A Grand Opening.

Shot of the Day

Today was the official opening of the new hide at the moorland feeder station. This was a grand affair, we were bused up to the sight although Tootlepedal opted to cycle there instead. Something maybe I should have done as I've accumulated some extra weight over the winter months which needs to be addressed. There was some welcoming coffee, tea and delicious cakes and tray bakes on hand. I wondered how the birds would react to so many people milling around but they just ignored us and carried on as though we weren't there. This was a good thing as there was quite a few youngsters there and they got to see what was on view and hopefully they'll pay regular visits with friends and family. The inside of the hide had been transformed since Tootlepedal and I had visited the previous morning. Benches, sills and information boards had been installed, making the place feel as where one could spend a few comfortable hours. 

Dr Barlow speaks about how the project came about and the obstacles they had to cross before it all came to fruition.

Simon and Dr Barlow are joined by Daniel Lacey who designed and constructed the hide with help from some of Langholm Academy pupils.

Local head gamekeeper Simon Lester had been invited to cut the ceremonial ribbon but beforehand he gave a speech on how appropriate that Mother Nature had its place here on Mothers Day.

  

  

The usual cheery Tootlepedal.

Goats Trains and Canals

Shot of the Day

The following photos I have posted to compliment Tootlepedals post of yesterday (Wild, Woolly and Playing with Trains). As you can see it was a day of varied photo opportunities and as always the delightful pleasure of Tootlepedals company.

of the goats we encountered

A distant cousin?

 Our journey took us to Whitrope where this cheery rail enthusiast along with others are slowly restoring a small part of the old Waverly Line.

Tootlepedal listens intently 

When we returned to Langholm I had to have quick wash and change as I had been invited to Carole and Malcolm's in Carlisle to stay the night. Carole had ordered an Indian takeaway for the early part of the evening then we were asked to Friends of Carole and Malcolm's for drinks later along with Pat Harris.

Easter Sunday

Shot of the Day

King Edward I Monument

The plan for Easter Sunday was to have a walk on Burgh Marsh then on to Bowness on Solway for  Sunday lunch at The Kings Arms Inn at Bowness on Solway where we had a delightful meal at a very reasonable price. 

Whita hill appears in the distance.

The ridges are an example of the ancient method of ridge and furrow ploughing.

Malcolm Pat and Carole

Lakeland fells to the south west

Galloway hills to the north west

Resting

Spring is here

Salt marsh lambs

Start of the old Port Carlisle to Carlisle canal

From East to West

Shot of the Day

It was  a bitterly cold wind that was blowing when I went to fill the bird feeders this morning and the thought of doing any of the gardening I had planned to do was immediately abandoned, so I settled down to work on the 8mm films for the Archives. A call from Tootlepedal at 11 o'clock with an invitation for coffee was more than  enough to drag me away from the laptop. Over coffee we decided to brave the cold wind and venture out after lunch.

I met Tootlepedal at Wauchope Cottage at the prearranged time and we set off heading up towards Pathhead and along the top track leading towards the North Lodge.

On Elizabeth street I caught this Heron eyeing up a potential meal.

Spot the odd one out

I managed to capture this Goosander taking off as we passed by the Kilngreen.

 

Heading up past Pathhead towards Pathways

Looking back over the valley

Tootlepedal stops to remove an irritating stone from his shoe

We continue along the track heading for the North Lodge

This tree trunk has been well drilled by Woodpeckers. I suggested to Tootlepedal that we should obtain some sort of hide and return as the trunk is well used and it would be nice to get a shot of a Woodpecker doing what it does best

These frogs eggs were managing to survive the cold conditions.

This is what's left of one of the water reservoirs that fed Langholm Lodge in its hay day. 

This contraption is used by the beaters during the shooting season

A pheasant rearing unit

This tree fungus was quite intriguing

I posted a picture recently of strange growths in the branches of some trees which I was informed by New Hampshire Gardener it was known as witches broom. I think this is it to the extreme.

This area was well used as a picnic spot when our families were young

That hat does stand out 

Someone has left their mark

The path leading home

Tootlepedals main aim this walk was to capture a collection of moss and fungus photos which you'll see along with some other fine photos on his blog this was my effort.

Scott McCarthy who is our Minister keeps a varied collection of hens

In the evening I travelled to Hawick with Tootlepedal and Melanie Horne for the annual Border Digital Battle. If there is a competition that truly represents the Borders surely this must be it as there was fifteen camera clubs involved stretching from Berwick Upon Tweed in the east to Dumfries in the west and Carlisle over the Border. I thought the judges comments were fair and constructive, although a lot of the photographers were obviously spending more time on the computer than behind the camera. If you visit Tootlepedals blog you'll get a more detailed report of the competition.