I thought I'd add in another little poem I wrote at the end of Octeber, one morning whilst at Muirshiel Country Park I felt inspired to sit down for ten minutes and pen this little poem.

Muirshiel Morning

Muirshiel morning has dawned clear and bright

Hard to believe there was a storm last night

Shades of Golds & Coppers & Browns

reach from the treetops right down to the ground

Scarlet leaves of a Guelder Rose, shine bright and clear

the sounds of a Robin, and a Wren skulking near

Long fallen trunks lie thick on the ground

Pointing the way that the winds knocked them down

The green of the rushes are now tipped with brown

and the Rosebay Willowherbs have fallen to the ground

The sun is shining throught the raspeberry leaves

and the clumps of ferns are swaying gently in the breeze.

The rhododendrons which used to cover this ground

are slowly but surely all being cut down.

They took over the area and swamped it indeed

a single monoculture where nothing could breed

but it is being replaced with the trees of this land

and slowly but surely, these woods will be grand.

this was written oriiginally on the 27th October 2008, on the Lower Habitat Trail at Muirshiel Country Park.

I wrote this little poem in 1996, on a visit to Lochgilphead.

Peace, tranquility,

Robin's sad, sweet autumn song

Quiet loch,calm, loch,

narrow and long

Crows caw, gulls squak

in the early morning light

A new day is breaking, with pink clouds above

We all want a world filled with peace and love

The high hills enfold us,

surrounding us here

And soon the clamour

of Man will appear

Peoplewill arise

and from their beds unfurl

Forgetting to be thankful

For the wondersOf THIS world.

This is the road to Muirshiel at the mile marker [1 mile to go!]. It was a beautiful morning a week ago, and I couldn't resist stopping to take some photos on my way to work - nice route eh! There is a small parking area at the trees on the right [an old 'guarry' area - but quite small. Enough for a couple of cars to stop.
The hills are just past their best as the heather bloom was a few weeks ago and only lasted for a couple of weeks - just when it was raining all the time!!
The brown stuff in the foreground is braken which can rapidly take over hillsides and smother the 'natural' vegetation.
The River Calder flows down the valley towards Lochwinoch and the riversides are quite steep as it cuts its way down. This means that cheep are excluded and therefore the trees get the chance to grow past eating height!
At the end of the road is the Muirshiel Visitor Centre. There are some huge Chestnut trees all around the centre and carpark, a remnant from when the area was a private Victorian shooting estate - and the trees were part of the garden policies.


A little view of the start of the Windy Hill path which goes up through an area which was covered in Rhododenrons in 1995. There is the sound of a Robin singing right at the start [unfortunately you will also hear my camera 'zoming in'! sorry]. The Rhododendrons were cut down in 1995-1996 (with which I helped) and a few trees planted in tree tubes. However the large Birch trees in the frame also set seeds of their own and the entire area has now started to regenerate by itself with masses of young birches getting to between 5 and 10 feet now, with plenty more young ones comming on below.

Patch had a lovely patrol on Tuesday morning up to the Windy Hill Gate, at Muirshiel. He had a bit of company too - a young springer spaniel called Buster, who had only been up to the park once before. Patch and he had a great time running around after balls, and then, when they got up on the trail proper - running around sniffing out all the exciting scents they could find, but always staying within sight of their owners!!
Eventually, when they were a bit puffed out and as their owners had stopped to take photos, they both sat down for a short rest too!!

Back down at the centre, they spent the afternoon, lying around whilst there was a bit of greenwoodworking going on - but always keeping their noses, eyes and ears open for anything else which might be of interest!
It was a beautiful autumn day and we did get some lovely photos.
Muirshiel centre - old picnic site.

Amethyst Deceivers

Amethyst Deceivers, originally uploaded by Kindurco.

Another dainty little fungi which is fairly easy to identify. I also found this little clump growing up at Muirshiel.

With the recent wet weather and then a short dry warm spell the fungi have definately started to appear all over the place. I even have some Blackening Waxcaps in my lawn at home.

Jelly Babies

Jelly Babies, originally uploaded by Kindurco.

Not the kind you buy in the sweet shop - these Jelly Babies are a fascinating type of fungi which I spotted growing beside on of the trails at Muirshiel Country Park [ in the hills above Lochwinnoch] last week. Their latin name is Leotia lubrica.

A DAY TRIP to a magical island......... part 1

Patch and I took a day trip, heading out on a ferry from Ardrossan. As Patch is a rescue dog, I wasn't sure how he would react on the ship - but as usual he took everything in his stride. However I did go straight upstairs to the outdoor area, so that we could enjoy the sunshine, and see all the views!


We were pretty fast to leave once everyone was on board, they have a VERY fast turn around, despite it being a largish car ferry.
Our destination was hazy on the horizon - the beautiful island or Arran sitting in the Firth of Clyde. I used to spend all my holidays there as a child, setting off with my parents, down to a house they used to rent for the month of July every year. It was always a great adventure - packing all out summer clothes and toys into a large hamper which was then taken to the house by road and rail, ready for us to head down in my dad's car to Ardrossan and over the sea to Arran. We used to have a competition, usually about the time we got to Kilmarnock, to see which of us [me or my brother] would see the sea first! Once we got to Ardrossan it was onto the ferry and up on deck to feed the seagulls, and then hang over the side watching the waves until we got closer and closer to the island and the pier at Brodick. Then straight to our rented house to unpack and then get to the beach as quickly as possible!! We used to have breakfast as a family, and unless we were going a trip somewhere on the island, we would head off to the beach, until lunchtime, and either go home or to our beach hut which we always hired for the month. Over the years the line of beach huts seemed to dwindle, as some of the winter storms caused damage, or they were damaged by being moved. They were really great, as we kept all our beach stuff in them, plus it was a place to get change easily. You also made friends with the people who had the huts next to you too! Anyway those were very happy days - especailly as we used to spend the entire month of July there - arriving on the 1st and leaving on the 31st. We always wanted to get the earliest boat to arrive and always the last boat to leave, if we could.
So heading over on the ferry always brings back those very happy memories, of long summer days and practically complete freedom.



When we arrived on the island, the others [my brother and lady friend] wanted to visit Lamlash, so we took a bus over the hill to the sailing haven of Lamlash. Protected by the rising mass of Holy Isle from any storms it was always busy with boats of all kinds. I can even remember a few naval ships being moored out in the deeper water in the 60's!

We stopped on the grass at the back of the shoreline, to have some sandwiches and drinks, and Patch, had a little wander down onto the rocks to meet a couple of Labradors who were playing catch the stick with their mistress. Naturally Patch joined in and dived into the cooling water to fetch the stick! Did I mention it was one of the really lovely hot days in June!!!


The scent of the seaside roses was exquisite, and they looked really nice too.



After our brief lunch - Patch and I decided to head back to Brodick, as I wished to visit the castle, so we got a bus back which dropped us off at Brodick Primary school, which was at the road end of where we used to spend the summer. I took Patch down past the Rosa Burn, alongside the golfcourse, to the beach - as you can see he was quite excited by this option!

After walking along the waters edge on the Duke's Beach [and Patch having a few more cooling swims] We went across the road and into the grounds of Brodick Castle [ I am a member of the National Trust for Scotland] where we walked up through the gardens to the castle.

See next post.

This is a view of the Calder river valley taken from Muirshiel Regional Park.

This is a wonderful place to visit - about five miles up in the hills behind Lochwinnoch, and less than 20 miles from Glasgow City Centre. It is so peaceful and tranquil most of the time.

Apart from the cars which come to visit the centre, and the occasional plane flying overhead, there is virtually no non-natural sounds. In fact if one walks up the track on the far side of the park, which leads to an old Barytes mine, it is possible to hear nothing but the sounds of Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and the insects visiting the heather flowers..........and the odd sheep bleating too!

It is well worth a visit especially between now (23rd June ) and mid july, as there are some cctv cameras on a Hen Harriers nest in the region, and they are beaming back LIVE footage of the birds. We had 3 chicks hatch out over the last week, the last one on thursday afternoon - to an audience of 12 people who had dropped in to visit and were watching the screens at the time!!

Some of the trails are in 'mature' wooded areas, others are through young plantations, and yet others go through areas of cleared conifer woods which have been replanted with native deciduous trees.

From the Clyde to the highlands!

From the Clyde to the highlands!, originally uploaded by Kindurco.

The river Clyde flowing past Dumbarton with the snow-topped highland hills in the distance behind. That is the snow-covered tip of Ben Lomond showing on the right of the picture Spring morning 2008

Loch Thom and spring clouds 2008

Loch Thom and spring clouds 2008, originally uploaded by Kindurco.

Loch Thom and spring clouds 2008. A beautiful clear , stil, sunny but cold spring day in Scotland. This is the area I am working in for this summer - lucky me!!

Patch and windy weather at Ayr beach

Patch and windy weather at Ayr beach 12-March-2008 , originally uploaded by Kindurco.

Having fun on a stormy beach! Patch playing with his ball and ignoring the surf and the very strong winds.
I got a little bit of video of Patch standing head into the wind , and all his fur was being continuously ruffled up!

Castle Semple high waters

Castle Semple high waters, originally uploaded by Kindurco.

Castle Semple Loch flooding over the waterside walkway on the 8th March 2008. There is a concrete walkway underneath the waters edge - probably about half a metre below the surface!! The swans and other waterbirds were sheltering behinf the shrubs down near the white vehicle - as far up on the grass as they could get. When the rain did come - it was horizontal!!

Clydeside walkies!

Clydeside 1, originally uploaded by Kindurco.

Patch taking a saunter along the Clydeside walkway west of Bells bridge and the Moat Hotel. Unfortunately he decided to use the landscape route - probably much more interesting smells there!

Past and future in the present -3

Past and future in the present -3, originally uploaded by Kindurco.

A nicer view of the Waverley waiting for the season to begin again. I really like the way she is moored next to the very futuristic looking Science Centre - a real union of the past, present and future!

Past and future in the present -1

Past and future in the present -1, originally uploaded by Kindurco.

The Waverly paddle steamer moored at the Science centre on the Clyde - next to the science tower [which is still closed!]. I took this after an afternoon at the Craft & Hobbies Fair at the SECC, and I needed some fresh air - so went for a walk along the Clyde walkway [which doubles as a cycletrack!] around 4.00pm on a Friday afternoon.

Mountains of the Moon a poem written by E. M.A.DURKIN sept 2001

Mountains of the Moon

Mountains of the moon - they call to me
from far across the distant seas
Where massive storms were seen to rage
The knowledge of a distant age

The place of our fathers, in the rays of the sun
Is no longer a good place for people to run
The protective layer miles over our heads
Has vanished to the point where this planet is dead

So now we must leave; for a new place they’ve found
Where people do not have to live underground
The land there is fertile as ours used to be
And they’ve grown all the plants again - even the trees.

Now solar sails are filling fast
And our ship is setting out at last
To travel the billions of miles far away
To this strange new world, where we will all stay.

Mountains of the moons - they are calling to me
From far across the deep dark space
Where solar storms are seen to race
Oh the foolishness of an earlier age!

This is definately a stormy day today - much too windy and wet to go out and take photos - I shall copy my cat and dog and curl up indoors.

However back in December there were some beautiful -

but very cold days......and on one of these I travelled up to East Kilbride - where there was a freezing fog sitting for the whole day - which was strange anyway as East Kilbride is on top of hills!

It was very, very cold but the frost did make everything quite etherial!

This was taken near the Kingsgate retail park, in the middle of the afternoon!

West Coast Wander - Two

Well, on our second day in the area, after a late night at the very welcoming and intimate, Argyll Arms Hotel the evening before, I took the dogs for a morning walk around the Ardrishaig Basin on the Crinan Canal before having a relaxed breakfast with everyone when we got back. The Canal Basin

The Canal Basin

Ardrishaig Harbour from the house garden,

with a ship being loaded with forestry trees, to take by sea, to the pulp mill on the Clyde.

We decided to take a trip down the Kintyre peninsular to Machrahanish to check out the superb beach there. I have to admit it was not the warmest of days to visit, nor the calmest. The waves crashing on shore enroute down the coast road.

We stopped in Cambelltown, to get something to eat before heading across the peninsular to the beach.

There was a strong southerly wind whipping up the fines sand and blowing it along the beach at our feet.

We walked with the wind at our backs firstly and then turned to come back to the vehicle and had the wind in our faces as the sun was setting over the Mull of Kintyre! However the dogs really loved it and were totally exhausted for the rest of the evening! One of the interesting 'finds' on the tide line was an old shoe, which must have been in the water for quite some time as it was encrusted with Goose Barnicles. As they were still alive we threw the shoe back out into the water as far as we could.

Heading homewards at 3.30pm!!