Catkins and Snowdrops on The Annandale Way

Today my walk with Mike took us to Annan for a walk on the Annandale Way up one side of the river to Brydekirk and then back down the opposite side. We soon arrived at the spot where the first of 2 pedestrian bridges were washed away in the November floods.

The broken bridges still lie in the river, hidden from view today but the townsfolk hope they will eventually be replaced

Further up river is the second bridge.

As on all walks with Mike I learn a lot about the Flora we meet on our walk. Today we passed loads of Catkins of various varieties. The flowers are not out yet and the pollen is not quite ready to do it’s job.

The river Annan from the bridge in the town.

The Coll just up from Annan. This photo was taken on the way back from the opposite bank. There were 5     Goosanders fishing just below the Coll so there must have been plenty of small fish about. 

A Male Goosander

A Female Goosander

The 2 of them together. There were another 3 fishing but getting them all together in the same camera shot was impossible.

Further along the river on the way back we came upon this great hole in the bank where a tree had been.

And this was the tree. A huge Oak blown down by the November gale.

There were loads of Snowdrops about and Mike spotted a very special group of them.

This is a double Snowdrop and it really has a beautiful head that you don't notice until you look under it.

Near Brydekirk there is a small hut beside the river and a wire that stretches to the other bank. I have seen the same thing on the Esk near Canonbie. When we were returning on the opposite bank we saw this guy working with a devise that was obviously going to be swung across the river in the water. We waited for ages to see what he was doing but he was in no hurry so we went on our way. We think it is a way to test water samples but we remain still a bit unsure. 

John Muir Trail to Dunbar

We travelled to Edinburgh for a visit to John and Sandria. The journey up was tough going with gale force winds but we made it despite a lorry blown over at Soutra and a few trees falling over part of the road. Ken joined John and myself for the last section of the John Muir Trail into Dunbar a walk of about 4.5 miles. Luckily we had the gale force wind behind us and it really helped us along.

The winter wheat is coming along nicely.

In a field by the side of the path was a lot of Swans.

There are still a lot of wartime defence barriers by the side of the shore.

It was in incoming tide and very choppy.

Ken and John struggling in the wind.

Crossing one of the several bridges.

This field is on the farm where I came to Dunbar in 1968 for the Boys Brigade Camp at a place called called Hedderwick Hill Farm.

On the beach and heading for the bridge to nowhere.

The Bridge to nowhere over the River Tyne at Dunbar. We did the walk in no time at all thanks to the gale force wind in our backs and it was a splendid walk that brought back memories of my 4 annual camps with the BB in Dunbar.

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.

 

A Walk to Grune Point at Silloth with Mike

Mike and I made plans a week ago to go to Silloth for a walk today as he had never walked to Grune Point before. We could not have got a better day as it was wall to wall sunshine all day. It was a wee bit nippy at the start but we were soon in sunshine and even had lunch sitting on rocks next to the beach in the sun.

An incoming tide and loads of birds on the shoreline. 

At Grune Point we had a lovely view of the low frequency transmitters at Anthorn.

At a sheltered spot near the shore this wild flower in full bloom in mid January.

Anthorn in the distance across the inlet.

Criffel at the other side of the Solway in Scotland

Loads of Oystercatchers all waiting to go to Langholm to annoy us all summer.

There was plenty of Gorse in full bloom and it is very colourful for January. 

Getting close to high tide

Another Oystercatcher waiting for the tide to recede so it can start feeding.