The Grand Finale - Portsoy - Cullen along the Coast

 After a short walk around the Durn Road on Hogmanay and out the East Braes to the wishing gate on New Year's day, it was the grand finale.  J. D. wanted a gentle stroll as she was going out to play games in the evening and she wanted to be fresh to win.  Dr Anne had something else in mind...

J. D. and Dr Anne set off around 11.30 along Chapel Street, up Hill Street, across Cullen Street and up Marine Terrace.  They were out of town and on their way.  The day was sunny but cold.  There was wind in places.

The Bin Hill

J. D. and Dr Anne walked past the swimming pool, Westerwards Croft, Heathery and up to North Arnbath. It was over to Redhythe and down to the Glen Glassaugh end of Sandend Beach.  The wellies had to go on to cross the beach as there were two streams, one at Glassaugh and one at Sandend.

Sandend Beach

Path up behing Sandend

A path was found pointing to Sunnyside.  It was off up and down the cliffs.  It was muddy.  It was slippery.  There was a bare wind.  One hour later J. D. and Dr Anne arrived eventually at Findlater Castle.  From there it was down a muddy, slippery path to Sunnyside Beach.  At one point the good Dr was on her backside.  J. D. had disappeared round at least two corners stepping out at a great pace.  Dr Anne's wellies had no tread.

The first Spinkie of 2012?

The Giant Steps with the Cairn

 Once the two got to the bottom, all was well although cold and windy  They walked along the shore to the giant steps laid by Tony Hetherington, a cairn strategically placed in his memory.

There was a further walk along the bottom of the cliffs.  Dr Anne phoned V. T. and asked him to pick them up.  However there was still at least a mile to go up the brae and along by the caravan site, round the cliff tops and down to the harbour and V.T.s car.

Remember the posting from Grassmere, New Zealand when Dr Anne tried to take a reluctant dog for a walk?  J.D.  stopped and said that she was not moving another step...