Menootery; Abootery

After the culture cram of Edinburgh, I turned The Grey's wheels toward Fife. There was a vague plan of heading to St Andrews. Travel my way is always open to delay and distraction. Dropping in by Cowdenbeath for a grocery run, the day was turning up trumps, and I wanted to find somewhere a bit closer to enjoy the spring day. Park4Nite threw up the picnic point at East Lomond, which I shared with you in last month's FFF/NF post. 

The following two days at that park were foul: high wind, solid rain, and hill mist. I stayed put and worked online, did some crochet, and caught up on podcasts and viewing. On the fourth morning, it came up bright and warm once more. It was time to drop down the hill, just a short distance, to the small town of Falkland.

There is free parking, and it is okay to stay overnight. It is right in the middle of this settlement, only a five-minute walk from the main street and the palace. There are smart toilets with potable water available. 

Once The Grey was settled in place, I got out the Rolls-later, and we set off to walk the palace gardens. I wanted to take advantage of the weather while it was there. I spent a wonderful couple of hours there (more posts to follow) before spending an hour walking around this ancient place. The streets are a challenge for modern transportation!

Beside the church and fountain, I found this statue...

I took the close-up of the inscription because I think you will agree that it is one mighty name to bear. Intrigue! I had never heard of this fellow. Here is what the Gazetteer of Scotland has to say about him.

In case one or two of you want to follow your noses on this, you can click through to this page and follow the warren of your choosing!

As I completed my tour of the town and got back to the van, the weather turned. I barely got inside before the temperature plummeted back into low single figures, and sleet and graupel (soft hail) thundered on the roof! The next day was another one of bluster and the last throes of winter, so onboard activity again. Mothering Sunday, though, shone bright, if still a little chill. I opened the windows and doors and did a bit of housework, chatted with folk who were out and about and generally had a fine day. The same was true for the last day of March, before I had to organise myself to head back westward. St Andrews would have to wait for another trip.

A bit more about Falkland Palace grounds next week - and there will be nature posts from there as well as some Views coming up. I didn't actually enter the palace itself, partly because of all the steps and stairs, but also because of the crowds, as it was Mothering Sunday weekend. The place was heaving!