Tom's Back From Barbados

After 10 days in Barbados staying with David and Alix Tom arrived back yesterday and just felt like a shorter local walk today. On looking at the weather forecast for Canonbie last night we reckoned we would have a 2 hour window of decent weather between 10.00am and noon. The forecast was spot on and the rain came on heavily just as we got back into the car after shopping at The Phone Box in Rowanburn at noon. We managed 5 miles with no rain.

I wanted a nice clean road walk as I had just purchased a new pair of walking boots yesterday so we kept on B roads and then down through the old road past The Fairy Loup. It was a bitterly cold wind and in our face for the first couple of miles but we soon got shelter when we went through the wood. We only met one other walker so the weather looked to be putting most people off.  

Tom Looking well wrapped up but also quite tanned after his holiday

As usual after our local walks we head for Whitshiels Cafe where we are made most welcome. They are just finalising the third Log Cabin and it should be ready for Easter. Its a superb place to stay for a short break. 

Another Walk in Gelt Valley

In the absence of Tom, who is in Barbados for 10 days and has e mailed me twice to say it is raining we headed to Aglionby to walk with Peter. I collected John and Sandria at Carlisle station of the Edinburgh train which arrived bang on time and we had morning coffee and hot scones at Peter and Elizabeth's. 

We left the ladies to go for a short walk to Talkin Tarn and we travelled the short distance to The Gelt Woods near Brampton for a walk along the river Gelt. It is very spectacular with fast flowing water through solid rock riverbed worn smooth in places. 

Very fast flowing channels of water through the rock

 

With several deep pools

This section has a walkway beside the river, but one slip and you could be in the fast flowing deep water

After our 4 mile walk we met the girls at The Royal Oak at Scotby for an excellent lunch. It was a perfect day in great company and with excellent hospitality from Peter and Elizabeth. We did miss Tom and look forward to having him back with us on our walks soon.

Another Potholm Walk

Tom decided he had only time today to do a short local walk as he is getting ready to fly off to Barbados on Friday morning. I take him to Carlisle Station at 5.15am for the 6.22am train to Manchester Airport. Its just over a year since we did this walk on New Year's Day 2019 so we thought we should do it again. The wind was on our backs for the first half of the walk but in our face for the second half and it was fierce and cold. 

A selfie on the seat near Potholm farm. 

A good view of the outward section of the walk to Potholm

Tom wanted to do a Tarzan and swing on a vine but it broke. 

At the meeting of the waters in Langholm. His next walk beside water will be on a beach in Barbados. I can look forward to peace and quiet for 10 days and our walk next Wednesday at The Gelt Woods near Brampton will be argument free and nobody will get lost.

There was a Raptor on this tree but it flew away just as I was about to take the photograph.
We enjoyed the walk and finished up at The Buccleuch Centre for a lovely lunch.

Hogmanay Dinner and New Years Day Walk

The Last of the Summer Wine Walkers meet up again for dinner on Hogmanay in The Douglas Hotel. We had drinks at Ardlui prior to this with Champagne kindly provided by David and then finished up at Birkwood to see in the New Year. It was a most enjoyable evening in excellent company. 

New Years Day and instead of an early start to walk round Potholm and finish along with the runners on the New Years Day Whisky run we started as they finished. As Bowman is getting too old for a long walk Alix started later than us and met us near Jenny Nobles to walk back with us. It was timed perfectly and Bowman was delighted to be back with his walking pals and lead the way. 

At the Round House and notice how Bowman has had a real clipping.

Ready for a treat from Alix

At Broomholmshiels and half way 

John and Elspeth

Christmas at Ardlui

Leo's Harry Potter Cushion

Hannah's Activities Cushion

Due to me picking up a virus on Sunday that affected my balance we were unable to travel to Newcastle for Christmas as planned, but Fiona and family came to us on Boxing Day with all the Christmas Dinner leftovers. Leo is delighted with the Harry Potter cushion Granny Gaye has made him and Hannah was also pleased with her Activities cushion even if one word is spelt wrong. That is a cushion made for each of our 5 grandchildren in the last few months. 

Tom came round on Boxing Day morning and managed to beat Leo at this game but Leo reckons it was luck more than skill. 

Hannah is growing fast so a photograph with Granny was called for to compare heights

We think she was standing on tiptoes. This is the same photo as above but a second later and suddenly Hannah is taller than Granny

A Walk Round Whita

It's many years since we did a Wednesday Walk round Whita. Thats maybe because its almost 10 miles right round so this week we used 2 cars to shorten the walk for us old men. We left one car at The Kiln Green, although the plan was to leave it at Whitshiels Cafe, but they have another Log Cabin arriving today. We then drove to the Tarras Bridge near Cronksbank  and walked back to Langholm via Middlemoss a distance of about 6 miles. We finished with our usual lunch at Whitshiels Cafe where we are made very welcome. This is the view of Whita and the Munument during the 10 minutes the sunn came out.

This cottage is called Rashiel and it is where the present Duke of Buccleuch spent part of his honeymoon.

John thinks this photo makes him and Tom look younger but I think its Tom's new hat that has made the difference. We had a grand walk made special by the arrival of a herd of over 20 wild goats. They quickly crossed our path and disappeared before I managed to get my phone out of my pocket. You will just have to take our word that they were there. This is my 1000th Blog Post since I started in 2007. It has solved many an argument with the lads about when we walked at a certain place and shows everybody how many walks we have done all over the country. When I get time I will publish a few of my favourite photographs from these years of walking. 

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