Tour o’ the Borders Cycle Event

Our local roads were closed for part of the day for the the annual cycle “sportive” event on Sunday 2nd September. A great challenge for riders of all abilities.

“For me this route will stand out as being one of the best all-round rides I have done in the UK. The climbing was not unduly challenging, the scenery stunning and the descents memorable. Its a masterpiece of route planning.” – Cycling Active Magazine

Great photos

These 2 excellent photos are ©Les Walton, a recent guest at Half House cottage. A perfect reflection across the loch and a sunrise taken from the old jetty.

Unloved or greatly missed?

Here’s a wee motorbike that was found tucked underneath the TV unit when cleaning today … It’s been a while since youngsters were staying so not sure whose it may be. Evidence and back-story will be essential for any claim!

Golden Eagles

It has just been officially announced today that 3 golden eagles were released in our area at the end of July! We thought we had seen one and hoped he/she was one of the young eagles newly released. The story has been carried by radio and TV today. The picture below is one of the eagles, named Edward (of course)!

Osprey Fishing

Our guests last week walked round loch Skeen  (in the hills above the Grey Mare’s tail waterfalls). Not only did they report seeing peregrine falcons but they were lucky enough to get a clear view of an osprey successfully snatching a fish from the water! Another curious observation was of a deer that was apparently chasing some sheep … we’ve never seen that before!

Hot, hot, hot!

It was a sweat cutting the grass today at Half House cottage … and there’s nobody been booked in this week to enjoy all this fabulous weather or this peaceful garden. Oh well. Down beside St Mary’s Loch there are some delightful wild flowers (in a neat garden they would be “weeds”!)

Moffat Classic Rally 2

On Sunday the cars gather for general viewing and petrolhead lusting. Here’s a GT40 on the most perfect summer day in Moffat. You may spot the Audi Quatro Group B spec rally car behind.

Moffat Classic Rally

Yesterday the classic cars were on a route through the Borders that invariably includes passing the famous AA box at Cappercleuch. A classic AA man was also present! In the 1960s AA members had a key for the box and could phone for breakdown assistance. Ours is one of a very few left though none of them perform their original function.

Summer at the loch

If you weren’t at St Mary’s loch over the past week then you missed yourself! ( to non Scots that simply means you missed having a lovely time… in this instance due to the great weather.) The summer daisies were just across the road … so many that I didn’t feel too guilty pinching a few. If you could always guarantee the weather not many people would go abroad for their holidays.

Shouting bird

House martins have been having a hard time nationally I believe. Ours were late arriving but have been selecting mates (shouting loudly seems to be a good ploy) and building nests. This one is actually a swallow that was in front of the Half House on a power cable.