Turf Zone – SandySocks
My return visit to Aberlady Bay last evening was much more interesting and enjoyable than my visit the night before. This time we have amazing sunsets and not a hint of rain. Compare this to the previous night when we had miserable dreich drizzle, spatters of rain and thick cloud cover. However, I did achieve my objectives, two unique zones I’d been meaning to take for ages, zone ItWorks0Tanks located beside the concrete tank barriers in the dune system between Gullane and Aberlady, the other zone called ForeSight, found by Kings Kist 2nd fairway, on Kilspindie golf course. By the way, Kings Kist is a large named rock on the shore and would make the ideal name for this zone.
Planning for this trip revolved around me getting to the two sub-wreck zones before sunset, just in time for some photo opportunities, not too early that I’m hanging about and not too late that the sun has already set. Sunset was around 9.30 pm, low tide was around 11.00 pm and moonrise was also scheduled for around 11.00 pm though too much cloud would conceal that And with the weather set to fine, all the ingredients for a grand evening at the seaside turfing.
Turf Zone – SubWreckTwo
Parked at my usual spot, Quarry Corner, at the entrance for the water treatment works access road. It crosses the golf course but at this time of the evening, only a few golfers were still beating their balls to death with long clubs. Met a few folks walking back to their cars but the place was mostly deserted. Looks like I’d have the beach to myself. First take was zone SandySocks, which is quite aptly named as I stopped to empty sand from my sandals. Perhaps not so should the tide be in, zone SoakingSocks in that case? Wonder if that’s how sandals got the name, from the sand?
The next two zones, the sub wrecks, are easy to spot out in the bay. The large concrete block between them is a mooring point for the subs which were used for target practice by the RAF during World War II. The sub wrecks are the XT training version of the X-Craft used to attack the German battleship Tirpitz in Norway in 1942, which was extensively damaged. The sand here is quite compact but rippled and quite uncomfortable to walk on barefoot, so the sandals stayed on for the meantime, though the socks were removed to keep them dry for later.
Turf Zone – SubWreckOne
With the zones taken, I spend some time taking photographs, and simply enjoying the experience of being at the location. The sound of the wind and waves crashing on the shore, the distance throb of a marine diesel across the Firth of Forth, perhaps from the big cruise ship heading out to sea. Then there’s all the birds calling, gulls, oystercatchers, tern and geese, all making a racket. Yet, despite all that it’s serenely peaceful and relaxing. Love watching the sunsets across the Firth of Forth. I made a mental note to come here more often.
With my target zones taken, I realised there was another to add to the list, one I’d almost forgotten about, and indeed had forgotten to take the previous evening. A turfer unique by the name of Shoosh, who held three zones locally. The closest zone was HummelRocks, a little more than a mile walk from the sub wrecks. And the sand berms along the shore were much easier to walk on barefoot than the rippled areas. The sea was cold but okay once you got used to it. I picked off zone TheOldMan in the passing, saying hello to a family camping there for the night.
Turf Zone – TheOldMan
By the time I’d taken zone HummelRocks, it was almost dark and time to head back to the car. I followed the old road back towards the water treatment works, stopping to check myself over for ticks and was delighted to find myself tick-free, probably a first for visits to Aberlady in peak tick season. I should mention, however, I picked up three ticks when taking zone ItWorks0Tanks the previous night, all between the old access road and the zone. Ticks are the main reason I didn’t go for zone PillBoxWW2 this visit. On the way back a tawny owl landed beside me at the shipping containers beside the water treatment works, gave me the once over and few away. A lovely finish to a delightful evening’s turfing, even if I only took five zone in all. Back soon.
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