a new year

 

1st Jan

A new year and a new start. Since the weather was pretty much exactly what you'd expect to kick off a new year we went for a run. Start the way you mean to continue and all that. Mary chose the 10 mile route round Holyrood but when we remembered it was possibly the annual Triathlon we changed that to the 9 mile version which means after the loop round Duddingston we went round the Queen's Drive anticlockwise. 

Judyta at the Commi Pool roundabout.

Scott just up the road slowing down bikes for the roundabout

Nice to bump into Berit. She is no longer able to cycle or run so was supporting Mitchell who was taking part. He looked fairly cheerful. My inclination to cycle 3 laps of Holyrood in a wet tri-suit was less than zero. We walked with Berit round a lot of the circuit. I think she would have sold her soul to take part. The further I get away from the competitive scene the less I am inclined towards it. I can't say I was in any way envious of those who swam and cycled and then ran today. Although I do miss aspects of the cross country scene. Not the muddy drizzly days, but I can remember the appeal of a frosty run across the fields on a day with the sun just over the hedgerows. 

not everyone was having a tremendous day out
(marshal helping repair a puncture)

Then we bumped into Janet - who was out to cheer on Sarah. However after 40minutes or more of standing around without enough warm clothes or movement Janet was nearly frozen solid and resorted to hugging us to try to keep warm. We needed to get moving ourselves (being in just running kit) so we continued onwards. We were just going to run home but having walked for a mile or so, felt we could manage a couple more miles running. So Mary suggested up the High Street to the castle. The notion that there may be owls there was enough to get me onboard.

And there were owls! These magical and spectacular animals courtesy of Falconry Borders who regularly display their birds at the top of the Royal Mile. I think these 2 were eagle owls.

busy busy!

Ramsay Garden

the Castle!

11miles

Jan 2nd

And the sun was out! We went along to see what birds were out and about in Warriston. There was a frost on the car roofs. I went along ahead of Mary. I have more enthusiasm for standing around if nothing is about, whereas Mary gets a bit bored with that. So it makes sense for me to go along on my own and Mary to meet me there later. 

It was impressive to see the Gormleys had survived the rising river. The Water of Leith was as high as I have ever seen it over the end of the year and had finally receded. For a day or so it was actually right over the statues' heads and there was an immense amount of water tearing down the river carrying along all sorts of flotsam. The statues must be very well anchored. They had collected quite a bit of debris. Mary joked that it was the nesting season and they had been gathering materials.

The secret garden robin was particularly friendly today.
He was excited to see me and sat on my hand for longer than usual.

frosty leaves

I was delighted to see this female blackbird. She has a leg that doesn't work that she kind of drags along, and I always gave her extra rations when I saw her last year. Great to see she has made it through the Winter this far. She also seemed to recognise me and raced to the gravestone where I put out seeds and bread. 

jelly ear fungus

There was not a huge amount of bird activity in the cemetery so we opted to go up the WoL in search of kingfisher action and just to get some miles in. It adds about 5 miles and given Mary's enthusiasm for Christmas cake and Christmas pudding lately (which I've been enjoying too) every mile is welcome. Fruity pudding and custard - just right for a Wintery evening!

Stockeroo Gormers had been collecting too

cutest thing all day
dachshund in jacket with rubber squeeky chicken

the bridge here had been damaged by the swollen river
and was crossable but potentially dangerous

the Modern Gallery Gormley had the biggest stash of nest materials

The light had gone by the time we got beyond the Dean Village. The kingfisher had finished his day's work and wasn't there either. Rather than retrace our steps we left through the gallery. The moon was out as was some early cherry blossom (or similar.)

there was also this cctv camera in the grounds
which reminded me of Twiki from Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century

then back along the edge of the new town and home

8.6 miles