5.8 miles 1h 45m 284m
An uneventful walk under the traditional grey skies of D&G, wet underfoot but not on the head, snow topped hills in the distance, avec les chiens. One of the latter snuggled up against me just now.
Well, its been a while since we walked Mabie’s flat paths and I for one had forgotten that Craigbill Hill is actually a hill.
The MTB riders were out in force though we only saw them on the larger, flatter, paths. Our own route took us past the old stables, then the ghost stane and onto the phoenix trail which after several windings led us back to the brown walking route. Then it was a gradual climb, overtaking a woman and her terrier towards Craigbill Hill. Looking north from this path the windfarm at Dalswinton could be seen bathed in sunlight.
The viewpoint a Craigbill was an excuse to take a breather. Criffel was topped with cloud, Knockendoch standing before it cloud-free. Changing the viewpoint from distant to near there was a noticeable difference in below-knee spatter between myself and Andrew or Elaine suggesting that we have different gait patterns. Perhaps I tread more carefully and quietly having grown up in a house with a father working nights?
Looking across Lochaber Loch, Bishop Forest Hill was topped in snow though it is only 100m higher than Mabie.
For once our walk along the path towards Dalshinnie Glen was in the downwards direction. I still remember trudging up this section with the wind and rain in my face last year – character building. Much better descending than climbing. (The last sentence has been edited because the original was open to misinterpretation.) There seems to be a new raised walkway around Dalshinnie Loch, but we have left that for another day. I do feel uneasy about calling Dalshinnie loch a loch, pond would seem more apppropriate.
Here we began another minor climb past the lunatic section of the MTB areas and up towards the Wigwams. These look to be in use at present with smoke coming from their chimneys. Then from Marthrown it was all downhill, the sunlit Solway visible and Mabie in its best Autumn colours.
Our only strange sight was a rather diminutive dog carrying a stick that was almost as large as it. (see gallery). Coffee was taken next to a warming fire and no mention made of the next outing.
So that is one week without anyone falling, getting lost or finding an impassable path. I suppose I did drop my camera in the mud but I don’t think anyone noticed.
PS both dogs are sleeping soundly, one snoring (takes after his mistress).
