Last walk of August, first walk of September

Yesterday, the last day of August, the dogs and I went to check out the status of the two wild damson trees which provided lots of lovely fruit last year.  I made plenty of damson ice cream, which has served us rather well.  It has all gone now, so time to make some more.  Before we reached the start of our walk we passed this handsome stand of echinops.  East Lothian has a couple of places where this plant grows wild.  It looks completely out of place in the countryside, but gives a rather different outline from most plants along a hedgerow at this time of year!

The last couple of times I have walked around the field in the photo below I have been approached by the landowner.  I find it really regrettable that someone who has so much - land, large house and garden, fabulous orchard groaning with fruit, and beehives, should struggle with someone just walking around the perimeter of one or two of their fields.  During a walk earlier in the year, he and his wife appeared out of nowhere.  They drove their 4x4 along the field margin until they reached me.  We had a civil conversation but their message was clear, especially when she told me that the drive was private.  I assured her that we constantly had people going up and down our private drive.  In Scotland there is no law of trespass and we have the right to roam.  Yesterday he was there with his dog in a twinkle, quizzing me about where I had come from.  I assured him I had parked my car with permission of the homeowners at the bottom of the drive and there really wasn't much he could say after that!  He took the edge off my walk though.

This is the bit of the walk I love the most.  A lovely track with grassy centre, and great views to the north, across the Firth of Forth to Fife.  The little damson trees are near the bottom.  The fruit isn't ready to be picked yet, but I am not sure I would get away with it this year!  The CCTV seems to be reigning supreme.   Miserable so and so's.

The first of September, and lots of running waves today!  The tide was a very long way out and we walked down the hill and along the shoreline for as far as we could.  Ted enjoyed a spot of paddling!  Away to the west, Edinburgh Castle and the city skyline was quite clear, and further into the distance we could see the Queensferry Crossing, resplendent in white, and the other two bridges across the Firth of Forth.