Cygnet update and a walk up the Gairland burn

Over on Blairmount pond, the cygnets are still doing fine. 

More ducks seem to be arriving on the pond.

I think the kids have got the message that it's wrong to throw stones at the birds.

Thursday the 26th of June.

After a really dreich day on Wednesday, Thursday looked  better. I decided on a walk in the hills.

The Buchan Rooftops, Mulldonach and Loch Trool.
After parking up at Bruce's Stone, I decided I'd head up the Gairland burn and get to Loch Valley.

Loch Trool view.
It was quite cloudy and overcast. Quite a few of this post's landscape pictures have been enhanced by Picasa's 'I'm Feeling Lucky' feature.
Looking for the path through shoulder high bracken gave me the impression that few folk have been walking this way.

As regular readers know I'm a sucker for wild orchids. 

After the high bracken, the path in places became quite stony, muddy or boggy.

To the right was the western edge of the Rig of the Jarkness.

This Bog Asphodel looked quite stunning.

I couldn't resist more wild orchids.

I thought this one should be on it's own.

Wednesday's rain might have made the path occasionally boggy, but the Gairland burn was quite low.

I reached Loch Valley. The path, though still spongy became a little easier here. 

My first glimpse of Loch Neldricken.

(a mistake I made was only fetching the 'Galloway Forest Park South' map. It only goes as far north as Loch Valley.

Marked on the correct OS map is the Murder Hole, a water feature on the western edge of the loch. It really doesn't exist here, it's correct location is at the Rowantree junction on the Straiton road. The author of  'The Raiders', Samuel Rutherford Crockett used Neldricken for it's location because it suited the book.

I stopped for lunch overlooking the loch.

Had it been a glorious sunny day I might have thought of wading over here.

As the clouds seemed to be gathering, after my lunch I began to retrace my steps.

This skylark posed nicely for me.

Contrary to my belief that the clouds were gathering this view of Benyellery and the Merrick showed them clearing. I decided on a climb up onto the Rig of the Jarkness.

It's a short but steep climb, but I was soon looking back towards Loch Neldricken...........

..................and south west to Loch Trool.

Below me were the long and round lochs of Glenhead.

The Gairland burn from atop the Rig of the Jarkness.

It was more difficult descending back to the Gairland than it was climbing.

I also took a few panoramas on my walk.

Slug Love, there was something going on here !

(a reminder:- to view pictures full screen, right click and 'Open in New Tab')

  

I finished drinking my coffee back at Bruce's Stone.

A hard frost in the ground might make the route easier. Continuing on to Loch Enoch and returning via the Buchan Ridge would then make an attractive walk. Ramblers walk ? 

Wigtownshire Ramblers-Rig of the Jarkness and Craiglee

Its Saturday the 16th of February and today is a test for me-will i be up to my first strenuous walk.Its just under eight miles and much of the route is climbing.
As usual i got a lift to the walk start.
Starting at Bruce's Stone carpark overlooking Loch Trool,seventeen of us set off.



The start of the walk was going fine,the weather was fine and the views with sun coming through the clouds made for good photographing.





Initially the route we were taking was a gradual climb,but after crossing the Gairland Burn the climb became much steeper.

At this point i had a problem!

Scrambling up an almost vertical slope,the walk leader stopped to allow those further down to close up.I dropped sitting onto a rock,otherwise i'd have fallen down.Suddenly the world started spinning.The last time i'd felt like this was in my youth when i briefly embraced boxing and a right hook dropped me to the floor.
A voice asked if i was alright,i managed to reply in the negative.The other ramblers were concerned for my wellbeing.I had visions flashing through my mind of the Mountain Rescue Helicopter and having to be airlifted down.
Gradually the spinning stopped,and clarity returned.
I'm not sure how long we were stopped for but eventually i felt ok to go on.Thanks to the others for carrying my Rucksack and Camera case up to our stopping point.
I dont think this will happen again.I'll heed the warning signals in the future.

Now we're on the Rig of Jarkness having our lunch,and the views are magnificent.
I get my picture taken.

Along the Rig of Jarkness,Clints of the Buss and Craiglee we can view at least nine lochs.Loch Trool where we began,then Lochs Valley,Neldricken,Narroch,Long Loch of Glenhead and Round Loch of Glenhead,Dow Loch,Loch Dee and a hazy Clatteringshaws Loch.
This is so worth the effort to view this magnificent landscape.





A plane flew over leaving these strange smoke signals behind it.

Looking back the Merrick summit is in cloud.

And over to the west the Glenhead Lochs and Lochtrool are in sunshine and shade.

We reach Dow Loch....

...and its time for another break

It's a bit cold up here.

Back walking and as usual the walkers are all upbeat.But when the walk leader pointed out the top of Craiglee where we we're heading some anguished cries were heard(maybe they were all mine).

The sweets are passed round regularly,but judging that look,i'm not sure whether i'm getting one.
Now walking along these rocky edges the views are brilliant.





Having someone in the picture really shows off the whole perspective of the area.
Now we're nearing Craiglee Summit....

...and we're at the trig point.

Lots of photo calls follow.






Now which way will we go down?

Much of the way down was bog,and as such was littered with potential 'up to the knees in mud' potholes.
The map shows a Bucks Hole,but surely this cant be it-can it?

The views on the descent were equally as lovely.

A slight mishap.

Another moments respite,and the mood is still very upbeat.

A zoom on the lens brings in Loch Dee.

And now we're nearing the forest road which will take us the last two or three miles back to the car park.A muddy bog is the last obstacle before we're finally on the road.

The Glenhead Burn means we've not much further to go.

Time for another few minutes.....



....and as the sun's going down.

....it's time for the final push.

The backs of my legs will hurt tomorrow,and with the exception of a few dramatic minutes,(It's my perogative to turn it into a drama)i haven't had this much fun in years.

N.B.First time readers may not know this,but if you click on an individual picture you bring up a full size image.