Pictures from the Wigtown Show 2014

Wednesday the 6th of August

The weather was really good for the Wigtown Show.

I enjoyed the day, said hello to quite a few folks I know and took lots of pictures.

The big disappointment for me was the 'Cumberland Giants'. I'd thought that the they would akin to those that used to feature in 'Jeux Sans Frontières', but all it was was blokes carrying fibre glass effigies on frames. I started videoing them, but once I saw what it was all about I packed it in and went walkabout.

I see someone has uploaded a smartphone video clip if anyone is interested.

Cumberland Giants 

So anyway, here are the pictures and a little video clip of the 'Sheep Show'

Poultry Tent

Cattle Section

A Grinding Machine ?

Sheep Section

Other stands and activities.

Horse Riding Arena

A lovely smile from the young lady on the RSPB stall.

The Sheep Show

Presented by New Zealander Richard Savory

I took a little bit of video of this show. 

I maybe should have stayed for the sheep dancing

Youtube

Ready for the Champion of Champions contest.

We've come across this lady's award winning goats while out walking.

Kirriereoch Goats

Vicky Adams presenting trophies.

Prize winning animals

Betty Boop, Wigtown's Champion of Champions

A carriage from the Isle of Bute

Champions Parade Pictures

Betty Boop leads the way.

Scarecrow Competition

They have more expensive clothes than me !

Tug of War Competition.

The Cumberland Giants

As I said, not my cup of tea. Maybe the kids enjoyed it.

I'll finish with a picture of Alastair, one of our local colourful characters.

He had a famous mother.

A very enjoyable day when the rain stayed off.

A recce and other stuff July/August 2014

Pictures from a few outings over the last week.

Thursday I recce'd the walk I should have been leading this Saturday.  

It was overcast as I climbed the slopes of the smaller of the Millfores'

Behind me I could see Clatteringshaw's Loch, Benniguinea and Cairnsmore (Black Craig) of Dee.

Zoomed in down to Craigdews cottages.

A selfie on Millfore

One of a number of cairns on Craignelder looking towards the river Cree and the Machars

Looking over to Tonderghie Glen.

The fields of Corwar and Dallash

Murray's Monument looking small.

After composing a drab and dreary panorama to the north I decided to try some enhancements.

Here's the result on Dermander. 

Descending Craignelder was difficult. Large tussocks, deep holes and falling on my 'Bahookie' half a dozen times convinced me I couldn't bring a group of ramblers down here. It took me an hour and forty five minutes just to reach the forest road.

On the walk back to my car I came across these wild orchids by the roadside..............

.................and this little beauty. 

The closest thing in my book tells me it could be 'Ragged Robin', I'm not sure ?

Friday the first of August

I was treated to this view on opening my bedroom curtains.

I've often seen the odd bird or two, but this morning there were a couple of dozen.

As well as pictures I took some video.

Youtube

What a gorgeous way to start my day.

So after the weekend's wet weather Monday looked a better day. I headed along the river bank.

Blooming strongly just now is the invasive Himalayan Balsam.

I love it but I suppose it does need to be controlled. 

Riverbank wild flowers are in full bloom, Autumn's coming.

The bees are so busy they almost ignore me and my camera.

Close to this pretty spot a water vole slipped down from the bank.

Another busy bee.

Water Forget Me Not.

A short walk through Doonhill Woods to check on................

...............the Blairmount Cygnets.

The little fella is still a bit shorter in the neck than the others but looking healthier than the other day.

One of the Juvenile Moorhens get's more adventurous.

That's it up to this Tuesday morning.

It looks like showers today.

More rain tomorrow.

Wigtownshire Ramblers Mull of Galloway August 2014

Saturday the 2nd of August 2014

It wiz blawin a hoolie as I made my way over to Scotland's most southerly point.

Parking in the car park at the Mull of Galloway, the rain by now was almost horizontal.

Our walk leader Scoop took the decision to shorten the eight mile walk to around eighty metres.  

We settled down to after walk refreshments in the Gallie Craig

After taking this picture Scoop got the girl behind the counter to take another one...........

.............so all nine of us featured.
For around an hour or so we talked rambling and put the world to right.
A short but very enjoyable outing.

Here's Scoop's walk report

Wigtownshire Ramblers 2nd August Mull of Galloway

Nine Ramblers made the supreme effort of walking from the car park at the Mull of Galloway down to the Gallie Craig. Torrential rain did not put off nine walkers from driving to a pretty miserable part of the country but it was decided that the eight mile figure of eight walk was just not feasible.  The alternative, to sit and relax in the coffee shop, drink tea and coffee and watch the rain teaming down outside, was voted a success but it is hoped that this will NOT become a frequent occurrence!  A walk in this usually beautiful area will be planned for in the Autumn/Winter programme when better weather might be possible.
Next week’s walk will be a moderate circular walk around Newton Stewart and its environs. Due to adverse ground conditions and forestry operations, the original planned climb of Craignelder has had to be abandoned.   Meet for car sharing at the Breastworks car park in Stranraer at 9.15 am or the walk start at the Riverside car park in Newton Stewart at 10am. For further details please phone the walk leader on 01671 403351. New members are always welcome.

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Still here ?

Before jumping back in my car I decided on fairly quick circuit of the lighthouse area.

The picture above shows the cafe on the clifftop to the right while the short jagged protrusion on the next headland is the feature Gallie Craig, known as Scotland's most southerly point. 

There are some nice links on this web page.
Discover South West Scotland

I stopped to talk to drystone waller Martin Luebke. He was quite upbeat and happy enough to be working in the rain. Nice talking to you Martin. 

The Lighthouse

As I got back to my car I was really surprised at how many cars were turning up.

There are some intrepid folk out there.

I'd planned a shopping trip to Stranraer at some stage so today was the ideal opportunity.

A couple of bargains made it a worthwhile trip.

RAMBLERS NOTE !

Changes to next weeks walk in Scoop's report.