The second day of the overseas Goranson adventures started with sun! Naturally, it wouldn’t last, but at least we saw it for a couple hours anyway. Despite the dreariness that set in late morning, we had another wonderful day!
After a spot of breakfast my dear land lady, Judith, drove us to a nearby town where we were to pick up our rental car, and where I made my debut as an Other-Side-of-the-Road-Driver!
As we got in the car at the rental unit we could feel the nervousness exuding from us, particularly from Patti and I. Can we drive on the other side of the road? Can we drive with the steering wheel on the other side of the car? Should we have taken the train? Are we going to die? Those were some of my thoughts, anyway, as I climbed in to that driver’s seat and contemplated my life thus far. I’m happy to tell you that we’re all safe and sound, and that I am now a professional Other-Side-of-the-Road Driver!
After picking up the car we headed east to the coast where we spent the afternoon touring the East Neuk of Fife, the region of Fife which is known for the quaint fishing villages, boat harbours, and old stone buildings. We first went to Elie, a village known for its spectacularly long beach that can be walked at low tide. Unfortunately, it wasn’t low tide.
We made up for not being able to walk the beach in Elie by having a great lunch at another great pub, this time at the Ship Inn. Kenzie had ‘the best fish and chips [she’s] ever eaten’ and Patti and I shared a seafood platter! Note the coal fire in the corner!
After Elie we continued down the coast to Pittenweem, my favourite village on the East Neuk. I love the harbour in Pittenweem, which we seemed to have almost entirely to ourselves, with the exception of the fishermen out doing their work.
Or at least I’m sure they were contemplating doing their work!
Pittenweem also has some great rock formations and beautiful stone steps that lead down, down, down to the harbour at differing intervals along the coast. Patti really liked the high stone walls and rock formations!
By this time we were plenty ready for a hot drink so we nipped in to the Cocoa Tree and gave ourselves a proper Scottish chocolate fix! Three thick and rich hot chocolates, a wonderful orange carrot cake and four specialty chocolates from around the world later, and we were three happy girls!
After Pittenweem we continued on to Crail, another great little village. We didn’t spend much time there as the rain was picking up, but we did take a few moments to go and look out over the sea.
Notice the very old sun dial just behind Kenzie!
From the look-out point we could also see the harbour of Crail.
After Crail we decided we were plenty chilled from the east wind coming off of the sea all day and so headed back to St Andrews to a wonderfully warm Gowrie Cottage and Kenzie’s new best friend, Holly, the West Highland Terrier who lives there!
We enjoyed a great Chicken and Leek pie made by yours truly, a nice bottle of wine, and a relaxing evening of listening to the rain pitter patter on the roof top tiles. It was a great night and a great finish to a spectacular day!
Wish you were all here to enjoy it with us! Day three will take us north and into the highlands on our overland adventure through Scotland! Pray for us!
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