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?