The Gargunnock Hills, like the Touch Hills (pronounced Too-ch), The Kilsyth Hills and the Campsie Fells, are part of that splodge of basaltic stuff that forms the southern wall of the Upper Forth rift valley and separates The Carse from the Edinburgh-Glasgow corridor marked by the Forth and Clyde Canal.
OK ? Got that ? I shall be asking questions at the end.
I wasn’t the only ‘60s icon in the area, but the juxtaposition with the reaper was a bit grim.
Leaving the village, the route follows the old tramway up to the quarry.
After squelching round to the top of the quarry, and finding the gap though the scarp wall, I followed the burn uphill passing a succession of fine waterfalls with inviting swimming holes. Inviting, that is, had not the temperature been about 3 degrees with a biting wind and driving rain sqalls
Not sure what this is. Bit small for a sheep fank – no sign of the stones being dressed. Initial research in the usual places comes up with zilch. Will keep trying.
As I expected, it was very wet underfoot
As a little gear aside, this winter I’ve been finding the grip on wet mud and peat slopes is much better with the Contagrip soles on my Salomon Cosmics than with the old-school Vibrams on my KSB350s.The latter, however are more rigid and better in snow. And more waterproof. (That should double the page view count !)
And in conclusion – a little ray of sunshine.
About 7 miles and 1400 ft of up.That’ll do me.
Thanks for the sole info OM.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Alen. Tune in next week for my opinions on herring versus mackerel.
DeleteI like that threshing machine. But its pre 60's.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alan. The 60s icon I was referring to was the VW camper van in the background.
DeleteAs for the implement in the foreground, I agree it is considerably older than the 1960s.I reckon it was originally horse-drawn/landwheel powered, and that it has been converted to be towed behind, possibly, some kind of mini-tractor (or Land Rover).The manufacturer's name is too worn to make out, but I can see "England" on one of the wheels, which rules out someone local like Reekie.On closer examination of the picture, I see that it is not only well preserved, but looks as if it is still in use - look at the condition of that cutter-bar.Perhaps for silage or small scale hay-making for horses.
And, on reflection, I think you will agree that it is a reaper or side mower and not a threshing machine :-)