My Birthday Walk at Oxenholme

Todays Wednesday walk was my Birthday Walk so we needed something a bit special so I picked a walk from Oxenholme Station in the Lake District. This is about 9 miles long and takes you on a route between the M6 and the A6 although neither of these roads were visible much. The Edinburgh contingent were on the same train that we caught at Carlisle with the exception of Martin who arrived 30 minutes earlier in Oxenholme. It started to rain lightly as we left the station and the rain continued for most of the day although it was never heavy and on several occasions stopped for on average 30 minutes at a time. I have to say that as much as I enjoy walking in England the walks are never straightforward and you need good map reading skills and good instructions to follow. It is because of rights of way and many farmers who wont allow access over their land so you have to detour. This never happens in Scotland and walks here seem to be much easier to follow.

Kendal in the distance and on a good day this would have been a superb view.

At the furthest away point from the station we came upon this Quaker Burial Ground with only a couple of gravestones in it. 

Lunch and Martin and Tom have stopped speaking to each other. Martin's map reading was first class but even he managed to take us a wrong way twice. Tom for once kept quiet and as a result of his silence we had few problems with map reading.

We passed through several meadows full of Buttercups and this one had at least 6 white horses in it. 

A small lake surrounded by meadows and on a good day this would have been a much better photo.
We stopped at the Station Inn at Oxenholme Station for a pint and a blether at 3.00pm and caught the 16.06 train back to Carlisle where the Edinburgh contingent changed trains 15 minutes later for Edinburgh. A good walk despite the weather.

Birthday Lunch and a Walk

Today was my 67th Birthday and at 9.00am 4 of the last of the Summer Wine lads met at no 63 for their Wednesday walk at Appleby. This time I did not go with them as Gaye had had her 2nd dose of chemotherapy on Monday so I felt it was better to stay and keep an eye on her just in case there were any unpleasant side effects. She had promised to take me for lunch so that was a bonus. We headed to the small Garden Centre on Brampton Road near Longtown and had a nice lunch followed by a visit to Talkin Tarn. The photos above shows Talkin Tarn at its best in glorious sunshine.

While I walked round the Tarn Gaye sat in the sun reading a good book. She is looking good despite 4 hours of chemotherapy on Monday and I am happy to report the nasty side effects have not appeared as a result of the many pills she has to take between Monday and Thursday.

She had these guys to keep her company.

Somebody has lost this rather nice hat so hopefully they will find it on this wall where I placed it.

The Last of the Summer Wine Walkers in Appleby area this morning.

Gatehouse of Fleet Walk in Cally Estate

We decided to go a bit further afield today especially as the weather was looking so good so we headed off to Gatehouse of Fleet and the Cally Estate. This was a walk 3 of us did 2 years ago but it was new for Niall and Peter. This photo is taken in front of the Cally Palace Hotel overlooking the Lake and Golf Course.

The Bluebells were everywhere and almost at their best plus the fresh green spring foliage was splendid. 

The Beach at Sandgreen with high tide due just as we stopped for lunch. A bit early in the season as the beach was totally deserted.

Lunch by the sea.

On the second half of the walk we passed by this old churchyard at a village called Girthon.
This tree is just coming into leaf and provided  a rather nice photograph.

The old walls of the church were covered with these purple flowers

Back in the woods near the Cally Pallace Hotel we found this old Gothic Folly called the Temple.
This roofless folly with its battlements and faux windows was built in the grounds as a ruin in 1778 by the owner of the estate, James Murray of Broughton.

Near the end of the walk and a pose among the Bluebells seemed to be the right thing to do. A superb walk of almost 9 miles in lovely woodland and with Bluebells everywhere. After almost 4 hours of walking we headed home after afternoon tea in Castle Douglas.

Aberdeen via Two Bridges

This past weekend we headed to Newmacher just north of Aberdeen to visit Gaye's friend Collett who she has known since her schooldays in Dalbeattie. We travelled by train via Edinburgh and the journey north on Friday was spectacular with sunshine most of the way. When we arrived at Dyce Station it started to rain and it never stopped until late evening Sunday night and on our return journey it was once again a nice day. The only time I had my camera out was when we were going over the Tay and Forth Railway bridges and to take a photo of Gaye & Collett on Sunday night. The girls did a lot of shopping and talking but it was so wet I was hardly over the doorstep and did a lot of reading, eating, (Collett is a fantastic cook), and watching sport on TV. This is the Tay Bridge taken from the train. I should add that the return journey was just £34 for the both of us so it was a bargain until we got to Edinburgh Waverley on the return journey to find the Carlisle train had been cancelled so we quickly headed to the Bus Station and caught the X95 to Langholm.

The Forth Bridge taken on the return journey.

Collett and Gaye late evening on Sunday when the sun came out for a few moments before it disappeared again. We did however enjoy our break despite the awful weather.

Return of Niall

Niall has returned to Langholm after his 3 month spell in Australia to join us for the first time since Christmas. He is fresh from completing a 3 day trek on the famous Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia and was keen to do Scotland's most famous trek namely the Potholm Trail. As we were advised by the weather man it was going to be a wet afternoon we opted for a short 5 mile walk today and this also enabled us to attend the retirement party at the Buccleuch Centre for Hilary Jack, who retires today.  

The Bluebells are much earlier this year and in about a week these ones will be spectacular.

These also are looking good and will soon be in full display probably 3 weeks ahead of schedule

On return to Langholm we took a walk round the old school playing field where they are completing the task of making it an all weather surface. We met a local gentleman connected with Langholm Rugby Club and he was commenting on how he thinks it is a waste of money and will never be used, almost with a hint of pleasure in his voice. I wish locals would be more positive and look on the bright side of things instead of being so negative. It is a great asset for the community and with correct management and planning should be used as much as possible.

Retiring Manager of the Buccleuch Centre Hilary with Last of the Summer Winer David at her retirement  tea this afternoon.

Esk Walk with Mrs. Horsburgh from Selkirk

Evelyn Horsburgh from Selkirk has attended every Langholm Walking Festival since they started in 2002 and is also a Patron of the Buccleuch Centre. Many months ago she asked me if she could walk the River Esk as she had heard it was particularly attractive. We fixed a date long in advance and today with a friend she headed down to Langholm on the bus from Selkirk to be met by myself, Tom, and John. The weather was good and we were soon at Canonbie and started the 7.5 mile walk back to Langholm.

Mrs. Horsburgh with her friend Heather and John and Tom

A nice view of the River Esk from high up the bank. This walk is very spectacular in places but you do need a guide to help you find the right way.

These were growing out of a dung heap at Hollows Mill. Would appreciate it if somebody could tell me what they are.

The 2 ladies at Hollows Mill Dam

At the end of the walk as we approached Skippers Bridge this lady was seen in the middle of the river netting in the shallows. Not sure who she was or what she was doing but I am sure she was legitimate and not poaching.

A Visit to St James's Park

As an Easter Sunday Lunch treat Fiona booked us all lunch at St. James's Park the home of Newcastle United. This was paid for by her Father in Law Han and was a huge success. It was great value for money and included a tour of the stadium. Leo really enjoyed himself but I think that was more to do with the Ice Cream and free Easter Eggs.

The stadium holds over 52,000 supporters

The Home team dressing room. The visitors dressing room is much smaller.

Lunch in the Magpie Suite

Two very excited boys and even Gaye enjoyed herself

Most of the players jerseys hanging up were for foreign players

What a bowl of Ice Cream but he managed to eat the lot.