A Walk from The Beef Tub to Moffat

John was staying in Moffat for a week so he could regularly visit his mum in the home in Moffat so he fixed up a walk from The Devil's Beef Tub to Moffat and the advantage of this was it was all downhill. We like downhill. There were 7 walkers plus Sandria who was shaking off the effects of a virus but joined us after for a meal and had prepared excellent Bacon Rolls and Coffee when we arrived. 

Although the walk was nearly all downhill we started with a short climb from the Edinburgh road

It was a bit gloomy and very cold

Looking out onto the Devil's Beef Tub

John with the 2 ladies in the party Elizabeth and Anne. At the start of the walk in Moffat John was interviewed for C4 News and he featured in the 7.00pm News tonight. 

Tom with his famous Tea Cosy Hats

This beautiful Sheep was very interested in us going past its field

The route was the Annandale Way but it was a long time before we hit the river Annan

The last half mile of the walk into Moffat beside the river Annan. A most enjoyable walk in excellent company followed by a nice meal back in Moffat.

A Walk Through the Gelt Woods

Our walk today was in The Gelt Woods near Brampton. Tom and I headed to Carlisle to meet Peter and then he took us on this 4 mile walk through the woods. It was a perfect day for walking and although it was a little muddy in places the covering of dead leaves was a great help. In places the Gelt river flows quite fast and a slip could lead to disaster.

At this point the river is very narrow but flows deeply through the rocks.

The paths were well covered in dead leaves

This was Tom's first walk after having been off with a virus for about a month and it was good to have him back in good health.

A nice little bridge over a burn that joins the Gelt River

A natural bridge over the Gelt

A large area of land next to the Gelt Woods is owned by EWM owner Philip Day and my goodness he defends his privacy with loads of barbed wire and signs indicating it's private land. It makes you realise how well off we are in Scotland with open access and if these woods were in Scotland I doubt he could stop the public from enjoying the woodland walks as long as they behave responsibly. 

Near the end of the walk we passed by this sand quarry which is something I have never seen before

This is the route taken from my I Watch. Tom and I left Peter back at Aglionby as he had to go into Carlisle to pick up Elizabeth from the London train so we went to the Hidden River Cafe near Longtown for a lovely lunch. As the name suggests its not easy to find but it is a little gem and very busy despite its location and the fact its November.

Westerhall and the Rig Valley and Dam

Due to a computer problem these photographs have not loaded in the order I took them but they represent a lovely walk through Westerhall Estate and up the Rig Valley. This is an amazing hidden valley that few people will even realise is there and its like an Oasis in the middle of the Border Hills. This was the first time for a month that Tom was back walking with me. Its great to have him back fit and well and we only had about 2 arguments during our walk.

Depending on the how the light caught the view it can change the effect of the photograph and in this light the valley is very brown due to just a hint of sunshine peeking through the clouds. 

Just up from Westerhall Farm where the Rig Burn enters the river Esk is a Hydro Dam

This is the small lake caused by the Dam

On the Westerhall Estate road the autumn colours are at their best

At every season this is a lovely road to walk and the autumn is spectacular matched only by the spring Azaleas and the winter Snowdrops. It is without doubt my favourite walk and long may it continue to be such a well managed estate.

Even the pine needles on the road add a colourful magic to the road.

Westerkirk Church always looks so splendid standing in such an unspoilt village