Wednesday

The Dog Rambler E-diary

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September 2011
Walk

Saltoun Forest, East Lothian

Length

6.25 miles

Dogs on walk

Brooklyn, Cyrano, Dylan, Jolie, Solo, Tim

A trip to Saltoun Forest with the high winds behind us and in glorious sunshine. The walk to the forest took us beside the now commonplace harvested fields, a golden glow in the sun. The short stubble like pins in a pin cushion. Across one of the fields the low growl of a tractor with spikes in the front and back piercing the bales and taking them away for storage. Carrying as many as six at any one time. Clear views across to the edge of the Lammermuirs on one side and the darkness of the forest on the other made for a fantastic outlook. Brooklyn led the dogs away along the track, easily drawing Jolie and Tim with him. As they fought their way along Cyrano and Solo followed them at a respectable distance. Dylan plundered his way through the initial trackside bushes and then just sauntered his way along as the path opened to the fields on either side. Tim getting too boisterous had to be told and was made to walk to heel until we reached the forest. At the edge of the forest Brooklyn, Jolie and Solo found a good deep puddle. It was at least two feet. Brown and dripping they emerged. The tractor, nearer to us now continued lifting its bales and whisking them off across the field. Some hearty winter food for the cattle.

Saltoun Forest has a myriad of paths. This was our second visit and we did without a map. Finding last time that the map was of little use given that some of the paths marked on the map no longer existed and some new ones had sprung up as part of the woodland management. It is an open forest with upwards of 15-20 feet between each tree. This allowed the sun to light it up and for an array of grasses and shrubs to grown on the forest floor. Also on the forest floor are piles of bleached and brittle branches. The woodland actively farmed and at times along the tracks great piles of logs warmed in the sun. Cyrano was in his element. So many sticks to choose from. He left Brooklyn, Jolie and Tim to chase and concerned himself with finding the best possible stick to offer me. Our paths meandered us around the southern part of the wood. One just coming to a dead end as it petered out and the bracken grew higher. Along the southern edge a gorge dropped steeply away. We sought out a track taking us down into it. In its shady, dappled depths a stream flows gracefully. How Solos eyes lit up. He ran in and looked back with glee. He was soon joined by the others and as I picked my way along the precarious bank side path they were constantly in and out. The sunlight green leaves of the trees brought a soft glow to the gorge. The path came and went and several times I let the dogs lead me on trying to find it again. Each time we did but then our luck ran out. We scrambled back up the bank and out of the gorge to luckily find a path running along the top of the gorge which we joined. In all our weaving and tooing and froing only two dogs got a little lost. Cyrano, because he had run off to the stream again. And Solo because as we retraced out steps and then climbed the gorge instead had continued on the half hidden path. Back on the main tracks and most of the dogs decided it was time to have sticks. At one point Brooklyn, Cyrano and Jolie had a stick each. Tim bobbed about trying to get at them. Then Brooklyn dropped his deciding that Jolies looked far superior. In the melee he managed to dash off with it and was soon being pursued. Solo who loves his sticks had decided that today wan not the day for one. Dylan was sauntering along slowly way behind keeping half and eye on what was going on ahead.

We left the woods and crossed back through the fields. The remaining bales like giant draughts pieces on a board sat firmly in the field. The tractor away for lunch left the air quiet as we got back to the car. Nick

Photo slideshow from the walk

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Nick Fletcher The Dog Rambler 9 Links Street Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 6JL

www.thedogrambler.com nick@thedogrambler.com t. 0131 665 8843 or 0781 551 6765

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