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It seems ages since I composed a post. (It's been a fortnight)
I had great intentions of keeping up to date on my travels by means of my Kindle Fire HD and another tablet I had. It didn't work out. I could have just blogged text, but because I couldn't upload pictures I decided not to bother.
So apologies to my subscribers and those bloggers I'm subscribed to, I will catch up.
This post is yesterdays walk with the Ramblers, I'll be following it with 'A 'Glebe' runabout' when I catch up.
I've written the press report for this walk and as usual that will follow the pictures.
Wigtownshire Ramblers
Saturday 19th October
Man or Woman..........
Going or Coming.........
Early or Late..............
Be Sure to Shut the Gate.....
This is Eric the Bull
Above collage top right.......a view over Drummore
Above collage bottom left........Showjumping horses
Above collage bottom right.........a passing skein of geese
There's a lot of running water after the rain. I doubt that this boat is fit to rescue anyone falling in the pond
(That's John Two Sticks rummaging on the left)
We had the occasional glimpse of the sun, but it's gone dull again. We managed to stay dry though.
Shame on you if you let the weather forecast influence your decision not to walk, you missed a cracker !
Lovely fruit and cream scones at Logan Gardens to finish a really nice walk.
Wigtownshire Ramblers
Saturday 19th October
After a night of rain leaving a lot of standing water, eight intrepid walkers met at Port Logan for the walk start. With a showery blustery forecast the prospect of a dry walk seemed remote, but prayers must have been said.
The walk began by following a track south up Muldaddie Hill. Reaching the top they stopped to look back over Port Logan Bay with a misty Portpatrick in the distance. Now they entered the farm lands of one of today's walkers where Black Limousin and Angus cattle grazed. The group also learned that a fine specimen of a bull went by the name of Eric.
They continued south treading carefully on wet muddy tracks before changing direction to the east via Mugloch Hill. More varieties of cattle and sheep grazed the fields. Very small calves stayed close to their mothers. In another field a pair of fine looking horses, possibly mother and daughter, watched diligently as the group passed.
Reaching the tarmac road at Garrochtrie the route again turned north for a short period of firm, underfoot walking.
Soon a track east took them past a quarry and large pond below Kirkbride Hill. On reaching a deep gully, the copiously flowing Balshere Burn was followed south east. On reaching a gate where the water flowed the shallowest, the group carefully crossed to follow a farm track to Grennan. Now they joined the Mull of Galloway Trail taking them past the disused Grennan slate quarries, a popular spot for finding fossils of the Monograptus Crispus variety.
Now the trail ran north alongside the busy A716 through the Grennan plantation. This was a stony, mossy, damp and tricky section that required carefully watching one's step.
At the end of the plantation the road was crossed and the shore path accessed. Lot's of seabirds rode the waves close to the shore while other flocks were seen further out in Luce Bay.
On reaching Terally Bay, the picnic table provided an excellent opportunity for a lunch break. With no sign of rain, the day became even better as the sun began making an occasional appearance.
A nearby information board told the story of the 19th century Terally Brickworks and other items of local history.
After lunch the coastal path was again taken to round Terally Point. At Terally Bridge, half the group braved the waves to walk along the shore's defence wall while the rest took to the tarmac.
Another short stretch of road walking now took the group past the disused coal store and Myroch House before the shore path was again accessed. Out in Luce Bay, diving birds were initially mistaken for seals until they flew away.
After passing a couple of fishermen, the stony shore walk curved round Myroch Point to reach New England Bay.
Now with the walk behind schedule, the original plan to continue to Logan Mils was abandoned. Instead the road back to Port Logan via West Myroch was taken. Along here, a wonderfully large Old English Sheepdog called Lincoln was met with plenty of oohs and aahs and petting. Close to Port Logan, the pedigree saddleback pigs of Clash farm were seen in various stages of growth from small piglets to big porkers. Now upon entering Port Logan, the only rain of the whole walk arrived in one short sharp shower.
Back at the cars, the walkers now divested rucksacks, boots and other apparel before repairing to the Logan Botanical Gardens for well deserved liquid refreshments, and cream and jam scones.
Next Saturday's walk on the 26th October is a 7.5 mile circular in the Fleet Valley. Meet for car sharing at the Breastworks, Stranraer 9.00 am, the Riverside, Newton Stewart 9.30 am or the walk start at Castramont Wood Car Park (NX 589 601) at 10 am.
For more information or if going direct to the walk start contact the walk leader on 01776 870231.
Cant believe how cheery you all remain Jim despite a wet looking day.
ReplyDeleteSeems like the womenfolk down there are less bothered about a poor forecast than their male counterparts.
A fortnight - I can't complain, I've been marked absent from blogging for a month. Sometimes a small break is required.
ReplyDeleteYou like a hardy bunch but you seem to have been rewarded by a day not as bad as you expected. I see many coats have been cast by the end of the blog.
Good pigs and 1 horned cow. And the little petrified woman you sneeked in quietly.
A good walk in the rain, nothing quite like it! I loved all of the animal images......for some reason this post really brought back memories of Tasmania.
ReplyDeleteMm, Gertrude - how can you be really sure it was she Jim :)
I love all the animals! Eric the Bull looks happy and well fed and the mother cow with her calf beside her is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThe women down here Bob are almost as hardy as their Fife counterparts. (maybe I shouldn't have said that)
ReplyDeleteThe pigs are quite special Sandy.Did you read that the wife of the Highland Spring owner is breeding Japanese Wagyu cattle near Dunblane. I wouldn't mind tasting one of their hundred pound steaks.
It was definitely Gertrude Rose, the way she cocked her head to the left and the distinctive black tail feathers, I'd recognize her anywhere.
They're very happy animals in the Rhins Linda, must rub off from the very happy people down there.
Gertrude Rose ! They go well together.
ReplyDelete