No better way to blow away Hogmanay cobwebs and get 2017 under way than a bracing sunrise run down the beach. Just before rising, travelling through town I can see a pillar of red in the sky, and it begins to fade as I reach the beach

Ach if I’d been 10 minutes earlier would have got a better shot

Not the only person up early

Some decent waves today for it

The first rays illuminate white horses

I’ve lucked out with low tide, nice reflections but pretty squishy and tiring to run on

A treat of both sight and sound: I love the owerswak of waves on sand

Through the haze the lighthouse at Greyhope bay

Full sun through a gap in the cover

Looks almost like summer, but it’s pretty brisk

And back behind the clouds

This next one got 1400 likes on fb

Stumps of old posts for salmon netting

Almost at the mouth of the Don

At low tide a spit of sand extends out and you can look ‘back’ along the beach

Towards the bridge

Along the path and down to the river, evidence of other visitors

Looking back downstream

Diving birds, Little Grebes I think

Low tide rocks framing the Brig O Balgownie

I should have perhaps cleared those tufts of grass, but slippery here and a dook would be freezing

Always plenty ducks enjoying the Brig’s tranquility

Head upstream through Seaton park. Hidden in scrub, an abandoned bike looks in good condition, maybe stolen. I’ll fire off an email to the community police later (which gets no response)

I have a poke about off track for the ‘secret garden’ that may still exist near Diamond bridge. Nothing that looks like that but a couple crumbling bits of concrete

And a nosy robin

In the words of Dr Suess, One tit, two tits, great tit, blue tits

As I’m on foot today instead of wheels, a quick nosey up these blocked off old stairs

Which look down on to Grandholm bridge

Motherwell Bridge company, founded 1898 and still going

Heron away to strike

Dipper

Unknown tweeter

This one didn’t make it

Checking out the small bridge near the South side lade

Up towards the rapids

A splash of colour on these old steps

Odd pattern under a leave

The run’s beginning to hurt, and am looking forward to taking a wee break in Persley walled garden, but it’s locked. Through the gate a robin has it all to himself

Back down the other side

A sortie into the undergrowth

Old foot bridge

Better check there’s no trolls underneath

I found a small torch earlier, wonder if it works.. yep

Watcher in a ruin in the undergrowth by the mill wheels

Now I’m hobbling, 20k+ proving too much today, and when I eventually make it back to St Machar cathedral I decide to stroll home rather than force it and possibly pick up an injury. Reckon the adidas Brushwood worn today might not be the tool for longer runs, though having not been for a longer run in weeks 20k was over the odds.