Dunfermline Museum

In 1883, the world's first Carnegie library was opened in Dunfermline. Andrew Carnegie is the town's most famous son and he amassed enormous personal wealth in the USA, having emigrated at the age of 12. Most of his fortune was earned as a result of his investments in the steel industry. Carnegie believed it was irresponsible for the super rich to die leaving their money sitting in a bank account. He passionately felt education was the most effective way to tackle poverty and began a philanthropy campaign in his later years. It is estimated Carnegie had given away 90% of his worth by the time he passed in 1919.

Control of the library eventually passed to Fife Council and the building was extended a couple of times over the decades. I have been a member for over 20 years and have always loved the high wooden bookshelves in the lending room, where it's easy to lose yourself in the peace and quiet for an hour or two. I was about to write I have no problem killing time in a library. But that implies wastage and every trip is a learning experience. Radio - an old-fashioned communications technology - did not die upon the emergence of the internet. Rather, it embraced the new possibilities a global web offered. In a similar fashion, libraries have continued to thrive in an age where everyone has an online presence. Many people use the banks of PCs provided and it's worth bearing in mind the internet is not the first technology to enable libraries to offer far more efficient access to larger quantities of information. Anyone remember microfiche? Regarding the catalogue, Fife council holds a huge stock of books and I can browse titles at my leisure on the website. Copies can be reserved at the click of a mouse and I can specify my collection point. I am informed by text message when my request is available for pick up. Books may be returned to any library in the county as they are all tracked by bar code. These are all great examples of electronic methods working in harmony with a paper mountain. It was of course always possible to make a catalogue reservation but it involved writing the details on a post card and waiting for it to drop through your letter box once the title had been traced. I'm sure it was one book per card and you had to buy the stamp!

A major project began in 2014 when it was announced the Dunfermline Carnegie Library was to close for a few years in order to construct an adjoining museum dedicated to the history of the town. Temporary lending facilities were set up along the road and the new complex was unveiled to the public in 2017. Also included was a café and three exhibition rooms for changing displays. The gardens lie in the shadow of Dunfermline Abbey and feature a children's maze. From the main entrance you can enter the traditional library or head upstairs to view the museum collection. The permanent galleries are impressive, looking at Dunfermline's royal heritage and industries past and present. There are also sections on transport, entertainment and home life through the ages. Something for everyone. I particularly like the large TV display showing the construction phases of the three Forth crossings and also footage of the old car ferry. There is a collage of famous Dunfermline people featuring the likes of King James, the singers Barbara Dickson and Stuart Adamson, Carnegie himself and of course another James, the legendary Jim Leishman. Dunfermline Athletic Football Club were a major force in the 60s under the tutelage of Jock Stein, who went on to become arguably the greatest Scottish coach of all time. By the time the 80s rolled around, the club languished in the basement division. Enter Leish - a Lochgelly lad - who had been a promising young player with The Pars until suffering a nasty leg break. Under his guidance, the team rose to the top flight in successive seasons and I witnessed all this as a teenager on the terraces. My formative footballing memories! Leish was a larger than life character and definitely exuded a Pied Piper effect. All good things must come to an end and he was let go in 1990. Shortly thereafter, my dad became involved with Cowdenbeath FC and I started following the Blue Brazil. I still try and get along to Central Park today.

On the upper floor is a darkened recess showing short films about three of the town's most recognisable royal figures: Queen/Saint Margaret, King David and King Charles. Each character delivers a monologue about their association with Dunfermline and the films play on a constant loop. The abbey was founded by David in 1128 and this consolidated Dunfermline's position as an ancient capital of Scotland and seat of royalty. The remains of the abbey and adjacent royal palace draw many visitors to the town today. Seven kings are interred here, more royal resting places than any other Scottish location bar the island of Iona. King Charles's fame of course spreads far beyond Scotland. Born in Dunfermline before the 1603 Union of the Crowns, Charles became monarch of the two Kingdoms upon the death of King James VI/I who himself was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots. The reign of Charles was a stormy one and ended with his execution in 1649 at the hands of Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army. The following year, Charles II became the last Scottish monarch (he was crowned at Scone) to stay in the royal palace in Dunfermline, prior to the Battle of Pittreavie. This resulted in a victory for Cromwell's forces which effectively gave them control of Scotland as well as England until the restoration of the British monarchy in 1660. These events led to the decline of Dunfermline as a royal town. Another historical figure indelibly linked with Dunfermline is Queen Margaret. She was born in the Kingdom of Hungary and became Queen of Scots in 1070 when she married King Malcolm III.

Margaret was the mother to three future kings of Scotland and she established the ferry crossing across the Firth of Forth that conveyed pilgrims onwards to St Andrews. The towns of North and South Queensferry bear her name today, although the last ferry ran in 1964. Margaret passed away three days after both Malcolm and eldest son Edward were killed at the Battle of Alnwick in 1093. Grief was reportedly the cause of her death. She was canonised two centuries later for her personal holiness, fidelity to the Roman Catholic Church, work for ecclesiastical reform, and charity. St Margaret's Memorial Church in the town centre has a precious relic on display - a shoulder bone housed within the chapel altar. Nicole and I visited the church as part of a guided pilgrim walk around Dunfermline. This was organised in conjunction with the opening of the Fife Pilgrim Way walking trail which passes through Dunfermline. As well as the abbey, St Margaret's Cave has also been a place of pilgrimage over the centuries and visitors can descend from a town-centre car park to view the spot where Margaret is said to have spent a great deal of time worshipping. There is certainly enough material in the museum to satisfy a wide variety of interests and the café is a comfortable place to relax after a visit. The Canmore Room hosts a variety of events throughout the year and I have attended a number of talks as well as a film festival. Over 100 people can be accommodated and these happenings help keep the library at the heart of the local community. Exhibitions come and go within the temporary galleries and it is to a recent post-Christmas visit I now turn.

I had been flicking through the latest edition of the OnFife magazine and I noticed three installations were currently available for viewing at the museum and library. I was particularly attracted to the Robert Burns display - an eclectic selection of books and memorabilia, gathered over 40 years by 19th century businessman John Murison, who created his own private library from a life-long obsession with all things Burns. The collection was eventually gifted to the people of Dunfermline and I was intrigued to see what would be shown. As expected, there were first-edition poetry books and handwritten letters. Library information panels furnished the visitor with more details about the man and his works. I knew there are many Burns clubs across the globe and not just in the English-speaking lands. What did surprise me was the fact Burns was popular in the 20th century Soviet Union and the government had produced commemorative stamps bearing his likeness. Then again, our national bard did argue for a greater degree of social equality and I guess that fitted the communist manifesto rather well. Pamphlets from the Burns society of Kiev were on display. I was able to recite the marathon poem Tam o' Shanter as a boy, having been inspired by my P7 teacher Charlie Kennedy to enter a Burns verse competition (I came away with third prize). As an adult I had visited his cottage in Ayrshire and one day I plan to view his former house in Dumfries. The exhibition was a worthy experience and I headed into the next gallery to examine a large scale modern sculpture entitled Odyssey, by Fifer David Mach.

The blurb in the brochure stated "Sea containers carry the world’s stuff. We make, produce and trade. We use these boxes to hold our ideas and designs. It’s no wonder they appear like Greek temples, their long ribbed sides replicating pillars, their short gable ends holding the doors to the Aladdin’s Cave inside". Although I'm not a huge of this type of art, it sounded promising as I'm interested transportation matters. I've been to several contemporary art galleries around Europe and the sculpture installations tend to be a hit or miss affair. Today we were firmly in the latter category. A line from the hit musical Grease sprang to mind as I strolled in - what a hunk of junk! It was the worst example of sculpture I'd seen since a Dundee gallery exhibited an old rowing boat with hundreds of coat hangers hammered into the wood. At least that was vaguely comical, but this pile of plastic and assorted debris!? Can I make a suggestion? You mentioned Aladdin's Cave in the description. How about filling the container with appealing objects? I looked at David Mach's website and recognised some of the motorway art he has produced. He is obviously capable of far better than what I witnessed today.

My final port of call was the Community Gallery within the confines of the old library building. The display within was described as follows:- Limekilns born Evelyn Bernardi has exhibited all over the world. A distinguished graduate of Edinburgh College of Art, she uses various media with equal ease and enjoyment to create exquisite pictorial works, especially of nature. Coming home to Fife, this exhibition contains local views and images from Scotland, France and elsewhere. Now this was more like it! Proper paintings. My eye was drawn to the above representation of a cottage and blooming garden. I enjoy bright watercolours depicting scenes from the real world. I'm not really an abstract guy. I also like my artwork to be lifelike. Smudgy impressionism is alright up to a point. Quite a few paintings leapt out at me and it was a nice way to end my visit. A mixed bag but as Meatloaf once sang - two out of three ain't bad. It was a free afternoon out and kick-started a reaction to the postprandial Christmas torpor.

Aberdour

The small town of Aberdour sits on a stretch of Fife coastline once known to Edinburgh Victorians as the Fife Riviera. Together with the neighbouring settlements of Burntisland and Kinghorn, the area features award-winning beaches and a host of leisure facilities. The Fife Coastal Path passes through all three towns and brings many visitors to the respective High Streets. The East Coast Main Line hugs the "Riviera" and no doubt many day walkers are tempted to these parts due the ease of taking a train back to the starting point. I've been to Aberdour many times in my life and will weave a few old stories into my account of last weekend's trip to the town, ostensibly on a Christmas shopping expedition.

This aerial view of Aberdour covers an entire wall in the town heritage centre. The small exhibition space is contained within the railway station and staffed by volunteers. The station itself has won numerous awards over the years on both Scottish and British levels. The immaculate Victorian buildings and perfectly manicured gardens provide a lovely setting to wait for a train. We actually encountered the little museum by chance, having parked at the station and seen the signage. The current special exhibition is about local churches but ecclesiastical matters don't really float my boat, although I certainly enjoy admiring grand architecture in the flesh. There was plenty other material to peruse and a large tablet screen allowed you to browse documents and objects not actually on display. It's certainly worth popping in if you happen to be passing by. The guide in attendance took the time to chat and answer our queries. The Christmas market we had vaguely heard about and hoped to attend turned out to be more of a community gathering for festive songs and mince pies. Nevertheless, there are several quaint gift shops on the High Street and we bought a few family presents. I fully endorse the "get in and then get out" approach to Christmas shopping!

The castle is an impressive sight and it is pleasant to stroll through the grounds on a sunny day. We once took Nicole's aunt and uncle for a look around. By sheer chance there was a German craft fair in attendance. No visit to the town would be complete without a wander down to the harbour. Pleasure craft come and go and a walk around the headland is recommended. We once sat at the water's edge watching the Edinburgh Festival fireworks display from afar. As we all learn in high school science, light travels infinitely faster than sound therefore there was a gap of a few seconds between seeing and hearing the explosions in the sky. A fine family-owned fish restaurant - Room with a View - is perched below the cliffs. A steep access track leads down and you basically dine in the front room of a large house. The sea views are superb and the service excellent. However, the real fun starts when you have to drive back up and the restaurant's website advises you to consider leaving your car in the large public car park at the top. Basically it's first gear all the way and pray you don't meet a descending vehicle. The waitress said it's not uncommon for restaurant staff to personally jump into guests' cars and drive them up the slope. It is a lovely walk around Hawkcraig Point (used as a hydrophone research station during WW1) towards the Silver Sands beach. This seaside location throngs with sunbathers during the summer and is an extremely pleasant part of the coastal Path.

The main alehouse in Aberdour is the Foresters Arms. It has previously won the Fife CAMRA pub of the year award and attracts a mixed clientele. The first time I entered happened to be shortly before a CAMRA social was due to start - the barman assuming I was the first arrival upon my request for a pint of Cameron's bitter. I hadn't actually attended any CAMRA meetings at that point, being content to sup in the background. I didn't join the crowd on that day as I only had time for one beer. I have since become more active in the organisation by working behind the bar at the annual Fife ale festival. It was nice to be back in the Foresters and it appears to have changed management. A warm welcome was given but only two cask ales were available. Normally that wouldn't be worthy of comment but the pub did used to have a reputation for providing a wide selection. Perhaps real ale isn't so vigorously promoted in the Foresters these days or it could simply have been a case of stocks running low. You should never judge a bar after one visit and I was happy enough to drink a seasonal bitter in fine condition. Halfway between the High Street and the shore is a derelict pub that previously traded as the Cedar Inn. It was full of nooks and crannies and had a little snug with board games and newspapers. Unfortunately the place closed a few years back but reopened after extensive refurbishment. I dropped in prior to watching Flying Scotsman make its annual run through Fife. The public bar was open but the lounges were still undergoing renovation.

The new owners were full of enthusiasm and the ale founts stood proudly. It seemed a highly promising venture but one that lasted a few months at most. A reminder that the licensed trade is unforgiving and re-establishing a watering hole with a positive past reputation is absolutely no guarantee of future success. After all, there must be a reason why a pub closes in the first place. A lesser known walk in Aberdour is the Heughs trail. This curves high above the town through dense trees. Suddenly a gap opens and provides a fantastic view down upon the Silver Sands. You then descend and hook up with the Fife Coastal Path, paralleling the railway. The train journey between Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh must be one of the best in Scotland. You stick to the coast for long stretches before crossing the iconic Forth Bridge. Of course, if you grow up in the area and have made the trip hundreds of times, you don't appreciate the sheen. People have always been attracted to islands and Fife is mostly surrounded by water. We should never talk the place down - although that's something Scots in general like to do.

Winter Wonderland

The first serious frost of the year saw the overnight temperatures sink to around minus six over the weekend. It barely increased during daylight hours which made for some excellent winter walking. The coldest day was the Sunday and we headed through to Flanders Moss which lies on the fringes of historic Perthshire. An ancient raised peat bog, Flanders is a protected landscape and a swampy oasis within a (drained) sea of arable farmland.

We had only ever been here during the summer months when the place is alive with insects and birds. Amphibians can also be spotted in the ponds. Today was a completely different vista and glistening white was the dominate shade. My hands gradually froze as I operated my camera without gloves but it was too good a photo opportunity to miss. As I type, the image to the right has attracted over 300 likes on Instagram. This is my second photo to reach this social media milestone. I used to hope maybe one of my pics would persuade 50 people to click on it but now I seem to attract triple this amount with ease. Big Brian the influencer! Saffron Barker I'm catching you! The boardwalk circuit around the moss is just over half a mile but it's well worth travelling to see such an unusual piece of countryside. Trees ring the perimeter but the interior is mainly heather and a mosaic of sphagnum mosses with the odd stunted arboreal structure standing defiantly. I can't remember how I found out about this place. I suspect it was simply a case of scrolling randomly across online maps in search of potential walking routes.

Other than birds flying high overhead, the only feathered friend I spotted was a meadow pipit sitting on a frosted branch, the yellow hue standing out clearly against the white background. I reeled off a couple of pics to add to my Instagram post list. I upload one photo per day and like to keep a few recent ones in reserve. Saves me having to raid the back catalogue too frequently. The meadow pipit proved a hit with my followers but for some reason my most popular birdie posts have been ducks. The beginnings of The Trossachs loom in the distance at Flanders Moss and provide a picturesque backdrop to a landscape otherwise as flat as a pancake. The little ponds we passed were frozen solid with the trapped mosses shining through - a nice effect but one that didn't come across well on camera. Can't have it all. There is a similar peat bog over in Kinross-Shire, near Portmoak Airfield. This doesn't have extensive pedestrian access like Flanders, where a major part of the attraction is being able to explore the territory on foot. The lack of any major roads in the vicinity lends a welcome air of tranquillity. A wooden tower allows a panoramic view across the moss and I've never seen more than a dozen people here at any one time - even in summer. Knowledge of this hidden gem is probably most often acquired through word of mouth. Long may that be the case!

The last settlement encountered on the way through to Flanders is Thornhill - a charming village with a pub called the Lion & Unicorn which looks historic and welcoming. Their website promises a selection of fine ales and I must arrange a visit by bus or perhaps a car trip where I'm not behind the wheel (birthday outing perhaps?). Coincidentally, I once visited a town of the same name on a journey down to Dumfriesshire. I explored the brilliant Lead Mining Museum at Wanlockhead (Scotland's highest village) and walked a small portion of the Southern Upland Way, climbing Lowther Hill. I topped off a memorable day by driving 16 miles further south to Thornhill. The reason? To see the lead statue of winged horse Pegasus in the town centre. A quirky monument and one few people will have heard of, never mind seen with their own eyes. The road from Wanlockhead to the A76 was a lovely drive in its own right, winding through a valley. The Perthshire Thornhill has this striking building at the crossroads in the village centre. I thought it might be an old tolbooth but research revealed it to be the smallest Masonic Lodge in the UK. The historic county of Perthshire stretches past Thornhill as far as Aberfoyle but the post town for these places is Stirling. It is a reminder that postal addresses do not always indicate the true traditional county as smaller settlements near a boundary may be paired for mail delivery purposes with a larger place in the next shire. Postcodes frequently jump across county lines and don't in any way define political territories. They were created in the late 1960s purely as a routing system for Royal Mail. By way of example, FK (Falkirk) codes cover all of Clackmannanshire, a large chunk of Stirlingshire, a piece of Perthshire and a sliver of Fife. I asked myself why the ancient Scottish capital Stirling was never given a postal prefix. The answer is no doubt down to the fact the logical abbreviations S, ST, SL and SG are already taken by other towns.

As you approach the lodge from Flanders Moss, a helicopter is sited on parkland just before the traffic lights. The first time I spotted the chopper from the car, I assumed it was on display as part of a community event. Today I wandered over for a closer look and it actually stands on a campsite and is available to hire as "glamping" accommodation. Something different to wigwams and eco-pods I suppose. It was a 20-minute drive to the bustling little town of Aberfoyle. There are always tourists and climbers milling around and the place can be considered the geographical gateway to the Highlands, being situated close to the boundary fault that runs across the country and divides Scotland into two distinct geological zones. Aberfoyle is also the source of the Forth. The mighty river flows out of nearby Loch Ard and you could almost clear it in a couple of mighty bounds. The Forth Inn ticks two "real" boxes - fire and ale - and is the ideal place to relax after a day's walking. We drove a mile up a steep road to the visitor's lodge in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. The woodland covers a massive 50,000 acres and there are excellent trails to explore. The Go Ape rope climbing centre is located in the vicinity and features some of the longest zip wires in the UK. Walkers descending to the forest valley see and hear the brave souls sailing by at 120-feet overhead.

Near the lodge is a statue dedicated to the women who worked in forestry during the world wars - supplying this vital resource and helping to keep the country running. Known affectionately as the lumberjills, these ladies were officially assigned to the Women's Timber Corps and carried out the arduous tasks of felling, snedding, loading lorries and trains, and also sawmilling timber all over Scotland. A large percentage of the end produce was mining timber, used to keep Britain's engine turning during these difficult times. The unit was disbanded in 1946 and each woman received a letter of thanks from Queen Elizabeth (mother of our present monarch). The memorial statute was commissioned in 2006 and it remains a curious aspect of our society that very few sculptures commemorate females. We followed the walkway deep into the forest and took in the view of the waterfall and marvelled at the blaze of autumn shades. Quite a few trees were adorned with Christmas accoutrements which can be rather cheesy but I particularly liked the mirrored statues sporting woolly hats. It's not uncommon to find artwork installed along a woodland trail and these ghostly figures made me think of the ring wraiths in Tolkien's classic novel. I read Lord of The Rings at 18 and again a few years later. I rarely read a book more than once and have never contemplated a hat-trick. Perhaps in 20 years time I'll rejoin the hobbits on their adventure.

On a previous visit to the forest park, we completed a circular walk that skirted the beginning of the highland boundary fault. Today we planned to go only as far as the bird hide in the hope of seeing the resident nuthatch. Apparently their presence in Scotland is a recent development, most likely attributable to climate change. The humble magpie never used to be spotted too often up here but now they are ten a penny. One must wonder where this global warming is taking us. Birds venturing a few miles further north is one thing but when you hear about permafrost melting for the first time in thousands of years, that has to be a matter of urgency. Burying one's head in the sand is definitely not the solution! The nuthatch did indeed put in an appearance but proved difficult to photograph due to its flighty nature and the dimming light didn't help matters. As Nicole often reminds me, it can be nice just to sit and watch the birds rather than constantly scan for photo opportunities. Although the pictures are my main point of interest, I do concede that quietly observing the behaviour of our feathered friends is a rewarding experience. Various finches and tits buzzed back and forth while a couple of blackbirds poked around in the undergrowth.

Just as we were packing up to leave, a red squirrel appeared out of nowhere and went about his business right in front of me. It's pleasing to see the native reds in many locations across Scotland as they are under constant threat from the imported greys. The two species do not share the same territory and the more robust greys - introduced by the Victorians - are able to exert their dominance and claim the best feeding grounds. The situation for the reds in England is dire and they are sparsely distributed. A stark reminder that man can play havoc with nature by bringing species into areas where they do not belong. It was time to head home and I wanted to catch the sunset at Torryburn - a coastal village close to where we live. Joining the motorway near Stirling was the halfway point of the journey in terms of distance but time-wise it's quicker from here as we could cruise at 60-70 mph from this point onwards. I was confident I'd be in Torryburn by sundown but my visibility was being obscured not by the fading daylight but the fact my windscreen washers had been frozen solid all day. I had cleaned the glass with plain water from a bottle in Aberfoyle and had some left should I really need to use it. Meanwhile, I battered on. Although there was a fair chance the engine heat would thaw the tubes, I didn't want to risk activating the wipers and completely smear the windscreen.

As we approached the Fife Coast, Nicole was skyping from the passenger seat with her nephews in Germany. I gave them a quick wave and it struck me how lucky we are to be connected across the globe and I wondered if today's youngsters even know how to write a letter? We pulled into the car park at Torryburn shore and it instantly became apparent a few other locals had come up with the same idea as me. The sun was dropping to the horizon and Nicole tried to give the lads a view by pointing her phone at the windscreen. At that moment I gave the washers a blast and - hey presto - the screenwash spurted out, revealing the orange-tinted vista to our onlookers from afar. There are always fantastic sights to be seen on your home turf but we don't always fully appreciate them. It brings to mind an interview with the legendary British rock n' roll guitarist Wilko Johnson. An Essex Canvey Islander, the latter stage of Wilko's career has been so dramatic you couldn't possibly have dreamt it up and there's no space to recount it here. I recall him being asked to name the place in the world he found most scenic. Without hesitation he replied "Thames estuary" - which is of course right on his doorstep. Knowing he had toured and travelled extensively, I didn't really expect him to say that but it served as a sharp reminder to "look aboot ye" - the motto of my neighbouring county Clackmannanshire.

The previous day had been a crisp one and we headed down to Ravenscraig Park in Kirkcaldy for the elevated short walk along the coast to Dysart. There is a car park at shore level which offers great views of Ravenscraig Castle but further progress depends upon the tides. The castle dates from around 1460 and is an early example of artillery defence. I assume this means firing big guns (or canons) from a clifftop position. The entire estate was gifted to the town in 1929 and is a popular spot for local walkers as well as forming part of the Fife Coastal Path. We did stray off the trail to make our way down past the dovecot to the beach, where I snapped the above photo. Back on the main footpath, it was a pleasant walk to Dysart Harbour where several episodes of Outlander have been filmed. The success of the fantasy TV series has undoubtedly brought a lot of people to Scotland with an accompanying boost to the economy. Ticking off the shooting locations is certainly not unknown among the Outlander crowd. As we neared Dysart, Nicole spotted a wren at eye level and it sat long enough for me to take my first ever decent picture of our second smallest bird (beaten only by the goldcrest). The wren's tail is almost always cocked up and this is a tell-tale sign to aid identification.

Dysart is generally regarded as part of Kirkcaldy but was in fact a separate burgh until the 1930s. No doubt the locals still cling on to their old identity. I certainly hope they do! The harbour is a beautiful location overlooked by the Harbourmaster's House - now the headquarters of the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust which administers the Coastal Path and the newly-opened Fife Pilgrim Way. The B-listed building contains an exhibition and café on the ground floor. A plate of warming stovies was the order of the day as we escaped the chill and uploaded photos. The official map of the Fife Coastal Path is an essential purchase for those walking the route and I noticed an equivalent publication for the Pilgrim Way on sale behind the counter. Nicole said I might find it in my Christmas stocking so I had to hang fire. I'm looking forward to tackling all 64 miles of the Pilgrim Way. A coastal path is an easy sell and it's great to see so much publicity surrounding the new inland trail. It has been purposely routed through the more obscure parts of the Kingdom in order to boost footfall in those areas. We went for a stroll around the harbour which is still very much a working concern. The haven is carved out of the surrounding cliffs and backed by a high retaining wall of natural stone. We climbed the stairs to this excellent viewpoint and the boats glinted in the winter sun.

A curious modern art installation stands on the shoreline. The "Sea Beams" form a pole sculpture of nine vertical pieces of oak timber. Each beam is painted a different colour and the heights vary. The shades are said to represent the waters of the Firth of Forth in its varying moods. I don't always see the merit in trendy sculptures but the Sea Beams undoubtedly blend in with the surrounding landscape. Perhaps I'm not completely devoid of culture after all! A pleasant walk took us back to Ravenscraig Park with some fine views of the estuary along the way. Then it was up to Ostlers Care Home on the edge of town where my father is currently residing. He's there for a 6-week assessment period and it was pleasing to see he had settled in well to his new accommodation. Working in Kirkcaldy also means I can pop along a couple of times per week after my shift.