Common Riding 2018

Summer Fair Night in our garden with Tom Stothart and brothers Niall & Ken Weatherstone 

Kirsteen & Bruce with Mario

The start of sunset on Summer Fair Night 

Three of the Weatherstone grandchildren with their Triangles accompanying Cameron Davidson who has played the big drum in the Flute Band for 41 years.  

Cornet Ian Little heading up the Wynd

The Hutton family paying us their annual visit. 

Leo feeling the heat on Common Riding Day

Hannah with Granny Gaye 

Filling the Bird Feeders on Saturday morning  

Looking for various animals under the metal sheets. We did find a Frog and loads of Ants but no Voles or Mice

A rewarding Ice Cream at Pelosi's for helping fill the Bird Feeders

Canonbie Walk with the Glovers

Many weeks ago I had been asked by Marion Glover to select a walk for her Dumfries Walking Group in the Canonbie so we met John and Marion at Canonbie Kirk this morning and took them round part of the Langholm Walks - Canonbie Walk for about 7 miles. The Group are coming to walk here on 4th August. Not all of the Last of the Summer Wine Walkers were available today but John and Tom managed to make it. 

Two John's and a Marion with Charlie the dog. 

We met this chap near Rowanburn  and he asked to be introduced to Tom. 

Marion and Tom had to do some shopping in Scotland's smallest shop. The cake Tom bought did not last long as 15 minutes later we had all finished it. At the end of the walk as we went past the Deed Nook Pool Charlie had to have a dip. We finished the walk just as Liz Findlay was opening the Canonbie Kirk Community cafe and enjoyed Tea and Cake. 

Fiona's Newcastle University Graduation

It was 2 very proud parents who headed off to Newcastle at 7.00am on Friday morning to see Fiona getting her PHD at the Graduation in Newcastle University. We thought we would only see it on line as the students were only allowed 2 tickets but Fiona had been to the campus at 8.30am and managed to secure 5 tickets so everybody got to go. It was a very dignified and well presented Graduation with some excellent speeches. 

Hannah and Leo looked very smart and their Grandparents were quite presentable as well. 

Despite Fiona being full of the cold and having a chest infection she managed very well but by late afternoon she was shattered.

Without Mario she would never have been able to complete the 5 years it took her to completer her PHD. He was such a great support to her especially in looking after the kids when she had important deadlines to make and had to work long hours under extreme pressure. 

Three generations of Graham girls

Well done Dr. Menger. We went to two receptions in the University and then finished up at the Vermont Hotel for a posh Afternoon Tea.

Leo looked so smart all day

A Walk from Byreburn to Rowanburn

A local walk today to enable several of us who are busy to fulfil afternoon appointments. We started at Byreburnfoot and headed up the Fairy Loup and on to Rowanburnhead and Rowanburn where we stopped for a break and to spend some money in Scotland's smallest shop.

This must be Scotland's smallest shop with a lovely selection of food on offer. I bought an Apple Sponge Cake which we tasted in the garden at an afternoon tea break and it was lovely. It works on an honesty basis but there is a camera so we were being watched but I left a little bit more than was needed.

Near Rowanburn we met this pair of good friends

I always think this is one of the finest views on the River Esk from just outside Byreburn House. Look for the Heron sitting in a tree in the centre of the picture. The walk was 6 miles and we finished up at the Buccleuch Centre for a nice lunch.

From The Tarras Valley over to The Ewes Valley

Its almost a year since I last walked this route and it was with John and Peter. Today it was with Niall and Tom and this was a first for Niall. The weather was glorious and we stopped for a minute to sit in Jim (Teef) Telfer's) seat and consider the many happy times we have had in this valley.

I do so love this valley and I maintain it is one of the Hidden Places of Scotland that very few people know about and long may it remain this way. We only met two other people and they were planning a long walk so we were able to give them some advise. If their car is still where they left it by next week then we know they did not follow our advise. 

This is Arkleton Hill in the distance.

One of the best places to swim in The Tarras River

This walk was full of flowers with Foxgloves by far the most popular

The walk through the old forestry path which has now been replanted is a profusion of flowers  

At Arkleton Farm in the Ewes Valley there was a gathering of Lambs that look as if they will soon be on their way to market