Crail and awkward public transit...

Today I did another portion of the coastal path, this time to the town of Crail. After a lovely breakfast of Scotsman oats (my new favorite breakfast food), I set out. It was a sunny day with a brisk ocean wind blowing fiercely over the path. Quite a nice walking day; especially compared to yesterday.

Soon enough I was passing through Pittenweem with Anstruther in my sights. Last time I walked to Anstruther, it was only to go to the store, so today I got to walk all the way through the town. Being a Saturday, it was very busy along the main street. Families were milling about, looking at the shops and eating at restaurants. I was surprised at how much it reminded me of home. A beautiful, small seaside town that fills with tourists during the summer months. Once I got through the main section of town and onto the small road that lead to the FCP, it was really enjoyable. Stone building of every size and color lined a very narrow street. I love these little sea side towns... so historic and beautiful.

Anstruther bay.

Just one view down the narrow streets of Anstruther.

Then the narrow road ended and the coastal path to Crail began.

Fields of livestock lined the path to the left for most of the way. After a while of walking, a very cool sandstone formation rose up in the distance. 

 

Beware of livestock!

From there, the path became less defined and more rocky. It made it quite a challenge with my aching feet and painful hiking shoes, but it was cool nonetheless. A very enjoyable hike with more incredible beach views. Then I was approaching two ruined houses. Scotland is so cool...everywhere you go...ruins. :D

 

Ruined house #2

 Immediately after these two houses, after cresting a small hill, the town of Crail lay before me. I then meandered along the beach, stopping to take off my shoes and have my lovely lunch. A Nutella and peanut butter sandwich and an apple. Guess how many times I've had that this week? 

Damn shoes...

Check out those rocks!

Crail!

The plan was to take the bus back to St.Monans, which didn't leave until 3:50, so I had more than an hour to explore the town. Although it is another coastal fishing village, it is absolutely beautiful and charming in its own way. I spent most of my time just wandering the streets and taking photos. (Que pictures)

I could have spent like 6 more hours there getting all artsy with buildings and taking cool photos. There are just so many small architectural details I kept noticing around the town the added to its charming atmosphere and overall photogenic nature. No wonder it is an artists town...

Then it was about time to catch the service 95 bus back to St.Monans. It was about 15 minutes late, which did not help the whole uncomfortable shoe situation...but it felt great to sit when it did arrive. I used my best Scottish accent when I bought my ticket. Although it was only to say "To St.Monans" and "thank you", I think I totally nailed it. 

Anyway, in Ansturther, this lady got on with her unruly child. We were about halfway to Pitenweem when the mother decided to start to play a game of "let's see how uncomfortable I can make the other bus passengers by letting my kid run around like crazy, then yell at them loudly when I finally reliaze they are misbehaving." She won. It was so awkward... Her kid was climbing on everything while she just sat there, then she noticed it, got up, yanked the kid down and proceded to yell about it. I could see everyone sitting near looking very uncomfortable. Including me... Ahh the fun of public transit. 

It was another great day of hiking along the coast of Fife. Only a few more days left here in Scotland, which is really hard to believe. But so far I have had an amazing time. Check back tomorrow to see whatever it is I am going to do tomorrow...Yay! 

The Fife Coatsal Path

This morning I woke up at my leisure and made a pretty sweet breakfast, if I do say so myself. I think I finally mastered making coffee with a french press. Woo!

I mean dayum. Muesli with yogurt and fruit. Toast, eggs, and coffee.

Well done me. I then made a sandwich and gathered some other food to bring with my on my hike. I packed up my backpack and headed out. It was a sunny, blustery day, the perfect temperature for a good walk. The daffodils bobbed their heads as I passed, making my way down the road to town.

 I did a small portion of the Fife Coastal Path. I started in Kinghorn and made it to the outskirts of Kirkaldy. I was originally planning to go a little past Kirkaldy, to Dysart, but there was a street fair going on, and I didn't feel like trying to find my way through that. I was there for the nature. And nature there was. 

 

I did a portion within section two.

 I knew where the path began to head back towards Burntisland, but I only had a rough idea of where it started to go towards Kirkcaldy. It took me three tries to figure out exactly where it began. I found the trail right away, but I could not for the life of me find the trail head. But alas, I did find it and began my hike. 

The church in Kinghorn.

The start of the path.

 Right off the bat, the views were absolutely stunning. From the trail, I could see across the sparkling blue firth over to Arthur's seat in Edinburgh, and across the sprawling rocky beaches beyond the path ahead. 

The path.

Across the way is Arthur's seat.

My pace was slowed considerably, mostly because I kept getting extremely distracted by all the beautiful panoramic views and the beaches. I could spend a whole day just clambering around the beach pictured above. There are so many areas to explore and things to find. But I did my best to contain myself so I would actually end up going somewhere. 

Much of the path was very easy, only with slight inclines every now and then. Those inclines provided for spectacular vantage points. 

A sign for the coastal path with Arthur's seat and Black Rocks in the horizon. What a view.

After about an hour or so of walking, the silhouette of a crumbling stone building rose up out of the bluffs. It was that of Seafield Tower, built in the 16th century. This to me is the essence of Scotland. Cool old castles steeped in history. If I had a nickel for every time that I have watched a ghost show about a Scottish castle, I could probably buy a castle. The history behind them is always fascinating, so I was totally psyched when I saw this was en route.

I spent a fair bit of time walking along the beach and sitting on the rocks in front of the tower. For a while I looked out on the rocks and watched the waves crash against them. A faint movement on the rocks caught my eye. I stared and stared for the longest time, trying to figure out what the movement was. My first thought was that it looked like a sheep moving its head up and down. But that made no sense. Then I though perhaps it was a garbage bag being blown about, until I saw the same movement a little farther left on the rock. Seals. They were seals. About ten seals were all basking on the rocks. It was so very cool. I also figured out that I seriously need to wear my glasses more often...

It's zoomed in pretty far, but can you see the seals?

I continued along the path until I reached the beach just before Kirkcaldy. As soon as I saw what looked like a carnival in the distance, I stopped and had my picnic. As I said before, it was some street festival, and I just didn't want to get anywhere near the crowds. 

Best sandwich ever! (not really.) (it was alright.)

On my way back, I passed the castle again and I took a butt ton more pictures. Here a few of them:

Check out that red sandstone.

Then it was back to the path. I took a quick detour onto a beach I had passed on the way. A small path was of indented grass lead down a small hill and onto the beach. There I walked along the sand, skirting the cliffs. Suddenly, I noticed an opening, a split in the rocks. Sure enough, it was the gaping mouth of a cave about fifty feet high. I was not expecting to find this, so it was an added bonus to the days adventure. 

The small path lead here.

This is my "This cave is creepy and I'm not going any closer" face.

I walked up close to mouth, but did not actually go inside. It emanated a damp air and stony silence. The only sound was the occasional dripping as it echoed off the stone walls of the cave. I stood there for what seemed like a long while, entranced by the utter silence. The spell was broken when a couple and their dog walked by and I began to head back to Kinghorn and to the farm.