hail Mary

 

Full of grace. 7th Nov. Mary's Birthday. And a great way to celebrate. I asked M did she have plans for the 7th and she came up with this, which turned out FAB. I think having not done this particular route for a while made it fresher. But also the weather was great. I had gone from Dunbar to East Linton back when I saw the shrike but it seemed more fun today with less hanging about looking for things. 

the only birthday cake of the day
was a muffin from Pret at the station

Mary has done a lot of work to turn her running life around from a series of injuries that kept her out the game for a couple of years, to being able to do 15~20miles without a worry. The emphasis was on running today and we only took small packs and compact cameras to prove it. However we also went with a run/walk technique we had tried a few years ago as part of a marathon training plan. The idea being to get used to long days out without killing yourself.

We set our watches to time alternating intervals of 5 and then 3minutes. We'd run for 5, then, when we heard the peeps, walk for three. Then repeat all day. My recollection from the last time was that (surprisingly) I really liked it. I thought it would be annoying having one's pace dictated but I totally got into it. It takes the pressure off continually running, gives you a regular break; we'd walk and chat - until the peeps went and then we'd start running, refreshed from the walk break. You begin to look forward to whatever thing you are not currently doing and if you are flagging it's never long till the next walk break. It also gave time to dick about taking photos and that, as you know, is one of my favourite things.

We caught the train to Dunbar and started running about 10.43. Not a super early start but the weather was perfect and things were warming up just enough as we ran through a very sunny Dunny. There were starlings and boats in the harbour and I was trying not to get too distracted. Mary was keen to forge on and didn't wait, knowing I could catch up during the 3mins walk.

geese overhead

across Belhaven Bay

This is a parcularly pleasant area. I was glad Mary chose the coastal side rather than East Links Farm side. You can only take so many photos of S American quadrupeds. I was half looking out for another shrike as there was one reported here (a red-backed one this time) shortly before. However there was no sign of it or any birders flagging up where it might be. There were also (supposed to be) snow-buntings back at the golf course but again we didn't take time to search.

Just around here (the Tyne estuary) a butterfly flew up from the side of the path. It was during a 5min run stage so Mary continued while I went into find-and-photo mode. I followed the butterfly but it dived over the edge, towards the muddy estuary and I didn't see where/if it landed. I was disappointed not to get a photo as I suspected it might be the last of the day. And maybe even of the year. Also it was silhouetted against the sky and I couldn't tell if it was a peacock, small tort or more likely, a red admiral. (Sadly, it was the last butterfly of both the day and the year*. I looked at several spots including the orchard at East Linton but there were no others about today.) (*Well, in Scotland at least. Spoiler alert: a holiday has been booked. 😊 )

The weather was still pretty good although large dark clouds did occasionally squeeze the sunshine into narrow crepuscular rays. We ran along riverside trails towards East Linton.

sad to see an expired rat

loved this wintry scene of the gulls 

circling above the ploughed field

We saw the farmer zoom out on his quadbike to intercept the tractor and then speed round the field perimeter. We expected a boyracer to go past as he was travelling at what seemed to be 35mph+ over rough ground. However when he past it was this more senior chap, wearing a look of intense concentration! M and I discussed the make of tractor. Mary reckoned Massey Ferguson but I knew the green branding meant John Deere.

we passed this hardworking crew of what might have been migrant 

workers picking sprouts; our day was easy by comparison

during the 3 mins walk

Preston Mill

This convex traffic mirror opposite Prestonkirk Church is always good for a distorted selfie. I think it has replaced an older version we used to stand in front of.

Before getting snacks at the coop we had to wander up the village to inspect the colour of this house. Mary had described it as orange and I had said you mean the yellow one? I think we agreed to disagree as the building (with orange tiles) is somewhere between yellow and orange. I think we may have shared a sandwich out the coop; my only memory is they were out of Portuguese custard tarts.

Traprain Law

There is a steep grassy climb out of East Linton and from the summit top you can see NB Law on the horizon 6 miles away, nearly a straight line. Behind is Traprain Law and to the left are the Garleton Hills and Hopetoun Monument.

the narrow path here is quite unpleasant on tired feet

the ponies didn't seem to recognise us today

Less than a mile before Balgone ponds a huge flock of several hundred geese rose up from the fields and flew directly overhead, circling us while honking out happy birthday to Mary. It was one of the highlights of the day. I shot some video. You can hear towards the end of the footage, the alarm peeping to signify we have to start running again.

click twice and have volume up

Since it was her birthday and her run, it was Mary's choice not to divert round the ponds but to stay on the straight line of the JMW. The sun was out and it was pretty good going. We had already done more than a half marathon (off-road) so while we were feeling the distance, the run/walk option made it less strenuous and we were both in good spirits cracking jokes and taking photos, while still keeping a decent pace during the run sections.

last mile or 2 into NB

walk section

climbers on NB Law quarry

When we got into NB it felt like a celebratory drink was in order. We headed towards the bar next to the chip shop at the East end of the main street but then saw this place on the way there. We had been talking about tapas and so we gave it a go. The beer was excellent! The food was great although being tapas type servings didn't touch the sides. We realised (after making short work of the beers and snacks) we could catch the 2.22 train if we got moving. We jogged stiffly along the High Street in a beery garlic haze and the train was waiting for us in the station. On the way down from Waverley we bought giant pizzas from Sainbury's and possibly more beer. (I had cold left-over pizza for lunch the next day!) What a top day out and excellent way to spend Mary's birthday! 

17 miles in 4hrs
(plus a couple to and from Waverley)