Bartimaeus

I don’t know much about electricity and gas boilers, but the house was a tad cold. Shane was straight into problem solving. Nye doesn’t mind the cold and was unperturbed by the coolness. Shane had worked out that it was the thermostat and not the boilers or radiator system that was the problem. My only help had been to be able to discern some numbers on the box that helped Shane continue more easily with diagnosing the difficulty. I was meantime wearing my cosiest clothes. Shane soon got it working the next day. 

Having had dull weather just before leaving the boat, it was proving a little sunnier than it had been and even than forecast. I had some pleasant outings, walk along the canal, a trip around the Meadows and a walk to Blackford pond. In Morningside I found an autumn post box topper, near the famous pub, The Canny Man’s.

While there were poppies for rembrance day there were also pumpkins, fungi, acorns, autumn leaves and an owl. I had seen acorns while on the boat. While out on one of the walks I had admired holly berries, winter jasmine, cyclamen and a huge amount of fungi at one tree.

The shopping streets were getting geared towards Christmas of course but I can’t get very much interested in Christmas this early. For a start we have Shane’s birthday in November. We had copious quantities of curry to celebrate. Then there is always the anniversary alphabet to decide upon. We had earlier thought of French Flanders but with an early rush to the marina to  be the correct side of the staircase lock that was being closed combined with Shane having reasons to come to Edinburgh we have ended up heading north in stead. We decided to look at Scottish destinations. A few things were considered but with a look at the up coming bright, but cold, forecast we plumped for somewhere with attractive walking and not too big a journey, Fife. Shane got suitably sea themed accommodation at The Ship Inn and we were all set. I was packing plenty of warm things. The temperature was steadily dropping. The day before departing I had a walk around Arthur’s Seat. I had a cosy hat on and keeping moving was warm enough. The sun was bathing the seat and crags with gold.

I managed to finish off another hat in autumn colours and threw that in as a last minute spare hat. I was getting a bit anxious about the temperature drop. I had packed far too many clothes for such a short trip. On the way to the station it was sunny in the Meadows but where the trees’ shadows were, the grass was frosted.

Walking uphill is plenty warm enough. We got off at Kirkcaldy and were immediately at a tourist attraction, the art gallery and museum. There was no time to cool off. We had a warm lunch and explored the art gallery and museum. It was an excellent use of our short break in the journey. It also made me feel we were seeing more aspects of Fife than just the coast, seeing exhibits on coal mining, and the linen and linoleum industry. There is still a linoleum factory in Kirkcaldy. The smell no longer pervades the town. In the cafe were some ceramic displays, another industry that used to flourish there.

We completed our train journey to Leven, using a new train line, or at least a recently reopened one, and from there took a bus to Elie. The bus journey was entertaining, with a chatty girl and her granny beside us and the impressive tight turns the driver has to do through some parts. We were pleased to make it to Elie, just as it was darkening. I took a picture of the lighthouse and was very pleased to see the view from our bedroom window was very similar. It was all going well so far and I looked forward to seeing more of the famous Fife coastal path.