Sunrise Stroll

The loch, the library, and the Wallace Monument at sunrise.

Last night I just could not fall asleep, so around three in the morning, I just decided that since I no longer have classes on Wednesday, I would just stay up to watch the sunrise, and then go to sleep afterwards. I spent a couple hours online, playing games, watching youtube videos, and talking to some people from back home. Then, around five, the sky started to look a bit lighter, so I pulled my jacket on, grabbed my camera, and headed out for a walk around the loch.

Dumyat, from across Airthrey Loch.

It was really nice and peaceful, just going for a walk around the loch in semi-darkness. No one else was out; rabbits were either still asleep or nibbling on grass without moving much; the swans were just little white bumps floating on the loch, still fast asleep. It was raining, so I by the time I was halfway around the loch, my jacket was covered in raindrops, my hair was wet, and there were enough water droplets on my glasses that sometimes things looked distorted to me. Since it was rainy and cloudy, I couldn't really see the sun rising, but I could see the sky lightening behind Dumyat, the top of the hill hidden behind thin clouds.

Even though I was starting to feel tired at this point, I was still amazed by how cool it felt to be the only person out and about as the sun rose and the animals on campus started their days. As I was walking around the loch, I actually saw the swans starting to raise their heads, looking around the loch as they started their day. I still don't understand how they sleep floating in the loch though. I'm cold enough on dry land, wearing a jacket, and they spend all their time in the same cold weather with their butts in even colder water! I don't think I could do it, so it's a good thing I'm not a swan.

All the darker shapes on the grass are rabbits!

After walking around the loch, when the sun was pretty far up, I headed back to my residence hall. It was time for me to go to sleep. I must of passed a few dozen bunnies on the way. I swear, these things are everywhere. So after walking around the loch and watching the sun rise and the animals wake up, I headed back to my room and went to sleep at six in the morning. And this has nothing to do with watching the sunrise, but when I woke up, I went down to the lobby to check the mail, and my cookies from home had arrived! So now, I have chocolate chip cookies, and I'm quite content.

A tout a l'heure!