This weekend was the height of summer - the summer solstice - or midsummer. All the growth of spring is at its peak. The landscape is at its lushest and greenest. It's already a more mature shade of green - the bright, fresh greens of spring were gone weeks ago. It's at this time of year that I start to reflect on the transience of this season, and feel an obligation to make the most of the outdoors and the daylight whilst I can. Despite that, going outside required extra motivation this weekend, as I'm suffering from a back injury (which, I think, is slowly on the mend). I took it slowly on this walk, but actually, I'm always playing catch-up when I go for walks with non-photographers, as I'm the one who keeps stopping to take pictures.
I've walked this route three times already this year, and to be honest, I do find it easier to photograph places that are new to me, where I feel like I'm surrounded by fresh visual stimuli. Nevertheless, the landscape is constantly changing throughout the year, and this time I probably saw different plants and insects than I would have seen earlier in the year.
We nearly always stop at this beach, which is about half-way down the path, for the views and maybe some coffee (or in this case, an iced matcha latte that I brought in a flask, and some excellent fruity flapjacks made by one of our walking companions). One thing I never tire of is views over the sea; or perhaps any body of water, as I'm not sure if the Firth of Forth can be described as sea. This beach has the additional interest of being covered in shells - cockles, I think (?) - perhaps from a former industry, but I don't know for sure.
The trail returns to woodland soon after this, which is the general theme of this trail...
It began to rain about three-quarters of the way to our destination, which made the ferns and other foliage glow an even greener shade of green.
We ended up at the home of one of our walking group, who kindly made us some very nice soup and bread for lunch. They have a beautiful garden surrounded by trees - a paradise for their cat, I think, and I'm sure the local wildlife enjoy it too (the last photo is a speckled wood butterfly).
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