Hiding in plain sight

It seems strange after over a year of trudging round our stay local covid marches here that we could find somewhere we had never been to before. But today we did that just that. Hiding in plain sight is Duddingston House and grounds, just off the A1. I have looked down its drive countless times. Today we walked through its grounds. It was a perfect spring morning and woodpeckers syncopated our step, goldfinches blurred our vision and a silent mountjack deer ghosted across the fairway. A rustic paradise little changed from the days when the young pretender marshalled his cavalry here before the battle of Prestonpans in 1745.

We emerged on the far side of the estate and revisited Duddingston village. Last time we were here it was snowy and I tore a ligament walking on the ice.

https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2806666035934005524

Today we sat in the sunshine, in the lea of Arthur’s Seat among the apple orchards and the broody hens and enjoyed the peacefulness and the long distance views.

Our walk back to Portobello through Figgate Park was downhill and relaxing. Less convivial was the mass of Sunday humanity sprawled on the sands and blocking the promenade. All socially distanced and well behaved but just slightly overwhelming in their sheer number. Sailing, swimming and paddle boarders were also back in business.

Our staycation summer 2021 is going to be a busy and lucrative one, but it needs to be, for all the lost revenue that the pandemic has wrought on hospitality businesses across the land.