Wednesday 13 August 2014

A wee peek at the 'East Neuk'



Last weekend Gail and her nice friend Alison - that's Alison pictured above - took me for a two day walk along the Fife Coastal Path. We covered the stretch that goes through the 'East Neuk', a string of quaint fishing villages on the north side of the Firth of Forth. On Saturday we walked from Lower Largo to St Monans (home of Gail's ancestors) and on Sunday from St Monans to Crail.

Friends, I want you to help me decide was was the wonderful-est thing about an all round wonderful trip.

Was it the scenic and sheep-free footpath with a different view round every bend?

Was it the smell of the lobster pots on the pier at St Monans? 

Was it the picturesque jumble of streets with so many beautifully maintained old stone houses?

Or was it the occasional head scritches from Alison?

Was it the thoughtful sign warning you of dangers where the path crossed the golf links? (We are only a few miles south of St Andrews here, but somehow we suspect that dogs are not allowed to wander across the Old Course quite so readily…) 

Was it the creative use made of wellie boots in this part of the world?

Or was it the frequent stops in dog friendly tea shops along the way? (You wouldn't believe how much cake these two ladies could eat. Oh? You would?)

The fact that doggy ice-cream was on sale in Elie...

….only counts as a highlight 'cos Gail actually went into the shop a bought me a tub. (But gosh it was embarrassing when she asked the shop lady if it was also fit for human consumption. And even more so when the lady, frowning, said "I don't think so" and Gail responded by inspecting the ingredients and saying "I don't see why not". But it was all academic as I had no difficulty finishing the big tub by myself, and was NOT sick on the hotel carpet later, like a certain person feared). 


I loved travelling on the top of the No. 95 double decker bus which took us back to our start point each day. (And no Gail, it was not inconsiderate of me to settle down to rest at the top of the stairs. I mean, if you can climb up the stairs on a double decker bus then you can manage to step carefully over a tired terrier, can't you?)

I suspect that Gail and Alison's favourite part was the late evening walk on the beach behind the hotel...

...and soon after, the view of the moon reflecting on the waters of the Firth of Forth, as seen from our hotel bedroom window.

Oh dear. Sometimes, when you look back at a lovely trip, it really is tough to decide which was the best bit, isn't it?

22 comments:

  1. Looks like all of it was fun for ya.

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  2. The icecream Bertie ..... definitely the icecream!!!!!!!

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  3. A two day walk in scenic spots! Doggie ice cream! Two special people to be with! What a lucky pup you are Bertie to have such great fun. I could almost be jealous!
    Stella

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  4. The best bit to us is it didn't rain! or did you only take photos when it wasn't.

    SHE has a thing for narrow streets, but we would have loved that footpath by the water....and the ice cream.

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    1. It only rained on the last mile of the walk (which is why I am wearing my red raincoat in the photo taken at the final café stop).

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  5. Nice one Bertie but we have to say grrrrrr to the golfers and hooray to the smell of lobster and yum, yum to dog friendly ice cream. What a great looking part of Scotland to go hiking. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  6. We could not choose - that was a totally pawsome two day adventure all around - it had everything a wandering little dog soul could need !

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  7. We certainly cannot choose! We would opt for the lobster pots, but they seem to be stacked so that rolling around on them is not advisable. We are great food fans, so the frozen treat and the cakes are in the mix for us too. But the most wonderful thing of all must have been two solid days with humans who adore you and no laptops or tablets!

    You lucky dog you

    Gus and Teka

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  8. Thanks Bertie for taking me with you! It was great to walk with you and to discover so much beautiful things! How sad that there was no lobster in that pot! And what a cool idea to offer ice cream for dogs (even when your momma had some doubts about the ingredients hahaha) You really live in a magic country, I never saw a tired terrier lol

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  9. That looks like a fangtastic trip. The icy cream would definitely be my favorite pawt!

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  10. That was a GRAND adventure. It was very much difficult fur us to Chews... butt we decided to go with the I SCREAM

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  11. It looks wonderful! Lucky you!

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  12. oh Bertie, how we would have liked to come along.Aren't you a lucky dog to be able to experience such lovely things and yes I would have loved to share the ice cream with you. Wuff-wuff (me being a Retriever lady full of mischief)

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  13. Wow wow WOW. What an adventure. Who could choose from all those wonderful parts of it? You got ice cream?????

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  14. oh my word Bertie you are one lucky WFT!!! Sunshine, walks with your fave ladies, lobster pots, head scratches and views. That is sensory overload for sure.
    hugs madi your bfff
    PS I bet your WFT tail is warn out from all the wagging

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  15. Your adventure was the bestest of best. A walk, I Scream and stinky lobsters. Awesome
    Lily & Edward

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  16. Totally! Our mom recalls being right there, as well and how lovely it was (and how it's for MEN only - until, possibly next month's vote!).

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  17. We would say the best part was the WHOLE 2 days!!

    -Bart, Ruby and Otto

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  18. We would have loved to have gone with you. That looks wonderful!!

    Your pals,

    Murphy & Stanley
    Mayorz For All Paws

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  19. Howdy Bertie. Wowza that was wonderful. We loved all your photos but mum loved the old stone houses (but cannot imagine living in them, being so close together) and we loved the ice cream and you sleeping on the bus.
    No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  20. We think we would like every part of that trip! Good sights, good smells and dog ice cream...OH Yeah!

    Wyatt and Stanzie

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  21. Bertie that was a smashing trip - but I'm fixated on that tub of doggie ice-cream - we don't get that here, so I guess i'll have to continue to eat mums!! BOL! I like the plant growing boots too. A fun time all round!

    Tail Wuggles, Rubie xxx

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