There were several interesting features of Day 73 of LEJOG. The first was we were both walking together all day. This was possible courtesy of Scotrail. Their bizarre timetable for local stations on the Carlisle to Glasgow line meant it was theoretically possible for us to do the journey to the start and from the end of the walk by train. It was worth a try.
The second interesting things was coal. For my generation, coal was a rock we knew about. Our house was heated by a coal fire in my youth. Now coal is out and areas like the one we are walking through tell the story of the rise and fall of King Coal.
We took the train from Sanquhar to Kirkconnel for the start of the walk. The valley is framed by a number of spoil heaps. Most have not been turned into imaginative structures like the Crawick Multiverse we visited yesterday. We passed the Miner’s Memorial and museum we saw at the end of yesterday’s walk at the beginning of the walk today.
The path alongside the main street past the village church lead to a monument to local poet and railway man, Alexander Anderson. (1845-1909). One of his poems was about the Kirkconnel hills which we were about to experience first hand.
Bob had looked at the road yesterday just to make sure it was navigable, as we knew that the area had been altered by open caste coal mining. Following the instructions he’d been given we had no difficulty making it up to the windfarm and back onto the road down to Mansfield.
Most of the route was pleasant providing great views of those Kirkconnel hills, apart from some awful fly tipping at the hillside end of the road.
There were a wide range of wild flowers and butterflies, also lorries moving logs down to the valley. We were soon walking into Mansfield which is actually the village by New Cumnock station. Unfortunately the station cafe was very hot. A short walk down the street revealed some of the ongoing economic struggles in New Cumnock. Several buildings in that Street and the bridge required repair and the garage was up for sale. We ended the walk on a small green space on which stood the New Cumnock Miner’s Memorial, reminding us once again of the heritage of the area.
We took the train back to Sanquhar where I made a brief visit to the museum to see some local textiles. Sanquhar is well known for hand knitting and its own traditional patterns.
We were lucky to see a stoat cross the road on the way back to Lochside.
From Psalm 40
I waited patiently for God, who turned
to me, hearing my cry.
He lifted me out of the horrible pit of mud and mire and set my feet on rock, giving me a firm place to stand,
And putting a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to God.
God my rock, foundation for my life,
Each step confirms my trust in you.
I stand firm in your love and I continue to sing about that!
Grant me a quiet night and a peaceful end.
JAL 26.06.2019
Day 73 of the End to End, Kirkconnel to New Crumnock.