So I don't think I mentioned our trip to the beach. Well, we made one. :-)

Actually this last weekend we took some time in between my busy research schedule (for my work in Yellowstone, not for classes here) and walked to the beach. Yes, there is a beach here in Edinburgh. It's odd that a lot of times I don't even think of being close to the ocean. There is very little here around Holyrood Park, or in Old Town, or in New Town, to remind you that you are, in fact, in a port town. The city is actually so huge (by pedestrian standards) that most of the time, the seagulls are the only thing remotely marine. And plenty of seagulls there are. At leas they aren't piegeons. But our place IS about 2 miles from the ocean. That may not seem like much to you folks with cars, but it's not exactly an easy jaunt by foot. Which is fine for an afternoon; which is what we made of it.

The beaches are nice: sandy, long, fairly un-littered and uncluttered with people. Lots of dogs, though. And swans, too. I never even though of swans as making homes in salt water, but here they were, in the Firth of Forth, a saltwater harbor. And the dogs thought they were just the coolest things ever.

But the weather was chilly, so we were all bundled up at the beach. But it is nice knowing that the ocean is so close; I have always had a thing for the ocean, plus it means fresh seafood everywhere. Mostly in the forms of mussels and fish, but other things are found here, too.

But the beach area is known as either the Docks, which is more north, or Portabello, which is on the southern end of the Firth, a little close to us, and a lot more posh. It's the trendy side of town, though the Docks area are becoming more popular with the younger professional crowd: cheap, ecclectic and creative housing on the ocean. Sounds like New York?

Anyway, tonight is the coldest its been since we've gotten here: in the low 40s right now, with mid 30s expected overnight. So we have our fireplace on. How sweet is that? Our flat has a little gas fireplace. Very romantic and actually VERY warm. We'll see how much our gas bill is soon. :-) But I did hear they got some snow in Gardiner... if only we could be so lucky.