airport perimeter run

Gormenghastly weather.

The forecast was rubbish and sure enough the day was grey and drizzley. I hooked up with Michael and we didn't have much of a game plan other than not to get involved with the various plans available. I suggested "the airport route" which wasn't much more than a handful of miles from our starting point in Cramond, and was going to suggest a tour of Cammo Tower on the return leg (the exact spot I am not certain of but a bit of an adventure should be fun.) 

Repairing bridges over the Almond was today's theme. There is a substantial modular pontoon system that goes across the whole river under the Cramond Brig.

This must have washed up here when the water was higher.
I (only just) resisted the call of wet feet and an early bath

More bridge repairs. This bridge marks the boundary of the Eastern end of the airport and normally myself and Mary run parallel to this, to Lennymuir / Cammo Road. However Michael asked the question "what happens if we continue upriver under the bridge..."

some of this

and some of this

and then

omg some of this!

We felt the placing of the high fence was slightly more advantageous to the people on the airport side. Likewise the lifesaving ring.

Further on and a grassy knoll of plane-spotters. Seeing so many on a day of such unpropitious weather I assumed something of note was about to land or take off. I called over and asked if this was the case. Nope, apparently just lots of the normal activity - which is largely Ryanair and Easyjet. Not even much in the way of crosswinds to justify a stand in the cold rain.

We thought they were nuts.

And they probably returned the compliment.
The path deteriorated quite badly and in parts was very muddy and with ankle deep water.

There was a lovely running track just yards away mocking us.

Eventually we got to the end of the runway and had the choice of turning left towards the main road or right towards Kirkliston and the Almond. We chose left and I was hoping to get back along to the Cammo Road. Unfortunately there was a bit of main road first. Halfway along we tried to find a more rural path by heading towards the terminal but other than crossing fields without paths there was no alternative than to stick with the main road.  

Found this stoat - a rare treat. Shoe for scale.

We saw this road and blithely ignored the bottom sign. Climbing over a knee high wall we had planned to go cross country until a big metal box (with recorded message) told us that the authorities were aware of our progress (and we were being filmed on CCTV) and would alert the police unless we turned around. Fair cop. It's the first time I have been caught asserting my (non) rights of way by a talking metal box. Obviously the security around the airport is taken seriously. 

Back on the main road and the next diversion was the Gogarburn Tram Station. 

No sign of any trams.

Ahhh, there they are!

Under the RBS bridge and first left on the outskirts of Corstorphine. Which took us over the first mile or 2 of the CAAC 5 miler. At last onto Cammo Road and I recognised our position and we took the lane that was previously marked Nether Lennie back down to the riverside paths.

Not many photos from here: I was too busy trying to keep up with Michael. Having set off to do around 10 possibly 12 we ended up doing 15 miles - nothing like an adventure over new ground to make the miles add up. More fun than I thought I would be having today.