Rambling Russells

Having visited Raider's Road quite frequently, we often wondered where the dismantled railway track that we follow would eventually lead to. A look at the map showed it went to Gatehouse Station via the Big Water of Fleet viaduct. So with fine weather forecast, we headed out to investigate further. We took a more scenic route via Laurieston, Knocktinkle and Carstramon. We were rewarded with sightings of Red Squirrels and Red Kites along the way.   We have visited here before but never ventured over the structure. A quick lunch with visit from an inquisitive Robin and sheep with rather large horns and we were ready to set off.     There is an easy ascent to the track level and we headed to the bridge and its views. There were a few low growing fungi in the grass on the track.     Climbing stiles is not the easiest task these days but at least the main route is level. This was a good opportuni...

With the sun shining we set off for an autumn amble around Bowness on Solway Nature Reserve. The site used to be a sand and gravel quarry until it was given to Cumbria Wildlife Trust in 1977, since when it has been transformed into a nature reserve. It has a variety of habitats, including ponds, grassland, woodland and scrub, so potential for plenty of wildlife.     Along the A75 and through Carlisle we drove through intermittent patches of thick fog. The peat fields and some of the ploughed fields on the way had cloud so low they looked as if they were smoking! There was very little wind so the Solway was very calm as we drove along. High tide was only an hour away as we reached a suitable spot to stop and watch both the birds and the tide coming in.     The birds in and on the water included goosanders, curlew, mallards, redshank, turnstones and a guillemot with lapwing, knot and oystercatchers flying past as they ...

Since our first "tea" a few years ago we look forward to Durisdeer in September. The teas are actually served during July, August and September and have been for almost 50 years! Needless to say the ladies  - & gentlemen -  have serving tea down to a fine art! They can be found in the church hall, next to the church.     We decided to take a walk before our tea - to build up an appetite! Not that we needed to! There is a track that goes beyond the church, leading into the hills. There is even a Roman fortlet further up the track.     After the recent rain the track was rather puddly in places, but as it is a stony track it was not really a problem. The sun shone as we set off although the wind was rather strong. The hills looked lovely - still very green - must be lovely when the heather that covers much of the hills is flowering!     ...

Scotland and Poland have had cultural and trade links since at least the 16th Century but the Second World War saw thousands of Polish troops come to Scotland as allies in the fight against Germany. They were tasked with defending a long stretch of the East coast against invasion. In 1942 the 1st Polish Armoured division, under General Maczek, came to the borders to train and prepare for the liberation of occupied Europe and in that year Barony Castle in Peebles became the main Polish Staff Officer training college.     After the war Maczek, and many of his comrades, including Jan Tomasik, made their homes in Scotland. The 3D map of Scotland was actually the brainchild of Jan Tomasik who had been a Sergeant in the 1st Polish Armoured Division. He had been stationed at Galashiels and married a Scottish nurse in 1942 after being injured and treated in the town's hospital. After the war he became a successful hotelier in Edinburgh and bought...

The weather was very changeable at the beginning of the month, with 60-70mph winds at times during the first week! It seems to be the time of bulbs and corms at the moment - with lilies, dahlias and gladioli giving of their best. The day lily's are a warm mid-orange colour and last for ages despite their individual blooms only lasting one day.     The dahlias are rather lovely. I like their 2-colour flowers.     The gladioli have a most unusual lime green colour.     One of my favourite plants comes into bloom now as well. Fuschias make attention spots around the garden with their different colour flowers and calices. Pruning them right back in the spring seems very drastic at the time, but it certainly reaps rewards now. There are so many varieties to choose from and they are a plant that is easy to take cuttings from.     Ot...