I have.
I've had one of the most chilled out, laid back days that I can remember in years.
Sorry no fotos as I don't have a camera.
Woke up very early to blazing sunshine and Treacle my dog "telling" me he can hear the chickens in the back garden blethering and needs to go out and "check" on them.
I'd earmarked today as the day to tidy the flat, mow the grass, do the dishes - you singlies all know that kind of day. One of them you dread but know it's needing done - in case relatives arrive and think you've either been burgled or are a slob, or both.
My brain must have been on autopilot as the daysack was packed even before the morning coffee had revived me and I'd headed for the shower.
Kangaroo dog on his leash (he does that when he knows where we're going), pack and sunblock on we bimbled West along the shore at South Queensferry towards Hopetoun and on to the woods east of Blackness.
It's actually pronounced Black-ness but to wind up the locals we always pronounce it as in blackness/nae light.
As the tide was out the dog was head to toe in estuary mud and sand, there are streams in the woods he can drink from as it was really hot, no wind and cloudless, and he can get kind of clean. The rest of the mud'll come off on my sister's sofa, but I'd worry about that later...
Once at the bay East of Blackness Castle I had a brew, a cup of tea on a hot day is a blessing. I anchored the dog near the water, to force him to slow down in the heat for a while and used my trangia, cutlery drainer and my late Gran's billy can (60 years old or more that can is).
We headed South uphill through the shady woods to Abercorn village and it's Church. Realising that it's a Sunday we left the worshippers in peace and skirted the area going East towards the Deer Park.
Going through empty sheep fields we ended up in an untouched meadow North of the old Digital factory where I saw lots of orchids, and a tall jaggy leaved plant that looked like it had large "burdock" like things near the top, forgot to check my Collins gem book.
Best of all was the Buzzard that glided low above us totally silent and elegant as it scanned the meadow in a large U turn - beautiful.
The rest of the walk home was more of the same - a slow pleasant bimble just drinking in the sights and sounds of nature.
Hardly saw a soul all day, in an area usually bursting with tourists.
Not a day of great events, just one of simple wonder and amazement at the countryside around me.
Just thought I'd share this with you because I had such an enjoyable time.
Thanks for reading.
Liam
p.s.
The dog was clean by the time I got to my sisters, so I didn't get a kicking - bonus.
I've had one of the most chilled out, laid back days that I can remember in years.
Sorry no fotos as I don't have a camera.
Woke up very early to blazing sunshine and Treacle my dog "telling" me he can hear the chickens in the back garden blethering and needs to go out and "check" on them.
I'd earmarked today as the day to tidy the flat, mow the grass, do the dishes - you singlies all know that kind of day. One of them you dread but know it's needing done - in case relatives arrive and think you've either been burgled or are a slob, or both.
My brain must have been on autopilot as the daysack was packed even before the morning coffee had revived me and I'd headed for the shower.
Kangaroo dog on his leash (he does that when he knows where we're going), pack and sunblock on we bimbled West along the shore at South Queensferry towards Hopetoun and on to the woods east of Blackness.
It's actually pronounced Black-ness but to wind up the locals we always pronounce it as in blackness/nae light.
As the tide was out the dog was head to toe in estuary mud and sand, there are streams in the woods he can drink from as it was really hot, no wind and cloudless, and he can get kind of clean. The rest of the mud'll come off on my sister's sofa, but I'd worry about that later...
Once at the bay East of Blackness Castle I had a brew, a cup of tea on a hot day is a blessing. I anchored the dog near the water, to force him to slow down in the heat for a while and used my trangia, cutlery drainer and my late Gran's billy can (60 years old or more that can is).
We headed South uphill through the shady woods to Abercorn village and it's Church. Realising that it's a Sunday we left the worshippers in peace and skirted the area going East towards the Deer Park.
Going through empty sheep fields we ended up in an untouched meadow North of the old Digital factory where I saw lots of orchids, and a tall jaggy leaved plant that looked like it had large "burdock" like things near the top, forgot to check my Collins gem book.
Best of all was the Buzzard that glided low above us totally silent and elegant as it scanned the meadow in a large U turn - beautiful.
The rest of the walk home was more of the same - a slow pleasant bimble just drinking in the sights and sounds of nature.
Hardly saw a soul all day, in an area usually bursting with tourists.
Not a day of great events, just one of simple wonder and amazement at the countryside around me.
Just thought I'd share this with you because I had such an enjoyable time.
Thanks for reading.
Liam
p.s.
The dog was clean by the time I got to my sisters, so I didn't get a kicking - bonus.
I think they're under the wee shed and the cat was enjoying wriggling about on the hot slabs too much to be bothered looking for them.
