A Breezy Day

I wear the red ribbon on December the first as it is World AIDS Day; today also marks the 40th anniversary of the first death to HIV in the UK. The red ribbon predominates but in Scotland we may wear a tartan one, we also have a neat tartan enamel lapel pin. Other versions such as the beaded one are equally effective as a reminder that the disease, once lethal is still with us but, with medication, sufferers may now lead a relatively normal life.

I wondered what debris storm Arwen had brought to the beaches so, after coffee at Smeaton's Nurseries tearoom, and a brief chat with the resident Highland Cows, we chose to visit Skateraw, (see map) mainly because parking is so close to the shore. This was a distinct advantage, with the wind seeming to arise from the arctic. It was just past high tide and the onshore wind brought crashing waves and spindrift, and piles of seaweed - should have taken a sack to collect some for the garden.

Leaving there we headed cross-country towards Dunbar, passing through the pretty village of Innerwick, where this sundial and Victorian motto adorn what was built as the old post office - The House with the Clock, officially named 'Tyme Cottage' (the clock positioned on the corner of the building).

Parking at the John Muir Country Park, the recent devastation caused by Storm Arwen was clear to see - most of the trees blown over or snapped off, leaving so few remaining upright, ironic signage informing us that 'tree-felling was in progress'. We did not stay long, navigating ourselves through the many dogwalkers back to the car.

Along the way a short visit to The Range for coffee and a couple of items on the shopping list, then we joined the rush-hour queue home.