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Saturday's walk was over at Port Logan.
I'm writing the report and as usual it will follow the photographs.
Often I'm quite pleased with my photographs, and although some aren't too bad on this post, to me there are a few mediocre ones.
Never mind, for a bit more colour you can look at previous posts of the Port Logan and Logan Gardens area.
Top of Muldaddie Hill
Those with farming connections though these might be 'Saler' cattle.
If anyone knows different, let me know and I'll edit the post.
Looking back on Port Logan
The usual suspects
Cottfield new build 2006 and Cowan's farmer talking to our 'Farmer'
Cowans Farm
The Donna D at Roses Cottages
Towards Killumpha
Would you like a pear ? No, one will be fine !
Corsican Pine, much taller than Shorty
Killumpha Drive
Sweetie distribution
Across the A716 to New England Bay
Advertising boards and walkers
Balgowan Point
The location of a couple of shipwrecks.
The Thomas 1858 A coal schooner from Cumbria, all crew saved.
Lady Louisa Kerr 1898 A Belfast Schooner with a cargo of lime.
Approaching Portacree
The big house looks almost finished. It looks like there's a balcony under construction.
THe house bottom right is a complete transformation from our last visit.
Logan Mills
Nice clean information board
Lunchtime
Enjoying the sea breeze
A rock indentation is brought to life !
Remnants of a breakwater
The tropical South Rhins
The road to Drummore
It looks like an 'artist' had been busy on this electricity sub station sign.
Lots of game birds seen on the walk
The road to Logan Mains
Bully, family and lots of bales
Sweetie time again
'The Row'
Perhaps too far gone to be rescued.
We learned that a painting by one of our artistic members on sale in the Potting Shed Bistro had recently been purchased.
Looking towards Port Logan Bay
Bridge over the path that led from Logan House to the Fishpond
Interesting sign on the gate of the old schoolhouse
It seems Port Logan is increasingly more popular with anglers. As well as the boats, note the beach fishing rods.
Beach walk back to the cars
Next to Logan Gardens carpark.
A lovely day's walking.
Tuesday
Here's a couple of nice pictures from Miss Goodnight.
Tuesday
Here's a couple of nice pictures from Miss Goodnight.
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Here's the report.
Saturday the 13th of September
A hazy September morning greeted the 21 ramblers assembled at the picturesque harbour of Port Logan for the walk. Fishermen were packing up their tents having had a good late night with a catch of pollock. We began the walk by following a track south up Muldaddie Hill.
Curious bullocks of a special breed walked alongside us in an adjacent field.Soon we reached a T junction, and took the farm track east to Cowans farm.
At Cowans we met with the farmer doing his rounds on his quad bike. Now our number rose temporarily to 22 when we were joined for a section of the walk by another member of our group.
A short distance from the farm we reached the tarmac of the B7065 which we followed North to Paddy's Plantation.
Here we turned North East onto an unclassified road passing by Roses Cottages and Killumpha Farm.
As we passed farmsteads and private residences, the profusion of palm trees, pampas grass and tropical plants showed how, courtesy of the gulf stream, the Rhins of Galloway has such a mild climate.
On reaching the T Junction at Bridge Cottage, we again turned North, this time onto the track that is known as Killumpha Drive. Along here at regular intervals grew tall corsican pine, many with a shortage of lower branches.
This track took us up to the Port Logan to New England Bay road where a stop was taken for the distribution of coconut mushroom sweeties.
A short road walk brought us to the shoreline at New England Bay where we now joined the Mull of Galloway Trail.
On reaching Balgowan Point a tapered concrete structure was investigated. It was found to have a theodolite fitting. Being in the close proximity to the M.O.D area, it was deemed to be for the fitting of a military tracking device.
The shore path now took us along to Portacree and Logan Mills. On the beach, a multitude of seagulls awaiting an incoming tide took no notice of our passing.
Across the Balkelzie Burn bridge, a short detour from the shore took us past the remnants of Logan Windmill Built in the late 17th century and used for grinding corn it was built of whinstone, rubble and stone from the beach.
A little further up the beach, an outcrop of rocks provided seating for a leisurely lunch break.
After lunch we continued on the coastal path till we reached a wooded area. On the shoreline, vertical crossed timbers indicated the remnants of a breakwater.
Our route now left the shore and turned west through the Rossan Knowes plantation. Leaves were beginning to turn to their autumnal colours.
On reaching the A716, Auchness Castle stood out. A 16th Century Tower house and three storeys high it was a MacDouall family stronghold. Horses grazed close by.
A short single file walk along the A716 brought us to Knockcappy Plantation and the road to Logan Mains. A line of mature beech trees, new born calves, lazy bulls and pheasants were features along this two mile stretch.
At Logan mains we stopped for another sweetie break. A number of walkers made use of an empty low loading trailer to rest their weary legs. Though there was still some haze in the air, it was generally warm and sunny.
After passing 'The Row', a picturesque row of former estate workers cottages we walked through the woods of the Logan Estate. The Logan Folly, a squat circular crenellated tower stood prominently on a hill overlooking Port Logan bay.
A track through open fields now led us down to the Port Gill road. We stopped at the ornate bridge at the Glen Plantation while our leader with the aid of an illustrated booklet explained it's history. The path underneath built towards the end of the 18th century by Colonel Andrew McDouall led to what now is known as the Logan Fish Pond. Up to 80 fish could be stocked for use at Logan House.
Reaching the T junction at the Old Schoolhouse, an old sign declared 'A penalty not exceeding forty shillings' would be imposed on anyone omitting to shut the gate.
A nice long beach walk tempting some walkers to discard their footwear completed a grand day's hiking.
This fine day was completed with a visit to the wonderful Potting Shed Bistro at Logan Gardens for tea, coffee and scones.
The next walk, on Saturday the 20th of September will be a B+ linear walk of 8 miles over Cairnharrow Hill to Creetown.
Meet at the Riverside car park Newton Stewart at 9.30 am,the Breastworks, Stranraer at 9.00 am for car sharing, or at the walk start at Kirkdale Bridge (NX 517 531) at 10.00am.
New members are always welcome, for more information or if going to the walk start, contact the walk leader on 01671 403351
I thoroughly enjoyed this, I felt as though I took this walk myself. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNice selection of photos Jim. I was a teenage hippie with shoulder length hair the last time I visited Drummore in the 1970s. Logan botanic gardens I've always fancied visiting. Maybe someday.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thanks. I noticed a forecast of snow in Alberta last week. Good to see that you're still getting fairish weather in Montreal. Up to now we've had a great September. Our long range forecast tells us that the second week in October our temperatures will plummet. Best make hay while the sun shines then.
ReplyDeleteYou a hippie Bob ? I'm still getting through your Autohighography, almost finished and very entertaining. I guess your characters are based on real people, did you pre-warn them what you were going to write ?
Logan definitely worth a visit.