The FCP to Anstruther

Today I walked from St.Monans to Anstruther via the Fife Coastal Path so I could get more groceries. My first morning here was quite pleasant. I made coffee and the Scotsman oats I got yesterday (the box complete with a picture of a red headed guy wearing a kilt and standing on the rolling green hills of the highlands.) Then I gathered my things and set out. One of the first things I saw the historic St.Monans windmill with the village of Pittenweem in the background. The views of the beach were absolutely stunning. The tide was all the way out, revealing black, seaweed laden rocks. Waves churned and seagulls screeched as the sweet ocean air blew in over the beach. The whole walk was like this. The beach scape changing as I made my way. 

St.Monans windmill.

After only a short time, I arrived in the town of Pittenweem, which is equally as quaint and beautiful as St.Monans, but in its own way. All the colorful old buildings lining the coast; it looks like something out of a post card. I have actually seen pictures of these fishing villages in a photo book about Scotland, so it was amazing to actually take my own today. 
 

Pittenweem!

Daffodils by a house in St.Monans.

The path went up into the town briefly, which I easily navigated (go me!), and then returned back to the coast and along the edge of a golf course. Just as I had Anstruther in my sights, it began to rain. 
 

But by the time I actually got there, the sun had returned. Again I was very pleased with my navigation. I got off the path and into town with only a vague idea of where the Co-op is loacted. I started going one way, but it felt wrong, so I turned around and began to head up hill. Soon enough, there it was. The Co-op. I was SO proud of myself. I had walked all the way there and managed to find the store on my own despite not knowing how to get there at all. 

Sidenote: On the way to the store, I passed a school and there were a bunch of kids hanging out on their break. They were all wearing uniforms, complete with ties; even the girls. Like Harry Potter... :D I was mega jealous. I seriously wish I had to wear uniforms like that in high school. 

Anyway, I shopped around the co-op for a while, leaving with plenty of groceries. It was only 20 pounds and I am set for the week. So once again, well done me. The biggest issue was getting them home. My backpack was completely full, and subsequently, very heavy. It made the walk back seem much longer, but it was still a beautiful day, so I enjoyed it. 
 

The Co-op

Pack fully loaded with groceries.

By the time I returned to the cottage both my shoulders and feet were killing me. The hiking shoes I have with my are really great, but after about an hour in them, they start to pinch my Achilles tendon in just the right way so it makes it quite painful to walk. So I unloaded the stuff and just relaxed in the cottage for a little bit. Then, a little later, I went back outside. This time, I started to explore the other side of the village.

Look at these buildings!

Door of St.Monans church.

I then relaxed on the beach for a while, enjoying the ocean breeze and watching the waves. I love the ocean and I love experiencing it in a new place such as this. After a relaxing while, I went back to cottage and made dinner. A far better dinner than last night... so the trek to Anstruther was well worth it. Tomorrow I plan to do some more of the FCP, so check back!