The Canonbie (Overgrown) Walk

The plan for todays walk was to do a circuit of 6 miles and finish with afternoon tea at the Canonbie Community Cafe. It had been hoped that David would join us but unfortunately he had meetings all day. He must get his retirement priorities right in the future and leave Wednesdays free. It is a while since we went to the Meeting of the Waters and the path is now very overgrown and difficult in places. It used to be maintained for fishermen but that no longer seems to be the case.  

A landslip at the Deed Nook may have the people who own houses at the cliff top worried as it looks as if more could slip into the river. 

A new set of steps has been put in just along from the Deed Nook as part of the banking had been swept away in the December floods. Hopefully these ones wont be affected by future flooding. 

The place where the old steps used to be.

With no grass being cut on the paths they are now becoming very difficult to use. 

Across the Esk is the very imposing Woodhouselees.

This time it is Thistles that is causing John a problem. 

The Liddell skewed viaduct separating Scotland from England 

On the old section of railway line to Rowanburn the trees have been cleared now allowing views of the small valley. 

To settle an argument about when the trees were planted Tom decided to count the circles of a large tree. It had about 35 rings so the trees were planted in the early 80s. At the end of the walk we had afternoon tea at the Canonbie Community Cafe where 3 pots of tea (3cups in each), 3 scones and 3 slices of excellent cake came to an astonishing £7.20 in total. This surely is the best bargain for afternoon tea in the country and served by volunteers in a very friendly manner.