Day 10 - Edinburgh to Port Seton

Today was probable the most fun trail day I've had on this trip.  It started off at breakfast, where my toast and main course (the usual - scrambled, bacon, and tattie scone) was brought out by 2 adorable wee blond moppets (the proprietors' granddaughters - ages maybe 4 and 6?).  The older girl then started chattering away about the "animal" birthday party she'd been to the day before - there was a lizard, a snake, a tarantula, a bunny, a guinea pig, a chicken named Nugget, and a duck that pooped on the floor.  :)


I was able to pick up the JMW right outside the gate of the Cluaran House guest house, which then took me through a more southern section of Edinburgh, including 3 parks (the Links, the Meadows, and Holyrood).


Edinburgh Castle is just to the right of center

Abandoned skateboard

Things got interesting when I hit Holyrood Park - there was a 10 mile road race going on, and I got to share almost 2 miles of my route with the runners, all going in the same direction.  It was kind of surreal to be going along with the runners, and being cheered on by race workers.  Oh, and there was a bagpiper, too.  I have video of him.


Holyrood Park is right near Arthur's Seat, which I had the option to climb, but didn't, seeing as how I wanted to save my feet for the day's walk.

Second place at about 6 miles in

Friendly spectator

Another situation I'd love to know the backstory of: a tree with several items of lingerie in it

I bid a fond adieu to the runners and continued on through the 'burbs of Edinburgh on smooth, paved pathways.  I hit the coast just before Musselburgh.


View across the Firth of Forth to Fife (say that 5 times fast)

Dinghies at Musselburgh Harbor

The stone fishermen with cheerful messages

I continued the coastal path from Musselburgh through Prestonpans, and on into Port Seton, where I found my lodging at the Anchorage B&B for the night.


River Esk, Musselburgh

At the footbridge over the river Esk

A couple of ducks, and a velvet scoter in the foreground

A curlew

The coastal path along the Firth of Forth

The darker stone at center is a glacial erratic.  Prestonpans.

Rowboat crew practice, Port Seton Harbour

Weather was mostly clear and sunny, with more clouds later in the day, and a couple moments of spitty rain.  And windy along the coast.  VERY windy.  And kind of cold.  Am now wrapped in a throw blanket, enjoying a cuppa in my cozy room.