Happy Hogmanay

Last day of the year, and yet, the days are getting longer. It isn't dark until 5, and the sun sets through the trees near Kingsbarns with TREE OF LIFE kind of beauty.

Bonfire at the west shore at midnight, with so many faces from the village, hardly recognizable under their hats.

Whiskey is passed around, lots of it.
People join hands and sing Auld Land Syne.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne

Authentic.
Real.
Truthful.
Hilarious.
Fun.
Cold.
Embracing
Bedford Falls,

Pittenweem.

The Kingdom of Fife - Pittenweem Fish & Chips Bar

 What a pity, it is closed for two weeks for the holidays. The best fish and chips around, and it is just down the street, as is the post office, the chemist, the convenience store, Robert Adamson, the hairdresser (really good hairdresser, look out Los Angeles, because not only does Robert do great hair AND color, he gives great conversation, which every girl knows is important when she is in the chair), the new store The Wooly Brew, that has taken over the Rake Around's old space and given Pittenweem a fabulous new knitting store, which is more than convenient when there are gale force winds outside and it's time to knit more fingerless gloves, Barnett's Bakers, Page Pottery, http://www.pagepottery.co.uk/, Amy Page who has created the most beautiful mugs and plates and bowls and jugs in the loveliest shade of green/blue watery turquoise what do you call that color?, The LITTLE GALLERY, Art Extraordinary, http://www.artextraordinarytrust.co.uk/ which always has the best and most deep of the deep water of Art, and Donald Butcher, The FISHER GALLERY, http://www.fishergallery.co.uk/  and the Cocoa Tree Cafe
http://www.thecocoatreeshop.com/                 which are all open, THANK GOD, during this time because we all need our hair done and bread baked and chocolates from the Cocoa Tree. Have I forgotten anyone? It's a pretty good line up on the High Street.

One fish supper with salt and vinegar and brown sauce.

THIS is Pittenweem.


Happy Hogmanay.

The Kingdom of Fife - The Royal Burgh of Pittenweem

 In Pittenweem, fishermen harvest prawns, crab, lobster, and the all important haddock. Just a small village of 3,000 living in stone cottages and doing their shopping on the high street. The summer arts festival brings 20,000 people into town each August, and locals open their homes for the artist's exhibitions. Set in a small neuk that juts into the North Sea, overlooking the Firth of Forth and the Isle of May, Pittenweem is a step back into time; relaxed, friendly, and filled with some of the most interesting people one would want to meet.

James II of Scotland (1437-1460) described the East Neuk of Fife with its burghs built around sheltered bays and rich farmland as "a fringe of gold on a beggar's mantle."

Pittenweem's history dates back to the 7th century. Its name is of Pictish origins and means 'place (pit) by or of the cave (weem)', where it is said St. Fillan chose to live while he converted local Picts to Christianity. Nice, eh? No conversion or dragging into the cave today, but one can visit if it doesn't creep you out.

Today, Pittenweem is the main fishing centre of the East Neuk, a fact celebrated at the annual East Neuk Fish Festival also held in August, and has the best chipper ever.

The Fife Coastal Path hugs the coastline and connects neighboring villages.

Pittenweem = beauty.