3.15 miles about 1.5h 166m ascent
Near Bala, Gwynedd
I sat nursing the last vestiges of a hangover, warmed by the afternoon sun. The planned morning walk had not panned out. We had found the lakeside path closed. Three generations had succumbed to post lunch somnolence but I felt in need of a wee stroll. Half an hour would clear my head.
Continue reading7.83 miles 4h 5m ascent 117m
Temple Sowerby-Colby Bridge
Our first Eden Way sortie of 2022, indisposition and inclement weather having delayed us. There was neither deluge nor drama and it was no great distance. But I cannot say it was painless. The first gate we encountered crushed my thumb in a malfunctioning fastening and a later one snagged my index finger. We only had light rain but the long grass had held onto the previous day’s rain and soaked our feet. The local custom seems to be to tie gates shut with nylon string which forced us to use stiles, many of which had been designed by Satan himself. In fact I think I can still hear his demonic cackling as I write this.
Continue reading3.11 miles 1h 57m ascent 94m
Pond Trail-Larch Trail-Burnside Trail
Continue reading“Corse o’ Slakes, Cross of Rocky Hills – Slakes in Saxon meaning rocky hills or rocky brows. In Galloway there are no roads so wild as the one which leads over the celebrated pass of the above name between Cairnsmoor and Cairnhattie. It is a perfect Alpine pass, and was a haunt of Billy Marshall and his gang in days of yore.”
Gallovidian Encyclopædia 1824, John Mactaggart.
7.35miles 3h 1m ascent 195m
Armathwaite-Old Town-High Hesket-Low Hesket
“The initial idea was to create 19 memorial sites throughout the UK (19 being the significant number relating to Covid 19). The sites will provide an eternal living memorial, a focal point, place of comfort and solace to those grieving for the loss of their loved ones. Places to relax, reflect and remember. I would like to ensure those friends, family members, acquaintances, we have lost are not in vain, they are not just a number or a statistic”.
“The route will be approximately six miles long, meandering through several villages and will be marked by several areas of daffodil displays, memorial benches, and sculptures along the way. Whilst this is a stroll it is along country lanes, therefore, will be accessible on foot or by vehicle, and has public transport links at Low Hesket and Armathwaite. Daffodils are symbolic of the time of year when we started ‘Lock Down’ in March 2020. People were coming out of their houses to take their daily exercise along these lanes.” Belinda Fox and David Ryland, 2020.
The memorial is still in its early stages. It certainly has plenty of daffodils of many varieties. There are several benches along the way, some dedicated to specific people, others embossed with “2000” and presumably dating back to the millennium celebrations. But no sculptures as yet. The route is mostly on quiet country lanes, with only short sections on the pavement of more major roads. There are local bridleways and pathways that might have been used instead of roads but I understand the aim was to have a route suitable for walkers, cyclists or even drivers.
Continue reading10.23 miles 5h 36m ascent 430m
Burnhead Bridge-Birger Natvig Road-Robert Watson Road-Torrs Hill-Mykola Lysenko Road-Anette Olsen Road-Caroline Currie Road (I think)-Birger Natvig Road-Burnhead Bridge
This, the longest of our Forrest jaunts, was without doubt the most trying, though not due to the terrain, the weather or my map-reading. The day was warm and mostly dry. When it did rain, on the home stretch, it was light enough that the rain jacket stayed stowed. The day’s objective was Torrs, a wee hill south of the Polmaddy Burn.
Continue reading8.28 miles 3h 52m ascent 310m
Forrest-Loch Dungeon-Forlow Monument-Haggis Hawse-Loch Minnoch
This outing was planned to visit the memorial that stands beneath Milldown, but we also took in Loch Dungeon and walked by Haggis Hawse and Loch Minnoch. The sun was out and Winter’s chills had relaxed into the warmth of Spring. When I had walked through the Forrest Estate a few years ago, in my Donalds phase, the forest was mature, the views limited and my mind had been on the hills ahead of me. Much of the forest has now been felled.
Continue reading6.04 miles 3h 22m ascent 273m
Forrest Bridge-Shinmount Hill-Burnhead
As the day draws to close
It’s on Shinmount I’ll stand
The dugs by my side
And a stick in my hand
6.23 miles 3h 26m ascent 228m
Prof Hans Heiberg Rd-Malcolm Mitchell Rd-Charlie Tyeson Rd-Malcolm Mitchell Rd, Prof Hans Heiberg Rd-Ghost Hole
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