Keep Moving - Week 8

Local woods and railway line all week, all be it trying to vary it a little.  A path around Woodhall woods brought this fabulous memorial into sight.  Inscribed to James MacBrayne and Florence Mary Anderson Forbes it reads "Their ashes lie in this field which was formerly derelict and is now dedicated to their memory" 

Saturday was another day of aqueducts and tunnels, on the hunt for new places to walk we ventured into West Lothian and Falkirk.  Starting at Muiravonside Country park we walked around the petting zoo and sculpture park (cafe not open, I swear a higher power is helping with this diet, if not aiding my cheery demeanour!) and then climbed up the Avon Aqueduct which is the largest in Scotland measuring 247m long and towering 26m above the river.  Continuing the hunt for coffee we moved on to the Falkirk tunnel, more like a cave with a rough natural interior it was blasted out by Irish Navvies around 200 years ago.  Included in this workforce was Burke and Hare, the murderers who stalked people in early-1800s Edinburgh, killed them and sold them to the anatomy school.  As I was STILL in coffee deficit we moved on again to the Falkirk Wheel and with a little sweet talking the lovely staff at just closed cafe launched a take away latte into my hands and kept me going for another stroll along the canal and through the Roughcastle tunnel.

For Sale

Chamfron Almendra is for sale - Lovely advert on Horse Quest.

TB x Chestnut Roan Mare 8 years 15 hands

15hh, 8yr old criollo x TB chestnut roan mare by Arrayan Numa out of Lady Erica, from the renowned Chamfron Stud

Alma has 3 good paces and established lateral work, currently schooling at elementary level and just started introducing changes and half pass work.

Smart stamp with correct conformation making her an ideal candidate for working hunter classes. Scopey, bold and genuine to a fence having competed at unaffiliated ODE last season at 90cm in her first competition season since being retrained from Polo in July 2021.

Been out to Dressage, SJ and ODE’s proving she has enormous amount of untapped potential. Will be a serious Grassroots Contender as she’s strong in all 3 phases.

Fantastic to shoe, box, clip etc. Hacks alone and in company and great in open spaces and traffic. Incredibly trainable and a temperament to die for.

This is a heartbreaking sale after a change in direction for her owners whom have owned her since a weanling. Homes will be vetted.

Next Top Model?

The models sporting the latest limited edition Flexi Hoof boots look really really familiar... 

Keep Moving - Week 7

Doddie Aid is finished but I am trying to walk to keep off the weight while still eating cake.  There is no doubt I am happy to embrace the current trend of self care, wrapping yourself in blanket on the sofa, having the treats, the hot chocolate, the glass of wine...  I think there also has to be thought given to the idea that self love is also kicking your own ass and feeling better for exercise, fresh air and effort, including the days you don't want to!

Sunday saw a loop around the Craigielaw golf course and back round via Aberlady, I had decided I'd treat myself to an ice cream at Margiottas on the way back to the car, only to find, very sadly, the ice cream counter is gone.  Work on Wednesday found me right next to Broadwoodside so I did a different lap at lunch time and saw some more of their sculptures, including my favourite the golden hare.  Thursday was another revisit, back to Butterdean and the last of the David Freedman sculptures was spotted, the Sabre Wasp.  Small'ish and high in the trees it wasn't particularly photogenic, of the four sculptures I am most taken with the woodlice.  We also stopped at Gladsmuir Kirk, tucked away behind the newer church, the kirk is named in the East Lothian witch trials, in 1705 Mr John Bell, minister of Gladsmuir wrote about the "witches mark" and even produced a pamphlet so his parishioners were able to spot a witch in their midst. 

The week was finished with a trip back to the Borders, stopping at the Great Polish map of Scotland which may be the largest terrain relief map in the world.  Originally it had painted forests, urban areas and major roads and running rivers but it was still easy for us to pick out Ben Nevis and the Cairngorms!  We then had a walk along the Tweed in Peebles, taking in Neidpath castle, viaduct and the tunnel.  At nearly half a mile long and completely unlit, it's slightly eery!