A Walk in Two Valleys

 

This morning my Wednesday walk with Tom and Niall was to start at Ewes Hall and followed the Meikledale Burn going up on the left hand side and coming back down on the right hand side. David unfortunately had to give this walk a miss as he had double booked with an important meeting. We were very fortunate that the rain had gone and even at times the sun appeared. There are signs of new tree planting in various parts of the walk. The official Meikledale walk (No 14) in the Langholm Walks Booklet is about 9 miles but we were only doing the lower 3 miles part of it up and down the burn. Age and Infirmity has reduced our Wednesday walk from an average of 8 miles 10 and more years ago to an average of about 4 miles these days. I also think in that time the hills have got steeper. 

This was an old barn or shelter from many years ago.

More new planting and the quarry used to provide stone for the improved forestry road.

This bridge at Burngrains is not very safe but adequate for the job of crossing the Meikledale Burn if you go carefully. If this had been a part of Langholm Walks network it would have had to be wider, and have handrails, but it has no part to play in the official Meikledale Walk.

Tom and Niall cross the Meikledale Burn very carefully

A good view of the Meikledale Burn.

The improved forestry road going up the valley.

Gaining in height on the way up the valley.

After lunch in the Buccleuch Centre I had to take Gaye up to Bentpath to see a friend so I took the opportunity to complete a walk I had started a few weeks ago on the same visitation. This is the track beyond Glendinning on the way to the Bothy at Greensykes. 

The bridge half a mile above Glendinning and it has certainly seen better days.

It has been patched up since I was last here over 6 years ago and must occasionally take the odd quad bike over it but I doubt if anything bigger can go over these days.

There is a house up the road that crosses this bridge, but I don't think anybody lives in that house now.

I have walked up this old road and track on a circular walk to Greensykes Bothy many times over the years, but it's a bit too far nowadays.

I only walked a mile in the afternoon but it reminded me of many enjoyable walks in past years. I went back down the road that follows the Meggat water and enjoyed a lovely afternoon cup of tea with Gaye and Wilma at Bentpath.