A Walk at Irving House Before it Changes for Ever

Todays Thursday walk took Mike, Charlie, and myself to Irving House just 4 miles south of Langholm. We decided we wanted to have a last good look at it before Buccleuch Estates starts building 142 Chalets there for a holiday complex. It is up for planning permission at the moment so if passed work will probably commence next year and it will change for ever. It should be successful as it is a lovely place and it will help Langholm to prosper. This is the river Esk passing by the front of the old house.

The fishing at Irving House is probably one of the best stretches on the Esk.

Irving House has stood empty for over 15 years so it is good that it will be occupied again in the future. The House will be the head office of the complex and also a restaurant.

This used to be where a line was attached to a boat that was used for fishers

The path running between the river and the house and gardens is beautiful so hopefully the public will still be able to use it in the future.

Lovely stone steps leading from the lawn which used to be a tennis court down to the river

The river Tarras joins the Esk at this place.

Charlie on the steps from where the Tennis Court used to be.

Mike discovered this Fungi called Clavaria amethystina which grows in old lawns and parks between July and November. It is quite rare and very unusual.

The old house which despite being empty for so long is still in a fairly good condition.

Two old Ewe trees forming an arch on the path near the house.

The path was covered in  Acorns from the many Oak trees

One of the huge Oak trees in the field where 71 chalets will be built so we hope they don't get rid of this lovely tree which must be many hundreds of years old.

 

Tom's Birthday Walk on Border Abbey Way

This was Tom's Birthday Walk and we did a section of The Border Abbey Way between Lindean and Melrose. We had actually done the same route but slightly longer in 2007 and when we started at 8.45am it had been -8C and at the finish in Melrose it was -3C. Thankfully it was a lot milder today and luckily the rain stayed away until we were on our way home to Langholm where it had rained all day. This is Tom dishing out his quota of Toffee to all the walkers. 

We walked past Melrose rugby ground which I think is the nicest rugby ground in the UK.

Suspension bridge over the Tweed at Melrose

Plenty of Fungi on the route

Melrose Bowling Club and a regular green visited by Langholm Old Bowling Club every September for a Pairs Tournament but regrettably I have never played on it. That might change next season as I might have to play there in The Champion of Champions competition as I won the Langholm Old Championship this season.

I think this may be Dere Street but am not sure

The Tweed at Melrose

The Birthday Boy with Martin, Peter, Ken, Sandria and John

Wherever you are in this area you can always see the Eildon Hills

More Fungi. Specially taken for Mr. Tootlepedal who is particularly fond of Fungi. 
During this walk we again had a friendly argument about the route but technology has come on a long way since 2007. Then we only had an OS Map when we argued about the route but this time I had OS maps on my I Phone and when Martin, Tom, Ken, and Peter all insisted I was on the wrong route I was able to look at my phone and clearly see exactly where we were. Reluctantly they took my word for it and then when it was proved I was right they apologised. Thank you Apple. Look at this blog from 2007. http://ardlui.blogspot.com/2007/12/toms-65th-birthday.html

Another Walk round Castle Loch

We were last round Castle Loch at Lochmaben exactly 2 years ago when there were 12 of us on a Birthday Walk. It was only 3 of us today for this lovely walk but it was dry and we enjoyed the 5 miles walk.

Its been a great year for Fungi and this was growing on the side of a tree next to the Loch.

I reckon these trees blown over were the result of Storm Ali a couple of weeks ago. Here 3 trees were uprooted all at the same time. They look to have a very shallow root system. 

This is the view of them from the other side.

Another very colourful Fungi 

Tom and John enjoying themselves 

We spent 15 minutes in the bird hide and this is the view from it.  

The walk goes past Lochmaben Castle

The route took us through this ploughed field but the farmer had kindly left a clear track for walkers as its a right of way

As we approached Lochmaben we headed through the Golf Course which was quite busy today

We finished our walk with a lunch in the cafe attached to the Bakers shop. a lovely walk in good company with nice mild weather and we managed to beat the rain which came in the afternoon but did not stay for long.