Walk

Only the second walk on the old route, since Skirlie Norwestie went, but I needed a stretch and it was time. The weather stock still, scarcely a breath of wind. This is the North Sea, from Cromarty, seen between the Sutors.

In my left ear though, roaring of marine diesel from the Nigg yard. The giant ship from China left earlier on its way home, and three tugs are just hanging around, not quietly. You know when you find a pickup truck outside a shop, engine running, and you want to shout "turn that bloody thing off". Tugs are worse. Exhaust AND noise pollution.

Uphill into the woods. Extras 1 and 2. Noise fading behind , sounds of birds, if only one or two; and feet on fallen leaves. Smell, primarily of clean air, mixed with gentle decay. Fallen leaves again.

A skein of geese overhead, constant chatter. "This way! No that way! Oi, I'm in charge! Wait for me!!! Are we there yet?" The formation splitting, reforming, going round in circles, taking an age to land, nobody settling till everyone's in agreement.

Sun beginning to go over the hill, behind me now as I come back down to the shore. But still catching the yellow windfarm jackets in Nigg. Extra 3.

The tugs are gone, as the tourists are long since. Peace reigns.