Old Irvine circular walk, Langholm

It was with great sadness, but with steely determination, that seven of us headed to Langholm today to brave the chilly wind to take in the Old Irvine circular walk of approximately 10 miles. For sadly, on Friday Ellie Roberts, whose battle with the unjust infliction of Motor Neurone disease, and was the inspiration for this sponsored challenge in the first place, died at her home at Cavers. A truly lovely person, Ellie will be very sorely missed and everyone's thoughts are with Will and all the family. Hopefully, our walk in July/August will raise lots of money for Motor Neurone in Ellie's memory and also Macmillan Cancer Support.
And so to today.
Leaving the usual hoards of ducks and a heron behind in the car park (the heron was being fed cat food by someone from a tin!) there was only really one place to start the walk Caroline Street -never knew they had called a street after me- and then it was into a lovely wood filled with bluebells. Passing Murtholm we headed up to the cemetery which turned out to be slightly confusing but thankfully a lovely gentleman with a spaniel guided us round and onto the track at Skipper Cottage. Would be interesting to know what the skipper means as that is obviously the name of the bridge with the traffic lights too. Answers on a postcard..... preferably with some sponsorship money.
It was then along the hillside to Old Irvine passing through at least one kissing gate en route. We are all getting a bit suspicious about Ronnie's choice of walks as kissing gates seem to feature a bit too frequently. Thank goodness Julia is there too!
After Old Irvine the route ahead was straight, very straight- a  recently laid forestry track which seemed to go on for miles. Possibly only about two, but with a biting cold wind which made it seem like one step forward and two back at times, it certainly got rid of any cobwebs - and at least one hat- and meant we had a good appetite for lunch at the other end. Gather there is going to be some forestry planting in the area soon.
Refuelled by lunch, there was a short spell sheltered from the wind before we headed downhill past Bloch Farm with windmills in the distance and over the burn at Wauchope Schoolhouse. From there, it was across the hillside with the wind behind amazing how much faster you go when you are jet propelled and down passed Becks Farm. Definitely Cheviot countryside this!
It was really nice to finish the walk back through a lovely wood before passing lots of wee fields and stables and then the Muckle Toon awaited us.
Lots of variety in landscape, great views and as always good company, and no rain until Langholm was in sight. Not surprisingly a warm kitchen, supper and a glass of wine and I found myself nodding off!