Allan Crow (the Editor of the Fife Free Press and the Glenrothes Gazette) is in training to walk the Coastal Path next month as one of the core group of walkers on Bob’s Walk. Here’s his latest blog:-
When Bob’s Walk starts next week we’ll be doing up to 15 miles a day, so I figured I’d better see just how far I could walk before I hit the coastal path equivalent of ‘‘the wall.’’ Turns out that’s about 18km – or, Kirkcaldy to Aberdour…
I did harbour a notion of going even further, but as I headed up through the car park at Silver Sands I had all the movement of a zombie with a very sore back. Every muscle seized, every bone just groaned. The station seemed a mighty long way away as I inched up the hill!
Again, another glorious sunny day – perfect walking conditions, and the path was busy with walkers and cyclists.
I’d done Kirkcaldy to Kinghorn before – it now seems like a wee stroll! – but pushed on down to the harbour, past the lifeboat station and back up through the side streets to pick up the path on the main road leading to Burntisland.
The route along the main road is fairly dull – the statue to Alexander III is about the only landmark of note, although you are compensated with some stunning views across the Forth, and you also realise just how big Pettycur Bay Caravan Park is!
On through the High Street in Burntisland and up past Rossend Castle, and a left turn and we were edging back into countryside.
The path follows the railway line and the further you go from Burntisland, the greener it gets.
From Burntisland to Aberdour is probably one of my favourite parts so far – waterfalls are always a source of fascination, and plenty of folk were busy filming and taking pictures at Starley Burn Falls.
While cyclists negotiated the narrow and stony path, I was quite happy to saunter along at a more sedate pace until Aberdour’s famous beach came into view.
It seemed to take forever to actually get there though as I followed the path right down to the waterfront and followed it for several miles before emerging at the far corner of the beach.
As a kid I spent many summer days in Aberdour – I had my first shot at driving my mum’s car in the car park – and can still remember the miniature railway which kept us amused in between playing on the beach or buying ice cream.
For all times have changed, the beach has not, and it remains a magnet for families while the grassy fields are great for football and games.
At the top a shinty match was taking place, but by then my legs were all but exhausted! The walk to the station was slow – very slow – and I don’t think I’ve ever been more grateful to see a Scotrail train bearing the destination ‘Kirkcaldy’!
Counting down to Bob’s Walk 2013 – August 3-11, 108-mile charity fundraiser along Fife Coastal Path for Maggie’s Fife
To donate online please visit fundraise.maggiescentres.org/bobswalk
