Portobello Beach Edinburgh Day 360

This burnt out motorcycle was abandoned here on the promenade in the early hours. It is a reminder that this beach is in an urban location. Incidents of this nature are few and far between here but when they happen they leave marks on the asphalt that will take a few winter storms to wash away. The disdain on the passing jogger's face is evidence of that.

The calm sea and the leisure boats bobbing on their anchors off Fisherrow* belie the tragic events that unfolded much further up this coast last night when an oil rig crew change helicopter ditched without warning and four lives were lost. When we complain about the cost of fuel at the pumps it is very easy to forget the immense, unseen and often unsung work force that operate bravely in alien environments sourcing this energy. The ecological ethics of such extraction is, of course, another very big issue.

I am just back from a town rendezvous with great old friends from our Gloucestershire days who have been showing their oldest grandchild St Andrews University and taking in some Festival exhibitions, events and shows. It was super to see them all in such good form.

* Fisherrow Harbour very early tomorrow morning is where I will be to capture a very significant milestone in the life of a Blipper's husband.