ext_24137 ([identity profile] cat63.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] scene_again2008-07-14 12:22 pm

Walking from England to Scotland

I've already posted some of this to my own LJ, but it occurred to me that the part about my walk to Scotland with some additional pictures might be a suitable post for here.

Lots of photos under the cut - will eat dial-up whole.

On the  Monday of our holiday in Northumbria, Rob had a booking to take one of the other riders out on the back of the tandem so I went out walking instead. Amazingly enough, the Honey Farm was within walking range so I went that way, but before I stopped there for tea, I trundled over the border into Scotland. After all, it isn't every day I can say I've walked from one country to another :-).

The hedges were full of lovely dog roses like this :-


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I was also much taken with this leaf - I think it's hazel,
but I'm not sure - I really liked the colour and texture of it though
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I was tempted to go exploring across this stile, but the siren call of the teapot
lured me away...

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And not long afterward my goal was in sight, though I still had a fair way to walk
 - I knew it was the Honey Farm because of the old London bus

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A bit further along and there's proof I'm heading in the right direction, always a good thing when you're as bad at navigating as me :-)
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But I resisted the pull of the tea for long enough to get to the  Union Chain Bridge, built by Captain Samuel Brown RN , opened in 1820 and now the oldest suspension bridge that still carries traffic (albeit one vehicle at a time!).
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One of the support links on the bridge:-
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And just to prove that I got to the other side :-

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I took a lot of pictures on this walk, including quite a few of insects on flowers, at which I seem to be getting rather better.
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I do love bumble bees, they're so fluffy!
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And some flowers without insects.
I think I know what most of them are, but the little purple thing that
looks like a Martian is anonymous :-)

Orange Hawkweed
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Thistle bud
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Dandelion clock
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Plantain
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Purple Martian! :-)

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I'm not sure if this was carved on the tree or just grew like it, but I think it looks a bit like a dragon...
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Some interesting ironwork on the way
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The Honey Farm also restores old tractors. I thought this one was splendid.
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I had my cup of tea and a lovely Brie and Pear and Ginger Chutney sandwich,
bought some honey, rescued a bee from drowning and set off back to the school
where we were staying.

The road got a touch steep in places.

http://pics.livejournal.com/cat63/pic/000dcyrh

I don't normally like walking on roads, but these were so quiet they were effectively
just huge footpaths most of the time.

And the scenery was lovely
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I got back to find this little chap waiting for me - isn't he cute ?
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And further from the gates there was a bunny :-

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I didn't get any really good shots of the school, but this is the front entrance :-
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[identity profile] jaelle-n-gilla.livejournal.com 2008-07-14 02:25 pm (UTC)(link)
wow that looks like an amazing place! I love the macro shots, but the dragon is best :-)

Scotland, eh? I always wanted to go there but never really got around...

[identity profile] femsc.livejournal.com 2008-07-14 02:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I think the dragon's been carved, which is a shame - but it doesn't seem to have done the tree any harm, which is good.

As for the anonymouses - I was looking at some of those in a front lawn recently and wondering what they were. And now I know - they're purple martians!

[identity profile] llywela13.livejournal.com 2008-07-14 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Oooh, pretty, pretty flowers. Thanks for posting.

[identity profile] londonronnie.livejournal.com 2008-07-14 04:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Ooh, I've been to the Chain Bridge Honey Farm! It's a lovely spot, isn't it?

Nice photos, thanks for posting!

[identity profile] mav-fan.livejournal.com 2008-07-14 07:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, thanks for taking us on the walk with you. I just love walking from one country into another, but I generally have to restrict myself to going back and forth in the car. I would be far too tempted to go striding across the border in the middle of the field, and then on my way back there would be awkward questions as to why I wasn't crossing at the official port of entry, which is, in fact illegal. That bridge is gorgeous, truly magnificent, and I really liked the ironwork as well. My favorites were the insects on the flowers, you made some excellent captures there. I literally laughed out loud at you saving a fluffy bumblebee from drowning, and your sandwich sounded delicious! Thanks again for sharing.

[identity profile] mav-fan.livejournal.com 2008-07-14 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I forgot to mention the wonderful tractor, I just loved it.

[identity profile] mav-fan.livejournal.com 2008-07-14 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
It would be perfect for that! Go ahead and start yourself a second set of the 100 on your journal and use it for rust there!

[identity profile] mav-fan.livejournal.com 2008-07-14 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
The awkwardness would be heightened by the fact that the hubby works for the agency in charge of catching people entering illegally between the ports of entry!

[identity profile] shaw012145.livejournal.com 2008-07-15 09:57 am (UTC)(link)
You had a beautiful walk and you did not get lost.

Thanks for sharing ... the Dandelion clock ... so delicate.

[identity profile] magenta-blue.livejournal.com 2008-07-15 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
What lovely pictures! I love the idea of walking from England to Scotland *g* I would also have been tempted to go over that little stile, but would probably have ended up in Wales, I have such a bad sense of direction! The sandwich sounds pretty lovely as well :)