Glenrothes 9th - 12th Nov 2018

Friday 9th Nov.
We began our trip at the usual meeting place outside Edinburgh - free coffee Mon - Fri! We then moved on to South Queensferry - the car park just outside gives a lovely view of the bridge.

Going into the village itself there was a museum all about the bridges on the main street. What a quaint little place - narrow street with steps up to shops above street level.

Having spent some time in the museum we had a wander up and down the street before finding a nice cafe for refreshments.
Moving on we crossed the new bridge - busy by this time in the afternoon - to our hotel for the next few days.

Sat 10th Nov
Sat saw us catching the train from Markinch to Dundee. Ticket office out of action and we were asked if we had our bus passes with us??? There is apparently a special rate for train users if you have a bus pass in Fife. As we did not have a Fife bus pass it was no good to us. The platform taking people to Edinburgh was very busy as there was a rugby match on but our platform for Dundee was much quieter. A nice ride across the Tay Bridge brought us into Dundee station.

A very nice guard on the train (Steve) told us his dad (Bill) was a guide at the museum we were planning to visit, so we said we would say hello to him when we got there.
Scotland's Jute Museum at the Verdant Works was within walking distance of the station, and although Bill wasn't at the entrance, he soon found us in the café and introduced himself, and gave us an introduction to the museum.
Leaving us then to explore on our own we learned much about jute and its uses over the years. A lady who used to work in the mill explained some of the machinery (a smaller version of the ones she used but still very noisy) No wonder she was deaf!

Bill re-appeared to start up the copy of the steam engine that was in the museum - just for us -although a few more gathered by the time he got it going! Wandering around the rest of the museum was really interesting and the café was good for refreshments along the way!
A brilliant lego exhibition was also being staged at the museum and we had a look around in amazement at some of the models.

We had thought to have an early tea at Wetherspoons before catching the train back to Markinch but it was absolutely heaving in there (possibly because of the rugby on TV??) but managed to find seats at the Pancake House instead. Fascinating to what the pancake dishes being made through the hatch as we were waiting - one plat of pancakes would have been enough for all 4 of us!! Next time perhaps.
Sun 11th Nov
Not such nice weather today so a leisurely drive down the coast. We thought we would stop and wander around St Andrews - but the rain was getting heavier so that was cut short and we just drove around ending up at Caulders Garden Centre at Cupar. What a transformation from the last time we were there. A new café and much of the centre rearranged and refurbished.
Reaching Anstruther later meant only one place for tea! Only a short wait today too for a table and their excellent fish and chips.

Not so much luck for another fish and chip shop in Anstruther though - there were 3 fire engines in attendance and the front of the building was black! Don't suppose we will ever find out what happened.
Mon 12th Nov
We were travelling home today and went via IKEA for a little early Christmas shopping. Crossing via the Queensferry bridge was still a treat to us as we headed home after another enjoyable few days away.

Breaking new ground 2nd Nov 2018

A place we had heard of, but never got around to visiting, was Broom Fisheries, near Annan. Well, the weather was perfect this morning - frosty but sunny - so a wander was in order. We knew where we were going but had never been down this particular road before! A narrow, winding  road took us through the old Royal Ordnance Factory site before arriving at Broom Fisheries.

Broom Fisheries it turns out is the home to coarse fishing lakes and waters at Newbie, just 2 miles from Annan in beautiful Dumfries & Galloway. The fishery is open from 8am to dusk every day. You may ask - as we did - what is coarse fishing? As I understand it (I think!) coarse fishing is fishing for species of fish that live in freshwater - other than trout and salmon.
Broom Fisheries offer the chance to catch barbel, roach, tench, perch, bream, rudd, gudgeon, chub, carp and ide. (Never even heard of ide!) They have records of bream and barbel weighing in at 6lbs and carp at 15lbs!

Coarse fishing is apparently a growing sport in Scotland and the fishery has 9 fully stocked lakes and a purpose built canal. They are all well signed and looked after. As well as offering fishing days out, at what to us seemed very reasonable prices, they also host a range of competitions and events - attracting some of the country's top anglers. The Tackle Box is an on-site shop, selling everything you might need - although it was closed when we were there. (There was however a notice on the door giving a telephone number if the shop was closed!!)

We began our adventure with coffee in the cafe, only open Fri-Sun, but warm and welcoming.
Setting off we wandered around all the lakes on grass pathways that had been cut to allow access to the various fishing stands on the lakes. Although only 2 miles from busy Annan we commented how quiet it was - not a sound!  No traffic, just the tweet of birds in the trees. Blue tit, great tit, robin, blackbird,song thrush and a redwing were spotted on the way round and we disturbed a heron who then drifted majestically across the water next to us. Two mute swans stood at the side of the water as we passed by, seemingly not at all bothered by our presence. A buzzard landed in the tree in front of us and sat for a while before moving on when it was ready. Trees and lakes surrounded us in all directions. We had no clue as to where we were. It was wonderful!
We passed the ruins of several brick-built buildings and underground openings that were still left from its time as a propellant factory site for the War Office.

On our way round we also discovered there is a caravan and campsite - just 100 yards from the banks for fishermen! The site has beach access, electrical hook-ups, hard standing and private shower & toilet facilities. Dogs are also welcome on the site.

The site seems very well looked after and they have even begun a firewood log business. To maintain the grounds they had to cut and remove the older/precariously growing trees within the 200 acre estate and this led to a new business venture, which has continued to grow since then.

Finally returning to the cafe we sat outside in the sunshine and had our lunch. Not a huge menu but burgers, rolls etc all prepared and served in just a few minutes. Very reasonable prices and as we sat there there several local workers called in for their lunch too - so must be good if locals use it!
We shall certainly be going back, both to walk around and search out the wildlife - and to use the cafe (As long as we remember it is only open Fri-Sun)
Then to round off our time here, as we stood looking around, a sundog appeared in the sky. a beautiful end to our visit.