All we had was boy racers, tearing up and down the road toward the harbour and passing this car park (thankfully) so it didn't really worry us other than the noise of revved engines. Then about 9 pm a bloke on a cycle knocked on the window. Said he was a first aider and a first responder and that someone had requested emergency assistance. We only opened the window a crack, no way would we unlock the doors! Told him it wasn't us, and he rode away. Talk about suspicious as I have never heard of any emergency callers sending a bicycle to deal with an emergency!
Overnight was a nightmare. Opposite was a factory that never stopped and there was men shouting, forklifts constantly on the move and every so often (just when we were about to drift off) loud bangs as if containers had been dropped. The gulls called and screeched from 5 am, and it wasn't until we looked outside and noticed loads of them all perched on a lorry in the factory yard that the penny dropped, that factory dealt in fish and must have had an early delivery. straight from the trawlers. This is one place we will NOT be stopping at again.
Took Toffee for a quick walk along the cliff top before setting off and another seal put in an appearance.
Found RSPB site and visitor centre. A half mile walk took us to two wetland hides. Hardly anything turned up, I think we are too late for some waders and too early for the winter migrations. We did have a sighting 0f a fox, came toward us as we made our way back to the centre so in a way it wasn't all for nothing.
Another hide was a mile away along the road and could only be got to by car. Directions given by one of the guides and we set off to find it. What we hadn't realised was the hide was through a disused airfield, first on gravel and then onto one of the old runways. I know very little about this base but this is what I found on the web (click on the link). Drove quite a long way, had to open a gate to continue and negotiate past several cows and calves before eventually spying a sign to the hides in the distance.
We parked and walked to the fence only to find we were on the wrong side of a gate with no way of getting to the other side. Nothing for it but turn back. In fact, we abandoned any idea of trying to find the correct track, a long drive was ahead of us, at least150 miles to Falkirk, and I was eager to get on the road.
Three hours later we were still along way from our destination. Driving at 50 mph to conserve diesel all put extra time on the journey. With it being so late we decided on a fish and chip supper so took a slight detour to Auchterarder. Oh, we found the chip shop alright...blooming thing was closed until Thursday! We ended up with a pizza, second best but at least we had something to eat!
We failed at several spots to find somewhere to stop overnight, Falkirk was still about 30 miles away and the thought of containing for another 40 minutes put me off somewhat. We tried the Forestry and Land site but no overnight parking allowed, a lay by (not at all suitable) and then one in a place called Dollar near to Castle Campbell. Thank goodness there was nothing to say we couldn't park, and we were the only ones there. We still plan to go to Falkirk, it has all facilities, mainly for boaters but as we have the BW key with us, good for us too.
2 comments:
If you are going to be in Fife a while, go to loch Leven, the RSPB site there was good for red squirrels, just up from the bird feeders when we were there in March, also Moreton Lochs (Tentsmuir) a bit further afield, but Reds seen there in March as well. Caroline.
Unfortunately, Caroline, we are on our way back to Langley Mill but that will be one to remember for next time, thanks.
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