A Walk at Westwater

It has been a while since we had a Last of the Summer Wine Walk so today we headed to Westwater to do a circuit of the valley that is now a forest instead of a sheep farm. The three of us Peter, Tom and myself kept Socially Distanced and thoroughly enjoyed our 6 mile walk.

Once the trees grow a bit more there will be less to see but because the forestry road is quite high up then we should always see the summit of the hills

Near the farm buildings at Westwater we met these Donkeys that are looked after by the owners of Westwater and are in excellent condition.

Tom and Peter Socially Distanced

And still Socially Distanced although they swopped sides as Tom is deaf in his right ear and cannot hear what Peter was saying

A lovely sunny morning and we completed our walk just before a heavy shower of rain

The wind Turbines at The Craig in Westerkirk just poking their heads over the skyline

 The lovely donkeys. There were 5 of them in total and they were in the company of a single sheep who seemed to be the leader of the gang but it was past me by the time I got my camera out.

Gardens and Donkeys at Westwater

Tom and I have walked the valley at Westwater 3 times in the last 6 years but Peter has never done it so we headed there today. We soon met Mrs. Clapperton from Westwater who delighted in showing us her Woodland Garden. Over the last few years she has planted Tree Ferns, Bamboo, and various other trees and shrubs. This has been such a wet summer so the area is very wet and muddy but the ferns have thrived as a result of this.  

The gardens at Westwater are open to the public under the Scottish Gardens Scheme several times during the year.

An old Urn in the Woodland Garden 

The family also have several Donkeys on the farm. They were quite a long way away today. 

These are the wind turbines at Westerkirk 

Peter and Tom well wrapped up for the cold wind blowing down the valley 

This is the plantation of trees taken today and the photo below was taken in April 2015. It wont be long before all we see when walking up this valley will be trees. 

Peter looking after me

Some large tubs have been put in at the garden at Westwater

After our walk we had a nice lunch at Whitshiels Cafe where Tom tried out the garden furniture

Westwater Farm and a walk up the Valley

Only Niall, Tom, and myself today so when we met at 9.30am Tom suggested a walk up the valley on forestry roads at Westwater Farm especially as Niall had never walked there. Tom and I last walked there in April 2015 but the rate at which the trees are growing will mean that in a few years time you wont see anything because of the trees. This is the lovely garden which is very sheltered and not easy to see from the road. It is open regularly for the public to visit and well worth a visit. 

There are loads of animals running around including Peacocks, Hens, Donkeys, and loads of Dogs. The Dogs were chasing the Peacocks who were in turn chased by the Donkeys. It was a very friendly and happy place to spend a few minutes of our time. Many thanks to the couple who own it and apologies for not asking their names.  

The mist came down and a fine drizzle started so the photographs are not very good. This is the deciduous trees which are growing much slower than the conifers. 

Tom and Niall dressed for the weather.

This is the head of the valley 

This is the other side of the valley and the route we went. 

Another view of our route up the valley 

Tom was a big hit with the Donkeys at the farm

There were six Donkeys all there as pets not as a Donkey sanctuary.
We ended our walk with lunch in the Buccleuch Centre.