Mid Knock Mid-summer Bash
June 2007
After I played squash with MtSR and chilled down the pub Deb and I left at mid-night on the Thursday aiming to get the worst part of the trip over. I was bowling along the A14 wondering where the speed cameras were, then "whoomp" a flash straight into my dark adapted eyes demonstrated the presence of at least one camera a little way before the M6. Thanks. Around Manchester we stopped to grab a few hours sleep in a travel lodge, then set off again Friday morning.
We arrived at Mid Knock about 10:30 but no one was in so we followed the "Prehistoric Trail". This took us to an iron age fort at Bailihill. A quick stiff climb is rewarded with excellent views and interesting earthworks. After soaking up the atmosphere we went and walked through the White Esk Forestry area. A delightful riverside walk mixed with woodland paths. Next was a vist to Castle O'er Hill Fort. This was a more substantial version of the previous fort and surprisingly close. They were inhabited at the same time apparently. Were they friends?
After the history tour we decided to drive randomly and ended up in Eskadalemuir. This did not hold our attention long and we turned south on a minor road (unbeknownst to us the far end of the road we were on earlier) and found the last piece of the prehistoric trail. This is a rather enigmatic site. A natural ampitheatre with surrounding earthworks and excellent acoustics. What was it for?
We went back to Mid Knock and it was still deserted so we went into Langholme and booked ourselves into the Douglas Hotel on the recommendation of the locals in the cafe. Once we settled in we decided to return to Mid Knock. Third time lucky! People were there, old friends and new. A very mellow and pleasant evening ensued.
On Saturday Deb and I did a walk taking in Calfield Rig, Black Knowe and Mid Hill. This was a timely reminder that up and down is tougher than the flat... We recovered in the cafe then got ready and returned to Mid Knock. We didn't stop though and dashed on past to the White Esk Forestry again and walked to a riverside spot where we read our books, chilled wine in the river and drank from the bottle. A fine start to the celebrations. We returned mildly inebriated to the farm. This evening was great. The food was excellent, the beer and whisky (Welsh!) fine and the company fabulous. The band played extremely well mixing new material with old favourites. I mis-behaved ever so slightly and started Robbie's Jota without permission. In his quiet way he put me firmly in my place by simply removing the key, oops...
Sunday was a lazy start. We returned just in time to see, hear and feel the Jota leave tremors that would be detected by distant seismographs. Goodbyes were said then we dashed off back to the Forestry to find a ring Deb had dropped, it was found and peace was restored. That job done we set off for home by a circuitous route invloving many Pennine switchbacks in the rain. Was fun.