An Early Spring Trek

So, the weather had made a full about turn from our snowy valentines last week. It ramped up to 10C and rained non stop most of this week, getting rid of any hint of snow. The warm turn, and probably all the rain, have set off the snowdrops who are all showing thier little white lined caps with the promise of thier full flowers in a few days to come. My rhubarb has also started growing, so my mind has turned to the garden and my plans for the planters this year. Carrots, I suspect, will be a much demanded choice.

Yesterday was one of those days where I got the house turned around to it's spring colours - the winter themed quilt has been swapped with Peter Rabbit and the thick fleece throws have been exchanged for a lighter place to snuggle up in. 

Missy is also putting on her springwear and, in the last few days, has begun to cast terribly. Despite the bed hair, she's doing well and we seem safely past the ailments of the cold winter. 

Today the rain stopped. The first laundry to be dried outside made its appearance and it was definitely the kind of morning that required an adventure. But where? We've done almost every woodland in West Lothian and are still not allowed to sneak into neighbouring areas. Then I recalled that the dog walker had posted online previously that West Lothian had a single beach. The hubby dismissed this as the scrubby rocky bit at Blackness Castle and I was adamant that whilst, OK, that was in West Lothian, but there was apparently an actual beach. I trawled for that post online and found the name of the place.

Abercorn, right beside North Deer Wood and, lo and behold, coastline. So we packed the kites and some snacks and made our way there. We were immediately within a lovely woodland walk and played pooh sticks on the bridge. A little further and we could see the promised beach before us. It was onf the pebbly sort, but that was fine so long as we could fly the kites a little. So we let Missy leas the way out of the trees and to a spectacular view of Blackness Castle, just a little further down the coast. 

We agreed to a draw. 

It was too still to fly the kites so, after getting our wellies wet, we continued along the woodland path and spotted a sign stating the way we had come was half a mile back, and Blackness was 2 more ahead. 

Why not. 

It was a busy little path with other dog walkers, cyclists and joggers and very soon, after much exchanging of pleasantries, it actually started to feel like a normal day, pre covid. Spirits lifted, we were soon at the castle (which we both decided we had to go and physically poke to say we'd actually been to the castle). We had our picnic, found a strong enough breeze to get the kite flying and all was well again in the world. 

Whilst the kite got many compliments from passers by, Missy was soon bored and we decided to head back and complete the 5mile circular. 

Once home, we got on with the garden jobs that have been neglected and Missy only stirred from the sofa to insist it was dinner time now. 

A very pleasant end to the week. 

I did manage to find some time to get on the sewing machine and I'm very pleased with this upcycle. What was once hubby's very nice quality chinos (which now make him look like he's wearing a paper bag as he's lost so much weight) have now been given a second chance as some dungarees for my nephew. Hopefully he'll wear them more than my hubby did!