folly

Today's walk was with my friend Sarah, whom I had not seen for many months, so we had plenty to catch up on. I think that even when lockdown ends, I will prefer walking and talking to cafe and chatting. It is surprising how the miles go by when conversation is flowing.

We had chosen to walk around Dalswinton Estate, which lies to the east of the Nith. It was a gloriously sunny day, and so cold that the loch was frozen. This is a manmade loch, made by draining marshland in the 18th century, and was the site of the maiden voyage of the first steam-powered paddleboat, the Comet, in 1788. Robert Burns is supposed to have been present at that event. There is a replica of the boat next to the loch.

We walked around the loch and over this bridge onto a small island on which this 'doocot' stands as a picturesque landscape feature. A further 3 miles of walking past farms and through parkland and woods and we were at the recently laid out "Journey Garden" behind the Barony Church. (see extras).

The stones in the Journey Garden are carved with the words: "Look where you have been, view where you are at, seek where you want to be" and on the round stone in the centre is carved a classical labyrinth.