beach life (january remix)

 

15-01-25 A remarkably warm January day! With such a decent forecast we decided to catch the train to Longniddry to do our tried and tested 14miler to North Berwick. Mary asked that we didn't dick about with cameras so I left the big stuff at home and just took the TZ100 a hand-held compact. And to concentrate on the running, hoping I wouldn't regret not having something better to record any wildlife. Despite the warm air there was very little interesting about, so, no regrets.

We got up to Waverley for the 9.38 with myself buying the tickets while Mary bought the coffees. Off at Longniddry at 10 on the dot and began with a walking warm-up. Onto the coastal trails and running. We decided against picking up food at Margiottas but maybe Mary got a drink. A year ago we were taking 6hrs to do this as a walk and so needed sandwiches which were eaten at Gullane. Today was likely to take half that and could be done without a stop or refreshments.

Less than a couple of miles in and Mary took off her long sleeved top. I think I took off gloves or buff. It was warm for January and there wasn't any wind to speak of. Usually around March it is warm enough to dispense with hats and gloves and this is the marker for looking out for butterflies. It felt like seeing a butterfly wouldn't be impossible today.

We stopped briefly at the SOC, Waterston House which was a bit lacking in usual flowers and colour but it is January. I thought it might be a place to look for butterflies but there weren't even bees and hoverflies. Bulbs were pushing up though.

starling at Aberlady

glorious day for a run!

oyster catchers at Gullane

There was one corner of the dunes at Gullane where loads of birds had gathered and were enjoying the buckthorn berries: bullfinches, blackbirds and others. Unfortunately there was too much cover and they all escaped the camera quickly. Nice to see them, allbeit very briefly.

As we went through the woods suddenly this beast ran over and made a frenzied attack. (Actually a friendy welcome but the pics make it look like a savage beast!) It was wearing a muzzle otherwise there would have been more licks and kisses. In the lower light of the woods the camera has picked up the movement - trying to get photos as the happy wee doggo ran in circles round us. Fun!

sprinting along the beach

graylags or pinkfooters

Fidra

the poor quality of this pic shows the downside of such a small camera
at full zoom compared to what I have got quickly used to

I was expecting there to be a better showing of waders and shoreline birds on the last few miles into North Berwick. As there was last time. However I hardly saw a turnstone or redshank. A few wagtails but they were keeping their distance and I missed a couple of pipit like birds. Maybe stonechats. Mary was getting quite far ahead so I couldn't linger. And the results didn't merit it either.

pied wagtail

stonechat

I caught up with Mary as we got into NB. She was feeling tired and didn't want to have to race into the coop and then back to the station so I volunteered to go to the shop alone and pick up a sandwich and protein drink for both of us and she would go directly to the station where I'd meet her. The train was due in 20 minutes or so. This worked out very well and 20 minutes later we were sitting down on the train with a pretty good lunch. (Pleased to report the coop along the main road is back open again after a couple of months closed for a refurb.) And the sandwiches tasted FAB after 14.5 miles in 3hrs10. (Caught the 1.25pm train.) On the journey home there was a sundog either side of the sun. Great day out running.