The Dog Rambler
Monday
3 E-diary
May 2010
Walk River Almond into Cammo Estate Length 6 miles
Dogs on walk Finn, Phoebe, Struan, Talaidh
A gentle ramble today along the banks of the lazily flowing River Almond. Oh this lazy May
day the sun reclined languidly in the clouds as the idle breeze gently pushed them along.
Finn and Phoebe played rather placidly with lethargic movements and many breaks to
stroll gently along the route. Swaying lazily in the breeze the pearl white lanterns of the
single flowers of the wild garlic, pulling loosely down on their narrow green stems,
carpeted the sides of the path. They scented the air with the sweet pungent garlic. Their
dominance on the ground broken occasionally by the first of the early flowering bluebells,
several to a stalk pushing through the woven green undergrowth.
In this serene setting we rambled along the river, setting out from the Cramond Brig,
leaving the noise and pace of the major road behind us. The dogs ambled and played lazily
as we followed the gently sweeping path beside the river. The trees around us only
providing the occasional ominous glimpse of the darkening sky threatening to shatter the
tranquillity.
In the end the tranquillity was shattered by the roaring engines of the planes appearing to
brush the treetops as they stormed downwards toward the airport. The new spring leaves
rustled in protest as the redolence of the wild garlic was lost to the heavy sugary smell of
fuel. The dogs plodded on without an upward glance or flinch at the noise.
The softly flowing water of the river, a remarkable contrast to last time here, a
kaleidoscope of refracted images of the trees and sky, drew the dogs down banks as easily
as Hansel and Gretel were drawn into the cottage in the woods. Drinking deep, the dogs
set themselves against the rising heat and found reserves of energy to run and play. But
only for a while before their lengthening strides contracted again as they slowed, tempered
by the ease of the day.
As the river wound inland the trees gave way to the vivid new growth of grasses and
sedges. Now out of the trees the cooling breeze built and the dogs found some new vigour
to thrust themselves on a chase through the tangling spikes of the grass on the widening
river bank. As they wheeled in the grass, overhead swallows and sand martins wheeled
above the river catching insects as they dived down low over the water, expert pilots, more
agile than the lumbering planes above.
On a deep meander in the river the dogs found a stony beach and shallow water. Here
they paddled and lapped as the water caressed their warm feet. Once refreshed we traced
the path along the top of the airport, cut off from us by a railway on its embankment. The
wind had now changed direction and the planes were taking off above our heads rather
than landing. Still the dogs paid no heed as they lazily toyed with sticks on the ground.
We reached a little used minor road, which normally we would follow. The peace and
tranquillity of the river drew us back as we were content to follow it again. Midway back
we took a detour on a narrow farm track between ploughed fields bursting with green
shoots stretching into the warm, light air from the dark, sticky warmth of the earth. The
path led us to a farmhouse and it decaying outbuildings with a sagging roof as if carrying
the load of years of toil. Here we joined another track leading back to the river and the
shade of the trees and the rippling sound of the water, broken only by the pants of the
dogs.
Instead of crossing the old bridge spanning the river and following our outward track we
continued with the river to our left. The bank steepened into a gorge and the path began
to turn away toward the boundary of Cammo Estate. Here we looped around the inner
periphery of the estate through the tumbled remains of the walled garden, it industrious
days long gone with no sign of the fruit trees and rows of vegetables which must once have
graced the dining table of Cammo House. The house itself now also a ruin with just a few
feet of wall standing broken by suggestions of where the windows must once have looked
out on the tended park and gardens, now rather overgrown, being reclaimed by nature.
Within the Estate we met numerous people out on this May bank holiday walking their
dogs. Our progress became more sedate as the dogs stopped to greet each dog that came
their way, very much following the etiquette for dogs. They came in all shapes and sizes
but none as tall as Phoebe or spotty as Struan and Talaidh. Finn let out some excited high
pitched barks when he met two schnauzers, reminding him of Misha, waiting at home for
his return.
Having circled the top of the estate we headed down a residential road to rejoin the river.
The darkening sky from earlier finally began to mass, gathering itself into a deep,
thickening, accumulation of angry black clouds that ruptured into at first sporadic large
drops of rain. At last we stepped up our pace as the sporadic rain began to gather pace,
leaving dark splash marks on the dry and dusty paths. Fortunately we did not have far to
go to the Jeep and the trees umbrella gave some protection until we had to leave them
behind to cross the river and climb back to the Jeep.
We quickly leapt in before the rain became more intense and settled down as it beat
against the windows.
Nick
Photo slideshow from the walk
E-diaries now also available at [Link]/TheDogRambler
Nick Fletcher
The Dog Rambler
9 Links Street
Musselburgh [Link]
East Lothian nick@[Link]
EH21 6JL t. 0131 665 8843 or 0781 551 6765
Your dog walking service for active dogs
