Walk In Ironmills 24th July

Walk In Ironmills 24th July 2015

Its only a few weeks until the Borders Rail Line is fully operational. Whilst there are many many upsides to the rail line, one downside for me was the loss of the short local walk incorporating the Glenesk Viaduct. Walking over the viaduct, many people were able to appreciate the view from that vantage point. 

This morning I took the camera and walked past the weir towards the viaduct, to see if any route was still possible to replace the top of the viaduct walk. Amazingly (or perhaps not) a path has been created by folks able to scramble up the fenced-off side of the rail track and it is possible to take to the High Woods and have a reasonable circular walk in Ironmills Park. You would need to be reasonably fit though. 

Here are my photos.

The trees planted in the park in 2009

The smelly sewer pipe!

The weir. Destined for change if a project led by SEPA manages to secure funding to modify the weirs along the entire river Esk to enable fish to travel upstream and silts to come down stream. Modification may be full or partial removal of the weirs with fish ladders introduced.

The water management created by Network Rail just to the left of the Viaduct-
quite an impressive piece of minor engineering. 

Passing SandyBank. Very overgrown these days.

Going uphill from SandyBank

Looking down on the narrow track beside the viaduct.

No7 marks the spot to turn right and the last bit of uphill beckons.

Turning onto the original path leading to the top of the high woods

That fence didn't stop anyone

The High Woods

Coming back into Ironmills - nice morning.

Still waiting to get the bridge and railings painted. 24K is advised.
The council cannae afford it.  Its no happenin.....as they say in Midlothian.

Nice wee visitor appeared

Well....are you coming or not?

On the left - the council hand rail "temporary" ha ha repairs. On the right, my own work to create a natural barrier, called a fascine. Good for the beasties, good for the land. The land slip crack directly above the steps on the council side, pretty overgrown now and looking good to me. Not much sign of movement if using a "by eye" check. Wonder what the council surveyor measurements say? I have asked for them. Still waiting. Its no happenin.

Look I'm still waiting......

Top o the steps. Out of puff.

Not a good year for this seeded area. Better next year perhaps. 

Wee bit red for the cottage this year

Got to add a house pic. 3 silver birch have enjoyed the extra light since the sycamore died last year.

The one and only planted wall at the water tower. 

This is evergreen clematis. Armandii sp. It was chopped to its base last year to allow for the repointing of the cottage wall. It has grown all of this length this year and has found the lovely support bars to aid its spread between the cottage wall and the water tower.

To the left those support bars. Either side of the gate, the yew trees planted about
3 years ago. Doing well.

Im getting used to the sycamore tree stump. I do believe the acer tree in front of it is starting to turn
autumnal and its only July!!!!

My lilac hashtag gardenporn. Where the **** is the hashtag on an AppleMac?

Rusty Kokopelli all the way from California many years ago. Enjoying a bit of colour. Apparently he is a fertility symbol.

More hashtag gardenporn

The Royal Niall Steps, still in great condition. Less so the steps further down which are "on the repair list".

A work in progress at the back of the woodland

This is what deer can do to unprotected trees. I decided to makes this one the sacrificial deer tree.

That yew tree which will doubtless not survive the deer treatment

Wild campanula, always pops up in this place every year. 

A very old and dead Ash stump with a rambling rector white rose just starting to find its way over the stump.  

The new cockerel. Such a timid wee guy. Eats his food after the hens have had theirs, eats one bit at time, stops and look around, has another bit. Feel I should give him a posh napkin from the restaurant.

The hen. One of 3.



The end.