Perhaps in light of the successful outcome of Nicola's enormous run the day before, there was a feeling of lightness and devil-may-care on Sunday 6th Sept; and so driving past the field of sunflowers at Luffness we took the time (on the way to Gullane and the usual run) to stop and park on the grassy verge over the road from Luffness Mains Farm.
A woman was coming out from the farm and so we we asked her about the sunflowers. She told us not only were we allowed to walk into the field but we could pick up to 6 to take home. (Just beware of the nearly invisible small electric fence which was to keep the resident sheep resident.) We aren't really vase-of-flowers type people although if we had secateurs (are there scissors in the frst aid box? probably!) or weren't about to go for a run for a couple of hours, we may have been more tempted. It was great that Luffness Farm was encouraging interaction and free flowers. Really impressive. I thought they must be doing it for some set-aside govt grant but no, apparently "just for fun."
We had gone hardly any distance into the field before we were having loads of that fun! All the butterflies and bees in East Lothian had spread word of the giant seeded heads of nectar and we set about taking their pictures as they fluttered, walked and buzzed about these flowers. It was extremely French in feel and I was nearly giddy with the prospect of so many placid pacified insects. The further into the field we went the more butterflies appeared. Soon it was tempting to search out just the best lookers and prime candidates. Plenty of Red Admirals, fewer Peacocks, hardly any Small T-shells and just one Painted Lady but a cracking specimen fresh as a daisy. Plenty Whites in all 3 versions.
Mary was also captivated.
Behind Mary, in the centre of the field is Oilseed Radish, a bit like rape seed but planted after the primary harvest and can help break up compacted soil with its deep roots. There are sheep in there too which I didn't photograph on this first visit. Further info about the sunflowers and Oilseed Radish is on the Luffness Mains Farm facebook page.
a white heads towards Mary
painted lady bird
admiral on oilseed radish
We both really enjoyed the sunflower field. Every time we drove past subsequently there were people in it, collecting flowers and enjoying the ambience, often with their kids. What a great gesture from the farm to share something with the locals with no profit or any big marketing or capitalist enterprise involved - just a generous idea that totally brightened up the lives of everyone who witnessed the spectacle of a field full of sunshine and large yellow flowers! Top marks and still worth a visit although I suspect the butterflies will be thin on the ground or absent from here on in, given the falling Autumnal temperatures.
We drove into Gullane and parked at the usual spot. We decided to lengthen the usual route adding a couple of miles by running into Aberlady and going to the local shop which has become a Margiottas at some point in the last year or 2. While Mary was choosing juice and snacks I was trying to get a photo of a couple of large whites doing circuits of the cottages along the road. They didn't land much or for long and were quite an exercise in frustration.
We also had a moment with the local bobby who had moved from the other side of Gullane to the outskirts of Aberlady. We imagined him moving rather stiffly, like a South Park character in the night when nobody was watching.
Just at the bridge to the reserve a group of ladies had set up a high tea party with hats, cakes and teapots. I shouted hello and took their photos and got a great reception.
We had the whole huge beach under a massive sky nearly to ourselves. Towards the other end we saw Drew and his mum - I think Drew recognised me before I recognised him, as we were in running kit and he wasn't. We chatted briefly then headed on. Such a cracking day!
ahh the good old days when kids were thin and played at
the seaside jumping into the water from rocks
the blue pointer marks the corner of Luffness Farm
where you can park and visit the sunflowers
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