The Skylark Road

Once a year i try to walk the old Drove road from Kerr wood to Old Irvine. This used to be open ground but in the last few years there has been extensive forestry planted and eventually it will be all trees on the north side of the road and on some parts of the south side. This is the start of my walk looking back towards Kerr with a collection of wind turbines in the background.

Half way along the walk is the only burn on the route.

This is the south side of the road and a perfect habitat for the many Skylarks that sang to me the entire time I was on the walk.

Another view of the south side of the track.

The long straight road looking back from Old Irvine. Not sure what these wild flowers are but Mike Tinker will eventually advise me.

Newly planted young trees on the north side of the road. At the moment it is still a perfect habitat for ground nesting birds and Skylarks in particular but in a few years time that habitat will be lost as the trees mature. 

Looking back towards my car parked at Kerr road end.

Some more mature trees with the wind turbines in the background

As straight as a die for about 1.75 miles 

More wild flowers and a view towards the hills of Cumbria

A selection of wild flowers.

The last remaining area on  the north side of the road now planted.

Looking north toward the Langholm Monument on Whita Hill

 

A New Local Walk

In the last 2 years most of my walking has been near Langholm or within a 6 mile radius of Langholm. Today I decided to try a walk I had never done before. When you consider that I have walked for every day over almost 2 years there are a very few new walks. Looking on my OS maps on my Laptop last night I selected this triangular walk near Kerr. I have often done the old Drove Road to Old Irving but never the other way. It's a 3 sided triangle of minor roads for about 4.5 miles. They go through Moors, Forest, Hills, Marsh,  Fields and the most striking thing I noticed was the mile after mile of beautiful Beech Hedges all in perfect condition after an autumn trim. 

On the first section of the triangle there are many fallen trees as a result of the end of November Storm Arwen.

There is a lot of Conifers planted on the hillsides with Deciduous trees on the edges. In a few years time you will see nothing but trees and no hillsides.

A lovely profile of a large tree.

The road over the Tomshielburn

Loads of wind turbines on the horizon on the first leg of the triangle

Loads of fallen trees.

Yet more wind turbines

Mile upon mile of perfect Beech Hedges. If it was a local farmer keeping them trim then he has done a great job and is to be congratulated.

Trees up by their roots

Whita Hill with Langholm Monument and also Tennis Hill on the third leg of the triangle.

The Solway in the distance on leg 2 of the triangle

Lots of new deciduous trees

Moorland and Forest in the distance.

Side 3 of the triangle and more hedges perfectly manicured

Back at the start near the entrance to the Drove Road to Old Irving. A most enjoyable 90 minute walk during which I met 1 car, 2 cyclists, and 2 runners. There was so much to see and I will do it again when all the Beech Hedges are green. This photo was actually taken at the start of my walk.

 

Downhill All The Way

In our efforts to get Tom back to fitness this weeks Wednesday walk would be just under 5 miles and the longest yet for Tom. We did the 2 car trick and left Peter's car at Hollows and took mine to the Kerr wood. We followed the old Drove Road to Old Irving and then along the old A7. It was downhill all the way and the west to east direction was very fortunate as the driving rain and wind was at our backs and not in our face. It was not wet for too long and we finished the walk with lunch in The Buccleuch Centre.

Facing into the wind and rain on the old road.

The area all round this old road is now being planted with trees so in a few years time there will be loads of trees and no moorland views 

Soon it will be all trees. 

From the old A7 looking up the Esk to Irving House