The weather outside is frightful… But wait – it was not that frightful the past few Sundays, which prompted another spur of a moment walk.

This time from the half way point of Water of Leith walk all the way to Leith’s the Shore for a scrumptious dinner.

The Water of Leith walk spans from Ballerno down to the half-way point at the Water of Leith conservation centre. We started out walk from there, sent to our way by the riverboat that passed on the aqueduct, and which is about six miles before Leith, on a brisk yet sunny Sunday afternoon.

And lucky we did – the walk was wonderful, passing through parks such as Roseburn Park, continuing on to pass Murrayfield stadium (looking mighty fine in the setting sun). Delightfully we also encountered some of the sixty or so animals sighted by the Water of Leith – I was fascinated by an otter’s play time and got a good laugh seeing a fox stalk some ducks, wondering if it will really jump in after them.

The walk brought us by Dean Village, right by our wonderful Stockbridge Grandeur @ Carlton Street, where there was a sudden Greek goddess, confined in a cage. And that led us to Stockbridge, where the Stockbridge Sunday Market was in full swing (mental note; perfect for Christmas shopping – hand-made artisan goodies and goods of all sorts!

– and the tempting smell of mulled wine and artisan treats and hot dishes just got our stomach growling. After a quick browse, we decided it would be better to stop for dinner in Leith as if we ate now we would never make it till the end.

After passing Stockbridge, we came to Canonmills, filled with

lovely little cafes and restaurants – and area worth more exploration – before continuing back to the riverside that led us all the way to Leith.By now we were ravenously hungry and the warm window of the Granary was so inviting that without hesitation we walked in. The atmosphere, as always, was lovely – cozy, warm, only thing missing was the lit fireplace, and the food! Deliciously full plate of Sunday roast for me, and a lovingly prepared slow roast pork belly for my friend, washed down with a drink each and a dram of whisky for dessert.

I do love these last sunny autumn days!