forth favourite

 

30th Oct.

Wee cycle jaunt to Dalmeny and back. Good to get out on the bikes. And by setting off later, we caught the best weather of the day. Not balmy warm but decent for photos. I carried my compact camera in a pocket on my chest for cycling photos and the big camera in a pannier for leisurely stops. 

The first of which was a moment at Cramond Brig. Below, on the Almond, was a dabchick - a little grebe. It was over at the river's edge, beside the signboard and bench. It seemed to be happily swimming near a good spot for a photo so I asked permission to go down there and get the big camera out. Of course in the time it took to do this (about 45seconds) the wee bastard had disappeared never to be seen again. I have mixed feelings about LGs. There was one on St Margaret's Loch last year and I totally failed to get anything like a reasonable photo. They have a bad habit of diving under the surface and staying there when stalked. And an uncanny ability to know when they are being stalked. And they are not very beautiful. Like the name dabchick suggests, it's as if they are going to grow into something better. And they do get a pretty red throat in Summer but are low on my list of yeah yeah yeahs.

small camera record shot
too slow to get large camera out.

There is a road goes left and up this hill after just after Barnbougle. We ran it for the first time last March just before it was closed for lambing. It does look very picturesque, almost like it was built for a stage set. And the road through the middle of it has no markings or pavement which adds to a weirdly rural atmosphere. Very pleasing - but not as many photos this time as you need nearly all your hands to get up the hill on a bike and can't be stopping to get the camera out.

We stopped for a snack bar and an admire of the bridges. Well the first one, which is the best by a country mile. We also realised that if we took the bumpy trail down to the shore (past the shack below) we would get the best of the scenery and surroundings without having to cycle almost into South Queensferry then turn at the bridge and come along the busy dirt trail where every man and their dog goes walkies. It was a very smart plan although care needs taken down the steep and rough track between upper and lower. 

track down goes right of this shack

This was the last trip before I got my bike serviced. About 18months or more since I last had the chain, cassette and derailleur replaced and got it cleaned. Always a joy to get it back all working like a new bike and running smoothly! Just had it done this week after waiting till the worst of last Winter's weather was over. Then somehow feeling there wasn't the same urgency through the Spring and Summer and the odd squirt of lube, and pump of tyres would keep things ticking over. However the brakes needed bled and pads changed. And a few parts replaced I hadn't even noticed - brake rotors and a gear cable as well as chain and chainring etc. Anyway £200+ well spent (Eastside Bikes, Abbeyhill, same day service, highly recommended) and I'm ready to face the Winter. Although I seem to be short of woolly top layers. A couple of really warm base layers is essential to get out the front door in crap weather, whether cycling or running. That is defo next on the shopping list.

Battleship Potemkin
(aka Inchmickery)

photo Mary

So just past the Big House on the main drag we cycled past this immature gull. It was slow to get out our way and I got the feeling it wasn't as alert or lively as it should be. We had passed it on the way out and it was in much the same spot. We dismounted for a chat.

It was so knackered it couldn't be bothered to fly off. We didn't have much to offer apart from a Soreen mini loaf. It was very hungry and just about bit my fingers off taking the snack. It had lost any ideas about being wary of humans and didn't even mind us being close and stroking it. We both really hoped it had enough lifeforce to make it. 

A couple of cars were approaching so we got off the road but the gull walked out into the centre of the road. As the cars slowed and stopped, I tried to chase it off the road but it seemed determined to run down the middle. I ran over and scooped it up. It made a token resistance but didn't make much effort. It was as light as an empty carrier bag and I put it by the trees, 50 yards from the road. Fingers crossed it made it. 

photo Mary

photo Mary

Although they are commonplace and sometimes even thought of as vermin by those who should know better, the proximity of this beautiful creature and the fragility of its life hanging in the balance, really was the poignant highlight of the day. We hoped to get back with something more substantial to feed it, if it was still in dire straits, but haven't yet managed. Fingers crossed it made it.

24miles in 5hrs (not fast but fun!)