pans 2 nb

28th Feb

Another long-ish run down the coast. I think we opted for the later train to give the countryside an extra hour to warm up. Start was 11am off the train at Prestonpans which makes 18 to North Berwick and 2 extra, to and from Waverley. Glorious weather, or at least blue skies and possibly a cool wind. There was a feeling there might be a butterfly but not that hopeful. But what can I say, we live in a cold Northern European country.

Even the walk/jog up the road to the station was pleasant!
Although the buff-and-gloves suggests not overly warm.

nice to get onto the coastal trails beyond Port Seton

We checked out the SOC just before Aberlady. Although there were some pollinators enjoying the flowering heathers there were no butterflies, surely the most likely spot we'd pass today. Which threw a wet blanket over my caffeinated hopes. Nice flowers as always.

this fearsome terror outside Margiotta's.
(We had a veggie samosa to fuel us to NB)

ladybird

photo Mary

blue skies!

Mary kept pushing on while I stopped to interview the sanderlings. I think there were only three or four in total but they were reasonably behaved and came quite close to where I was standing with the compact camera. I took dozens of shots knowing the hit rate is low with the compact at full reach. The great light helped and the results weren't too bad. However I have now got used to excellent quality images from the G9 and so everything else kinda sucks. Meanwhile Mary was disappearing over the horizon at the other end of the beach. I upped the pace and caught her nearer Gullane Point.

teasels

self timer at Driftwood

photo Mary

dodging the waves at the high tide here was fun

ENO (?)

I thought this was a stranded stoat on a rock
before I took a photo at max zoom which revealed 3 birds

We passed 2 chainsaws by the path being used to clear back the shrubs. The guys responsible were down skimming stones and possibly taking their lunchbreak at the shore on the other side of the jaggy bushes when we passed by. I wondered how quickly they would appear if I started up a chainsaw. 

help yourself!

more bad bird photos

Fidra

pigeons and/or crows taking off

still sprinting up the last couple of miles

unimpressed robin

Mary had decided to go up the road but then back onto the golf course edge to finish along the High Street at the coop or pub, for refreshments. I can't remember the reason we opted against the pub but maybe keeping it for special rather than every trip, and also the next train was arriving quite soon. We bought milkshakes at the coop, but were both feeling less trashed than last time, so spirits were high. I managed to change into dry clothes on the platform without exposing myself (too much) to the surrounding crowds, which is not that easy.

Mary has signed up for the E2NB which finishes here.
I have not as I can remember how I usually feel afterwards,
nevermind how much slower I'd be these days.
Can't imagine any of that would feel good, physically or psychologically.

18+miles in 4hrs

good day out