Our first proper hiking day in the UK was a "bit brrrrrreezy"...
We started early-ish, arriving at our first of two hikes at 8.30am after yet another substantial breakfast. Based on the Walking Scotland brochure, we thought the West Lomond track may be a loop but we ended up going there and back. West Lomond is the biggest hill in Fife and at 1700 feet (522m) we considered it to be more a hill climb. East Lomond is visible in the... east throughout the hike.
Getting ready to hit the trail...
Most of the track is a right of way through farming land so we teased sheep on the way and had to open a farm style gate to get there. There was a clear warning about keeping dogs under control (more on that later).
The wind chill was noticeable so we layered up in readiness for the every-changing weather. West Lomond summit is behind Di in this photo.
Hans was shouting "come to daddy" as he chased this sheep... The sheep did not come to "daddy"...
The path to West Lomond was pretty easy going and scenic. There were no trees but there was a few flowers such as purple heather and some tiny white blossoms too - all low growing of course. The fence line for the grazing land harks back to another era and was rarely straight.
The views towards East Lomond as we climbed were stunning. The wind was howling towards us making it a bit heavy going sometimes for Di. Hans was OK with this, after all it was just a "bit breezy".
We got a rain shower (which we knew would come) but it only lasted 10 minutes then passed quickly, leaving a lovely rainbow. Di looked for the pot of gold - or is that an Irish folklore?
The summit of West Lomond was not much further but Di started to worry about the wind/breeze at the top so was happy to let Hans continue (think of a mime walking into the wind...) while she turned around and started the descent.
Hans climbed for another 5 minutes or so to the top of West Lomond.
...And yep, it was a "a bit breezy" all right. Jeez the Scots are tough if they call this "a bit breezy" as a runner in shorts and T-shirt told Hans yet again as the runner reached the summit. Hans found it tough to keep the camera still for this photo at the top and is, as you can see, dressed with a few more layers than just shorts and T-shirt...
The views over Loch Leven to the west were pretty good though.
The views to the north was not bad either, and we had this view most of the way up.
The track walkers were an interesting mix. Some looked like serious athletes, joggers and older hikers, while others were just taking their dog for a stroll. This couple we saw were pushing a baby pram up the track. That was going to be tough near the top where it becomes much steeper a bit rocky. We both noticed the baby being bounced around a lot. Shaken Baby Syndrome?
This photo showed a smoother section of the track lower down. It reminded us quite a bit of some walks around Mount Kosiousko and Charlotte Pass in the Snowy Mountains in Australia.
The last note on the walkers of West Lomond. As Di approached the gate we passed through at the start a couple walking their excitable little Spaniel dog passed through without the dog on a lead. Of course the dog noticed the sheep before they did and took off chasing them. Uh oh. The dog refused to respond to calling and they then were also chasing him through the flock. We are sure the farmer would be unimpressed as there were fat lambs in the flock too. Perhaps not the smartest dog walkers...
We made our way back to our hotel in Leslie around 11am for a cuppa break.
At 12 we had worked out our next "move your ass" plan and headed to the start of the Fife Coastal Path at North Queensferry. Hiking part 2 for the day.
Not just any bridge - but the Forth Rail Bridge - apparently this is the largest cantilever bridge in the world.
We liked the bridge and admired it for a while before heading off.
This is the Fife Coastal Path starting post and the path then passes right underneath the bridge. A train went over as we went under so we got the full effect. Shake, rattle and roll.
The path does hug the coast (or at least here the north edge of the Firth of Forth) so you are warned about cliffs and soft edges. Di...
About 30 minutes into the Fife Coastal Path, we found a lovely beach area which was protected from the wind and with rocks that were perfect seats for a lunch break as time was now approaching 1.30pm.
Here's something we prepared earlier (salami rolls thanks to Aldi).
Di had been having some trouble with leg muscle cramps and they plagued her here (she thinks due to the cold) so she turned back after lunch with plans to meet Hans with the car further down the track.
Moving right along... Not all of Fife Coastal Path is scenic. For example... A scrapyard...? Welcome to Inverkeithing.
No, Hans was not lost. That's the logo of the Fife Coastal Path on the pole confirming he was on the right path.
Not long after passing this sign, Hans temporarily did lose signage and took a wild stab in the dark that the path must be along the water to the right and just headed towards it. Inverkeithing had not the most scenic environment and Hans wandered through some less than attractive neighborhood, but he reached the path where he thought it would be and continued.
After a post industrial moonscape of sorts, the outlook got a lot better again and there were even people on the path.
And at the other side of the above was Di unexpectedly with the car waiting for Hans to come by (we had agreed to meet some 4 km later).
Well, for a first true hiking day in the UK taking in both coastal and inland areas, the 16km was a good start and the temptation of a hot coffee won Hans over.
We drove to Aberdour up the coast a bit and to the Silver Sands. Yep, that was what it was called. It did cost us £1.50 but the parking guy let us in on a secret; if you drive down to the coffee shop seen below (which was our destination anyway), you may find parking there. We did and we found a spot just behind the cafe. Good call.
It was Arthur's Seat, the hill in Edinburgh close to were we stayed and the one that Hans hiked last Tuesday. Yes, Edinburgh is just across Firth of Forth there and immediately to the right.
After our coffee break, we went down to the water to sample the temperature. Not warm...
Around 4pm we drove back to Greenside Hotel for a wash up (read... bath yet again, particularly nice after been out in the wind for a while) and then we wandered up to Peking House for another take away Chinese dinner. Lazy evening in the room. Good night.
Posted with Blogsy
No comments:
Post a Comment