LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I drove to Fountainhall with Di and Mike of 'B&B Stroma' following in their car. I dropped my car off by the railway and near the A7 trunk road bus stop. We all drove back to Big Wood car park, via Stow, where I alighted to start the walk. We said our final farewells, then the car disappeared down the lane and along the tunnel of trees formed by Big Wood. As I turned the other way towards Stow, I too walked through the same tunnel but uphill towards Wooplaw, just beyond the wood. I walked through the farm buildings of Wooplaw and past the summit of the road by Smithy Plantation. A keen rugby football fan lives by the farm, because I spotted a full side set of rugby posts in the adjacent sheep field. He must be a kicking conversion expert. As I continued down the lane to the 'T' junction and the wind farm, I passed a couple of mature bulls laid on the grass. As I reached for my camera I 'spooked' the bulls and they were up like a shot. I didn't hang around but walked smartly to get a closer look at the wind farm. The rotors were moving fast in the stiff wind. I wondered how many houses each generator was supplying. There were sixteen generators at the location and two weren't working, presumably being repaired. This was a high proportion and I wondered if this was factored into the original sums calculating whether the wind farm would be a viable project? The huge generators were scattered around the hillside, making it difficult to count them from one location. Some were close to the lane, so the full majesty of the enormous machines could be appreciated. I continued onwards, up and over the hill at Hareshawhead Plantation before the steep descent into Stow Village. I experienced great peaceful solitude with just the occasional sheep bleating and the odd skylark trying to direct me away from its nest. Magic. In the village I passed a very distinguished looking castle type building with a 'coat of arms' above the front door, showing 1855. As I passed the war memorial and checked the bus times, the spots of rain turned into general rain. I put my coat on and continued regardless, to pass the brand new train station to the quiet lane of cycle route No. 1. I walked northwards on the lane with the trickle of Sunday cyclists and the odd car. There were superb views from the vantage points on the lane across from the steep sided Gala Valley with the meandering Gala Water and the bright yellow gorse bushes in full bloom on the hillside. Priceless. I was surprised by the number of trains travelling up and down the valley on a Sunday, which added to the glory of the walk. With just the sheep for company I passed few buildings mainly at Symington Mains and Fountainhall, near the end of the walk and the car. I crossed over the new railway bridge where a slow passing old Land Rover turned into the local lane running past the railway line where my car was parked. I watched the vehicle pass my car very slowly. Very strange. I watched very carefully and with obvious interest but the Landrover didn't quite stop completely. with nobody around I hurried to my car and started to change my footwear as the Land Rover slowly returned. I decided to get out of the area and drive to a nearby lay-by on the A7 main road. What an adventure. Not to be missed.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: Bigwood . Finish: Fountainshall