Perfidious Forecasters

20.45 miles 6h 20m 380m ascent

Pushing the miles in preparation for the big day we walked from Crocketford up to Speddoch and back via Shawhead.

The weather forecast was dry with a possibility of a light shower and I believed it, fool that I was. Having decided that I tend to take too much stuff in my rucksack I decided to take out the fleece I never wear and the waterproof jacket that makes me sweat. I couldn’t find my waterproof trousers (later found hiding in plain sight). But all that foolishness was not enough. I ditched the long sleeved base layer for a tee-shirt and wore summer trousers (not water resistant). Some part of my brain must have retained some function though since I decided against shorts and stuffed a windproof in the bag. At least I took food, water, map, spare socks, hat and a tenner.

Admittedly I was little cold at first but soon warmed up. About a mile along the A712 we came across this castle like frontage (see above). I presume this is a folly, and the house across the road looks to have the same style. Further along at the Bogle Bridge we turned up the lane towards Glenkiln. This is gently uphill for 4 miles or so, and we stopped for jelly babies at the reclining figures.

There were many lambs of varying ages in the fields, a black swan in the reservoir and a buzzard in the air. The road was very quiet with few cars.

As we walked around the eastern side of Bishop Forest Hill the weather stayed pleasant with the gentle hills bathed in sunlight. A little way before Speddoch we stopped for sandwiches and found a sheep skull lying in the grass. As we left the rain arrived, briefly heavy then lighter. The rocks and water at the Routin Bridge were begging to be photographed but the rain kept my camera out of sight. It looks like a place to return to on a better day. We had a brief respite from rain for long enough for me to dry out.

The first 16 miles of this walk I enjoyed but once the rain set in again at Shawhead and the windproof started to fail as a waterproof it was a different story. When it’s raining I find myself looking at the ground in front of me rather than the countryside so the walk becomes a bit of a chore.

But the distance and time were very good despite the weather.

I have learnt my lesson: take waterproofs no matter what the forecast says.

This entry was posted in Dumfries & Galloway and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.