Our neighbourhood

We donned our rainwear before leaving the church on the last of  our outings for 2013.
because the walk was so short, we added a bit of interest by making it a clue searching game. 18 clues were placed in the windows of folk we know, folk we don't know, shops, churches and railway station. Only one Fife council establishment removed the clue before the time! The fun was wearing a bit thin though by the time we returned to the church, drookit.

While we were away, the Stark clan had been busy in the kitchen making a Christmas curry for the walkers. But promise of valuable prizes to be won kept us studying the results of the game, trying to work out the anagram.  Steven and Kerry were the lucky winners who discovered the answer, ' O Come let us adore him.'

At 3pm our guest arrived. No, not Santa. Liz Houston a very talented art teacher whom we were very fortunate to book, got the group organised making paper flowers out of Christmas paper and we formed these into a Christmas wreath for display in the sanctuary. Liz also showed us how to make an origami Christmas tree which those who have grandchildren will take home to entertain the children in the lead up to Christmas.
The aroma coming from the kitchen was getting to us by this time so when the plates of chicken curry and rice and nan bread were served, we were very receptive!
Mary had brought her home-made ginger wine for us which always gives that seasonal kick. Many thanks to  the Stark  family, Mary and Joe, daughter and son in law Ashley and Craig, and not forgetting the delightful, well mannered and hardworking ( chips off the old blocks!)grandchildren Kirsty and Blair who served us and cleared up afterwards.
 

May you and your families jingle all the way as you celebrate the miracle, the gift and the promise of Christmas. Love to all.

 

 

 

  

 

Lochore Meadows

Ian reports

15 of us set off from the church just after 12.40 and after a relaxing run through the metropolis of Lochgelly and the picturesque hamlets of Glencraig and Lochore we arrived at the Meadows car park.

Although there wasn't much in the  way of sunshine it was a pleasant day. The walk took us around the loch via the path which is strangely called "Around the Loch". At the start we encountered the only part which involves a bit of an incline in The Clune where the normally resident cattle were absent. Just before entering Cadgers Wood some of the more observant of us noticed a large white cross laid out on the side of Falkland Hill. Apparently it had been laid down earlier that morning by St Andrews Ambulance Corps and was to mark the start of National First Aid Week. Thanks for the info Hilda and Kerry. The view back over the Loch from this point was worth a snap or two for those who had cameras.

 

We were unfortunate not to see any of the wildlife which inhabits the parkland but we did meet many friendly souls doing the same as us. We passed three gentlemen on their second time around but when I asked if they were lost they assured me they knew where they were. We stopped in front of Chapel Wood to have a group photo taken and this didn't go down well with a nearby fisherman. He was actually sat in his car reading his Sunday paper but he had a rod set up so I guess that must count as fishing.

 

We got to the end of the 3.6 mls walk in just under an hour and 30 minutes, a bit early for our planned cuppa at Cluny Clays so some of us headed back up to the old Mary Pit entrance and along the Pit Road as far as the Equestrian Centre, down through Quarry Wood and back along the lochside to the cars.A total of 4.6 mls. Everything was set up for us at Cluny Clays where they looked after us really well with tea and coffee, cakes and scones. Thank you all for a very pleasant afternoon.

Lochore Meadows 24th Nov 2013

Ian reports

15 of us set off from the church just after 12.40 and after a relaxing run through the metropolis of Lochgelly and the picturesque hamlets of Glencraig and Lochore we arrived at the Meadows car park.

Although there wasn't much in the  way of sunshine it was a pleasant day. The walk took us around the loch via the path which is strangely called "Around the Loch". At the start we encountered the only part which involves a bit of an incline in The Clune where the normally resident cattle were absent. Just before entering Cadgers Wood some of the more observant of us noticed a large white cross laid out on the side of Falkland Hill. Apparently it had been laid down earlier that morning by St Andrews Ambulance Corps and was to mark the start of National First Aid Week. Thanks for the info Hilda and Kerry. The view back over the Loch from this point was worth a snap or two for those who had cameras.

 

We were unfortunate not to see any of the wildlife which inhabits the parkland but we did meet many friendly souls doing the same as us. We passed three gentlemen on their second time around but when I asked if they were lost they assured me they knew where they were. We stopped in front of Chapel Wood to have a group photo taken and this didn't go down well with a nearby fisherman. He was actually sat in his car reading his Sunday paper but he had a rod set up so I guess that must count as fishing.

 

We got to the end of the 3.6 mls walk in just under an hour and 30 minutes, a bit early for our planned cuppa at Cluny Clays so some of us headed back up to the old Mary Pit entrance and along the Pit Road as far as the Equestrian Centre, down through Quarry Wood and back along the lochside to the cars.A total of 4.6 mls. Everything was set up for us at Cluny Clays where they looked after us really well with tea and coffee, cakes and scones. Thank you all for a very pleasant afternoon.

Blairadam 3rd Nov 2013

Bennochy Walkers Blairadam Forest

 

Well, following a dreich Saturday, Sunday dawned bright and sunny albeit with a cold, westerly wind. A dozen walkers set off for a walk in Blairadam Forest at Kelty.

 

Parking at Baxters (formerly Kathellen) we strode across the B914 and entered the forest. A vast amount of tree felling had been taking place and what previously would have been dense wood now gave a great panorama which includrd the “sleeping giant”, West Lomond, Largo Law and Bay, the wind turbine at Fife Energy Plant at Methil and Berwick Law

 

Striding on, we were careful as the narrow road we were walking on also led to another parking area for walkers and the Forestry Commission Blairadam Depot. The nice day had brought a lot of people out from young people’s groups to families and dog walkers. A short walk into the forest we took a fork to the left of the track which took us along the Glen Trail alongside Kelty Burn. We noted along this track some type of old building work which caused some discussion. Having now had the chance to look at an information leaflet I can say that what we saw was the “remains of the “100 foot bridge” which carried the railway over the Glen to the Blairenbathie pit” which was just one of the many pits in the area

 

Walking to the end of the glen we exited it via an underpass of the M90 and continued on until we reached Keltyhill, where we commented on the lovely old cottages, one even had a clock tower with a commemoration plaque. Moving briskly on we headed towards Kelty and cutting through a large park area eventually came to the footpath over the M90 and again back into the forest for a brief time. The last half mile was what could be classed as a “lang hing” as what goes down must eventually go up again. However the thought of tea, coffee and scones at Baxters, fair geed us up because some of our “tongues were fair hinging oot”.

 

Back at Baxters we enjoyed the lovely scones, butter and jam and general chat around the table before we managed to squeeze a wee look at the shop, fair bedecked with Christmas goodies. What a lot we packed into the afternoon and as always the good company made a good walk even better

Raith Woods October 2013

Coaltown of Balgonie

With the sun shining and a lovely breeze 10 walkers set off for the Thornton to Coaltown of Balgonie circular walk. We welcomed a new walker to the group (Linda) and there were some celebrations amongst group members. Isobel has celebrated her daughter’s wedding and June and Bob their Golden wedding – congratulations to all.

 

Parking at Glenrothes with Thornton railway station car park and heading through Memorial Park, a junior club football game was taking place. The football supporters amongst us probably would have liked to spend a bit of time there. Anyway walking briskly on past Thornton Bowling Green and Primary School we headed off down Station Road and after the underpass to the Regional road we took a left turn onto a track which then lead out into the countryside. Walking was fairly easy on farm roads and tracks, some slight inclines but not too much to get us out of pech. It was really a day to daunder but 7.2 miles lay ahead

 

The farmers looked to be quite busy today with trailers full of newly harvested potatoes being transported and barns full of grain. The hedgerows were full of brambles together with Rose hips and Hawthorne berries. The Rowan berries and Elderflower berries were hanging heavily from the trees. What a country feast. The walk linked nicely with the church service this morning which was a Harvest Thanksgiving, a celebration of all Gods goodness to us.

 

Well it got really warm walking and casting off layers of clothes we were desperate to get to out coffee stop at the Balgonie Arms. As it hoved into view the sighs of relief were audible. Elaine and Margo did us proud. The table was set for us and the scones, tea and coffee went down a treat, so much so we had to have seconds! Reluctant to leave we bade our farewells and set off to complete the walk, only 2 miles to go

 

Leaving the Main Street in Coaltown we made our way again back into the countryside and I’m certain there was more of a spring in our steps. Ponies in a near by field came to say hello thinking perhaps we had some goodies to share……sorry we had eaten them all. Eventually back at the car park having enjoyed each others company and looking forward to our next outing, we said the traditional Gaelic blessing,

 

Auchterarder

Charlie wrote:
What better way to welcome in the month of September than to make a foray into beautiful Perthshire to the town of Auhterarder, once famous for weaving, malting and distilling.Fifteen pairs of feet mustered at the town's car park,and then with bodies attached, set off on a little adventure on a cloudy, windy, but fair afternoon.
The walk of 4.7 miles in and around the town took us through the settlement of Castleton and via Oak Walk to a woodland area, populated with birds, animals and fish, all carved in wood by members of the local community. Naturally clever.
Then across town to walk by the Ruthven Water with its weir and fish ladder, a required photo stop. On past the Old Glen Ruthven Mill and to the stairway, giving splendid views of the Ochil Hills, back into town for delicious scones and cake, topped with much banter and chat.