{"id":721,"date":"2019-03-30T16:44:31","date_gmt":"2019-03-30T16:44:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.harmonicroads.org.uk\/?p=721"},"modified":"2019-03-30T16:44:31","modified_gmt":"2019-03-30T16:44:31","slug":"loch-leven-26mar19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.harmonicroads.org.uk\/?p=721","title":{"rendered":"Loch Leven 26MAR19"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It was time to dust off the hiking boots and get some walking done. I’d been planning to walk round Loch Leven<\/a> since the beginning of the year but Monday was the first confluence of good weather and time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though I had the day off, I was up at stupid o’clock and on the road at 7am. Straight into slow moving traffic on the bypass. It was doing 30-40mph till the Calders junction but once onto the motor way it was up to speed and a pleasant journey to the parking spot. Total journey was under an hour. And I got parked next to a camped Cali. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sun was out but it was chilly as I started round the loch and right off there was the ornamental sauce gate to see. A runner passed me by on his way round as well bu I had the place to myself. first part was through some woods and there was silence broken only by natures sounds. Striding out into the quiet had a stilling effect on the mind and I could gradually feel myself relaxing into the walk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first half of the walk was away from the loch, through woods and reed beds but soon I reached a beach at the north end and spent some time taking photos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Loch
Loch Leven<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Loch
Loch Leven<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I got some amazing shots from this end of the loch and was very lucky with the weather and sunlight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was getting busier and warmer now so some layers where taken off and it was time for a detour to see Burleigh Castle<\/a>. Not a large castle by any standard but free to see and worth the trip<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Burleigh
Burleigh Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A bit further round and it was into Kinross proper and the visitor centre for Loch Leven castle<\/a>. This was shut as the boat to the island the castle is on runs only in the summer. I quite fancy seeing the castle but the boats they had tied up looked a bit on the small side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continuing on my way, the last stop was the RSPB bird sanctuary<\/a> at the south end of the Loch. After a perusal of the shop I took some time to view the birds. I had no idea what I was looking at but the telescopes were cool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And finally it was back to the van. 24KM and 5 hours later I was back. I felt good having done the walk. A bit sore but it was fantastic to get back out and on my feet. Lunch was eaten sitting on the van’s step then it was home. A great day out and hopefully a precursor to more walking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n