Impressive Clouds Over Leven

Cloud formations over Leven viewed from the Massney Braes in Lundin Links. Patches of blue still visible and beneath the darker clouds the sun still lighting up the sky. Unfortunately the dark clouds soon moved overhead and a soaking ensued.

A Stormy October Day

Such good weather over the last few months with sunshine, little rain and light winds that it seemed summer would never end but with October the first stormy days of Autumn have arrived.

The barriers that were supposed to stop access to the crumbling end of the pier have collapsed in the storm. Not that they were particularly effective as it was easy enough to get round the side, but I suppose they did act as an indicator to the perilous state of the pier.
Can only wonder at what further damage may be done over the winter if no repairs are made. Such a shame.

 The view from the pier today - dark storm clouds over Largo and a sea of foam.

Looking towards Leven from Lower Largo.

Leven Festival Gardens

Pleasant, peaceful gardens towards the east end of Leven promenade but on the opposite side of the road. On entering the garden the most striking thing is the stone memorial to the contribution that Polish Paratroopers made in the Second World War and in particular to their part in the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944.

The memorial was erected on the 20th Anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem in September 1964. This month the 70th Anniversary is being commemorated. A new memorial to mark this event is going to be unveiled in the garden later this month.

The 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade was formed in October 1941 at Largo House, Upper Largo under the command of General (then Colonel) Sosabowski. They trained in the grounds of the house and in the surrounding district.

A Sea of Foam

The high winds creating stormy seas so that looking towards Leven, Largo Bay seemed covered by foam.

Looking towards Methil - the high waves buffeting the docks there.

 Looking out to sea from Lower Largo Pier.

Looking towards Ruddon's Point.

Lights Come On Over Leven.

Looking across the bay from Lundin Links, the lights come on over Leven at dusk.

I think that the bright glow above the skyline is coming from Mossmorran flaring. The Mossmorran NGL (natural gas liquids) fractionation plant is part of the North Sea Brent oil and gas field system located on the outskirts of Cowdenbeath, Fife. Flaring is an essential part of the plant's safety systems.
Mossmorran is around 18 miles away from Lundin Links so imagine how bright it must look nearby!

An Abundance of Wild Flowers

A sea of white daisies (scentless mayweed, I think) in the field beside the Serpentine Walk. Perhaps because of the weather conditions wild flowers seem particularly prolific this year.

A large patch of meadow crane's-bill alongside the old railway track.

Meadowsweet by the track.

A bank of wild thyme above the beach in Lower Largo.

A field of creeping thistles by the ruined salt-pan houses in Largo. They were attracting tortoiseshell butterflies and hoverflies.

Field scabious along the path on the railway track.

A patch of the Scottish bluebell or harebell on the Massney Braes at Lundin Links. A more delicate flower than the wild hyacinth also known as bluebell that blooms in the spring

In a completely different setting wild flowers which have been seeded on to a roundabout in Leven. It looks stunning and I much prefer this to the more formal displays.

A Fog Bank Over Leven

A lovely warm afternoon, but there was a bank of fog sitting over Leven at the Western end of Largo Bay

Mizzle!

Looking East can hardly make out Leven at the end of Largo Bay. There has been continuous mist and drizzle for the last couple of days.

To the west, Ruddon's Point appears through the gloom. 

Lighten Our Darkness!

Very stormy morning, rain, sleet and very dark skies. The sunrise over the Forth, with the very dark clouds above produced this strange picture taken from the shore at Leven at around 8.30am today.