Day 7 - Linlithgow to South Queensferry

Woke up to sunshine, and had a wonderful breakfast of scrambled eggs on a toasted croissant(!), bacon, yogurt, juice, and coffee. Then Jillian (the other proprietor of Strawberry Bank House) gave me a ride to the spot where I left the trail the previous day, and I started off.  The trail initially followed the road for about a mile, then I headed off into a pretty wooded area.

*WHEW!*

The trail led me to the Kinneil House and the surrounding grounds.

Kinneil House

Seen on the way into Bo'ness.  There's just something about seeing a cat in a window that makes me smile.

Skirting the edge of Bo'ness put me along the coastline of the Forth.  Making a quick detour into the village for provisions and facilities, I found this:

It's a self-contained public toilet that automatically disinfects the seat and floor after each use.  Costs 2 pence to use.  Limited to 15 minutes.  :-P

The Forth

Blackness Castle and the Forth River bridges

Fiddleheads

Pheasant on the grounds of Hopetoun Estate.

 Gates to Hopetoun

 

From here I called for a taxi, as I was out of energy and I knew the last couple of miles would take me over an hour at the rate I was now going.  Getting the information to the dispatcher was a bit of a hassle.

Me: I need a taxi from Hopetoun Estate to 15 West Terrace in South Queensferry.

Dispatcher: Where's that?

Me: Where's what?

D: Where you are.

Me: Hopetoun Estate, just outside and to the west of South Queensferry.  I'm outside the gate.

D: So where is this?

Me: *Um, it's your territory, lady - don't you know?*  I'm afraid I really can't be more specific than that. I don't see any street signs.

This went on for another couple of minutes when we finally managed to come to an agreement as to my current location.  The taxi arrived in about 10 minutes (he almost drove right by me - non-busy street, sole pedestrian - yeesh) and took me to my night's lodging at the Ravenous Beastie.  Bedtime will be early tonight.