damplammermuirs

Tricky to know what to do with a wintry wet weekend. I think the motivating factor getting us out and up the Lammermuirs on Nov 3rd, was the coffee and cake at the Lanterne Rouge in Gifford on the way. The boss even welcomed the normally frowned-upon free top ups you get with filter coffees there. Because I tend to go from jolly to frenzied after more than one coffee. 

However it would take all that to get us out the Berlingo, parked along from Hopes Reservoir as the drizzle steadily fell. (And still those rather parochial folk are posting blethers on social media suggesting Scotland is the best the world has to offer.) I carried the good camera, but had it in a poly bag for a lot of the run. There was no inspiration to go further than up to Lammer Law and back, just under 9 miles. 

If I'd known this was a Snow Bunting I'd have made more of an effort. It was quite friendly and we saw it in both directions as we passed by. It flew 30 yards along the trail in front of us then waited till we nearly caught up then flew on. Difficult to know its intentions other than being a bit chummy or trying to lead us away from its nest or territory. Nice white flashes of plummage when it flew.

Normally I am not a fan of folk adding anything to trig points, especially graffiti or posters. However this poster was rather sweet and touching and will fade away long before the sentiment. Good use of the word beautiful. And the photo seemed to be of the very spot it was found. 

It was a far from lovely day. When I saw a runner slowly making their way towards us (as we descended Lammer Law) I said to Mary that I was going to greet them with "lovely day" to see if I could get a reaction. However as we approached the dude, Ryan, he said he had misjudged his day out and gone a bit further than intended and did we have anything to eat he could have. I gave him a Stoats flapjack - good solid sugar/carbs to get him back the last mile to Longyester. He was v appreciative. We were glad to help out.

There were lots of nice autumnal colours but the grey day left them muted and it was all a bit dull. Good to get out but not the prettiest day ever, and nice to get back to the car and drive home to a warm dry flat.

8.8 miles up to Lammer Law summit and back