We have found OUR spot

With our newly acquired bus pass, we have been out exploring close to home.  Naturally, we are interested in being near the water so on our short list of places to go was Portobello Beach.  Portobello Beach is along the coast of the Firth of Forth.  Like everything else in Edinburgh it also has a rich history of visitors and events including William Wallace, Oliver Cromwell, kings, and lots of beach goers on holiday dating back to the 18th century.  Amelie's favorite part of Portobello is the chance to get ice cream.  There is a cheap soft-serve ice cream stand along the board walk that we have stopped by.  We have not been great about having our camera on us.  It is easy to stash the camera away in the stroller; however, Liam enjoys having freedom and not being contained so we have not been taking the stroller when possible.  I am going to try to be more intentional about making sure we have our camera!

Bobby and Liam went one morning to the beach by themselves.  After playing in the sand, they ate a fish and chips lunch.

This Edinburgh artist was making a spectacular castle.  We all had a nice chat with him as he worked. 

Even with the nice sunshine, the water was extremely chilly....but that doesn't stop Amelie!

Also, with the bus pass we are more apt to hop on the bus in the late afternoon to go to nearby beaches for a couple of hours before dinner.  In addition to Portobello beach, we have spent time at Granton Harbor and Silverknowes Beach.

Amelie and Bobby's favorite thing at Granton Harbor (Wardie Steps bus stop) is to collect different color sea glass.

We walked along the harbor wall, enjoying the scenery and talking to fishermen.   Liam was able to touch a mackerel  which made the trip worth it to him. Mackerel's are beautiful fish.

On Sunday, we spent all day playing at Silverknowes Beach (without any sunscreen).  Poor Amelie got sunburned.  We have spent the rest of the week in long sleeves and lots of sunscreen.  The weather has been in the mid 70's and sunny and we have been loving it!

Our .5 mile walk down to the beach from the bus stop.  This was our only picture before Bobby's phone died.  We will have to go back to get more pictures.  We ended up coming because of a recommendation from a local while we were waiting at the bus stop.  We were glad we came!

Although the beaches are not the soft white sands like those found in the Gulf, it is still fun to be on the coast again.  It's crazy how you feel far outside of the city, but it is only about a 10 minute bus ride away from our house.  I have a feeling we are going to be spending many more days playing in the sands.  Both kids now have their own shovel and bucket.  They both enjoy collecting rocks, shells, and smoothed glass.  Liam will get a nice collection of rocks to bring to me to "frow it!"  I throw the rock into the ocean, and he cheers.   Amelie enjoys building sand castles followed by decorating them with shells, seaweed, and sticks.  As you can see, we all love being at the beach.

Bobby tells us to say "cheese" and Liam and I responded the same way!