Our Home - Portobello Beach.

Two miles of golden sand, the cool blue water of the Forth and the perfected Promenade -- Portobello Beach is our home.

Known as "Edinburgh's seaside", we moved to the area a few months before John was born. Originally your traditional picture of a Victorian seaside resort, Portobello is a wonderful place for both day trips and for living. Iain had previously stayed in Portobello before we moved into the city centre together and knowing we didn't want to live so close to the bustle of city, it seemed like the perfect place to settle before our new arrival that would make us a family.

We're perfectly situated between the beach and the High Street -- a great location in all aspects. Right from when I was still pregnant and on mission "Get This Baby Out of Me!" I would walk the length of the beautifully maintained Promenade on an almost daily basis, something which I now do with John holding my hand. And Portobello High Street has everything you could ever need; from butchers to bakers and sweet shops to chemists. I can't imagine a better place to stay, particularly in such great reach to the city centre.

On a busy summer weekend, the beach is a sea of people, flooding in from the city craving ice cream & sea air. But when I'm need of some tranquillity, I'll head down in the early morning with John to watch the dog walkers and the beach-cleaning tractor -- at this time of day, the beach is perfectly quiet, the sand barely touched, ready for another day of hosting the masses.

Even in the winter, I love Portobello beach. Things are quieter, calmer. Only the dog walkers and those with metal detectors tread the sand but the Promenade still plays host the locals out getting their daily dose of sea air. Families, couples, kids and the elderly -- everyone walks along the beach front taking in the scenery and atmosphere. And it's always worth stopping in at the Beach House, grabbing some Fish 'n' Chips or having a drink in The Espy, none of which require the sunshine to enjoy (but it does help!).

Having grown up by the seaside myself (just down the coast from Portobello in fact), I'm glad that John will do the same. I can't imagine living anywhere else and it'll take something truly special to get me to agree to leave Edinburgh's seaside. For now I'll carry on walking the Promenade hand-in-hand with my toddler (often stopping to argue why we can't go in the sea today) and look forward to the days when Iain will take there to teach him how to ride a bike (whilst he falls into everyone's way).

Have you ever been to Portobello beach? Share your memories!