27th Dec.
Cold start to this one. In fact when we ran past the Almond Estuary there was no way I was even remotely considering feeding the bread in my back pack to the gulls. We had only just got running and it was Baltic. Maybe on the way back when the light might be better.
The sun was only just thinking about emerging as we got to the Cramond Brig. 2 things happened nearly simultaneously: a kayaker was doing stuff in the river and Cath and Janice cycled past and stopped for a natter.
You could tell the chap in the boat was good because
1/ he wore Scotland team colours
2/ he was using a single bladed Canadian paddle. Also you would normally kneel in a boat when using this paddle but I think he was just in the usual sitting position. Also neoprene "gloves".
3/ he had his name on the side of his boat
4/ he was handling the boat like a pro
5/ it was a quality boat (tail very low in water)
After a bit of a google it turns out S Pitt is Stewart Pitt, 12 times Scottish Champion and GB Olympian. Told you he was good. I sent him congratulations and photos through facebook and he told me the latest dude to watch out for was Bradley Forbes Cryans, from Roslin who has already qualified for Tokyo.
Meanwhile above the same bridge 2 other stars, Janice and Cath. They were doing a similar route to ourselves - going round Dalmeny, - except more road than our trails. Haven't seen them in ages and nice to catch up. Looking great ladies!
We had decided to go down to the shore, along to the big hoose then back up on the tarmac. Mainly to miss the steep hill back up from the shore which Mary doesn't like. At the other end the return gradient is spread out over more ground although there are a couple of steepish bits.
Cramond Island
muddy
It was a very crisp and clear day, unusually so. We could see the Isle of May which seemed considerably closer than normal. It was in fact Inchkeith, but still seemed closer than normal.
This robin was so friendly I thought it must be after something to eat. I threw some bread for it but it didn't seem interested. It hung about for a bit while I failed to get any decent pics, the lack of light making them a bit rough.
Inchkeith appearing to hover out the water.
King Tom
the steep bit
We stopped at this crossroads. There was the smouldering remains of a bonfire and a few birds hopping about, all of which I failed to photograph. Small garden varieties: robins, chaffinch, sparrows. It was simultaneously lovely and quite annoying.
Nick and I were interested to go this way
but "the boss" said no. 😢
but "the boss" said no. 😢
stopped for a snack-and-juice break
Keen to do more than 8miles we decided to add most of the Airport circuit. Not the furthest and muddiest bits, just up the river and round Cammo on the other side. I think we got to about 10 miles before Mary started voicing onomatopoeic grumblings of pain and complaint. We tried to ignore this but maybe gave in and didn't take the longest possible route round Cammo.
don't normally get to run this bit (beyond Nether Lennie)
more grainy robins
this tree is still fantastic
looks like a negative of a lightening bolt
back down the Almond
When we got back to the estuary there were loads of people milling about and I wasn't that bothered about feeding the gulls. However I thought I might as well having carried the bread this far and the gulls always seem to enjoy it. As soon as they started wheeling round and squawking their raucous calls I was glad I had bothered. They really are fantastic and beautiful and always entertaining.
saw these 2 in the car park off to fly a Christmas kite!
there may have been post run treats (blame Nick)
12 miles
chopped on the right as I forgot to put off Suunto for drive home
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