Snowed off in Selkirk so Broomholmshiels Instead

We decided last night to postpone our Selkirk walk as the forecast for the area we were planning to walk was for severe snow storms. We were delighted however that Peter made it up from Carlisle to walk with Tom and me. They are admiring the Dragons in Buccleuch Park

Enough snow to make it look good in a photo but to be honest we have been lucky and missed the worst of it. Peter says there was none in Carlisle.

Tom wishes he was back in Barbados and after a few good arguments so do we

We do enjoy going for our lunch at Whitshiels and always get an excellent welcome. They have almost finished the new Log Cabin and are now improving the look of the Cafe.

From Claygate to Langholm via Howgillcleuch

We had a later start today but the weather was perfect for our 8 mile walk from Claygate back to Langholm via Howgillcleuch. This used to be a very popular walk at The Walking Festival but it was 2 miles longer then and started in Canonbie.This photo was taken at Orchard Farm and you can just see Langholm Monument above Tom's shoulder

This is one of the fields before Howgillcleuch where they appear to be cutting the rushes. It certainly gives it an interesting affect

White hill and the Monument in the distance 

This is the cottage at Howgillcleuch which has been empty for many years but we spoke to a family who are in the process of doing it up and they plan to move in this year. It is one of the remotest cottages in the area but a beautiful place to live if you like isolation.

From the cottage we move down into the Tarras valley where Tom decided we should stop for a refreshment.

We soon had a stream to cross and this always causes problems for old men but because we are now classed as Middle Aged until we reach 79 then it presented no problems to us. 

In the Tarras valley we come to this bridge which bans Bungee jumpers which was a big disappointment to us Middle Aged men.

Will it hold them both 

Near Cronksbank bridge there is this area of long grasses of the type used in thatching and also a wonderful place for wild life. The Tarras valley and the Langholm Moor is probably the best place in mainland Britain to watch Hen Harriers and right on cue a Female Hen Harrier flew past us as we neared the edge of Langholm Moor. We finished our walk at Whitshiels Cafe and arrived just 15 minutes before closing time but the soon had us looked after with a lovely meal and we were back out in 30 minutes. Great service and with a smile as well.

The Canonbie Umbrella Walk Route

Tom choose todays walk at Canonbie because he wanted to check the route for the Rotary Umbrella Walk on 25th March. We were delighted to meet John Packer as we walked through Canonbie and he took this photo as well as giving us all a lot of cheek.  

As we walked along the bank of the Liddle this bird was seen on a tree on the other side of the river. It was not good for taking a photo as I was looking right into the sun. I think it was a Buzzard. 

John and Peter try a seat on Alastair Davies's seat

Followed by Tom who insisted on having his lunch and of course he was the only one eating as nobody else had brought anything to eat.

The River Esk as it joins the Liddle 

The set of steps at this point down to the river have had to be moved as the riverbank at the old site 20 yards away was being washed away. Hopefully they will be safe here.

Canonbie Kirk where I used to ring the bell occasionally as a boy when I helped my friend Robert Irving

This is just below the Deed Nook Pool where part of the rock Cliff has fallen into the river. Another dry and very pleasant Wednesday walk finished off with lunch in the Whitshiels Cafe back in Langholm.