Strollers Walk No.195 - Tuesday 21st July 2015, Peebles to Lyne Water

Walk No. 195:   Peebles to Lyne Water Circular Walk
Date:                 Tuesday 21st July 2015
Start Time:       11:00
Distance:         7.0 miles approximately
Meet at:   Kingsmeadows car Park (just over the Tweed Bridge in Peebles)

Twenty Strollers met up for the July walk from Peebles to Lyne Station done in a figure of eight out and back along the Tweed via Manor Bridge. Starting off from the Kingsmeadows car park and following the path along the River Tweed and turning south at Fotheringham Bridge to go through the field and skirt the South Wood to the viewpoint above the Manor Bridge. Who works out these puff factors? From the viewpoint down and over the Old Manor Brig dating from 1702. Crossing the Manor Bridge itself to join the old Symington, Biggar and Broughton railway line, where contrary to the forecast it began to rain quite heavily. Not sure about the definition of drizzle to heavy drizzle. Following the railway line and sheltering from the rain under the trees we reached the bridge at Lyne Station where we stopped for lunch in relatively dry conditions trying to work out what type of birds were sitting on the telephone wires beside us.
From here it was over the footbridge and past Barns Tower, dating from the 16th century and Barns House dating from the 18th century to re-join the river and work our way back to the Manor Bridge. Crossing over to create our figure of eight we re-joined the railway line back to the Neidpath Viaduct, where the option of going over it and through the tunnel didn’t have an enthusiastic response. So instead we opted to follow the river below Neidpath Castle, now owned by the Wemyss family. It has had many famous visitors including Mary Queen of Scots, James the VI and poets like William Wordsworh. Following the river into Hay Lodge Park and across the Fotheringham Bridge and back to the car park in Peebles.
Apart from the rain, and Moira discovering that wearing walking shoes after going round in sandals for a long time was not a good move (big blisters), it was a nice walk.
Many thanks to Drew yet again for organising our walks. Here’s to next walk in hopefully a drier August.

Outing to Ayr Flower Show - Friday 7th August 2015

The fourth outing of 2015 took place on Friday 7 August, when we had a full day trip to Ayr Flower Show. Once again we had a full coach for this outing, but we managed to fit in everyone who wanted to attend with no waiting list, so no one was disappointed this time.
We left a sunny Edinburgh at 09:00 - earlier than usual but no one was late. Our coffee stop was at the MacKinnon Mills near Coatbridge. This stop was not long enough for some people to have a good look around, although someone managed to buy three pairs of shoes! Then we continued on to Ayr and the Flower Show, where the weather continued to be kind to us with sunshine all day. When it was time to board the coach to leave there were a few extra packages, as some people had bought plants or clothing at the various stalls around the Show.
Our high tea was at the Dumfries Arms Hotel, Cumnock. The information on its website says it is an “upscale Boutique Hotel, housed in an 18th-century stone building” and it was true. It was a lovely building and the interior had been renovated five years before. The meals were very nice. The only hiccup was some had almost finished their meal before the people having fish were served. However it was compensated by the lovely the home made cakes and scones available. Staff even brought an extra plate of scones to the tables.
The coach driver brought us back by the scenic route although it was a bit too twisty for one, who was sick. We were later than normal getting back but it was a very enjoyable long day. Some people were lucky and were dropped off on the way into Waterloo Place and those living in the east side got dropped off before the driver headed back to Earlston.

Many thanks to Moira for organising this outing and to others who helped with any of the arrangements.