Fife

This was something different to the normal backpacking trips. It was something of a surprise when Mike e mailed me, suggesting renting a cottage in Fife for a week. It sounded interesting and I was certainly up for it.
We set off on Monday morning. it was a fairly straightforward run up. We stopped at Upper Largo so that Mike could nip up Largo Hill. The cottage we had rented was at Kilrenny. it was a nice wee place, providing everything we needed.
On the Tuesday we set off to bag a few local hills. These hills were separate individuals, standing alone above the surrounding rich arable lands . Our first hill was Kerrie Law.

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The arable lands of Fife.
It was a steady pull up to the trig point and the wind was strong. Thus we did not linger long.

Blackthorn bushes allowed to grow without being laid for hedging.
Our second top was Drumcarrow Craig. The remains of an ancient  Broch where discernable on the top. The hut circles where far more obscure.

Trig point, Drumcarrow Craig.
From our high vantage point we could see out across to the  Firth of Tay. Something else that stood out was the Eden estuary.  Beyond that was the expanse of the Tentsmuir Forest. On a spur of the moment decision, we headed off in that direction. The forest appeared well managed. No dense stands of sitka pines. Mainly a mixture of pines with a scattering of hardwoods. The adjoining beach was a vast expanse of sand, stretching in to the far horizon.

Miles of Beach.
We set off for a walk along the beach, much to Lucky's delight. It is an ideal area for a dog to run around daft!

The strong wind sent eddies of sand blasting along the beach.

A deserted sand blown beach.

Lucky the dog explores the tide line.

Storm tossed driftwood trees.

An incoming tide gradually enveloping the sand.
With one more hill to bag, we headed back to the carpark. We were rather amused when a car parked next to us. The lady driver had scrawled a rough message in lipstick across her side window. it appeared to be in regard to someone stealing her parking space! The last hill of the day was Lucklaw.
Wednesday was a fairly relaxed sort of day. We had one hill to bag, Kincraig Hill. We set off from Elie.

With the tide out we were able to walk across the harbour and follow the beach around to Earlsferry. At one time there had been a ferry service from North Berwick and had been regularly used by pilgrims on their way to St Andrews. Following the Fife coastal path, we headed across the golf links.

 The path leading up the steep cliffs looked daunting but went ok. Kincraig hill has the remains of a coastal battery. They were part of the Firth of Forth coastal defences in the second world war.

We had been considering having a swim in Shell Bay, however, it would mean a long drop down and lengthy climb back up. There was a plan B in place though.

After a spot of lunch, we he headed back over to Elie.

Despite the white caps and choppy seas out in the Firth of Forth, Wood Haven offered a delightful swimming spot. There was a swell but no large breaking waves on the beach. It was a nice wee swim followed by hot soup.

Wood Haven Beach.
We stopped at Anstruther on the way back, to pick up a few bits of shopping and wander around the harbour.

Converted fishing boat.
Thursday morning began with rain. It was forecast to clear later in the morning. Amazingly it did clear. We had agreed on a straightforward walk, an out and to Crail. Once again we followed the coastal path. it was a pleasant walk.  We paused to have a look at a group of sandstone caves. At one time these had been used by pilgrims and monks en route to St Andrews. Now they are in a rather sad and sorry condition.

Weathered sandstone.

At one time children (and adults) used to try and throw a stone through the hole. It was believed that if successful a wish would be granted. To me it looks more a head. The eye, the deep, furrowed brow, a bulbous nose and jowled chin?

 Low tide, Crail.
It threatened to rain while we had lunch at Crail. Fortunately it was just a few wee spots.

 Crail harbour.
Friday saw us once more heading south. It certainly had been a pleasant change. Nice one Mike!

Elie harbour.