Grey Granite and Rufus set out to repeat the walk from St Combs along the bents to the outflow from Strathbeg, returning along the beach. Grey Granite was astonished to find a magnificent patch of white water lilies growing in what appears to be a wide drainage ditch between the bents and the fields. The water lilies were totally unexpected and very beautiful.
White water lily, Nymphaea alba
The walk behind the bents is along a wide open area of sandy grassland, currently dominated by tansies and eyebrights with small patches of heartsease pansies and by the ditch sweet smelling colonies of meadow sweet and occasionally red bartisia. Just before the out flow from Strathbeg there are small areas of thyme.
Along the landward ridge overlooking the ditch and the flat area behind the bents are the remains of defences from WW2. The bridge over the Strathbeg outflow has cement blocks and, just visible on the right bank one of a line of pill boxes.
Grey Granite and Rufus explored the bank up to the bridge before realising that they were on the wrong side of the fence to cross it. They returned to St Combs along the magnificent sandy beach, deserted today apart from a couple of wind surfers whose kites fascinated Rufus.
Grey Granite and Rufus continued along the bents path beneath the Tufted duck until they came to a graveyard containing the ruins of the medieval St Colm's Church which was abandoned in 1607.
The burial ground was used in to the 20th century, Grey Granite was struck by the simple elegance of this stone and by the sadness of a family which lost 4 children, the eldest only 8 within 4 months of each other in 1863/4. It was also interesting to note the recurrence of certain names notably Stephen, Cardno, Buchan and Duthie.
Yesterday Dr Anne wrote that happiness is a sunny afternoon and a beautiful garden. Grey Granite concurs with this but adds happiness is a satisfying walk with a Rufus, a most companionable dog.
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