and a field of cows. Who says we never see any wild life! They looked pretty wild to us.

Our final descent took us past the water treatment works which purifies our drinking water and a return road to our parked cars where we said our Walkers Prayer. "May the road rise to meet you " was very apt today.

The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust describe the following "From Buckhaven to Burntisland we drink the water of the Lomond Hills. Holl reservoir contains enough water for about 8 Billion (8,000,000,000) cups of tea". Now think of that walkers! Well stopping at Fettykil Fox for refreshments there's now a lot less water in the reservoirs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hill of Tarvit/Ceres circular

 

 

Phil wrote:

The walk chosen was a distance of about four miles across mainly undulating farm tracks and paths. Starting from the Edwardian Mansion house at Hill of Tarvit, passing by Whitehill Farm, then picking up the old Moor road into Ceres. From there, the old track to Pettycur (Waterless Road) by Denhead Farm then down to and across the Craigrothie Burn and returning to the House.

Although the weather forecast was not favourable, the fresh wind kept the rain away and we enjoyed some warm bright spells. The ground underfoot was surprisingly dry with only one or two small areas showing sign of recent downpours. As it was, the rain held off until the last few minutes by which time we were able to take refuge in the attractive Mansion cafe for tea, coffee and fruited scones (irresistably smothered in jam and clotted cream). Wall panels in the cafe described the history and ownership of the house which was substantially remodelled by Sir Robert Lorimer in 1906 for the Sharp family.  Under present day NTS ownership, a 9 hole 'hickory club' golf course, putting green and Croquet lawn are available to visitors (maybe next time).  A short visit to browse through the NTS gift shop rounded off the day.

 

 

Dalgety Bay

 

Charlie wrote -

On Sunday, 20th July, a hot and sunny afternoon, to be relieved occasionally by cloud cover and a  breeze, welcomed 18 members of the walking group to Braefoot Bay, to explore the delights in and around Dalgety Bay.   Joined the coastal path, aka Beech Avenue, for a short time before turning onto Braefoot Point path which runs between two fields and enters a woodland area to arrive at a disused Second World War stone pier.

From here can be viewed wonderful panoramas of the River Forth, Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Not to be missed.   This area was home to a Gun Batttery during the war and some of the buildings are still evident.   Exited the trees and moved west along the minor road to St. Bridget's Kirk, the ruins of a medieval church dating back to 1170.

 

 

 

 

  Turned inland and up and over a bit of a gradient in the road leading to the Cornerstone Church and in turn to the Eastern Access Road.

Then proceeded to take the first right into Ridge Way and through the Industrial Estate to the Garden Centre for a refreshing cuppa, goodies and a blether.

All too soon, it was back on the road again, the Western Access, that is, in the direction of the shore.

Regent Way was next to be traversed, soon to be followed by Moray Way South and an entrance to the coastal path with some different perspectives of the Forth and surrounding area.  Worth seeing.

The circuitous route revisited St Bridget's Kirk and then on to Beech Avenue once more for the final stretch to the Car Park.   The distance of 6 miles was a wee bit more than had been anticipated but most enjoyable nevertheless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kilconquhar, Elie

Rona wrote - Parking on the Main Street in Elie we set off eastwards along the high street heading for the drive to Elie House. Entering through some grand entrance gates we headed up the lovely meandering drive, passing Elie House on our right hand side. Shortly we left the Tarmac drive and walked on lovely dry paths through a woodland. Shortly we reached Kilconquhar Loch and stopped at the old jetty. When doing the recki a couple of weeks previously a couple of Herons flew up from a nesting site directly in front of us, but no such luck today. However the view over the Loch was lovely, looking towards Kilconquhar Church and village - so peaceful. Continuing thought the woodland on an old estate path we eventually reached a quiet road which meant a short stretch of quiet road walking which took us to the entrance driveway to Shell Bay Holiday Park. After a short stretch on this road we turned off into a forest trail and saw some giant hogweed between 4-6 foot tall. Glad it wasn't in my garden! Time was rapidly running out and as it was a really warm day we were desperate for our coffee stop, so we cut the walk short and walked the perimeter of the holiday park before reaching a lovely farm track which took us into Earlsferry. Passing the golf course with lots of golfers out today, we then had a brisk walk along the Main Street towards Elie and our coffee stop the Elie Coffee Shop, where we partook of a great selection of delicious scones and tea and coffee. The perfect end to a day but thinking of our friends who for various reasons couldn't be with today. Look forward to seeing you back with us at the next walk

 

Rameldrie, Cupar

Dianne  wrote –

The walkers were kindly invited to visit Margaret and Walter Simpson’s cottage near Kettlebridge today. We had to follow a map just to reach the cottage as it sits at the back of beyond. Just before we got there we had a wee panic driving through a muckle dub which was so deep we held our breaths till we got through to the other side. Such a lot of work has gone on at the cottage since we last saw it. Idyllic setting.

 Inside, Walter had one of the two  open fires blazing and we were enthralled by the bellows, wood saw and baskets of kindling hanging up to dry and the very old black kettle sitting at the fireside.  We were invited to look at the bedrooms in the attic space which we accessed by way of the staircase from an old double decker bus. Margaret and Walter told us the history of the cottage (1705) and how they came to have possession.  Margaret then led us on a beautiful country walk starting from the cottage which is named Dam’s Rameldrie (engraved above the lintel on the door). We could smell those country smells, especially the wild garlic, as we walked along the edges of fields, tracks the tractors take and bridle paths.   Through Devon Woods, past Hiltonhill Farm Coaltown of Burnturk and Cults, around 5 miles we think. Charlie knew this walk and took us a short detour for a ‘surprise’ which turned out to be Eastwood pets’ cemetery among some trees. Mmm…thanks Charlie.

We saw an eco house en route – very interesting until we discovered that the materials came from Sweden. Not sure how to balance out that long expensive journey with environmentally friendly views. Scotland surely could have provided sustainable materials to create such a building? Right. Off soap box.

Back on track we depended on Margaret’s directions passing by her neighbours who were tidying their gardens. A couple of us bought some eggs there. We passed Rameldrie Mill and the burn which runs down below Dam’s Cottage. Back at the start again, Walter had the kettle boiling for tea and coffee and we enjoyed some scones, gingerbread and a yummy fruitcake which Margaret had made for us. They are really such perfect hosts. They even laid on entertainment – indoor carpet bowls which the Reds v. Blacks played with a degree of skill but mostly with not a clue. So after our refreshments and a bit of fun we set off for home, only stopping at the cottage garden for a cutting of sage.

The weather was just perfect this afternoon – calm and warm with only a wee threat of the wet stuff at one point.  17 walkers and as always we had a great opportunity to talk, and importantly listen to each other, getting a flavour of what is happening in folk’s lives.  Sometimes when we get home we think of these friends who need our thoughts and prayers. Lots to be thankful for today.