Most overnight trips are inevitably confined to weekends and holidays. But over recent months an idea had been simmering in my head to rustle up a bit of outdoor fun in the middle of the work week. If I'm working 9 to 5 then why not be outdoors 5 to 9!
The first ingredient in my recipe for mid week fun was a friend who also works in the city, is equally as daft as me and was up for a wild camp on a work night. Rob Burgess fitted the bill!
We chose a day in late summer when the elements had cooked up a beautiful evening for getting outside. The brashness of the summer sun was on the wane, replaced by cooler air and soft, peachy rays that bathed the landscape. Tall summer grasses danced in golden light and the last of the willowherb provided a splash of colour.
Fundamental to the success of this recipe is having somewhere to go outdoors that's a quick getaway from the city but still handy enough for getting back into work the next morning for the early shift. It also needs to be relatively remote for camping. The Pentland Hills on Edinburgh's southern boundary are perfect for this being at the end of the number 44 bus route from the city centre. Once off the bus, we set out up the wooded path of Poet's Glen and within an hour found ourselves in the open hills.
A copse of pine trees at the top of the trail provided a perfect pitch for the night.
For a bit of extra fun, we hadn't packed our usual tents but had taken instead our bivvy bags to feel more outside and less confined. It had been years since either of us had used our bivvy bags so it was a bit of a giggle getting set up and tucked away inside. With the hood open, I could lie looking up through the pine trees at the stars. At some point during the night, the moon rose, flooding our spot with silvery light.
It was a beautiful walk next morning through the quiet stillness of dawn to catch an early 44 into the city. However, there was one downside to this recipe in that it left a nasty residue in the pan, that being the requirement to go back to the office.
Fact File
Start: Currie
Finish: Balerno
My route: Took number 44 bus to Currie, alighting at the bus stop beside the Sainsbury's garage and shop. Immediately beside the stop are steps down to the Water of Leith. Crossed the bridge, walked straight ahead through the houses to join the Water of Leith walkway. Turned right then left up the hill (signed by rights of way post). This is the route through Poet's Glen. Twice the wooded walk reaches a road, turn right and the next path will be on the left. At the top of the trail called Ranges Road, camped in the pines on the left. Next morning at the top of the trail, turned right for Harlaw then left on reaching the road for the visitor centre. Immediately before the centre there is a path on the right which joins Harlaw Road into Balerno for the 44 bus.
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