A Lazy Sheep

On my way to Bentpath on Thursday to meet up with Mike Tinker for a walk up Stennieswater I was delayed near Burnfoot by these sheep being moved from one field to another. I was happy to wait behind them as its a lovely sight.

Suddenly one of the sheep flopped down and refused to move so the young Shepherd picked it up and lifted it over his head onto his shoulder. He then carried it along the road for a few hundred yards and when the came to the field entrance he set it back down and it happily joined the rest of the flock. It never even thanked him for the lift. I am happy to report that this photograph has been accepted by BBC Scotland and is now on their weekly guest photograph website. Just being in the right place at the right time makes the difference. It was taken through the car windscreen on my I Phone SE. I met up with Mike at Crooks and we had an enjoyable walk. 

 

This is the farmer from Effgill and we had a very enjoyable conversation with him about the joys of remote hill farming. He then recognised Mike as having been his GP many years ago.

A Sheep Stell in one of the side valleys

A Hawthorn coming into full green and one of the few that have got any foliage on yet as everything is later this year.

This is a beautiful valley with loads of deciduous trees planted along it. They are still not showing much green on them yet but another week or two will see a greta transformation here.

A Rowanburn Circuit

Tom, David and myself had our fourth walk of the month on another sunny but very cold day. This time we started at Rowanburn for a 4.5 mile walk up to Rowanburnhead and round by the Fairy Loup and Canonbie along the old A7. Ruger was very well behaved and only once disappeared into somebody's garden. He did not steel anything from the kitchen this time but that has happened in the past. Whenever we pass this Tin Man we have to take a photograph. He must be sick of me and my camera.

Foe some reason the photos have not uploaded onto my blog in the order I took them and this is the almost completed new Sewage Works outside Canonbie with the final landscaping being completed.

Round by the Fairly Loup and this is just above the waterfall with David and Tom thinking about attempting the tree bridge over the burn. Wisely they decided not to cross.

A Muscovy Duck in the burn at Rowanburnhead Farm. A most enjoyable 2 hour walk in good company. 

 

Up to Arresgill and Back

This was our destination today from a start at Wauchope Schoolhouse. It was a 5.5 mile round trip on mostly forestry roads. This is what used to be the farm at Arresgill but now its all forestry and the house is the home of our local GPs

The area is being heavily planted with conifers and new forestry roads have been made to get access to the new areas about to be planted. On our way back we met a small truck with 2 Portaloos on the back so these days the tree planters get all mod cons.

There are still a few sheep and lambs about mostly in the lower part of the valley and they will be the property of the farmer at Cleuchfoot.

The half way point and time for a Coffee

Ruger leading the way for a while like his pal Bowman used to do. He is not as efficient as Bowman and quite easily gets led astray if there is an interesting smell that distracts him.

One of the 2 Forestry wagons we met on our walk. It was a very pleasant walk lasting about 2.5 hours and the conversation was top class so the world has been well and truly put to right.

 

Baby Blackbird Flies the Nest in Graham Garden

 Great entertainment in the Graham garden tonight as the first of our baby Blackbirds fledges the nest.

Back Walking With David

It seems such a long time since David, Tom and myself last walked together but with restrictions easing slightly we are back doing a regular 4 mile walk. This one started at Rowanburn and involved walking along the old railway line and then through the Brighton plantation. This is where Tom allocated our supply of Toffees. Ruger is licking his lips in anticipation but was to be disappointed. 

I do like a newly ploughed field and this one looks particularly attractive.

This is Canonbie station which was at Rowanburn and must have caused a lot of confusion. 

The road between Canonbie and Rowanburn was planted with Daffodils a few years ago and at this time of the year is particularly attractive.

These twin Lambs just look to be a few hours old and are a grand tonic at this time of the year. 

This was our route and it was a most enjoyable couple of hours with Coffee and Chocolate Cake provided by Gaye enjoyed at the seat at the Deed Nook Pool near Canonbie Kirk.