Monday 10 October 2016

From Perth to Fife

I'm just back from a lovely couple of days break which started with a speaking engagement at the Perthshire Writers 40th anniversary of their writing group - a great achievement! I was leading a workshop in the afternoon, and husband and I drove up to Perth in time for me to join them for a buffet lunch while he wandered into the pleasant little town. We couldn't have asked for a better few days for driving north (and later east) in Scotland, with the sun shining and the scenery as beautiful as ever.

On the road to Perth, near Dunblane
I've adjudicated a story competition for the group on a previous visit and it was great to be with such a lovely, enthusiastic group of creative writers, some of whom have seen great success with short stories, articles, poetry and memoir. It was such an honour and pleasure to be invited to their celebrations and a great excuse to revisit the north!

Keavil House
Afterwards, we headed east to a favourite hotel in Fife where I enjoyed a couple of nights being wind and dined. We've been to Keavil House near Dunfermline many times over many years (for short stays now and then) and never tire of being in such a wonderful building full of history. It has a brilliant leisure pool and is one the most relaxing 'retreats' without being in the middle of nowhere, A five minute drive takes us to the lovely Pittencrieff Park where we can park the car at the entrance and have a good walk through it straight into Dunfermline's historic town.

Dunfermline Abbey
The added pleasure this time was meeting up with wee granddaughter and her parents on Sunday morning as they can drive across the Forth Road Bridge and be in Fife in about half an hour. Great fun feeding the squirrels and exploring the nooks and crannies of the park. On the eventual walk up to the town, the first sight is the stunning Abbey, burial place of Robert the Bruce and others. Beside it is the remains of the monastery and the palace. My favourite medieval Abbot's House is currently changing hands and I can't wait for it to reopen soon.

Aberdour Harbour
Silver Sands
In the afternoon, husband and I drove up the Fife coast to the beautiful little village of Aberdour where a walk in one direction took us towards the harbour, while a walk on the other side of the cliffs took us to the award winning Silver Sands. What a bonus when the sun came out and we sat and had a coffee without wearing jackets.

It might only have been a couple of nights away but we certainly made the most of the break and hopefully can now return to work fully charged!

Hope you all had a good weekend,
Rosemary

14 comments:

Mary Smith said...

Goodness, Rosemary, you packed a lot into your couple of days. Lovely pics. I've never been to Dunfermline - must try to visit it some day. I had a wee wander round Aberdour when the DH was playing golf there once - it rained.

Joanna said...

What a brilliant break, Rosemary, and you saw so many beautiful places. I'm glad the weather was glorious too. Silver Sands looks stunning. Huge congratulations on being invited to speak - a wonderful honour for you and they were very lucky to have you there. xxx

Julia Thorley said...

I really must make the effort to travel over the border, and soon. Well done on your 'performance'.

Teresa Ashby said...

Gorgeous pictures, Rosemary. What a busy break, but it sounds absolutely lovely and Silver Sands looks like a magical place.

Patsy said...

Sounds like a great trip – and you've added to my list of places I want to visit.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

We always pack a lot into a few days, Mary! Dunfermline is so historic and I'm sure you'd enjoy a visit.

Thanks for your very kind comment, Joanna! It sounds a bit far to go from Perth to Fife but I couldn't believe how quickly we did it!

Thanks, Julia - hope you make it across one day!

The sun came out at just the right moment for us, Teresa, considering it's now October!

I'm sure you'd like the east neuk of Fife, Patsy, with all the lovely little coastal villages!

Maria said...

Love your images Rosemary, sounds like you've had a grand old time. I like the look of that hotel!

Angela Barton said...

That sounds like my perfect weekend - family and writing. Lovely photographs and I'm so pleased it's all going so well. Ange x

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks, Maria - the hotel is a lovely retreat!

Many thanks for your lovely comment, Ange - hope all is well with you!

Wendy's Writing said...

Whenever I read your lovely ,travelling' posts (and see the photographs) it makes me want to visit. Wish I had a camper van like Patsy's.

Jean Bull said...

What a lovely break you had, making the most of having to go to Perth!! Lovely photos too, glad you had such a good time.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks, Wendy - I always love to see your photos of the Greek islands!

Thanks, Jean - even a very short break is good!

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