Date: Tuesday 23 October 2012
Distance: 5.5 miles
Duration: 3 hours approx.
Start at: Aberlady Bowling Green (as you enter Aberlady)
Start Time: 11:15
Finish at: Port Seton Harbour
Led by: Drew Young
Driving (or taking the service
bus) from Edinburgh
to Aberlady, the chance of the walk being on seemed pretty remote. The poor
visibility and gloom made it look as if it would just be a quick tea/coffee and
scone then back to Edinburgh.
However, it was actually clearer on the coast than anywhere else. Given the slow
service some people got in “Ducks-a-quick” (not quack) anything would have been
a bonus.
Twenty two Strollers, led by Drew
Young, started out west on the walk along the John Muir Way before crossing over into
the Gosford Estate, where we marvelled at the mausoleum, the glimpses of the main
house and the chicken farm. Interesting titbits of information, such as how to
get lorries through the gates of the estate or the use of the estate during the
war, were provided by Alan. We left the estate grounds to rejoin the 'Way'
closer to Longniddry Bents. At this point we became twenty three as Alasdair
Niven joined us from Port Seton (something about being closer to his car at the
end of the walk). Normally we would have had nice views here along the coast
and over to Fife, but we just had to imagine
what it would have looked like on a better day. Still, we did hear some geese!
As we stopped for a picnic lunch,
Mr Buchanan managed to produce a key which proved very useful in opening public
toilet doors. After lunch we then followed the beach along to Port Seton just
as the mist really started to come in and the Strollers went their separate
routes to get home.
It was at this point the leader
of the walk learned that having a phone in your pocket with a low ring tone is
not a good idea. By the time he realised it was ringing, got it out and unlocked
the keypad, Moira had left a message. But due to his ineptness with mobile phones,
he thought he was retuning the call but got someone completely different! Under
instruction from his wife he's now changed the ring tone (but not to the sound
of migrating geese).
It was a worthwhile day out for
those who braved the weather.
Many thanks Drew, for organising this walk.
