Today, pursuing the philosophy of reminding ourselves (well, me) why retirement is a good thing, we went to Flotterstone at the foot of the Pentland Hills, on the southern edge of Edinburgh, and walked in the sunshine. It was glorious. It's a long time since we did this - just because there has never seemed to be time - but it's about 20 minutes' drive from home and we shall make it one of our retirement habits. We didn't exactly walk up the hills; mainly round them.
It was very quiet. The reservoir made little plishing noises.
The heather glowed on the slopes.
The grasses whwhwhwhed. A peewit went "Peewit". (Is that a Scottish word? Not sure. Lapwing is the other name for this bird.) It was very peaceful.
It didn't rain.
And I wondered, as I so often do, why I live in a city.
(Mind you, I wouldn't like to have been there in last winter's snow...)
It looks really beautiful
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your colleagues are missing you for real. If not I should kick up your heels and laugh at them!
Grandson is more and more gorgeous.
That looks a lovely place to walk....preferable to stone steps in the city. I like Heather partly I guess because it is my middle name.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have time to go to lots of other country places near by. We thought it all looked inviting from the train.
That looks lovely. I live about 15 minutes from a wonderful selection of beaches, but hardly ever get to walk on them. In the summer they are full and noisy. I like them bleak and empty. Locals often tend not to visit beautiful places on their doorsteps - it's universal!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place! I would spend time there too, if it was not far from home.
ReplyDeleteThat looks so pretty, and green ... you'll have to go back in other seasons for some "compare and contrast" snow shots :)
ReplyDeleteLook at the blue of that Scottish sky!
ReplyDeleteIt all looks so lovely. I think where you are living, being only 20 minutes away from this, is a perfect compromise. Otherwise, you'd be moaning about having to drive into town for everything you need to buy. You don't really moan about having to drive to the country, do you?!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I am just feeling a little jealous.
Well, while you live in a city, you are close enough to the country to enjoy it often, if it is only a 20 minute drive! Yep. Knew you'd come to like being retired! Just imagine sitting at work thinking about your grandson and wondering when you could fit in time to see him again...now you can just up and go whenever you like! Depending on his Mum of course, and I bet she doesn't have any objections :-)
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I'd take it even in the snow! You lucky, lucky girl. If only I could go back in time and have a few choice words with my Scottish ancestors who left Scotland in the first place!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first retired from teaching i thought I'd do substitute teaching so I wouldn't miss it too much, but I've enjoyed retirement so much I can't imagine ever working again.
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm just getting started "officially" teaching, you've made me rather envious with these photos and being retired. :) I loved these photos-what a beautiful place! Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteThese pictures make me cry. I love Scotland so.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely, peaceful photos. I read from the top post and your grandbaby is adorable, too.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, now you've made me miss Scotland even more!
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