Wigtownshire Ramblers Torrs Warren to Sandhead May 2013

Saturday the 18th of May 2013.

After a couple of weeks break I'm back walking with the ramblers.

Here's the report.

We met at the start, it rained, we walked, it rained, we had lunch, it rained, we again walked and tramped through water, it rained. We had scones and tea and coffee.

If you want to read a bit more, there's some stuff at the bottom I made up for the papers. Ha ha. 

A sweetie break

A happy group photo

The problem I had with my new small camera for rainy days was that I got it wet.

Because of the lens misting up, some of the photo's I took in the Woodlea Tea Rooms at Sandhead have looked better as pencil sketches.

Must be a good joke !

Seriously !

Smile, yer on Candid Camera

I'll finish with Curly, Larry and Mo..........work out who's who yourselves.

Next up are the MOUNTAINS OF MOURNE

 Saturday the 18th of May 2013.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Walk Report.

On a very wet morning, 12 ramblers gathered at the Bareagle Car Park,Torrs Warren for the walk.

The forecast was for rain and more rain.The start of the walk took them east through the plantation.

After a couple of kilometres a right turn led to the edge of the forest and grassy dunes. A left turn along an undulating sandy path led to Ringdoo Point. The plantation helps to stabilise the dune system at the back of Luce Bay - the dunes themselves are part of the military range and were recently in use during the Joint Warrior military exercise. A late arrival boosted the attendance to thirteen.

Upon reaching Ringdoo Point a break was taken for the distribution of sweeties.

Now began a long beach walk along Luce Sands. The rain and mist obscured most views, but the shore and sea birds were plentiful.

Luce Sands is one of the largest beach complexes in Scotland and easily the largest in Galloway.The beach stretches for approximately 11 km from the  mouth of the Water of Luce in the east, to the village of Sandhead in the west. 

With hoods on and head down against the rain, the walkers could see much of what the tide had brought in. Cockleshells, dog whelk and egg mass, seaweed, sea anemone and jumping sand flies were seen. 

On the dune edges fish boxes were a source of interest by discovering where they'd originated. 

Boxes from Scandinavia and the Faroe Islands were identified, but the majority of those looked at were from just across the water in Ireland.

Evidence of Joint Warrior was first found in the shape of a pair of combat trousers, possibly Italian, then vehicle tracks and possible landing craft tracks were spotted. Out in the bay target bases for bombing practice stood prominent.

Just beyond the outlet of the Red Burn, a lunch break was taken. Sheltering as much as possible against the dunes, soggy sandwiches were devoured.

Reaching Clayshant Control tower the walkers were joined by a rambler and her dog Tilly, coming up from Carisbrooke Caravan Park. Now the group numbered fourteen.

Beyond Clayshant Control tower the outlets from the Stoneykirk and Culmore burns leave a lot of shallow currents. Walkers with even the best waterproof boots were drenched and although attempts were made to avoid pools, eventually all succumbed to just wading through.  

More flocks of seabirds were spotted out in the bay, gaggles of geese stood on the shore while a skein flew overhead.

On reaching Carisbroke, some of the car drivers diverted to be taken back to Bareagle while the remaining walkers continued on to Sandhead. Once all the cars were in Sandhead, wet clothes were swapped for dry ones and the group retired to the welcome refreshments of the Woodlea Tea Room. Reflecting over hot scones and cups of tea and coffee the general consensus was of a fast paced walk. Perhaps due to the weather ?    

The next walk on Sunday the 26th of May is an 8 mile B grade circular walk taking in Loch Whinyeon and Carstramon Woods. Meet for car sharing at Breastworks, Stranraer 9.00 am, Riverside , Newton Stewart 9.30 am or the walk start at Knocktinkle Car Park (NX 608 602) at 10 am. For further details or if going to the start please phone walk leader 01776 870231. New members are always welcome

Three Walks - Newton Stewart Walking Festival - 2013

After the galavanting done to Southend the other weekend, last weekend was the start of the 11th annual Newton Stewart Walking Festival

I decided I'd do one of the first day's (friday) walks led by Shorty and his missus.

The weather wasn't the best over the weekend and I didn't take many pictures.

Here's the best of them anyway.

Friday

Walk 1 - 2 Newton Stewart by the back door

Shennanton Gatehouse

Daffodils below Shennanton House. There was a very good turnout for this walk.

Domesticated quadrupeds spotted on the walk

Lovely local ladies

A nice steady eight miles, I'm warmed up for the walk I'll lead on Saturday.

Saturday

Walk 2 - 6 Monreith to the Isle of Whithorn

This is the walk I'm leading. I'm limited to a group of fifteen as our return transport is a minibus and the driver is also my backup. As it turned out there were thirteen in total on the walk.

We begin at St Medans Golf Course Car park and immediately go along to Kirkmaiden church. Here my deputy told the story of Francois Thurot. 

Monreith's Home Page has the story

It's one of the oldest churches in Scotland, and the resting place of many of the McCulloch and Maxwell family members, who owned the Monreith estate.

The Galloway Gazette has the story of how Kirkmaiden and St Medan came to be named

The Gavin Maxwell Memorial

Once over the top of the golf course we stopped at the promontory fort of Back Bay.

On the walk with us was Elinor (Ellie) Graham, Research Assistant at SCAPE, University of St Andrews and Natalia a colleague. They're researchers for SCHARP , Scotland's Coastal Heritage At Risk Project

and have come along to explain promontory forts and the WW2 sites that are at risk

The lovely ladies from St Andrew's University

Our first coffee break was below Laggan Camp

I'd quite a fit group with me and dykes, fences and gates were easily hurdled

Climbing down to Port Castle Bay

At St Ninians Cave the appearance of the sun allowed us a relaxed lunch break

Continuing south

A WW2 structure inland from Carghidown

I'm surprised I can't find this on some of the pages of the 'geographers' who occasionally read my blog.

 Any ideas?

Near Blockan Hole

It was around now we had a shower of hailstones, hence the poor seal shot

Burrowhead has the most extensive promontory fort in Castle Feather. It was also an important anti aircaft site in WW2.  

Here's Statutory Rules and Orders No 144 of 1940

Burrowhead Anti-Air-Craft Artillery Range

Ellie was very enthusiastic about this site and explained much of the layout.

Also at Burrowhead are the stumps of the original Wickerman

This was where Howie (Edward Woodward) met his end while the inhabitants of Summerisle danced round the big burning basket.

A short climb brings us back to the cliff top

A look back at Burrowhead

Just short of the walk finish at the Isle of Whithorn a rainbow appeared.

Feedback from my walk in 2012 suggested the walk was a little further than advertised.

It was the same today with one walker suggesting that if she sees me as a walk leader next year, she'll add a couple of miles. 

A successful walk made much more interesting by the input of Ellie. Thank you young lady, your company and knowledge was much appreciated. 

Sunday

Walk 3 - 6 Devils Bridge Coastal

It was a miserable forecast for this walk which was led by my fellow ramblers the 'Weaver' and 'Scoop'

I have a new small camera for such days. The problem being that the camera was awaiting collection in the Post Office sorting office.

The first section took us across country in the South Rhins to Salt Pan Bay

The weather was fine for these creatures

I did occasionally get my camera out. This was to try and capture the Shag swallowing a fish he'd just caught. I was too late.

We walked across Ardwell beach, around Ardwell Point to Doon Castle and the broch before heading back inland where we had a little respite from the wind and rain.

Eventually we were back along the cliff edges on the Mull of Logan...........

.....................and the Devil's Bridge

With us was Tim Stephenson from the Gem Rock Museum

As well as imparting very knowledgeable information he handed out the following explanation.

The weather again turned and we were soon on the move again

A few obstacles were surmounted as we continued along the dramatic coastline

We were soon at the next feature intriguingly called..................................

.............................Little Bridge

Lots of photographs..........................

.........................then a scramble.

Spring Squill (Scilla Verna) probably my picture of the day

Port Logan and the walk finish in sight. Is it brightening up ?

The primroses blanket many of the gullies. Stunning !

The last picture is of an interesting bridge with conical corners. I didn't want to finish with a dull picture hence the enhancements.

A lovely walk considering the weather.

Well done leaders and Tim.

My weekend ended at the Belted Galloway where Ellie talked about the archaeology of Galloway’s coast. Our previous day's walk was also a feature of the presentation and slideshow.

It was a very enjoyable weekend despite the weather.

A weekend in Southend with the Saps at Sea (The Sons of the Desert)

Thursday the 2nd of May saw me join some other Laurel and Hardy aficionadi (not that I'm one) on the inaugural  Easy Jet flight from Edinburgh to Southend.

As we were taking off, the pilot announced it to be "Exciting". We hoped he knew the way.

Our hosts for the 2013 U.K Convention were the Saps-at-Sea Oasis 207

The venue for the occasion was the Skylark Hotel Southend

It's right on the edge of the airport, but at the opposite end to the terminal.

Being a day early we enjoyed a good night out at Leigh on Sea

The only pictures I took at Leigh on Sea were of local 'Son' Trevor and his celebrity shih-tzu Oscar.

Trevor has been campaigning against Southend council's ban on dogs on the pier.

Next morning (Friday) I was first down to Southend's town centre (thanks for the lift Janet)  

It's high street is much like any other town with only the occasional shop out of the ordinary.

There was however this very pretty window dresser in one shop window

The seafront is a different matter.

Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world at 1.34 miles (2.16 km)

This is the Park Inn Palace Hotel , we'll visit it on Sunday

Chinnerys looks a good venue for a variety of musical acts. I wonder whether Chris Cundy and Cold Specks have ever appeared here ?

The mum and little boy (inset) were having a lovely time

A archetypal British seaside town and very nice too

I'm sure I would have seen these ladies if I watched 'The Only Way is Essex'

I'm led to believe the fish and chips here are tasty

I caught up with my fellow Scottish 'Sons' on the pier

I talked to the ex owner of one of these fishing boats in the pub in Leigh on Sea last night.

There's still a mile of pier to walk, time for a sit down and enjoy the scenery

We'll get the train back. The pier and train back is value for money at £2 concession

There's a cafe and lifeboat station at the end of the pier

Turnstones wander the pier looking for scraps

A group of Blockheads , more 'Sons' from Scotland

'Sons' on Southend Pier

Going Bye-Bye !

A sojourn on another train took us to Rochford

Who's that sneaking in to the Red Lion ?

Light refreshments and some fun at the Marlborough Head in Rochford

This wee fella on the table was only about three or four  millimetres long. 

Glischrochilus is a four spotted sap beetle otherwise known as a picnic beetle or beer bug. 

It's a long way from home though, they're from North America.

A taxi back to the Skylark sees the classic car display under way

Some lovely motors here..............

..............................and a few British bikes

I'm of an age that I can remember when we made quality goods...........so so sad !

Talking of quality...............................

Stan and Ollie aka Alan and Stuart

The entertainment laid on for Friday night was really excellent. Guests included the comedy actor Jeffrey Holland and his actress wife, Judy Buxton  and Charlie Cairoli Junior. There were scenes from a new musical 'The Nine Wives of Laurel and Hardy', and the highlight of the night was Steve Hewlett a fabulous comic ventriloquist who had the whole room in stitches with his wonderful puppet friends.

Saturday we're onto buses into Kent

We're taking the train (RH and DR) all the way to Dungeness

This was when we had the only bit of bad weather the whole weekend.

A civic reception at New Romney for the recreation of the 1947 opening by the boys of the line to Dungeness

However the 'Parade of Tents' comes first........

Here's an old news clip

Wonderful!

Here again the boys meet the Mayor........

.................and open the line

The Model Railway Exhibition above the Heywood Buffet was quite brilliant also

Some wonderful dancing and music was on offer from Tacky Annie's swing dance club

With the boys is Danny Martin, General Manager of  RH and DR and the silver tea set is one his wife Alison Chapman  provided from Dickinson's Real Deal.
I believe it's being photographed for a charitable occasion.  

  

Last leg to the buses in First Class (lucky us)

Saturday night's entertainment was by the brilliant Zoltans 1940's Jumpin' Jive Band

Sunday morning saw the 'Games'. 

I briefly held second place in both the Paper Darts flight and the Golf Pitching

Later in the day it's down to the Palace where Stan and Ollie stayed in 1952.

It's a special Laurel and Hardy day at the Southend Film Festival 

Before and after the show, Sons took to the same balcony that the boys had been photographed on.

Bank Holiday Sunday with the sun shining brought the crowds out.

On the last night 'Sons' entertain their fellow convention attendees. A brilliant rendition of the Two Ronnies :Swedish Made Simple, F.U.N.E.X was performed by Oasis 115 and one other.

I also took a few short clips of video over the weekend

Monday morning and the convention's over. New contacts and friends made.

A quick flight back to Edinburgh in good company and a quiet drive home.

What a great weekend. 

As usual I overdid the food and drink, I'll have to walk it off.