Kippford Walk, Stone Creatures and Lunch

[Rob's photo of a heart-shaped fern emerging]

 

 Rob, Brock and I went on a favourite walk of ours today, from Kippford to Rockcliffe and back. There is a circular walk through woodlands full of bluebells and ransomes, at this time of year, to Rockcliffe and back along the shore path, with views over the inlet, the mud flats dotted with picturesque boats, to the next peninsula with its woodlands and hills.

 

[Brock on the beach at Rockcliffe: the half-way point]

There is a garden on the return leg, where someone makes strange little stone creatures out of rocks, pebbles, found items, teddy bears' eyes, and sometimes teeth. There are always a few new ones to spot.

We decided to try a new place for lunch: The Mariner Hotel, Restaurant and Bar We sat in the beer garden with Brock. There were quite a few tables available outside, with good views over the marina. There is plenty of indoor seating in a conservatory, for when the weather is less clement.

We ordered orange squash, mineral water and two portions of the vegetable curry with rice (Rob had half rice/half chips). It arrived fairly quickly, and was a good-sized portion. It was tasty: quite mild, English-style curry, with a fruity/spicy flavour; plenty of chickpeas, sweetcorn, greens (chard, I think), red pepper and onion. Rob said that the chips were very good, too. The bill came to just under £20. The choice was a bit limited for vegetarians apart from the curry, (mainly cheese-based dishes: macaroni, salad, or panini). But at least there were two gluten free, veggie choices: the curry and the cheese salad.

Eskdalemuir & Samye Ling

Rob, Brock and I went on one of our regular walks in Eskdalemuir, up to Bessie's Hill Fort and through an area of forestry.

Here's Brock heading up the trail. It was a frosty day: about -3 degrees Celsius.

A view from the highest point of the walk.

 Ice 'rose' in a puddle.

Frosted tree.

Larch cones.

Brock in his winter coat.

The Green Tara Statue at Samye Ling. Set in the centre of the medicinal garden.

The Samye Liberation Gate. The Gate is dedicated to world peace and is decorated with carved mantras and figures that are said to help develop peace of mind in all those who see it or go under it. We had a lovely cup of cappuccino at the Samye Ling cafe and bought some notebooks in the shop. Well worth a visit.

Glenkiln Sculpture Walk

Rob, Brock and I went on the Glenkiln Sculpture Walk today. The first time for Brock - about the fourth or fifth for Rob and I.

The weather was misty in places with sunshine breaking through elsewhere. The track was muddy in places in the fields, but it is quite an easy walk: just a few low hills and slopes to climb. It is about 3.5 miles long.

 View from the parking lay by.

'King and Queen' by Henry Moore, overlooking Glenkiln Reservoir.

 Mysterious figure in the mist.

'The Visitation' by Sir Jacob Epstein.

A rather nice tree on the edge of a gully.

Small bridge with device for stopping sheep from escaping!

'Two Piece Reclining Figure' by Henry Moore.

Brock.

Topiary bird by roadside.

View of Glenkiln Reservoir. There were lots of geese, ducks and swans on the water.

There is a good guide to the walk on walkingenglishman.com.