Swan Alley on the River Esk

In the spirit of intrepid travellers, instead of getting off the bus in Portobello as planned, we continued to the outskirts of Musselburgh and discovered routes through the town which we had missed in all those years of cycling through it.

But in the end all the routes led to the Tolbooth café and a cheese scone for His Lordship. My debacle with the too tight larger size breeks prevented me from choosing a scone, although I imagine my delicious slice of fruit loaf did its dastardly work just as efficiently.

Our return bus route explored the hinterland of Musselburgh in a very intimate way before it decanted us an hour later in familiar territory near our doorstep.

With the Meadows Fair starting tomorrow, erectors are busy obscuring our beautiful view with  a large music marquee, lots of toilets and other unsightly furniture. In the morning, the stall holders will descend to set out their wares and for 2 days the place will be thronged with humanity. Thank goodness there are sturdy railings between us and them.