unexpected sighting of uranus

 

29th October. Sunny forecast so we jumped on the train to Longniddry. Started running around 11am, heading to North Berwick. Again we were primarily doing this as a run, not a nature walk, so backpacks were light and kit minimal. The only concession was I took the bridge camera because I was sure we'd come upon some wildlife and I'd regret only having the compact. It is a while since I have run with the FZ2000 and while it is perfectly possible it was more of an encumbrance than I had remembered. Also the quality was still a bit lower than I have become used to with the G9. Note to self for similar trips: carry the DJI Pocket as a nice light option and forget about the wildlife. Which was (spoiler alert) almost entirely absent today.

down the road from Longniddry Station

spectacular blue skies

not long before Mary stripped down to a t-shirt

curlews

Given how sunny it was I was disappointed that there were no butterflies at the SOC just before Aberlady. As we approached it I was remembering it would be closed on a Tuesday (open Weds~Sunday) but the gates were open and we were able to walk about the garden area and admire the plants. The building itself was closed.

campervan dashboard delights

there was quite a bit of halloween celebrations in Aberlady

across the bridge to enchantment

Buffalo Hebridean sheep on the savannah

sanderling

I had hoped to photograph some sanderlings today - it was the main reason I'd taken a better camera. However there was only one along the whole length of Aberlday beach, which was unusual. They are social birds who run around in small groups of half a dozen or more. Although it posed initially it then flew off down the beach. When I eventually caught up with it, it then flew back up to where it had been previously. However I noticed a young seal had hauled out down the far end.

While it didn't seem to be a full grown adult it was not a baby either and had presumably left the sea to sunbathe on the sand. I think they do this to rest and we kept well away from it so as not to chase it back into the water. It looked alert and well, and kept an eye on us as we went past. At least with the massive zoom on the bridge camera I could get close ups without going too close and disturbing it. Wildlife highlight of the day.

It was glorious weather - a little cool, but really fine running weather. I was disappointed to see zero butterflies. (Apart from a speckled wood between Longniddry and Aberlady which didn't stop for a photo.) We checked out the Gullane backgarden asters in Marine Drive, but again, nothing. We didn't even divert at Archerfields gatehouse as all the buddleias were gone and everything looked finished for the year. Other possible places we looked included the yellow buddeleias on the corner at Dirleton which still had a couple of plumes viable but no radmirals there either. A shame as the run was going along very nicely (Mary setting a comfortably brisk pace) and the lack of wildlife slightly coloured the day for me.

it is always 500 yards to cake!

We really enjoy our food. I think most runners do - being outdoors gives you a great appetite. These days though it is a constant battle to measure out the cake and exercise. To make sure there is plenty of the latter and not too much of the former.
Just after the right turn towards Dirleton we stopped to look at Uranus which we weren't expecting.

reflections in the sun

Things became clearer when we got to Dirleton. There was a sign up explaining that the installation along the John Muir Way was a Solar Walk. We seem to have missed most of the planets but quite enjoyed taking distorted selfies in the silver ball that was representing the sun. I'm not entirely sure of the value of such a project, maybe better to ask local parents if their kids enjoyed the walk. I suppose it encourages familes outdoors while passing on information about the solar system.

nae butterflies on the Dirleton buddleias

Fidra lighthouse in the background

a small gang of roe deer in the field we cross just before NB

Mary floating across the field

I think this was our fastest time over this 14 mile route. The Dirleton diversion is quicker than running along the coast which is on sand and rougher ground. We realised we just had time to go into the shops in North Berwick (coop was closed due to a refurb!) and get back to the station for the 2.22. So that Mary could have a sandwich on the train. We arrived at the platform in perfect time just as the train was appearing. Another excellent day out if slightly disappointing on the butterfly and bird front.

14.9miles in 3hrs18