Outing to Scottish Organ Preservation Society and Manderston House - Thursday 14th July 2016

The third outing of 2016 was on 14 July to the Scottish Theatre Organ Preservation Society in Greenlaw, then Manderston House. 44 people came on this outing but no fancy bus this time, nor our usual driver. Again the weather was very kind to us although Edinburgh was sunnier.
When we arrived in Greenlaw there was an ambulance on the main road near the Organ Hall. That’s when we found out we had a problem. It had the Organist in it, as he had taken ill before we arrived and he was being taken to Borders General Hospital.  The person in charge of the hall had not had time to deal with the Teas and Coffees. The tables had been set, so we mucked in and everyone eventually got their elevenses, thanks to the committee members and some Association members.
One of our members, Alan, then stepped in and said he could play the organ if there was music available. So although no requests were played and “Happy Birthday” was missed we were well entertained.
With time on our hands, we then had an unscheduled stop in Duns where lunch was bought by some, either at the bakers or the baguette café. Someone even managed to make a purchase from the Charity Shop!
We then proceeded to Manderston, where we wandered round the gardens in the sunshine and also visited the House which is famous for its silver staircase.  Some even managed to walk back to the Stables and the Tea Room.
After that, High Tea was at Carfraemill which was good as usual.  However that didn’t go without incident either.  Alan’s wife tripped entering the building and ended up clutching a bag of ice to her face with a large plaster on her elbow.  “The things that people will do to get a free glass of wine!”
We all returned safely to a still sunny Edinburgh, a bit early as Carfraemill isn’t too far away.

Strollers Walk No. 206 - Wednesday 22nd June, Linlithgow Town, Union Canal and River Avon

Date:           Wednesday 22nd June 2016
Distance:     5 miles approximately
Duration:      2.5 hours approximately
Started at:       Linlithgow Railway Station
Finished at:     Linlithgow town centre

On Wednesday 22nd, 25 of us set out in the sunshine from Linlithgow Railway Station westwards along the Union Canal. The canal was opened in 1822 and as we walked along the towpath we passed a 16th century doocot built by Baron Ross of Halkhead to provide food in the winter, then Linlithgow Primary and Academy Schools, the Linlithgow Canal Boat Heritage Centre where we saw the Victoria a replica steam packet boat built in 1972, the stables used for the horses which pulled the Canal boats , the headquarters of the Linlithgow Sea Scouts and Linlithgow Golf Course. before arriving at the Avon Aqueduct. However by 12:00 we had encountered a shower of rain which got heavier as we approached the aquaduct over the River Avon. This was built by Thomas Telford and is over 800 feet long support by hollow piers which do have small doors for access. 

We didn’t cross the aqueduct but went down a steep set of steps to join the Avon Heritage Trail and followed a footpath alongside the river underneath the trees, giving us some shelter from the shower. This path crossed boardwalks and slightly muddy paths which took us down to the 24 span railway viaduct over the River Avon which was opened in 1842 and connects the Cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.  By this time the shower has passsed, so we continued along the main road through Linlithgow Bridge and back into Linlithgow town centre in time for something to eat. 

Drew then thanked Ronnie for organising this walk, before we dispersed into/onto various cafes, pubs, buses and trains. The promised sunshine had not materialised and it was a tad on the wet side at times which was more galling when we got home to discover it had not rained in Edinburgh!

The July walk is to Haddington following another river so let’s hope the sun comes out!

 If you did not receive an email advising you of this walk (and think you should have), please contact us by email at sl.pa.strollers@gmail.com or sl.pensioners.association@gmail.com.