It's all action in East Lothian!

A beautiful day dawned. The new picnic chairs needed an airing. East Lothian beckoned. We set off for Gosford House with the chairs and an impromptu picnic.

We had just turned off on the scenic coastal route, when we saw police and then hundreds of people on horseback. We realised it was some sort of 'Riding the Marches', and so stopped for a look.

They turned off down a wee road, and I asked a local where they were going. 'To gallop along the beach.' 'To gallop along the beach? I must get there!' Little did we know it was miles and miles and miles!

All round the racecourse we trudged, stopping now and then to watch each group of horses gallop past.

Then we asked a man with a camera, 'Where is the beach?'
'Just round the racecourse, past the Golf Club, through the village, over the river and across the grass.'

Jings it was FAR! But we did get to the beach in time to see the last few groups setting off. I had loads of panned shots of galloping horses - even managed one with all four hooves off the ground. But I have to use the beach shot because
a) it was SUCH an effort to get there (and to get back again) and
b) the clouds were spectacular.
It's actually two shots, merged.

We eventually got back to the car, two hours later, and carried on to our destination, which by this time had changed to Archerfield Walled Garden Cafe, which we'd never been to.

As we drove up, one of those old by-planes came whizzing along the runway just beside the road and did some low flying swirls. Wow! Some sort of wee air show!!

An official looking young man stopped us and asked if we were here for the Beer Festival. Beer Festival? The excitement continues!

We went to the Beer Festival, and it was quite crowded, with bales of hay to sit on, and a hog roast going as well. But as we came in, the girl singing with her band sounded like Björk's sister - all screechy and kind of making it up as she went along, so we didn't sit down, but continued into the peaceful cafe and had a Ploughman's. Oh, and the best chips ever!

Back home for a wee snooze and off out to the Famous Speigletent tonight for some jazz. I may get a better shot tonight, but this one's staying. It took SO much effort to get it!