Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/4/2019 The Dog Rambler e-diary 08 Sept 2011
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-dog-rambler-e-diary-08-sept-2011 1/3
and
Walk Chugging along the Longniddry –
Haddington Railway Walk
Length 6.5
milesDogs on walk Brooklyn, Gina, Phoebe, Otis, Solo, Tim
A lowland ramble today along the old railway line from Longniddry to Haddington, now awalkway. The noise of trains still in the air as the East Coast Main Line parallels it for a
while whisking passengers to their far away destinations. One a blur as it screamed past,
the rushing air rattling the leaves on the trees.
Two people gathering berries were suddenly surrounded by the excited dogs. But only for a
second they were more concerned about greeting each other properly now freed from the
car. Leaving them to collect their hedgerow bounty the dogs raced off along the track.Phoebe, Brooklyn and Tim in a blur of bodies. Brooklyn eager to play with anyone also
bounced around Gina who was playing it a little cool today. Perhaps emulating her half
brother Solo.
The track was deeply shaded with the dark silhouettes of the trees’ branches cast across
the ground. Dappled sunlight between them, making the whole like an oriental fabric print.
In and out of the light the dogs burst going from gloomy shapes to bright bouncing colours.Scrapping their way forward Brooklyn, Phoebe and Tim with the occasional adventure in
by Gina. Solo up there with them but an oasis of calm in the madness surrounding him.
The Dog Rambler
E-diary
Thursday
08September 2011
8/4/2019 The Dog Rambler e-diary 08 Sept 2011
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-dog-rambler-e-diary-08-sept-2011 2/3
Otis venturing forward from time to time but on his second walk in two day he was
playing it easy.
Flashing along the track today we encountered several cyclists. The dogs on top formpressed themselves to the side giving the rider as much room as possible to pass. It was
much appreciated.
The track drove its route forward cutting a swath through the countryside and into a
more open aspect. Chequerboard fields spread away from us. On the right all the way to
the horizon or to tooth like trees biting into the sky. On the left to a line of low undulating
hills, one with a tall slender column, Hopetoun Monument a reminder of to a onceimpressive family. Now beside the track the dogs found a clear and deep pond. The
remains of an old watering station for the thirsty steam trains. Gina was the first to brave
the concrete sided drop. Brooklyn and Tim hanging precariously over it trying to drink, as
though clinging to a sinking ship. Seeing Gina in the water Tim braved it too. But both had
a real struggle getting back out as the concrete gave them little purchase. Meanwhile Otis
had found a gap between the concrete and the bank and was merrily standing knee deep
in the water. Unsure who to take a lead from Solo ended up doing nothing.
With the thunder of the A1 heralding the approach to Haddington we turned to head
back. Initially through more tree cover. The flickering sunlight through the branches like
reflections flashing from the windows of passing trains. Still the dogs kept up their own
racing and chasing train until we cut off the track for a detour through some woods. Along
an old cart track creating two sides of a triangle with the railway walk being the third. We
rejoined the track for the final chug back to the car.
Nick
Photo slideshow from the walk
Follow The Dog Rambler on Facebook and access the e-diaries online
8/4/2019 The Dog Rambler e-diary 08 Sept 2011
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-dog-rambler-e-diary-08-sept-2011 3/3
Nick Fletcher
The Dog Rambler
9 Links Street
Musselburgh www.thedogrambler.comEast Lothian [email protected]
EH21 6JL t. 0131 665 8843 or 0781 551 6765
Your dog walking service for active dogs
