Christmas at Ardlui

Leo's Harry Potter Cushion

Hannah's Activities Cushion

Due to me picking up a virus on Sunday that affected my balance we were unable to travel to Newcastle for Christmas as planned, but Fiona and family came to us on Boxing Day with all the Christmas Dinner leftovers. Leo is delighted with the Harry Potter cushion Granny Gaye has made him and Hannah was also pleased with her Activities cushion even if one word is spelt wrong. That is a cushion made for each of our 5 grandchildren in the last few months. 

Tom came round on Boxing Day morning and managed to beat Leo at this game but Leo reckons it was luck more than skill. 

Hannah is growing fast so a photograph with Granny was called for to compare heights

We think she was standing on tiptoes. This is the same photo as above but a second later and suddenly Hannah is taller than Granny

A Walk Round Whita

It's many years since we did a Wednesday Walk round Whita. Thats maybe because its almost 10 miles right round so this week we used 2 cars to shorten the walk for us old men. We left one car at The Kiln Green, although the plan was to leave it at Whitshiels Cafe, but they have another Log Cabin arriving today. We then drove to the Tarras Bridge near Cronksbank  and walked back to Langholm via Middlemoss a distance of about 6 miles. We finished with our usual lunch at Whitshiels Cafe where we are made very welcome. This is the view of Whita and the Munument during the 10 minutes the sunn came out.

This cottage is called Rashiel and it is where the present Duke of Buccleuch spent part of his honeymoon.

John thinks this photo makes him and Tom look younger but I think its Tom's new hat that has made the difference. We had a grand walk made special by the arrival of a herd of over 20 wild goats. They quickly crossed our path and disappeared before I managed to get my phone out of my pocket. You will just have to take our word that they were there. This is my 1000th Blog Post since I started in 2007. It has solved many an argument with the lads about when we walked at a certain place and shows everybody how many walks we have done all over the country. When I get time I will publish a few of my favourite photographs from these years of walking. 

Tom's Birthday Walk on Border Abbey Way

This was Tom's Birthday Walk and we did a section of The Border Abbey Way between Lindean and Melrose. We had actually done the same route but slightly longer in 2007 and when we started at 8.45am it had been -8C and at the finish in Melrose it was -3C. Thankfully it was a lot milder today and luckily the rain stayed away until we were on our way home to Langholm where it had rained all day. This is Tom dishing out his quota of Toffee to all the walkers. 

We walked past Melrose rugby ground which I think is the nicest rugby ground in the UK.

Suspension bridge over the Tweed at Melrose

Plenty of Fungi on the route

Melrose Bowling Club and a regular green visited by Langholm Old Bowling Club every September for a Pairs Tournament but regrettably I have never played on it. That might change next season as I might have to play there in The Champion of Champions competition as I won the Langholm Old Championship this season.

I think this may be Dere Street but am not sure

The Tweed at Melrose

The Birthday Boy with Martin, Peter, Ken, Sandria and John

Wherever you are in this area you can always see the Eildon Hills

More Fungi. Specially taken for Mr. Tootlepedal who is particularly fond of Fungi. 
During this walk we again had a friendly argument about the route but technology has come on a long way since 2007. Then we only had an OS Map when we argued about the route but this time I had OS maps on my I Phone and when Martin, Tom, Ken, and Peter all insisted I was on the wrong route I was able to look at my phone and clearly see exactly where we were. Reluctantly they took my word for it and then when it was proved I was right they apologised. Thank you Apple. Look at this blog from 2007. http://ardlui.blogspot.com/2007/12/toms-65th-birthday.html