Trees, Trees, and more Trees at Westwater

Today we only had Tom and myself on our walk so we decided to stay local and headed for Callister to walk up the valley at Wastewater Farm. Leaving the car at the forestry road end near the house at the top of Callister we headed up the valley. It was a perfect spring morning and Tom even donned his shorts for the walk so that shows how warm it was. Good job we never met anybody as Tom in his shorts is not the finest of sights to meet on a walk.  

This used to be a sheep farm but a few years ago it was sold to someone who is now developing it for forestry. Walking today you can still see the hills and small valleys but in a few years you will be walking among tall trees and will see nothing else. 

The head of the valley and the small trees which will soon spoil the views. Tom a joy to behold in his shorts.

We came upon these puddles full of Frog spawn and Tadpoles. The one on the left was almost dry so we moved the Frog spawn to the other pool in the hope it will get a chance to survive. If there is no rain in the next few days this pool also will dry up and that will be the end of the Tadpoles. There were several puddles like this on the forestry road and they were all teaming with Tadpoles.

This line of trees had all been blown over at the same time 

This wee fellow was on its own in a field and what could have been its mother was a long way away. We hoped it was OK but no doubt the shepherd will be checking the fields later in the day.

Near Westwater Farm was a field of Donkeys and they really are a beautiful collection of animals in excellent condition

Near the farm there is a lot of building going on. We think this is a new project connected with the breeding of birds for the Falconry trade in the Middle East. We don't know what this circular framework is for but it could be a large exercise area for the Raptors. No doubt time will tell and we can visit again in the future. 

Wastewater Farm from the main road. A lovely 7 mile walk on a glorious day topped of at the finish with lunch in the Buccleuch Centre.