Following on from 'Weekend Memories' there's more 'Family Fun'

The day after my twin daughters went home, my eldest daughter and my two eldest grandkids arrived.

I just find it hard to believe that after just a few months they're bigger than when I last saw them.

Tempus Fugit ! 

Our first day out then was Tuesday the 27th of August.

One of Callum and Erin's favourite spots in Galloway is Carrick Shore and that's where we headed.

A stranded jelly fish, I wonder why there's been so many this year.

Although the tide was coming in Callum and myself managed a quick foot on Ardwall Island.

It's a nice dry day, but perhaps not as warm as it has been.

These two are having a great time.

Lynn tells me these are Wall Brown butterflies, after consulting my book I concur. (Not that I ever doubted you sweetheart)

After seeing no red squirrels in Cally Wood, we head into Gatehouse of Fleet where we see this intriguing banner. Is there anyone out there who can explain it. Is this really a 500 year project ?

( I've just discovered that this was a part of the Environmental Art Festival of Scotland and acorns will have been handed out to grow the oak trees for the roof beams, hence the 500 years) 

Refreshments were had at the Mill on the Fleet.

We next took a drive round Laurieston and New Galloway. We did eventually get a quick glimpse of one red kite. Usually you can't fail to see them, but it might have been the time of day when they're at rest.

We were disappointed to find the Clatteringshaws Visitors Centre closed, but I'd forgotten it was closed for refurbishment. I believe it just opened again on Saturday.

There was plenty of fun to be had under the dam however. I don't know how this pair can defy gravity !

There was more water gushing out than there was at the weekend.

A quick look at the Red Deer park before calling it a day.

Wednesday the 28th of August

Today we're heading west and one of my favourite spots.

Here's my post from my last visit to Garheugh Rocks.

I've since learned they're pronounced Garky Rocks.

It's a challenge for Callum and Erin.

They're soon off exploring. Sadly they were unable to explore any of the caves because of heavy summer undergrowth around the entrances. You'll have to come back in the winter kids.

A lone inquisitive seal keeps giving us the eye.

I get the joy of photographing a Golden-Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii)

There's lots of colour in the pools.

Since they were very small these two have loved climbing. Maybe they should start thinking about mountain climbing as a sport.

Perfect symmetry among the rocks creates excitement. I zoom in to the light bouy, and a rock man gets built.

The rock top left above has made it's way south. Rubbing your cheek with smooth edge was like feeling satin. Garheugh Rocks have a magical quality.

As it cools a little we head across to the opposite shore and over to Sandhead.

There's some kite buggying happening to the north.

Is this the same wagtail from the weekend?

The tide is on the way in. Lugworm coiled castings will soon be washed away. The Frisbee comes into play.

Time for a swim. I often try out the 'Sport' setting on my camera. I haven't fully mastered it, but depending on the shutter press it'll some times take a rapid sequence of pictures. Top left caught Erin in full flight.

A picture of Callum on Facebook prompted the response that he had a 'Majestic Stride'

After the swim we headed over to Portpatrick. 

Plenty of noisy birds around.

Coastal holiday resort birds rely so much on humans these days. Ever had a chip or a piece of fish stolen ?

Like I said about the climbing !

I've a feeling that he'll get up to the cliff path the next time.

We dined in the Harbour House, very nice grub.

Ailsa Craig stood proud above Loch Ryan as we headed home after a very enjoyable day.

Thursday the 29th of August

A late start today. I'd intended us to go to Kirkcudbright's Scottish Night, but of course it finishes with the Tattoo which was last Saturday. I should remember these things.

We headed down to Galloway House and Gardens.

There's still plenty of colour, but Autumn's just around the corner.

I guess the leaves on the Handkerchief Tree turn a more bland colour as the summer wears on. I couldn't be sure if I had the right one.

Here's a Red Admiral.

Oystercatchers on Rigg Bay.

We do hear Curlews, but nothing like Last November with Sarah and Marie.

An experiment with black and white in a rock pool.

We've covered some coast over three days.

Too late in the day to hire mountain bikes at the Brake Pad at Kirroughtree so we went to take a look at McMoab instead.

There's a few hundred video clips on Youtube 

Climbing is definitely in their blood, never a hesitation.

A stop at the Queen Mary Bridge concludes the day.We all got a wish by some excellent pebble dropping. 

 It won't be long till Erin gets taller than her mum. I think Callum will get well above his dad. I heard on the news this morning that all Europeans are growing taller.

And I've stolen this picture to conclude this post.

Lovely to see you guys. Had a great time with you as always.

Wigtownshire Ramblers-Clatteringshaws to Craigencallie October 2010

It's Saturday the 2nd of October.
Todays walk should have been a walk up Blackcraig of Dee and Benniguinea with myself as leader.
As I mentioned in the last post I had to abandon this walk,and hopefully do it another time.
Last Monday and Tuesday I'd been up and down the slopes of both hills.High bracken,loose swampy tussocks and potholes galore made my mind up for me.Firm frosty ground had been with me last March when I'd first planned the walk.
March Post
This then is the alternative walk suggested to me by a fellow walker.The lack of pictures is due to me forgetting to take my small camera with me.My 'Powershot' stays in it's case in heavy rain.

My press report will also suffice for this posting.

Twelve intrepid walkers gathered at the Raiders Road Car Park at Clatteringshaws Loch for the re-routed thirteen miles track and forest road walk.Visiting guest ramblers from Kent,Castle Douglas and Sorbie were welcomed to the group.

The weather was clear,but the forecast was wet.
They began by heading out onto the A712 Queensway and seeing the rare sight of Clatteringshaws Loch streaming down the dam walls.


Side view of Clatteringshaws.There's a walkway over the dam,but a locked gate keeps people out.I guess it's for safety reasons.


Next they turned west to take the track to Lillies Loch.Here they followed the route of the Old Edinburgh Road.
It wasn't long before it started raining.This set the tone for the walk,with just occasional respite from the heavy showers.Spotted just inside the forest was an abundance of various fungi brought on by the damp dark conditions.

Continuing on they passed Lillies Loch,crossed Strife Rig and descended a wet and muddy Black Strand below Glen Knowes.

Recent prolonged spells of rain have filled the burns.As they reached the Well Burn,a wonderful cascade of white water over a waterfall greeted the walkers.


Crossing this burn was uneventful,but the same can't be said of the Tonderghie a few minutes later.


A good flow of water meant the stepping stones would be hazardous.A little further down lots of boulders were strewn across the burn and this was chosen as the crossing point.The stones could be described as wet,mossy and slippy and although the obstacle was successfully surmounted,it produced a few wet feet and in one case a wet posterior.Profanities were whispered.


Back on dry land they next circled the Black Loch till they reached 'The Eye'.Created by sculptor Colin Rose and standing around 8 metres high this perfect spire is made from red-earthen tiles and is part of the 'Art in the Forest' project.
The rain eased slightly as the group took the first of their two refreshment breaks of the walk.


Back on the move and steadily gaining height they followed the forest road to the north.Heading through the forest the autumn colours were coming through.
The sound of the burn tumbling through Tonderghie Glen faded as they rounded Poultrybuie Hill.
High bracken lined much of the roadside but occasionally plants such as Milfoil,Pink Purslane and Goatsbeard made an appearance.

As they continued the sky would occasionally clear and the peaks of Drigmorn,Millfore and Cairngarroch could be identified.



Beyond Munwhul they were able to view the spectacular steep slopes of Buckdas of Cairnbaber,streaked with the white lines of tumbling waterfalls.After passing the quarries of Glenowrie they reached their turning point at Bell Knowe,Craigencallie and took to the tarmac road east.
To the south were the slopes of Darnaw while new forestry operations were noted to the north.They soon reached the edge of Clatteringshaws Loch where the road turned south east.A welcome break was taken at the bridge spanning the Darnaw Burn.
After passing the homestead at Craignell there was a hint of deja vu as some dyed sheep were spotted in the fields alongside the loch.

With all walkers safely back at the cars the consensus was of a wet but wonderfully satisfying walk.



THE BLACK WATER OF DEE