Shancastle and Maxwellton Chapel 16th May 2016

A lovely afternoon - where to go? We often go to Shancastle Loch just to sit and watch the wildlife while enjoying a cup of tea. Not having been since last year we thought it was time to go and see what birds were about. We have seen ducklings and goslings here before at this time of year.

Shancastle Loch is a man-made loch on the A702 near Moniaive.

 

 

 

 

 

It is a lovely peaceful spot to sit and watch the water. There is always something to see.

Within just a few minutes today we saw ducklings and goslings drifting along the water with their parent(s). We counted 24 mallard ducklings! Then, under the trees we spotted a lovely little roe deer. He came out and wandered around for quite a few minutes before going back into the trees.

 

 

 

 

 

Both Greylags and Canada Geese

had goslings  - we counted 24 of

them too! Just hope they survive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As it has been dry recently we did walk a circuit

of the loch while we were there.

There were plenty of dandelions that had gone to seed

 - remember blowing them when you were little?

The bees love dandelions at this time of year

so we try not to chop them down in our garden too quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Everyone regards daisies as a weed but they are quite a pretty little flower really.

 

 

 

 

 

I think this is Bugle, but what a lovely little blue flower when you look close.

While we were wandering around the loch

there were plenty of Martins and

Swallows swooping over the water. They are such acrobats!

The deer was still in the trees so we kept very quiet as we walked on.

 

 

Round the back of the loch, the sun came out and within a few minutes we were watching butterflies zooming backwards and forwards. We identified male and female Orange Tips (without being able to get a photo!) but also some Green-veined whites.

 

 

The greylags were busy on the grass as we walked back to the car and we reckon there must have been about 50 geese (Canada and Greylag) in total.

 

 

Also lovely to see on the loch were the Little Grebes, disappearing under the water to pop up again in a different location. One was still sitting on a nest but we saw at least 5 while we were there. Lapwing, heron, moorhen, oystercatcher, buzzard, pied wagtail and tufted ducks were also on or around the water. The noisiest by far were the black-headed gulls sitting on the rocky island in the loch. Woodpigeons, rooks and carrion crows were all over the fields around the loch.

We decided there was still time to go and look at Maxwellton Chapel - somewhere we had passed but never investigated.

 

 

Although we couldn't go inside, we did wander all around the chapel. What a super little place!

At this time of year the grounds are full of bluebells - what a wonderful setting for a wedding at this time of year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trees looked wonderful, with their bright new foliage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very picturesque looking shed in the middle of the flowers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a lovely loch that you can wander around too. There were 2 Canada Geese sitting on the edge of the water while we were there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lovely wooden bridge takes you across the water to complete the circle of the loch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only a short walk all around the loch but on a peaceful, sunny afternoon it was wonderful.

 

People who know us will recognise our destination for a day out today.

 

Cream o' Galloway run a series of 'Food for Thought Events' throughout the season.

 

 

The topic for the talk was 'From Cutting to Coffin' with Susan Finlay, a demonstration of weaving with Willow.

It is not just the coffee , scones, delicious lunch and ice cream which tempts us to Rainton Farm near Gatehouse of Fleet. The topic for this month sounded very interesting.

 

Susan showed us her willow plot in the Farmhouse garden and talked about growing and using willow. She makes the most beautiful and functional baskets and has even made 2 coffins!!

 

We were told about the processes needed to make the willow pliable and suitable for intricate weaving into basic and complicated shapes.

Her artistic eye for the craft has resulted in many colourful and rugged designs.

 

 

 

 We were shown some of basic techniques and tools used to make the baskets, starting with the base.

Some of the designs incorporate handles, top & foot rims.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 coffins . . . .

 

and their lids.

A couple of the larger projects were displayed - two coffins that she had made for herself and family members!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the fascinating talk we were treated to informal chat over a 2 course lunch.

 

My Pavlova

In order to burn off the excess calories we decided (along with friends) to try out the new Crazy Golf course.

 

 

 

 

 

 



 After all the exercise we needed an obligatory ice cream cone before we raided the freezers for bargain ice cream and stocked up on tasty cheese.

 

Looking forward to the next event already!

 

 

Bluebells, bluebells and more bluebells Wed 11th May 2016

May and bluebells go together for us. I have always loved spring flowers - I think it is the new life emerging after the winter and the joy in seeing the first flowers. So finding one of the best sites for bluebells in the UK in Dumfries and Galloway was a real bonus. It is now an annual trip to Carstramon Wood near Gatehouse of Fleet. Carstramon is one of the largest broad-leaved woodlands in the area so it is worth it at any time of year to see some of the majestic old trees. The oak trees were once used for making charcoal and supplying the local mill with bobbins.

We have to judge when to go to see the bluebells, sometimes we have been just too early, sometimes the sun isn't shining or it has rained recently and it is wet underfoot but this year I think we got it exactly right. The bluebells were fully out, the sun was shining (although there was a breeze to keep us cool) and the paths were dry.

 

 

At the entrance to the wood there are often a few cars parked but we rarely meet more than a coupe of people as we wander around. The wood is big enough to accommodate many people without bumping into each other at every step. The people we do meet are usually in awe of their surroundings and can't believe what they are seeing.

 

 

The board at the entrance explains that the Scottish Wildlife Trust look after the wood and gives a little information about it and what you might see on your walk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We did see female pied flycatchers and wood warblers yesterday as we wandered through the wood. The sound of birds singing was a very pleasing accompaniment to our walk. We stood for ages watching the wood warbler flying from tree to tree, watching his distinctive flight. Almost got a photo of him (or her) but it was really much too quick for us!

 

But to get back to the bluebells... the sight of them and the smell as we walked through them was overpowering. They are everywhere, like blue snow in every direction you look. So here is our wander through the wood.

 

 

 

I stopped to take a 360° video on my phone - hardly knew where to start and/or stop!

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a seat just here - no better view while eating lunch on a day like today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We only covered a small area - there are lots more bluebells to look at, and smell, in the rest of the wood. Just a shame that you can't take the scent of the bluebells home with you. Someone needs to invent a camera that can record the smells as well as the sights. We'd buy one!!