turning points

Gullane towards Eyebroughy, 13 + 21 June

It feels a bit strange to be rewinding to the long days of summer as we sit here in the last days of October, our days even shorter now after the time change last weekend. Historically, we’d have marked the time change with a couple of long walks, setting the intention for the darker months ahead - not to retreat indoors but to get outside on the colder days and walk further, for longer. Winter was always a better season for Bracken as he could breathe so much more easily without any heat or humidity, and so we’d often do our longest walks over these colder months.

This is our first autumn and winter with Raf and Oak together and we plan to continue this tradition of chilly day trips and longer adventures followed by car picnics - although last weekend Oakley was still in recovery from her laparoscopic spay so our long walks have been on hold for a few weeks.

And we didn’t have our usual adventures over last winter as Raf’s reactivity meant that we couldn’t really go anywhere involving people - even quiet places where we’d encounter fewer people were still a step too far.

But now, after almost twelve weeks with Oakley, we can see the shift in Raf. He seems to be starting from a more settled and secure place with Oak by his side. So over these winter months ahead, we really are hoping for more adventures.

I’m rewinding to June with this post, back to the days when we were three. We packed in as many evening walks as we could over this month, getting home after 10pm most nights. Whenever we felt too tired in the evening to drive down the coast, we’d remind ourselves that soon it would be October or November or December and we wouldn’t be able to, so we’d grab a quick bite to eat when Richard finished work and get in the car and go.

And this walk from Gullane towards Eyebroughy became a regular as, once past Gullane’s busy beach, it became easier to lose people further along the shore.

This was a beautiful low tide walk where we could move from beach to beach as the sea level was beyond the rocks, so we didn’t have to keep looping back up towards the dunes. As you can see, Raf had zero intention of standing still or posing for photos - there was too much to sniff and explore, and so much running to do. On the way back, we paused at this rock formation below. There’s a rock here that’s a familiar spot for us as I photographed Harris here quite a few times - including in October 2023, on the day before we knew how ill he was.

We paused here on the way back for a few photos with Raf. The sun had already set, washing a blush of colour through the clouds, and I was enjoying this low light mood. Even though we’re in the distance, this is one of my favourite photos with Raf.

These following photos are from the same route but a week later, on a balmy Saturday evening when we marked the summer equinox with this walk. The light was gorgeous by the time we arrived here (below), to this stretch of beach beyond Gullane, and we walked on along the shore (cue: lots of rock photos in this gentle light) to our usual turning point, where we paused to watch the sun fade over the water. A gentle, unshowy sunset for this longest day of the year, and a moment that feels so far away now, as we edge into November.

Gullane towards Eyebroughy, East Lothian, 13 + 21 June 2025.