Walk leader* Route* Weather* Walkers* Apologies and Excuses* Comments* Evening Meal* Picture Gallery Ashley |
Close to Stonehaugh to Bellcrag Flow and back. As per forecast. Started with continuous rain and cold wind. Abated gradually, sunny periods later on - clear blue skies, rainbows. Ashley, George B., Ron, Bernie, Carol. |
Sandy - organising Beth's birthday Mike and Michelle - broken Aga Evelyn - having a long lie |
Huge lorries loaded with big Christmas trees at start. Wind and rain in our faces at the start going outwards - some shelter in the trees. Forgot to observe two minutes' silence at ll a.m. (it was raining at the time). Had lunch in dense wood - torches would have been useful (like the set of the Blair Witch Project). Orange mushrooms, and white mushrooms. Rain abated after lunch. Visited a SAC (Special Area of Conservation) - of global significance. Bellcrag Flow is the early regeneration of a Border mire. Saw a big frog, a toad, bubbles in the pond, and a jumping green thing. Further on saw Rudolf the Christmas Tree and an extremely high firewatch tower with a security gate. Bernie's new waterproof (still with the security tag) was 100% effective. Nice views when the sun came out. Double cafe stops before the meal - lovely cake in the first. We had to get Carol out before she bought a painting - especially one of Bruges. When we got back to the cars, there were even more Scania lorries loading Christmas trees. The foresters were very friendly. Wildlife: Ron saw a red squirrel en route. Failed to spot a large heath butterfly. We did see some sheep. |
Evening meal - - Meal of the Year - - Hadrian Inn, Wall. Nice meal, with huge portions. Special note - the starters were huge as well. The fire was too hot for everyone except Bernie. Joined by Mike, Michelle, and Evelyn. |
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