Wednesday 3 May 2017

An Easy Stroll on a Lovely Day

It’s such lovely weather at the moment, so it was no hardship to go for a longer stroll. Going passed the quarry it was good to see dozens of sand martins swooping and chattering around a good many nest holes. I continued along my usual route through woodland and around the loch before taking the track behind the Big House before taking the track straight ahead.

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Blossom

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A different view of the loch

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Another different view of the loch

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Through the trees

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Jurassic Lane, not going that way today

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Onwards track

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Blue skies

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Gorse

After passing by the pheasant pens I took the right hand track over the ford and up the little hill. There was a moment of disquiet when I could hear chainsaws working nearby and I was concerned I would get up to the High Road and not be able to continue, but it became clear they were working in the small copse below, so I was able to continue as planned.

As I walked along the High Road, I became aware of a tractor, trundling towards me. I took evasive action and headed for the undergrowth. Shortly after this had passed me, another came trundling along. I have only seen one other vehicle on this track, so was a little miffed to find myself heading for the undergrowth again, but the driver was one I see regularly around the estate and he gave me a big wave and a cheery smile. As I wondered further along, it occurred to me the next 100m section of track had no escape should another tractor happen along, but none did and I continued on across the bridge and then down the little quiet green lane to bring me out just before the farm yard. At this point, I rejoined my usual track to cross the little bridge, go behind the cottages and then up passed the nest site to check on the birds – they’re still there, which is good.

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Continuing through the trees

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Through the trees some more

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And a little more

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Big blue skies!

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Trying out my boots at a ‘ford’ (we all know a proper ford is boots off up to your knees in water!)

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Yup, we’re good

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Roughly centre pic you can see the green lane I’m headed for

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Over the bridge

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Moss and ivy on the bridge

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Cows in the distance

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Dead tree

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Another dead tree

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Just above centre you can see the track I came down

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Altyre Burn

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Green Lane

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Little hills in the distance

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Cowslips

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Mossy tree trunk

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The sand martins on my way back

As I approached my usual turn off, I was disappointed to see a dog walker take me track and I didn’t want to walk behind them, so I took an unintended longer route and went up through the woods and on to the Dava Way to come out the Dallas Dhu Distillery. From there, I briefly joined the road before nipping into the woods to come back to the quarry and the road home.

The furthest I’ve walked to date, post surgery, albeit without a pack, roughly 10.1 miles and 615 ft and on an utterly beautiful day.

6 comments:

AlanR said...

Terrific day out. Beautiful images.

Gayle said...

I recognised quite a few places there.

Mind you don't go using up all the good weather before Friday week! Whilst I'm perfectly happy to have the sunshine now, I think three hundred and something other people would like to save it for later.

Louise said...

Thank you Alan 😊

Louise said...

You should do 😊

Well, I don't want to say anything out loud, but I have slightly different views on that subject!

Alan Sloman said...

I *do* like your mossy tree trunk and sand martins pictures.

Those boots... Are't they a bit... pale? A bit... clean?
They need a few scuffs and peat stains, my Dear! Remind me to grind the sole of my boots over your lovely toes when we next meet, to add a little Hillcred.
:-)

Louise said...

Thank you 😊

That would be a little mean and ungentlemanly Sir. I suspect my boots might be quite muddy by the time we get to Montrose!