The colour of October and a Hipflask !

Yesterday, was Wednesday, the first day of October.

My walking friend the 'Ranger' was in Newton Stewart. 

She knows I've been suffering from my recent extractions at the dentist.

It was a nice day and we headed for Kirroughtree in the Galloway Forest Park for a short  walk round.

It's been a great summer, but the trees are now showing lots of colour.

This is the attractive garden of Daltamie House opposite where the visitor centre used to be.

Now darker nights are here this will be a great spot to view the night sky.

Galloway Dark Sky Park.

The 'Ranger' hadn't seen the new visitor's centre or the 'wheel' so this was a pleasant surprise for her.

Flying over was this Reims Cessna F172M Skyhawk, G-BAEY.

It's part of Skytrax Aviation of Peterborough's fleet.

We were taking one of the Short walks in Kirroughtree

Arriving at Little Bruntis Loch we encountered a guy throwing a stick for his dog to retrieve.

We said hello as we were leaving and the dog was still eager to go fetch.

View over to the bridge and the Gem Stane

Little Bruntis Loch

A closer view of the Gem Stane

I must go and find the Giant Axe Head sometime, I can't believe I haven't seen it yet !

Before meeting up with me, the 'Ranger' had just been for some pampering, hence the fingernails close up. (I hope I'm not in trouble for publishing this collage) 

After retracing our route we had coffee in the visitor's centre.

I'm still trying to get a good photograph of the elusive otters in Galloway.

The one above has no problem with people anymore.

While in the cafe we noticed people coming and going with hired mountain bikes from the Brake Pad next door. Kirroughtree is one of the most popular forests for mountain bikers in the country and of course it is part of the 7stanes network of mountain bike trails.

We had fun with the 'Whirlybirds' off the Maple Tree, 

I thought I'd try and get one whirling back to ground. 

DOH ! An instant picture won't show it whirling, will it ? Silly man.. There is a way, but I can't figure it out yet.

The 'Ranger' has headed back to Ayrshire now.Next week she begins five weeks of intensive medical treatment. 

Might I on behalf of all our walking group wish her well, and that she'll soon be back enjoying her hiking with us. We know she is one tough lady and though it wont be a 'Walk in the Park' she'll take it with the grit and determination that defines her.

I thought I'd finish this post with a photograph of a cracking gift I recently received from my eldest daughter. 

It supplements the pop up cup I received as an earlier gift.

While cropping the picture on Picasa I wondered how it would look with the colours inverted.

Hey presto !

Bye for now.

Creetown to Newton Stewart with the Wigtown Walks and Talks April 2014

Tuesday the 29th of April

On a beautiful morning, I joined the Wigtown Walks and Talks group at Dashwood Square to catch a bus to Creetown to walk back along the railway walk back to Newton Stewart.

Not quite as long as when I did it with the ramblers a few weeks ago.

Creetown - Newton Stewart

Here's a few of the pictures I took.

Tractor on part of the old A75

A goat at Spittal Farm

Wild flowers, walkers, a tired lamb and a group of bovine ladies.

You may be able to pick out a red squirrel above, I can't ! (I did see it leaping from branch to branch though)

Everywhere wild flowers are blossoming.

My memory is terrible !!

Otherwise why would I have to look up 'Forget me not'

Arriving at Cuil

Towards Strathmaddie.

Bluebell and Tortoiseshell. 

Large White Butterfly and the Old Bridge of Palnure.

Beautifully clear Palnure burn.

(We saw small trout)

I may not get to this.

Lambs, Mouse Ear Chickweed and ?

More colour through Stronord.

Wombles and Welsh or Horned Poppy.

A cargo bike at Kirroughtree Brake Pad.

On yer bike !

The Kirroughtree Wheel.

The Lade Trail

Not surfboards, they'd sink at Bondi. They're concrete and must be fairly new. I'm not entirely sure what they depict ?
Just found out in the local paper what these are. They are some of the Rosnes Benches allowing folk to tune into the natural world. I'll be out some night lying on them watching the stars.
More information on their web pages at http://www.rosnesbench.com/ 

Downhill towards Blackcraig as a buzzard circles overhead.

Pods and Periwinkle.

Passing Blackraig.

Welcome sign.

Homeward Bound.

Even the grass verges are brightly coloured.

I'll finish this post with three workers.

Collecting nectar.

Chimney stack repair.

Mr Hughes ? Hedgetrimming.

A cracking walk in the sunshine.