A Trio OF Sundials

At this time of year it's Doors Open Day somewhere - last week we were in Midlothian, today we investigated West Fife (having missed East and Central Fife).

This took us to Aberdour's C12 St Fillan's Church, (extra) in which we have actually attended a wedding and a funeral in past years but could not claim to have 'visited'. Made most welcome, we were shown Captain Morgan's Cup, a gilt cup presented by a rich sea captain, requested by the government during the Napoleonic Wars to plunder French ships, which he achieved with great success. There are superb stained glass windows set in deep recesses, a font discovered in the graveyard during the restoration in the 1920's, a leper squint and massive Norman-style pillars with masons' marks. A delight in so many ways.

We then wandered into the courtyard of the castle, since it was next door, but, as the ticket office was closed for lunch, we studied the exterior as far as possible, discovering three sundials of different style (main photo) and a very fine beehive doocot, which stands above a more recent orchard replanted on the site of the C17 original.

Then we drove to our next destination in Burntisland, to visit the Museum of Communication, which covers everything from early signalling (think semaphore and Morse code) to the speaking clock, radio and television, sonar - but where were the satellites? Perhaps the next exhibition will include a display of technology required. The current exhibition focussed on the Centenary of the BBC in Scotland, which followed England by a year. The guides were most informative and conversation flowed until we felt it was time to leave.

Next weekend's Doors will be nearer home and we have a plan - but we hope the weather will be kinder than the drizzly grey of today.