Walking near Wenlock, the onset of autumn is evident – blackberries, elderberries, toadstools galore. The air is cooler, and there’s rain in the wind – much more than the forecast implied. We sheltered from the first shower, and should have sheltered from the second, but we weren’t far from the car…
We walked this route last September – today we’re doing it clockwise.
It was only a little one, at the start of our day – after that, plenty of sunshine and, from time to time, interesting lighting conditions. Visit “Statfold Again” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for lots of pictures…
More-or-less… Visit “First Day of the Waverley Route” for more on the first public train from Edinburgh, on the line that closed more than 46 years ago (and see “Last Day of the Waverley Route” for an account of the last time – and what I really thought would be the last time – I travelled on the line).
…or perhaps its grandfather? It’s the world’s first iron-framed building – built as a flax mill in 1797, it was converted to maltings in 1897 – and remained in use as such, on and off, until 1987, by which time its historic significance (and a Grade 1 listing) ensured continued existence. Work is now ongoing to restore the buildings on this site in Shrewsbury to further commercial – and community – use, work that will not be finished overnight. Our visit today, with an excellent guided tour, was a (free) Heritage Open Day event, and well worth a donation to funds. Must have another look in a year or two…
Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings
Just published – pictures from last Saturday 5th September – my photographic outing to record the “Golden Ticket” specials on the Borders Railway, the reopened northern part of the former Waverley route. Visit “By Gala Water” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries.
Been to Statfold today. The overnight night rain cleared, but there was plenty of cloud around, making for some threatening skies and, just occasionally, dramatic lighting. Here’s a sample – eventually, there will be several more pictures on Geoff’s Rail Diaries (when I’ve done the Waverley photos…).
Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries – “Sir Tom” – an illustrated account of our visit to Threlkeld quarry (just over two weeks ago – there’s a bit of a backlog to work through…)
Sunday 6th September: the 9.11am from Waverley, the first public train to Galashiels for more than 46 years (and the first public train ever to Tweedbank). Yes, I made it – and what a pleasant trip it was too, on this fine sunny morning.
Next stop Hawick?
Today, trains have been running on the reconstructed part of the Waverley route, between Edinburgh and Tweedbank, a couple of miles south of Galashiels. Part of the celebration of the reopening, they were for Golden Ticket holders – local people including numerous school children. No such tickets for Geoff’s Pages. Having travelled on the last day (see “Last Day of the Waverley Route” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries), we’ll be doing our best to travel on the first public train from Edinburgh Waverley tomorrow morning; today we’ll have a photographic day out.
A Rail Diaries page will follow before too long. In the meantime, here’s a photo which provides a link between the last day and the first day. Our special train, in January ’69, called at Fountainhall for a photo stop. The station there has not been reopened – there will be no more returns (or singles) to Fountainhall. The platforms have gone, as have the level crossing and signalbox – but that house, immediately beyond the crossing, is still there…
Portree – a deservedly popular walk along the shore past the Black Rock towards the Bile (a raised beach, apparently), then over the hill on a steep but very pleasant path, to return to the car past the Cuillin Hills hotel. Wild flowers abound beside the path; beyond, the fish farm resembles giant lily pads.
Scorrybreac Circuit on Walkhighlands
