Our ultra-runners, Sheena and Johnny Logan ran the entire 108 mile route in the incredible time of 23 hours and 14 minutes. They started at Maggie’s, Edinburgh at 6am on Day 8 of Bob’s Walk and ran round the Fife Coastal Path overnight, finishing at Maggie’s, Dundee less than 24 hours later, on the final day. A truly amazing feat.

Day 8 – Saturday 10th August 2013 – Guardbridge to Tayport. Following the forest trail to Tayport. 

You simply couldn’t order weather this good. Eight days on Fife Coastal Path and not one single shower, barely even a raindrop worthy of mention.

The perfect conditions continued on the penultimate day of Bob’s Walk as we headed from Guardbridge to Tayport – a 12-mile walk largely through, or rather, around, Tentsmuir Forest.

Once again we were joined by new faces and many family and friends of Bob and Joan at various stages of the day.

It started out overcast and cloudy, but our fleeces were discarded a few hundred yards after leaving the steps of the Guardbridge Hotel to head into the town and across the road to begin the long, and rather laborious, task, of circumnavigating the air base at Leuchars.

It’s a means to an end – the real joy of the coastal path only truly reveals itself once you have walked the perimeter of the chain link fence linked by solid concrete posts and barbed wire wrapped around every aspect of the base, including its family accommodation. It is as enclosed and forbidding as the path is wide open and welcoming …

It was a no-fly day so it stood silent and rather empty – in contrast to the many flights which thundered into the skies throughout Friday – as we turned right and headed up to Earlshall Road and back into the countryside.

Through the first gate and past a field of horses we started to spread out as we headed towards the single file path which leads through fields of tall grass.

A brief stop in the middle of nowhere – literally – during which we were pretty sure we spotted a buzzard in flight, and we made our way at a leisurely pace to Tentsmuir.

Once again we were able to speak to many people about the walk and the work of Maggie’s, and our thanks to all who gave donations. Every penny will go directly to Maggie’s Fife.

We made the picnic area at Tentsmuir in good time and stopped for lunch – the charcoal and aroma of several barbecues was too good to walk past!

Fed, watered and rested, we opted to stay in the forest rather than hit the beach, and enjoyed a long stretch along the main path, pausing to make way for the many cyclists on a day out, and to enjoy the green surroundings.

The midgies and ticks were out in force too – some giant fern leaves were used as makeshift fans, but we seem to escape relatively unbitten (tomorrow will give us a better indication!)

We passed by the Polish camp, and paused at the site of the old ice house – another small part of Fife’s rich past – before kicking on to Lundin Bridge, ahead of which lay our first views of Dundee.

We cut through the caravan park and stopped on Tayport Common which was winding down after a busy gala day, and carried on along the front to the Bell Rock pub where a very welcome cold beer was waiting.

Overall, a fantastic day of walking in near perfect conditions, and as deep in the heart of the Kingdom’s countryside as it’s possible to go.

Tentsmsuir alone is a fabulous place for any family day out and it was wonderful to see so many youngsters out on their bikes and exploring the outdoors in a truly safe setting.

It is also a wonderful part of the coastal path. Something to savour.

Tomorrow (Sunday) we switch terrains once more with road walking on the agenda as we head up to and over the Tay Bridge and on to our destination at Maggie’s Dundee in the grounds of Ninewells Hospital.

The big finale:

Nine days of Bob’s Walk will end tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon with a procession up to Maggie’s Dundee.

The core walkers, who have covered all 108 miles since leaving Edinburgh last Saturday. will be joined by many family and friends as well as supporters as they head to the cancer care centre.

They will also be joined by ultra runners Johnny and Sheena Logan, who are running the path in just 24-hours and are scheduled to arrive in Dundee early on Sunday morning.

They will join the walk for its big arrival, along with up to 80 bikers from the Edinburgh Dunedin Chapter of the Harley Davidson owners’ group which is staging as ride out timed to co-incide with the arrival at Maggie’s Dundee at around 3.00 p.m. on Sunday.

If you are in the area please go along and show your support.

And if you see the walkers heading along the riverside, give them a toot!

To make a donation:

You can donate online at:  http://fundraise.maggiescentres.org/bobswalk

Please also share this as widely as possible on your Facebook and Twitter accounts to help us raise as much as possible for Maggie’s Fife.
See pictures from Bob’s Walk

Please visit  www.facebook.com/fifefreepress

www.facebook.com/bobswalk
Follow us on Twitter: 
Use the hashtag #bobswalk for updates from our daily walks (mobile phone signals permitting!)

Thanks to Allan Crow for his photographs and daily reports on Bob’s Walk

Day 7 – A coastal challenge with the most rewarding views. The steep ascents and tricky beach walks into St Andrews.

The further you go on the coastal path, the more stunning the scenery, and the more challenging the conditions.

Once again we were blessed with perfect walking weather, but the first half of the ten-mile stretch from Boarhills to Guardbridge still gave us food for thought.

The overnight rain made parts of it marshy and soft, while clambering over the giant boulders on the beach required guile as well as strength, and the ascents to the tops of the coastal hills may have taken our breath away, but so did the views.

The sun started to break through the clouds as we left the farmland of Boarhills behind us and began to spread out in single file along the path down to the beach.

The tall vegetation either side seemed to soak the air out of the sky, making it hard going, and the first climb was a real test of our fitness – but after seven days of solid walking we all made it to the top.

Ahead of schedule and on the fringe of the immaculately presented golf course at the Fairmont we scuttled up the hill for a treat – coffee, lattes, and teas all round!

Refreshed, we headed past the 17th tee, over the stile and back on to the path for a long walk towards St Andrews.

With the tide out we were able to scramble up and over the giant rocks and stick to the path before emerging at the caravan park and down into town. The view of the beaches was simply perfect – acres of golden sand with the white breakers of the waves seemingly miles away.

We paused to allow a newly-wed couple emerge from a church before stopping at the benches which look down over the West Sands for our lunch.

By the time we were on the move, the newly weds caught up with us for some photos. They then mirrored our route down into town and along the side of the Old COurse all the way to the hotel at the end – we did feel for the poor bride’s feet!

Meanwhile on the world-famous Swilken Bridge another new Mr and Mrs waited for golfers to tee off before dashing on for their special picture. We were tempted to do likewise for a group photo…!

The second half of the walk took us on to the path adjacent to the main road which was in complete contrast to the tranquility of the seafront. The trees did break some of the noise for the first half before they too ended, making conversation difficult as buses, lorries and cars roared past for the last few miles.

We arrived at Guardbridge on schedule and then – and only then – as we unpacked did the first rain shower of the day, indeed the week, finally arrive.

By then day seven was done. Ahead of us we could see Tenstsmuir Forest, part of tomorrow’s walk.
Day 8 (Saturday)

Guardbridge to Tayport (11 miles)

We depart the Guardbridge Hotel at 9.30 a.m. and follow the coastal path to Leuchars and Tayport.

We then head into Tenstmuir Forest, arriving at Kinshaldie Beach for lunch around 12.15 p.m.

In the afternoon we walk from there to Tayport Harbour whereb we hope to enjoy some of the village’s annual gala day on the Common.
Day 9 (Sunday)

Tayport to Maggie’s Centre, Dundee

We follow the coastal path to the Tay Road Bridge and cross into Dundee.

After lunch at the Discovery, we begin the final leg of our journey to Maggie’s Dundee in the grounds of Ninewells Hospital.

We will be joined by our ultra runners and a ride out of Harley Davidson bikes as well as many friends and supporters who have joined us en route.

Our estimated arrival at Maggie’s Dundee is 3,.00 p.m. – you are very welcome to come along and cheer us over the finishing line!

Day 6 – Thursday 8th August 2013 – Crail to Boarhills. Clear skies and the sound of silence.

A fabulous journey from Crail to Boarhills, deep in the Fife countryside.

There were moments on the coastal path today when all you could hear was silence.

No cars, no machinery, not even wildlife. Just the lapping of the waves as they broke on the black, jutting rocks that pock-mark the coastline of north-east Fife.

With the sun rising high into perfect blue skies an temperatures nudging 22 then 23, it was simply blissful. Once again we were fortunate – privileged – to see the coastal path at its most enchanting.

Day six took us from Crail to Boarhills, a journey of just over ten miles; a shorter distance than previous days, but over more challenging and rugged terrain which took their toll on such a hot day.

Once again we were joined by new faces and old friends as we headed further round the Kingdom, quickly leaving Crail behind en route to Fife Ness.

The sun was just beginning to break through as we joined the path out of Crail, getting used to the narrow walking surface nestled between arable farmland on one side, and the rocks and grass leading to the beach on the other.

As we rounded Fife Ness the backdrop started to change.

The Fife coastline was replaced by our first views over into Angus – another marker to underline just how far we have travelled since Saturday.

We paused on the jarring rocks and boulders for a welcome breather after clocking a brisk two miles on the path.

The terrain here can be rugged and difficult, so it was with some relief we saw it had recently been cut back – indeed coastal path staff were out and about working with strimmers as we passed.

A quick hop over the stone wall took us from the rugged path to the manicured greens and fairways of the golf course, and a swarm of corn lice – the black beasties attracted to our white t-shirts.

Slightly bigger animals lay in wait further down the track – coos!

With the path following farmland, it was inevitable we’d encounter a herd after passing through more gates, but ones with young calves are best admired from a distance. Unfortunately the beasts moved to the beach just as we did, so we were happy to take a step back and let them settle before clambering down the rocks and back on to the sands.

A fair chunk of the walk was spent on the beach – we had a fabulous beach lunch at Kingsbarns, and were sorely tempted to kick off our boots and go for a paddle.

Walking so close to the sea kept us cool, and the pace dropped as we let our canine companions, Fred and Amber, race in and out of the water before racing off ahead of us.

It was also a great opportunity to chat to many visitors about our walk and Maggie’s Fife – many people were certainly keen to find out more.

Back on the narrow path we zig-zagged up and down, through tall wild grasses, around boulders, and picked our way across the many layers of rocks which brought us back to the sea.

And then we turned away from the beach and through a lush tunnel of trees and green foliage , over a metal bridge and up a lane filled with apple trees just not ripe enough to pick from!

We ended by walking through farmland to our pick-up point – a fabulous day of walking in perfect conditions.

Day 7 (Friday) Boarhills to Guardbridge

We return to the coastal path for a nine-mile hike into St Andrews and on to Guardbridge – a shorter distance again, but with much more challenging conditions to face.

Lunch is at the West Sands in St Andrews, and our final destination late afternoon is the Guardbridge Hotel.

If you’d like to join any part of the walk please you will be made very welcome. Please visit www.bobswalk.co.uk/bobs-walk-2013/ for further details.

To make a donation:

You can donate online at:  http://fundraise.maggiescentres.org/bobswalk

Please also share this as widely as possible on your Facebook and Twitter accounts to help us raise as much as possible for Maggie’s Fife.
See pictures from Bob’s Walk

Please visit  www.facebook.com/fifefreepress

www.facebook.com/bobswalk
Follow us on Twitter: 
Use the hashtag #bobswalk for updates from our daily walks (mobile phone signals permitting!)

Thanks to Allan Crow for his daily reports on Bob’s Walk

Dr Bob Grant and his fellow walkers are well on schedule to finish their incredible week-long walk at Maggie’s Dundee on Sunday.

The Bob’s Walk group set off from Maggie’s Edinburgh on Sunday to trek the 108 miles along the Fife Coastal Path to help raise awareness of Maggie’s.

Every single penny raised by the group will go directly to Maggie’s Fife.

Speaking to The Press as the group headed out of Earlsferry at the start of day five, Bob praised the walkers and supporters who had help spur the group on.

“It’s been a great walk so far and the support we have received along the way has been quite overwhelming,” he said.

“In terms of fundraising we’re already ahead of our target and we’ve been able to raise the level of awareness of Maggie’s and the wonderful work that it does.”

The group has been joined by fellow walkers and well-wishers along the way, around 20 per day, and have yet to be hampered by the unpredictable Scottish climate.

Bob said: “The weather has been perfect; if you’d asked for ideal walking conditions then this is what you would get.

“The only part that was a bit tiring was the stretch between the Kingswood in Burntisland and Buckhaven. That seemed incredibly long but then the coastline is so beautiful that you can just concentrate on the view and you forget all about it.

“There were a few aches and pains on day two but they’ve gone now.

As we went to press the group was heading for Pittenweem where a pop-up Maggie’s was set up as part of the Arts Festival, before heading for Anstruther for some well- deserved fish and chips!

Fife Free Press Editor Allan Crow, who is keeping a blog at www.fifetoday.co.uk, has been with Bob every step of the way and says the walk has opened his eyes to the beauty of the coastal path.

“What’s been great for me is that I’ve seen parts of Fife along the path that I never knew existed.

I’m really enjoying it.” he said.

A big finish is planned for Sunday when the group arrives at Dundee.

The walkers will be joined by ultra runners Johnny and Sheena Logan, who plan to run the path in just 24 hours, plus up to 80 bikers from the Edinburgh Dunedin Chapter of the Harley Davidson owners’ group who will chaperone the walkers to their final destination of Maggie’s Dundee.

Bob said: “I’m looking forward to a big day.

“It’s bound to be emotional, it always is when you do a walk like this and I’m sure there’ll be quite a crowd to greet us.”

To pledge your support simply visit fundraise.maggiescentre.org/bobswalk

Day 5 – Wednesday 7th August 2013. Earlsferry to Crail

Blue skies and soaring temperatures in north east Fife

A 13-mile walk through some of the most stunning views in the Kingdom, and a fabulous high tea at the end!

Day five of Bob’s Walk delivered the hottest temperatures and arguably the finest scenery yet – a day in the north-east which took your breath away.

We travelled from Earlsferry to Crail, through Elie, St Monans, Anstruther and Pittenweem;a fabulous journey which embraced wonderful views and the warmest of welcomes wherever we went.

Our pedometer stopped dead on 13 miles as we arrived at the Golf Hotel in Crail for a fabulous high tea, and by then we had seen and savoured the Kingdom at its very, very best.

Once again we were joined by new faces, old faces and community groups who took the number of walkers to over 20 for the third day running.

The Rotarians from Anstruther & District were joined by Ken Wilkie, the man behind www.bobswalk.co.uk website, and fellow photographer and walker, Peter Grubb.

The mile-walk from Earlsferry to Elie took no time at all, and the silence of the countryside was broken only by conversation and a number of plans flying low overhead on exercise from RAF Leuchars.

The rural path leading to St Monans produced many photo opportunities – stunning landscapes as well as of the walkers as we started to split into small groups with our canine companions Fred and Amber zig-zagging back and forth and exploring more of the path than probably most walkers have managed!

From St Monans we kicked on past the saltpans and the first of several once-popular old outdoor swimming pools, and along to Pittenweem where a pop-up Maggie’s Centre formed part of the festival and became our focal point for photos, and the presentation of a generous cheque from our Rotarian walkers.

Tu Edwards was busy serving hot and cold drinks as we sprawled out on the grass for a very welcome break – the sun was just about at its peak, and we were all starting to feel the heat!

With its arts festival in full flight, Pittenweem was a busy place as we headed down to the shore and on to Anstruther.

Our apologies also to Eunice and Susan Thomson who had arranged a little welcome party for us along with Heather Cunningham- one of the participating festival artists – who we didn’t catch up with after arriving in the village via the top road. Our thanks, however for their support and very kind wishes – their pictures is part of our photo-montage from day five online at www.facebook.com/fifefreepress and www.facebook.com/bobswalk.

We said farewell to some of our walkers as we headed out of Pittenweem along the coast to Anstruther which was soaked in summer sunshine, with every pavement table and bench filled by visitors and tourists.

Our thanks to the people who gave so generously as we ventured along the front to the ice cream shop – Bob’s treat! – for a very welcome rest before moving on towards Cellardyke where there were old friends waiting to meet Bob.

And then it was back into the countryside as the towns and villages faded and the path narrowed just yards from the shore.

The second part of the walk was fabulous, but more challenging – the underfoot conditions were far from even, and the switch from stone to path to grass and back again every few dozen yards took its toll on tiring limbs.

Thankfully the coos in the field were far to docile to investigate as we hauled ourselves over the stone wall and into their fields around the Caiplie Caves, en route to Crail where we climbed the last stone steps and began a wonderful descent to the door of the Golf Hotel.

Huge thanks to the staff for their very prompt service despite us arriving at the same time – we were slightly late! – as a huge coach party and a very busy bar to run. The high tea was absolutely fantastic – toast, pancakes, cakes, and haddock and chips.

A perfect end to a perfect day …
Day 6 (Thursday) Crail to Boarhills

A shorter distance – just nine miles – which will see us depart from the Golf Hotel, Crail, towards Fife Ness and Kingsbarns and on to our destination in late afternoon.

If you’d like to join any part of the walk please you will be made very welcome. Please visit www.bobswalk.co.uk/bobs-walk-2013/ for further details.

To make a donation:

You can donate online at:  http://fundraise.maggiescentres.org/bobswalk

Please also share this as widely as possible on your Facebook and Twitter accounts to help us raise as much as possible for Maggie’s Fife.
See pictures from Bob’s Walk

Please visit  www.facebook.com/fifefreepress

www.facebook.com/bobswalk
Follow us on Twitter: 
Use the hashtag #bobswalk for updates from our daily walks

Day 4 – Tuesday 6th August 2013. Buckhaven to Earlsferry. Fife’s coastline at its most beautiful & beguiling.

Allan Crow looks back on a wonderful day of walking amid some of the Kingdom’s most wonderful natural scenery.

Standing at the railings overlooking Fife Energy Park in Leven early this morning, we could see our destination away in the distance.

We could scan round to our left and see the distant tip of the land jutting into the blue sea – Earlsferry, some 12.5 miles away.

Several hours later we could look back at the wind turbine which was now but a speck on the horizon after a fabulous day of walking – quite possibly, the best yet on Bob’s Walk.

Day four was blessed with glorious weather and showcased Fife Coastal Path at its most breath-taking.

The views were stunning – from the blue/green sea to the gentle lapping of the waves on the sand which acted as a metronome as we marched along the beach for mile after mile, to the tops of the cliffs as we looked back on Shell Bay.

Onvce again we were delighted to welcome some familiar faces back, and some new recruits – members of Glenrothes Ramblers joined us. Or, ‘Glenrothes Gamblers’ as my Twitter update very nearly said thanks to the ‘joys’ of predictive texting!

The car park of the Buck & Hind pub was more or less filled with our cars as we set off to collect the rest of the team, and stage a photo-call on the centre of a roundabout in the middle of a junction which was, thankfully, quiet at that time of the morning.

The first donation of the day came within minutes – our sincere thanks to the driver who stopped to hand over some cash.

Walker Bert Hannah brought the history and industrial heritage of Leven to life, pointing out landmarks and historical links – I never knew that the Swan Hotel featured in the classic drama ‘‘Tutti Frutti’ – as we headed past Leven Swimming Pool.

From there it was on to the Prom and along the front en route to Lower Largo during which time we enjoyed long stretches walking on the beach as well as along narrow paths.

The sea breeze was perfect for keeping us cool as we logged the miles before stopping for a wonderful BBQ courtesy of Mairead Stewart.

Mairead walked with us on day three from Burntisland to Buckhaven, and very kindly invited the walkers to dine alfresco with food courtesy of Stewart’s of Lower Largo, and delicious strawberries from Blacketyside. Our thanks to both companies for their generous donations.

Tu Edwards, community fundraiser from Maggie’s Fife, joined us for the BBQ which was superb – wonderful food, excellent company and a fabulous host – and which set us up for the afternoon leg up to Earlsferry.

We followed the old railway line and the beach to Dumbarnie Links before heading up to Shell Bay where perhaps the finest views of the afternoon lay ahead of us.

More than once we simply stopped to look across the Forth which was as calm as a pond – the flare of Mossmorran was one of the view signs of movement on an otherwise still, and perfect, landscape.

Climbing higher up the grassy hills and with the Chain Walk below us, Earlsferry spread out before us – the perfectly maintained golf course skirted by a golden beach and ringed by immaculately tended houses.

With the old gun turrets at our backs, it was a perfect photo opportunity; a chance to show people why Fife’s coastline can be beguiling, and never ceases to delight.

The steps down into Earlsferry were a real challenge for all – we gently picked our way, stone by stone, back to sea level before some walked the beach while the rest of us followed the tineist of paths which was overgrown with long grass and thistles, before meeting to cross over the golf course and on to the Golf Tavern for a very welcome drink…
Day 5 (Wednesday) 
Bob’s Walk heads from Earlsferry to Crail.

We leave Earlsferry Golf Club at 9.30 a.m. and will follow the coastal path to Elie and St Monans before heading on to Pittenweem where a Maggie’s pop-up centre will be placed as part of the town’s arts festival. Please come and say hello or take the opportunity to find out more about the work Maggie’s does.

We then head on to Anstruther and arrive in Crail around 4.15 p.m.

If you’d like to join any part of the walk please you will be made very welcome. Please visit www.bobswalk.co.uk for further details.
To make a donation:

You can donate online at:  http://fundraise.maggiescentres.org/bobswalk

Please also share this as widely as possible on your Facebook and Twitter accounts to help us raise as much as possible for Maggie’s Fife.
See pictures from Bob’s Walk

Please visit  www.facebook.com/fifefreepress

www.facebook.com/bobswalk
Follow us on Twitter: 
Use the hashtag #bobswalk for updates from our daily walks

Bob’s Walk Day 3: Burntisland to Buckhaven – the group grows in number!

The forecast was for rain. Lots of it. In fact day three turned out to be absolutely glorious – slightly overcast, but warm enough to leave the waterproofs and jackets in our bags.

Just as well … it was the toughest day yet as we walked from Burntisland to Muiredge, Buckhaven.

The schedule was for 13 miles, but the detour off the path to Maggie’s Fife showed a total distance around 15.6 miles, and the tower of steps leading to Muiredge took its toll!

Once again we were joined by many people who came along to support Bob’s Walk for Maggie’s Fife.

By the time we mustered on the steps of the Kingswood Hotel, Burntisland, we were joined by a team from RBS – whose support for Maggie’s Fife has been outstanding – Rotarians from Burntisland and Kinghorn, friends and former colleagues of Dr Bob; some 23 of us in total setting off for a leisurely walk up the hill to Kinghorn before turning down on to the beach and along the front.

Introductions were made en route, and connections quickly found with many of the new faces – it truly is a small world!

The journey from Kinghorn to Kirkcaldy flew past with more people joining us at the first stop at Seafield… or ‘Sheffield’ as my predictive text on Twitter had it! Come the end of the day my feet did wonder if we’d ventured that far south!

Arriving in Kirkcaldy we ventured off the path and zig-zagged through the town to Maggie’s Fife.

While the walkers headed off, I made a detour into town for some urgent boot repairs – basically, two and a half days on the path had destroyed my footwear. The soles had gone and a two inch split along the heel told me they weren’t going to make the rest of the journey.

I doubt the sales staff at Trespass on the High Street have had an easier, or quicker, sale – in, out with new trainers in ten minutes and my old boots confined to the bin. Ah, I’ll miss ‘em …

We all met up just before heading into Maggie’s where a fabulous welcoming party awaited us.

Again, huge thanks to Tu, all the volunteers, and Brian Munro. our newest associate board member at Maggie’s Fife, for giving us such a warm welcome.

The cuppas were much needed, and the array of food from Mandeep was just fabulous.

It was also a good opportunity for a group photo before we made our way through the grounds of the Vic and down in Pathhead before turning along to Ravenscraig Park for the next leg of our journey.

Again the trek flew past amid lots of chat and humour and we were soon through Dysart and climbing the steps that take you on the path towards Frances Colliery, along the back of the industrial estate and then down into West Wemyss.

Once more there were donations from individuals – our sincere thanks to them all – and lots of familiar faces met on the route.

A brief stop at the Walk Inn saw us part company with our troupe of medics and GPs as we headed along the Wemyss, moving off the beach and on to the country paths.

The weather was perfect from start to finish and seldom has the Buck & Hind pub been a more welcoming sight at the end of our journey!
On Day 4 (Tuesday) Bob’s Walk heads from Buckhaven to Earlsferry, a distance of 12 miles. We’ll be following the coastal path through Leven on to Lower Largo, Shell Bay and Earlsferry, finishing at the Golf TAvern.

If you’d like to join any part of the route please download our up to date itinerary.
Donate online:
It’s been fabulous to see the online donations rising in recent days – a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed.

To donate please visit: fundraise.maggiescentres.org/bobswalk

We’d also be delighted if you could simply share the link and www.bobswalk.co.uk on your Facebook and Twitter pages to get the message out as widely as possible.
You can see a selection of photos from Bob’s Walk on www.facebook.com/fifefreepress  and www.facebook.com/bobswalk

Bob’s Walk Day 2: Glorious sunshine & great company

That most relaxing of moments when you kick off your shoes, sit back and go … aahhh!

We have to start our Day 2 blog with a huge thank you to the Kingswood Hotel in Burntisland for allowing us to kick off our walking boots and abandon them with our rucksacks, and then pad round their busy restaurant in our socks.

Rarely can so many weather-beaten, sub-burned people have crowded round the cake stand after scoffing a quite fabulous meal which was the perfect end to an excellent day on the coastal path (and two cakes are equal to one scone by the way!)

The food was superb and the service excellent, and our thanks to all -including our fellow diners – who made us so welcome.

The day was a joy from start to finish. The further we walked, the more people joined us – we ended up with over 20 people all heading through Burntisland.

Their company was fabulous and made the day very special.

It started at North Queensferry as we decided to head up the hill and into Inverkeithing – if you’re going to tackle a hill you might as well do it at the very start!

We passed Gordon Brown’s house and enjoyed the first of many stunning views across the Forth as we climbed high up Ferryhills Road before turning down and into Inverkeithing.

From the High Street we turned down towards the path, past the old railway line that once ferried thousands of Fifers to the dockyards.

We stopped several times simplhy to admire the view – the Forth was tranquil and captivating, and we were able to study just how far we’d come as we looked across the water.

Coming into St David’s Harbour we were joined by ramblers from west Fife who made the trek all the way to Aberdour.

Before that we had a stop at Dalgety Bay Sailing Club which was buzzing with activity – again, sincere thanks to them for the warm welcome and use of their facilities.

Refreshed and revived we set off for Aberdour just as the sun really started to burn through.

Cutting through the grounds of Aberdour Castle, we were stopped by two old ladies who made a lovely donation to the fund – one of many we’ve received on the journey so far.

Lunch was on the park benches at the Silver Sands where more family and friends joined us, along with a delegation from the Rotary Club of Kinghorn and Burntisland who accompanied us all the way to Burntisland.

The walk along the side of the Forth whizzed past amid great chat, and it was fascinating to hear them pinpoint landmarks and tell the stories behind them.

They also took us up to the Viewpoint – a fabulous attraction we would otherwise have missed.

The views were stunning. From the noisy and excitement of the shows on the Links to the tranquility of the Forth, it showed Burntisland at its very, very best.

Back down to the High Street we regrouped and made the final journey to the Kingswood Hotel.

Total distance was circa 12.5 miles. Two days down and seven to go.

On Monday we head from Burntisland to Buckhaven with a special stop at Maggie’s Fife.

If you’d like to join us for a short walk – or the whole thing – please check our itinerary on www.bobswalk.co.uk – we’d be delighted to see you. If you wish to make a donation online please visit fundraise.maggiescentres.org/bobswalk – or simply help by sharing this link on your Facebook and Twitter accounts and any other social media or web forums you use.

All money raised goes directly to Maggie’s Fife

Photo of Dr Bob and the group on Day 2 – courtesy of Suresh Patel

Day One of Bob’s Walk started at Maggie’s Edinburgh and took the team back into the Kingdom – a 13-mile trek on a glorious day.

Maggie’s Centre in Edinburgh threw open its doors for a warm welcome and bacon rolls early on Saturday morning to give us the perfect send-off.

We headed out on to Crew Toll, but quickly left the noisy streets of the city behind as we switched on to the cycle path to Davidson’s Mains and Barnton, emerging up the road behind the Cramond Brig Hotel.

Pausing only to let the many cyclists pass – and there were many! – we made good time.

The path was wonderfully green, and also took in some of the quiet suburban streets where the houses range from the stunning to those so stunning they are hidden firmly behind electronic gates.

Heading to Cramond we came across a plaque to Pet Marjorie, the Kirkcaldy born child writer and poet.

She wandered here ‘‘in rural filicity, festivity and pleasure’’ according to the plaque and praised it in her journal.

Our first stop was at the Cramond Brig Hotel before diverting again away from the main roads on the cycle paths through a tranquil and green Dalmeny Estate.

As we approached Hopetoun House we got our first glimpses of Fife across the Forth, and the first spots of rain fell – barely enough to fill a thimble.

The breeze from the sea kept as cool as we headed into South Queensferry for lunch alfresco.

The town was bustling with tourists and locals, and one driver wound down his window to donate £10 – the first of what we hope will be many on our journeys.

More than a few people also stopped to ask about the walk which allowed us to explain about Maggie’s Fife and our route.

we headed through South Queensferry and climbed up to find the road which winds its way up to the Forth Road Bridge.

The walk across the Forth was slightly more than breezy! More than once the cross winds caught our rucksacks and knocked us off our stride, but, we got to the other end to snake down the stairs back into North Queensferry almost bang on schedule.

Sunday’s schedule starts from the very spot we stopped today, and our route will take us up the hill into Inverkeithing and on to Dalgety Bay, Aberdour and Burntisland.

>> Sincere thanks to Gregg’s for supplying our packed lunches today – they were superb!

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