Day 8 in Scotland: Porty Beach, The Espy, a bookstore, and dinner with Chris at The Ox (dangit, I didn't get a photo again!).
One of my goals while in Edinburgh was to leave some of Stan's Parting Stones in places I know he loved—places the
we loved. One of the best was Portobello Beach. Just a 20-minute bus-ride east of the city is a whole other level of paradise... I took the #26 bus to Porty (Portobello Beach). I sat on the top at the front, with a big window view, just like Stan and I used to do.
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/Bus-to-Porty-1.jpeg)
The ride is beautiful. That's Arthur's Seat in the background - blooming with yellow Gorse.
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/But-to-Porty-2.jpeg)
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/BusToPorty.jpeg)
With random cathedrals. As lovely as the ride was, I was there for the water... wait for it... there it is! My first glimpse of water!
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/BusToPorty-Water.jpeg)
Porty Beach sits on the Firth of Forth.
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/Porty-boardwalk.jpeg)
Tide was out.![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/PortyBeach.jpeg)
I had made reservations at The Espy - the table by the window - the best seat in the house. The people watching is great!
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/Porty-TableView.jpeg)
Afterwards, I walked down to the water to throw in Stan's Parting Stone. Maureen said "chucked" wasn't quite a good verb, that maybe "fling" was better. At any rate, I did a slightly better job FLINGING Stan into the water this time. And as the tide came in, he ended up farther and farther out to sea. It was an emotional day.
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/Porty-water.jpeg)
From the water, the town looked so far away. Of course, this is with the tide out.
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/Porty-TideOut.jpeg)
There are different textures to the sand, depending on how close to the water you are. It is always a bit windy, so sand gets Everywhere. I am still scrubbing it off!
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/PortyBeach-long-view.jpeg)
It's so peaceful there. Stan and I decided that if reincarnation is a thing, we both want to come back as dogs on Porty Beach. You've never seen such JOY!
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/PortyBeach-and-Boardwalk.jpeg)
I went to Porty to throw out one of Stan's Parting Stones and thought it was appropriate that it all be set to music. Click here for a short video... It was an emotional trip. ![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/Porty-video.jpg)
On the way back to the bus, I passed the fishmonger.
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/FishMonger.jpeg)
I believe this is what we call a Monkfish (or was it a Seacat?).
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/Seacat.jpeg)
Returning to Edinburgh brought a wave of returning HOME. I dropped by the bookstore that opened right after we moved away.
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/Bookstore.jpeg)
At the bookstore I found friends! Jane Yolen was there!
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/Bookstore-Jane.jpeg)
And Vivian French was there!
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/Bookstore-Viv.jpeg)
The bookseller recommended a lovely book and supplied me with free tea while I sat and read. What a lovely way to relax!
![](https://dulemba.com/Blogstuff/2023/Scotland/Day8/Bookstore-and-Tea.jpeg)
It was a hard day, but it was a good day. Days can be both.
To read about my entire trip, go to:
Day 1: I'm back!
Day 2: HIGH Tea with friends (and a secret)
Day 3: in Glasgow!
Day 4: Dear Friends and a Proper Memorial
Day 5: Farmer's Markets and Tapestries
Day 6: The Vinnie, The Star Bar, Parting Stones, Tears, and Friends
Day 7: with Maureen in Glasgow
Day 8: Porty Beach and an emotional day
Day 9: Fruit de Mer and Seagulls!
Day 10: Food, Museums, and a Friend
Day 11: Last full day in Edinburgh
Day 12: Last few minutes in Scotland