Snow Snow and more Snow

Shot of the day

 When we woke the town was covered in a thick blanket of snow

Tootlepedal rang this morning to see if I wanted to go for a walk and take advantage of the snow that had fell over most of yesterday and on until the early I hours of the morning. I was glad to accept as I had to cancel a trip to Newcastle because of the weather this was to attend a lecture by landscape photographer David Ward. 

But before any walk the birds in the garden were struggling to get seeds from the feeders and they needed to be filled and cleared.

A blackbird does an ungainly launch.

The scene I was greeted with, this morning

Tootlepedal was ready to go when I arrived. We went off with no real plan of a route. We went down Caroline Street past the Buccleuch Park and Parish Kirk.

I liked the reflections in the water

When we came to the suspension bridge Tootlepedal walked on one side of the river and I on the other up to the Langholm Bridge. If you want to see Tootlepedals view of our walk click here.

George Street

Elizabeth Street and Langholm Bridge

We continued on up Drove Road on a definite route now heading in the direction of the golf course. Passing friends on the way. 

                               One of my Facebook Scrabble opponents Bobby Morrison

Local Postman Gordon Young

When we got to the top of thr Kirk Wynd there was a crowd of sledgers gathered and having a whale of a time.

We decided to walk up the track by the side of the golf course to Whita Well. This proved to be quite strenuous and took a bit of effort on my part and made me aware of how unfit I have become.  

Tibby Lugs Entry

 Our destination, Whita Well

The descent was uneventful until I went ungraciously head first into snowdrift. I was grateful Tootlepedal was there to haul me out. He didn't embarrass me by taking my photo for his blog. I would have. He did find it rather amusing.

There was still plenty of action when we got back to the Kirk Wynd

Tootlepedal suggested I join him for a toasted cheese sandwich when we got back to Wauchope Cottage. There was still time for some photos on the way.  

Local council groundsmen Robin and Stuart busy clearing the Health Centre car park

A very cheery pair

After all that effort I was rather peckish and I was very grateful for the toasted sandwich, which, by the way was delicious. It was time to head for home for a lie down followed by a hot bath.

A snow covered chicken

Humpty Dumpty sat on a snow wall

I apologise if my post is picture heavy and word light but at this moment I am to tired to write any more.

Childhood Memories

The Muckle Toon and beyond

Depleted Energy Levels

As it was a excellent afternoon for a walk I decided to put my depleted energy levels to the test and head along towards Jimmy's Brae and the Meikleholm. The going was a slippy so I went with caution. 

A Fairytale Appeal

Heading along Holmwood Drive I paused to post a letter Mrs Gill had given me. As I passed the small cottage at the top of Jimmy's Brae I thought it was looking rather sad and dilapidated now. When I was a young boy I always thought it had some magical fairytale appeal. This applies to quite a few of  the Buccleuch Estates properties North and South lodge being two. What it's original use was I'm not sure, a farm worker or shepherd perhaps, if anyone can enlighten me please do so, but I can remember it being occupied by Wull Kinnear. If my memory serves me well he was employed as a woodsman for the Duke and he used to enthral us all with stories of his exploits in WW2, which was OK for a short while, then you were planning your own wartime escape. Maybe we should have listened a bit more.

When We Were Boys

As you pass the cottage the track bends to the right and leads past Meikleholm Side and up towards Meikleholm hill. After about 300yds the track bears left along the foot of the hill towards the Becks Burn. When we were boys we would go as far up the track as possible and sledge all the way down and with some skilful negotiation and lots of luck you could end up on Eskdale Street. Thank goodness there was less traffic in those days. Today's condition was perfect for this but sadly there wasn't sledge to be seen. 

Gritting or Lack of

Jimmy Kingstree

At the top of the track I met Jimmy Kingstree returning the small holding he shares with his son Steven. We discussed the weather and the reluctance of the council to grit the roads and pavements in  the area, this seemed to have annoyed Jimmy no end. I bade him fair well and headed further along the track. As I was still recovering from Flu I decided not to push my luck and head for home. as I passed the aforesaid cottage I noticed a Murder of crows roosting on the treetops. I thought they looked quite sinister. A Murder of Crows

Sledging Route

Sledging Route

Sledging Route

Sledging Route looking down

Towards Becks Burn

Looking towards Meikleholm Hill

Warbla

Berries

A Murder of Crows