Coming down in the rain

Sunday comes around again and with it brings a fresh down pouring of what seems like all the rain in China, and standing in our pyjamas, gazing out through the slats of the blinds, ensconced within the warmth of the house, we silently ponder the certainty of another drenching on our next training walk.

We parked the car at Tesco Riverside in Dundee city centre, take a deep breath and step out into the downpour. Our route today did not require any degree of map reading or compass skills, for all we needed to do was head East and follow the National cycle network Route 1 (connecting Dover to the Shetland Isles, no less) and try to end up somewhere near Arbroath….or there abouts.

We made our way along the city quayside, passed by the magnificent RRS Discovery and on towards the port authority security gate where we watched the gate keeper take great delight in opening up to allow a man on his bike pass through, yet he stopped us in our tracks and claimed we were not allowed to enter the area on foot! To which we both questioned…why was the man on his bike allowed to pass? “I don’t make the rules hen” was the response, so rather reluctantly, and with the question still unanswered, we turned back, and up and over the rickety bridge that would take us back onto the main road. We trudged along this next section in silence, the roaring from the multitude of vehicles rumbling along the major highway, splashing up all the surface water proved futile to fight against with only our happy chattering, so we just didn’t bother trying. We soon left the chaos of the roadside and headed back along a coastal path, towards the pretty village of Broughty Ferry. Fiona pointed to a church steeple shrouded in scaffolding away off in the distance and told me that it was hit by a huge bolt of lightening a few months back…..we both agreed that where we stood would have been a magnificent vantage point on that evening when it struck! KABOOM indeed!

The conversation was flowing again as we picked up the pace and rounded the corner at Broughty Ferry Castle and headed out towards Monifeith. Unfortunately, the rain picked up its pace too and by now, it had turned itself into stinging needles that jabbed against the soft skin of our exposed faces, so it was hoods up at the double! Heads down, and keep right on to the end of the road…..

We passed by a couple of campsites, right by the waters edge and walked through a fabulous kids play area, complete with rope swings, and adventures galore. It reminded me of the times my parents took myself and my brother on holiday to Aberdeen when we were kids and let us loose among the golden links…..what fun it all was! Scraping our knees and clambering all over the rope climbs, and then a race back to the car for our yummy packed lunch! The similarities in both Fiona’s and my childhood is a subject we chat about frequently on our walks, I like how it takes us both back to really happy times and fond memories….it certainly lifts the spirits and provides some welcome escapism when faced with all these rain soaked miles!

The next section of path seemed to go on for ever! From Barry Burden Army base, along the side of the golf courses, the road is dead straight and has very little deviation. It was time to think about the aches and pains now creeping into our bodies and the complete inadequacy of our “shower proof” walking jackets. The sleeves of my fleece underneath my jacket were completely soaking, as were my feet, trousers and shoulders. Fiona’s heels were beginning to nip from a couple of nasty burst blisters and she was soaking wet too! We reckoned we had covered around 8 miles up to this point and it was perhaps a further 5 miles to Carnoustie….a good time for a chocolate boost!

At last, the large sign that welcomes you to the Carnoustie Golf links was upon us and some shelter from the relentless rain was finally in sight! We had agreed that we would have a comfort break at the Carnoustie leisure centre and see how we felt about plodding on any further. We walked past the tenth green and remembered the last time we were here, following Bernie Langer and Corey Pavin in the final round of the seniors open golf tournament last year….glancing over at the windswept course now, the only person to be seen was a hardy dog walker holding a giant umbrella, even his dog seemed to be taking cover from the rain, seeking refuge in one of the bunkers perhaps!?

A quick photo stop in front of the iconic Carnoustie hotel and then on to the leisure centre. By this time, we both were limping and in desperate need of some shelter, so the decision was made to terminate the walk here and to jump on a train to get us back to Dundee and the car. Our timing was poor however as the next train due was a two hour wait away! So plan B was adopted and we hobbled up the main road to catch a bus.

It was a challenging day today, but we both agreed it was well worth it and still very enjoyable, even in the appalling weather conditions! We must have looked like a right pair, shuffling off the bus, all stiff and cold and sore….but at least we could still have a good old laugh about it……the rain had definitely not dampened our spirits on this day!