Sunday 19 November 2017

Strollers Walk No. 224 - Thursday 7th December 2017

Walk No. 224:   Strollers Christmas Lunch
Venue:              Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh

We all met up for a lovely lunch on Thursday 7th December, then were entertained by our very own Strollers Songsters. Many thanks to all involved in that and also thanks Drew for all your organisation, not just for the lunch but throughout the year. We really do appreciate your contribution to our outdoor exercise as well as our festive waistlines.

Thursday 16 November 2017

Strollers Walk No. 223 - Thursday 16th November 2017, Threipmuir, Harlaw to Juniper Green

Walk No. 223:       Threipmuir, Harlaw to Juniper Green
Date:                      Thursday 16h November 2017
Distance:                5 miles approximately
Start Time:             11:00
Start at:                  Balerno Terminus of Lothian Buses 44.
Finish at:                Juniper Green Village (on 44 bus route)
Summary:            
As the rain battered off the widows on the Thursday morning, we wondered if the weather forecast could be trusted - that the rest of day should be bright and sunny. For once the forecast was right and 32 Strollers met up in sunshine at the 44 bus terminus in Balerno to make their way to Juniper Green via the Threipmuir and Harlaw reservoirs.
Starting off from the terminus and going up to Threipmuir, with up being the key word, it seemed more than a puff factor 2 on the steepness rating. Obviously the coordinator had forgotten that bit of road. Dodging puddles and cars to arrive at Threipmuir reservoir with lovely clear views across the water and stroll along to Harlaw. For some reason no-one seemed keen on taking a dip for a bit of wild swimming. The reservoirs are no longer used as such but are now used for fishing and as part of the Water of Leith flood defence.
In addition Harlaw generates Hydro power. A 95kW hydro scheme takes water from the dam’s penstocks (reservoir dam outflows) returning flow to the dam discharge channel prior to it forming Bavelaw Burn. A new turbine house is located to the north east of the discharge channel at the foot of the Harlaw Reservoir dam immediately south of the disused building. The scheme will generate approximately 260,000kWh (units) of green electricity per year – enough for approximately 100 average houses – saving 129 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Stopping at the Ranger Station to use the facilities proved how good the Strollers are at queueing, with only 1 toilet available. From there we made our way east along the ridge past the farms of Harlaw and Wester Kinleith, admiring the views over the Forth Bridges and into Fife as well as out to the West. Passing lots of horses of all different size from small Shetland ponies to large working horses as well as varying colours of sheep. then along to Blinkbonny Village. Descending down on the Water of Leith walkway, and wondering how much sunlight will reach the houses being built on the site where all the Kinleith Mills used to stand.
Finishing up in Juniper Green still in time for people to get something to eat - which takes us on to the next “walk” which will be to the Lunch in Edinburgh and nice, dry and warm. Look forward to seeing you then.
Thanks to Drew for organising today’s walk and having trust in the weather forecast.