Turf Zone – CramondBeach
I’ve just started reading a paperback with the title What Goes Around – a London Cycle Courier’s Story by Emily Chappell* and while I’m only on chapter two, it’s interesting to see the similarities between bicycle couriers and turfing on a bicycle. We both ride from point A to point B, usually taking the shortest and most direct route and always running the minefield of broken glass, doggy doo’s and all the other hazards that cyclists have to contend with. Only difference is that bicycle couriers get paid and bicycle turfers do not. I’m sure I’ll find some interesting ideas I can apply to bicycle turfing.
Anyway, Edinburgh was my turfing destination today, out to the Cramond area to tick off a couple of unique zones that have been spoiling my nice sea of white taken zones. Parking at the Cramond parking area, the first was easily picked off along the shore road, zone ToCramondView, the second, zone CampEdinburgh, I would leave until later on the return part of the session.
Turf Zone – CycleZigZag
However, these two uniques were not the main theme for today’s trip. I also wanted to explore the old railway line cycle paths, and cycled up to Silverknowes to join the first one, the Blackhall Path, once the Barnton Branch of the Caledonian Railway. It changes name at Craigleith becoming the Roseburn Path though old maps show it as the Granton Branch.
I’ve turfed most of these old railway line routes but only piece meal while taking uniques, never as a single exercise. The route ends at Roseburn so I backtracked and veered right onto the Granton Branch line, known now as the Telford Path, then the Ferry Road Path, followed by the Hawthornvale Path which finally terminates at the Port of Leith. Old maps show this as the Leith Branch of the Caledonian Railway.
Turf Zone – RedBridgeZone
The weather today was typical of early Spring, frosty morning with temperatures rising to low double figures by the afternoon. However, a cold easterly wind meant the jacket stayed on, especially along the sheltered sections of the railway path. I must say the path here is pretty good quality compared to some in Midlothian where one of the bugbears we have to deal with, that of tree roots breaking the surface, is almost totally absent. Mind you, it’s a lot busier and you need to keep your wits about you. And no-one says hello!
Turf Zone – ShoreStart
From Leith I followed the shore roads back to Cramond, taking zones along the way and bringing my total for the session to 39, including that unique zone I wanted on the return. Stopped off at a small beach known locally as the brick beach, close to zone ShoreStart, I could not resist turning a few bricks to add a few brickmarks to the collection for my unofficial Planet Gary medal, the Brick Spotting 50.
My tally for this so far is 35 leaving only another 15 to go for the medal. So, how did I fair? Well, I managed to find the following: NIDDRIE, ETNA, DOUGAL WINCHBURGH, CRAMLINGTON, BOGHEAD, WINCHBURGH, WHITEHILL, DEWAR, HAILES, HOOD, ACCRINGTON NORI and finally, HUNCOAT ACCRINGTON. So, if my arithmetic is correct that’s another 12, bring the total to 47. Only 3 find remaining. I could probably have found those three at the brick beach if I’d searched a little further.
As well as providing a means of travel for turfers, old railway lines can still retain hints at their previous lives. Perhaps the most obvious are the platforms and a keen eye might spot the remains of a signal or junction box. You might also stop and marvel at some of the Victorian bridges, still standing proud and going strong after 150-years. Of course, they also provide a canvas for modern day graffiti artists, if they could be called that, though some to exhibit a degree of artistic talent. Back with more soon.
*Also two other books – Messengers: City Tales from a London Bicycle Courier by Julian Sayarer and Cycologeography; Journeys of a London Bicycle Courier by Jon Day.
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