Tom's Birthday Walk in Copshaw

After last weeks cancelled joint Birthday Walk for Tom & David we managed to fit in a Birthday walk for Tom on his actual 72nd Birthday today. We did a 7 mile walk at Copshaw Holm and were lucky for most of the walk with the exception of one heavy shower of rain during the last mile. 

The walk took us through part of the 7 Stanes Trail area and this is a bridge across the Whithaugh Burn. There are lots of walking and cycling trails in the area and during the summer months it is very popular especially with Mountain Bikers

After the Forest section of the walk we came out near Old Castleton and Tom insisted we visit the local cemetery. Whenever we visit a cemetery I always look for the predominant name and in this instance it is Elliot. This has become quite relevant to our family as our new Grandson has been named Elliot.

Although it was a lot milder today there was still a bit of snow on the north facing side of the hills

On the way back along the road to Newcastleton Tom insisted on walking over this disused bridge over the Liddel. Only Peter followed him with the rest of us using the new bridge. There was a barbed wire fence at the end of the bridge and Peter managed to get through the gap between the fence and the bridge.

But Tom got well and truly stuck

So assistance was required to get him over the barbed wire fence

So with much grunting and groaning he made it although there may be a problem with his trousers.

On the outskirts of Newcastleton (Copshaw Holm) there is an old church being converted into a house and next to the church is the manse. At the door of the manse is this set of stone steps for the minister to mount his horse from.

I just love Beech hedges and this is one of the nicest in the area surrounding the grounds of the old church. We completed our Birthday Walk with an excellent lunch in the Grapes Hotel.

Birthday Walk Cancelled & Christmas Jumpers

We had planned a Birthday Walk for David & Tom on Thursday with a walk round a Reservoir near Peebles followed by lunch at Kailzie Gardens but the weather forecast for tomorrow in the Borders is awful with heavy snow forecast for Peebles. We took the decision this morning to cancel and decided to have a short walk today in the narrow window of reasonable weather between 10.00am and 12 noon. We headed off to walk the new Byreburn and Fairly Loup walk and added another 3 miles to it by going round Canonbie and back along the road past the old Free Kirk. It worked out well with no rain, although quite cold and windy. Tom was taking nothing to chance with 3 items of headgear and about 5 layers of clothing.

Taken just above the new steps on the Byreburn Walk.

And the new steps.

And as its near Christmas I thought everybody would appreciate Hannah and Leo wearing their brand new Christmas Jumpers made by Fiona.

Brampton to Talkin Tarn and back.

Todays Wednesday Walk was Tom's choice and came from last weeks Cumberland News. The start was at the Moot Hall in Brampton and it took us along an old disused railway line towards Talkin Tarn and after a circuit of the Tarn followed by a Hot Chocolate drink in the cafe we headed back by another route to Brampton. It was frosty when we started and the temperature only rose to 1C by the time we finished. This photograph is of Brampton Station as we crossed the carlisle to Newcastle railway line. 

Tom where did you get that hat?

Our route back to Brampton took us past this fine copse of trees

On the outskirts of Brampton is this fine carved seat.

This Celtic Cross commemorates six Jacobites executed at this spot on 21st October 1746. Although the cross has been there for over 100 years the plaque was erected in 2005 by the 1745 Association.

The Moot Hall in Brampton and the start and finish of our walk. 

Talkin Tarn. The light was not good and the photograph was taken from my I Phone