A day of two halves

 We had a beautiful sunny morning, with the intention of going for a walk....but I got "chatting" to my daughter by message...

Then we had a flying visit from half of the Ayr Burners clubrun!!!

It was great to see them and chat...

By then it was definitely time to head out with the plan to pick up the paper and a picnic lunch and go for a flat walk...

The weather gods had other ideas....not even a chance of ten minutes walk in a break....it started gently and didn't let up...eight hours later as I write it is still raining outside.....

So picnic in the car, in a layby, looking over at Arran...and Goat Fell in the clouds..down to Girvan...still raining....and home up the Girvan Valley on the lower road.

Still, we did have a nice "tiki tour" even if was with a tin overcoat!! Better than just sitting indoors.

Lunch out

gate to the top level of the co-operative building 

Then the café gate...after Pirate's investigation we had a wee tiki tour and investigated a new café.

The name of the house...Sean Baile House...meaning Old Town House

The co-op shop...still thriving and in the original building 

 Dalmellington used to be a busy and thriving town in the times of coal and ironstone mining and steel production.

It has languished since the mines closed and industry left...but the community is now fighting back and pulling together.

Going to the beach?

 After the road race we headed north on the 3...the idea was to find somewhere for a ride.

The sun got hotter...and the wind blew harder...so after finding the place to park at Waverly Beach, we had a walk.

We found a cove and a rock and (iron rich) black sand.

Then just inland a council campsite and toilets.. everything spotless and tidy.

It was quiet....apart from the wind...and the birds...

Then we retraced our steps to the car...

Nearly losing our hats on the way...

I think the road down to the beach there is weather damaged...tractors only.....

Then home from there...but if we go there again, apparently the beach next over from the cove toward Whanganui is better!

Afternoon out

 After the wake in Kirkcaldy, we had an afternoon out with a friend. 

We had driven to his house then onwards in his car as he knew the roads.

As we were near the sea, the day involved beer(alcohol free as he was driving!) Ice cream AND a fish supper for them ( chips and mushy peas for me). Not forgetting the mayonnaise!!

We stopped in Burnt Island...and found that the lime kilns on a promontary had given it that name....and that the green where the fairs and Highland games were held was given to the burgh by king James V in the 1500s. 

The green and below the games grass track course

The path right round the promontary no longer goes....

Wood yard and harbour still working

And a mini wind turbine generator..also has a solar panel!

It was good to be able to see the sights of the Fife Coast as a passenger for a change!