Slip Sliding Away

Shot of the Day

I received the now usual Wednesday phone call this morning from Tootlepedal inviting me for morning coffee and to discuss where our Wednesday photo excursion would be. 

Before that the feeders had to be filled in the garden. 
Sadly when I went out the back door there was a dead Sparrow Hawk lying on the ground. This is the second time this has happened in the last two years.

 It's a bit of a mystery as to what has happened, the only thing I can think of is it has seen the reflection of the birds on the feeders in kitchen window and went for that option. Strangely there was no imprint on the window. 

On close inspection this is a truly beautiful bird but a rather sad and unfortunate way to see one up close.






Over coffee we decided to go to Gilnockie Hall ( The sight of Tootlepedals famous Immortal Memory to Burns) and park. The plan was to do an anti clockwise circular walk, by Gilnockie Station, up the old railway track and back by Claygate. On the way we would look for a waterfall that Tootlepedal had seen on the Ordnance Survey map as he thought it might be a good photo opportunity. We set of looking very professional with our tripods tucked in bags that are used for folding chairs. These are very handy as you can sling them over your shoulder making them easy to carry. I needn't have bother taking mine as I forgot to put the quick release attachment onto my camera.

What's left of the station platform

There was some strange fruit growing on the trees.

Wellies were definitely needed! 

We came upon these Pheasant feeders, looking to me like the kind of hat that an Amish gentleman would wear.

Pheasants around here are well cared for. 

Fed, sheltered then shot.

I liked this quirky remains of a fence.

This tree has some unusual roots.

I wonder who P J R is? or was.

A rather precarious style

The light in the trees was quite striking.

We came upon this strange looking object. At a guess it is some kind of mechanical pheasant beater as it had a handle and the strips of plastic made a tremendous noise when turned.






We were now oh the lookout for what becoming a very elusive waterfall. The going underfoot was very soft so there was much slip sliding going on but due to a small miracle we managed to retain our balance throughout.

We journeyed on passing weird imaginary creatures on the way. 

Eventually we could go no further

......so we backtracked and found a new route, with Tootlepedal blazing the trail. The red hat making him easy to follow.

At last!

After all our scrambling uphill and down dale the so called waterfall was a bit of a disappointment to say the least, it certainly was no Shangri la.

Life starting to stir on the forest floor.

and on the trees

Passing through more trees we eventually came to the main road and headed for Claygate and the car.

Claygate

Passing through the hamlet this post box in the wall caught my eye.

.......as did this clock on a gable end

This is summer house belongs to John Murray a Claygate resident of many years. It is built on a turntable and can be turned to face the sun. A nice place to be with a pot of coffee and the Sunday papers.

It was nice to get back to the car and head to Wauchope Cottage for more coffee and biscuits. We spent a good part of what remained of the afternoon sorting out a box of photographs for the Archive Centre that were given to us by Tootlepedals neighbour Liz.