Bank holiday weekend, part dos - The Beaches

...Now where was i?... Oh yes. Sunday.

I got up early, showered, packed my bag and headed along the motorway to Edinburgh about 10am. I arrived at my destination a little before 11. Ian's house. Cups of tea were made and drank then we were soon on our way into the city centre. The weather was holding, for now. Parking spaces were few and far between but my driver managed to get one only a few steps away from where we were going. Handy. We headed in to the venue and to the recording of the final Live at the Gilded Balloon podcast 2011 - download here! Today was featuring the Fisters Comedy award. I just so happened to be in the company of the actual fist model! Fancy eh.

After the podcast and a cuppa outside it was time to head off to the beach. Whenever it was mentioned, there were short glances at the sky and the 'you're going to the beach on a day like this!' looks. But nonetheless we were determined. Off we set.

First up was a little cove. It was windy, the outlook was bleak, the clouds were low but moving pretty swiftly. Waterproof jacket went on and we headed down a track wit the wind and spits of rain blowing at us. Through a little dark tunnel we headed. A pirates cave i was told, but the sloppy pirates left their wheelbarrow behind! Out we came into a sheltered calm little sweeping cove. The beach here was small in comparison but still, a beach. The harbour wall was about 3 feet high and on the other sat a picturesque little stone built cottage. Ian told me that people do live there on occasion. They come mostly in the summer i think. There were a few people over at the house which was on the other side of the harbour. We walked further on our side and there was a couple of little wooden houses. Again owned by people who came every so often. We took a couple of pictures and headed back up through the pirates cave. It was nice here though. Calm. Sheltered. Safe.

the stone built cottages - Hipstamatic iPhone photo

After about 20 minutes drive we arrived at the second beach of the trio in today's visit. This was on a holiday park site so there were more people around but it was still not busy. Good stuff. Now, this beach was different. Wider. Open. Stretched quite far. The sand was lighter and compact. But the thing about it that I loved the most and it surprised me was the sound of the waves. I'd forgotten how loud they can be! It's been years, about...*ponders*...15 years since i've actually stepped foot on a beach so no wonder I forgotten all about my senses being struck on all sides.

the waves were crashing. loud.

There were some people in the waters surfing, or trying to. Apparently today was not a good surf day. (He told me so!).  We wondered quite far along it. Chatting away, taking pictures, watching the surfer folk. I liked the way today was going.

surfing?...

The weather had eased up a bit. The little drizzle of rain that had been before had now gone. The wind was still there though. But that didn't matter. I was glad to be blowing off some cobwebs that had formed over the past few months. We headed back to the car via the toilet block. I was busting!

pretty foam

Back at the car we decided we were hungry and it was about this time i declared I had brought some cake! Mars Bar cake. We'd eat it at the next beach. We headed down winding roads sometimes only just big enough for two cars. It was a little further away this one. But there were a few cars in the car park. We headed down a path through a barrier gate. I could see it from the high vantage point. Another wide beach. This time it was a cove. Albeit a wide cove. A horseshoe shape - make a wish...

Again there were a few people in the water, surfing lessons i think. The ground around the beach was high up so again we were sheltered. We wondered around to the other side (of the horseshoe shape) and passed a few people along the way. It was busier with dog walkers and groups out for a walk. Same idea as us. In actual fact it wasn't that bad once you were actually on the beaches but the weather inland was windy/rainy. It didn't really matter though.

There was a rocky outcrop in the waters which meant the waves were just lapping here. Nice photos here. Around one edge too there were about 20 beach huts. All different states of repair and colour. Mostly greens and browns but there was one or two blue and white ones. Each were numbered and i wondered what people actually did with a beach hut. I can imagine on a gorgeous warm day it could be quite handy to change in and get some proper shelter but the rest of the year, what?

We sat on a little grassy bank and ate the cake and some Wee Bru's I'd brought along. The bonus was Haribo jellies! I think Ian appreciated them, he delved in for another bit of cake! We checked in on FourSquare (after 10 minutes wait) and i was beaten to the mayorship but just a few seconds. I'm gonna claim it back one day. Soon we set off again, back around the beach, up the path and into the car. I was knackered by now as I'd had a late night the previous night.

The drive back to Edinburgh was filled with music, my music this time. I had to fast forward a few songs as the shuffle button had thrown up some of my more embarrassing songs. But I think Ian's favourites were Beyonce and Christina Aguilera. He will deny this but i has evidence!...

Back at the ranch i had another much needed cup of tea and then headed back home. You'll notice i never actually mention which beaches these were. If you saw my FourSquare check ins you might know. (It was a pain to get a decent signal). Otherwise it's a secret!

I came home and saw a lovely sunset which brought to an end one of the best weekends i've had in a long time. Spent in great company. Another thing to tick off my summer bucket list. I owe a huge big thank you and hug to Ian for the day trip. One to remember and more to come...

our footsteps

Us

Angela x

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Bank holiday weekend, part uno

Please indulge me by allowing me to tell you about my packed weekend. They are few and far between in my life so I want to share it with you. Settle in, this could take a while.

I'd booked a long weekend off work, partly because I knew there'd be some plans and partly because I have days to use by the end of September. Still have some left.

Friday I was meant to go to Edinburgh to catch something at the festival but that turned in to Saturday, which is quite lucky come to think of it because Friday was spent in town trying to find a top to wear to the party on Saturday night (more on this later). I parked the car outside the centre with a 2 hour parking limit. This was deliberate! I wandered around the shops. The usual places. Trying to decide which top would go best with a skirt i'd had hanging in my wardrobe since i bought it in the Warehouse sale 2 years ago. The sale ticket was still attached. After visiting nearly all acceptable shops in town i decided to get something to eat and mull over my options. With a full belly and a clearer head i started off in New Look. Bought a top for work. Deviation. That was a deviation from the plan and i had approximately 38 minutes left on my parking ticket.

Next stop was Zara. Ooh hello lovely red trousers. Distraction. I was being distracted by my love of all trousers bright, and as yet i don't have a pair of red trousers in my rainbow collection. Buy me some, somebody! Anyway, i headed into the changing room with two variations of red trews and two cream coloured tops. The first one was nice. Really sat nice with my jeans actually (I may buy this later). The second top was just right. I could hear the tick tock of the clock on that parking ticket and i was NOT going to get a late ticket! I had 12 minutes to pay for the top and get to the car. The red trousers went back on the rail. Til another day.

I got back to the car, then headed to Tesco for some baking supplies and then homewards. Next up was spin class. This really is my favourite one. I've been trying to find s decent bike. You know, one that doesn't squeak, one that holds my bikes shoes securely in the pedals and one that the gear isn't too easy. I think i found it!

After spin it was home to a shower, hair wash and some dinner. I straightened my hair then curled it again with the straighteners. I know, i know i have curly hair but i have tight ringlet curls at the front of my hair and big wavy ones at the back. The straighten/curl method gives a more uniform messy cool look that i like, so that's what i did. Next it was nails. I opted for Butter London's All About McQueen. A dark nude shade with lots of gold shimmer. Subtle and lovely. I was pleased.

its a bit dark in this picture

Saturday i woke early. Today i had plans. For the first time in a long while i actually had Saturday plans. I trained it to Edinburgh at 12 and hoped the rain stayed off. It did. On arrival i ad to find the EdFringe box office and buy a ticket for Mr Neil Fox's Great Brain Robbery. Check out the story of EdFringe via The Brains' tumblr HERE. After standing in an endless queue that seemed to get bigger as it did smaller, i think it was about 35 minutes, i had my ticket. With only enough time for a quick cuppa i set off to find the venue. It was tricksy. My battery was at 45%, plus the 3G signal was shocking for a capital city. Honestly. Sort it out mobile phone operators! Google maps helped.

I arrived at the venue but headed for a cuppa first. I had 20 minutes before curtain up. I had too. My stomach was grumbling so much. Tea and a cupcake. That would hold me til i got home for my dinner later. As I waited in line a familiar face arrived in the form of Mark and two of his friends. We waited in line and then were shown into the venue through a series of doors and darkened narrow corridors. I likened it to a theme park ride in Florida. Where you stand in a queue but yet it's unlike a queue it's actually part of the ride. If you've been you'll know what i mean. The venues was The Caves. And inside to room was dark, vaulted low ceiling and about 30 chairs for the audience to sit on. The actors were already on stage, ready for their start. And start they did. It was an hour of laughs, wigs, songs, decent Scottish accents (for a Southerner) and fun. It was non stop. I don't know how they did it/do it. Afterwards we had quick drinks and catching up in the bar and i headed off to catch the train back home for that nights celebrations. It was good to see Twitter friends and i'm so glad I saw Neil & Co's show. Well done them!

Heading home on the train my battery ran out. Grrrr. That was all that trying to get a signal in the middle of a capital city business. It was kinda liberating. Gave me a chance to think about stuff. People. Places. What's important. The usual stuff really. I arrived home at 6 and was due to leave for the party at 7.15. That didn't happen. It was gone 8 when Dad and I drove over to the venue. A girl has to get ready you know! If i do say so my outfit was lovely. The skirt and top were a really good match and my shoes were ace! The party was busy when we arrived. Oh, I should've said. This was the party of Brian, my wee cousin. He was 30 last week but the big news is that he's off travelling for a year. He leaves on Monday! Eek, i'll miss him. Anyway, it was mobbed. Family, friends, work colleagues old and new, he had a great turnout. It was gone 30 minutes past midnight when i finally gave in and came home. Afterall I was to be up early the next day for another day out.... to be continued.

Angela x


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