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Walk Looking for water in The Pentlands Length 6.25 

milesDogs on walk Archie, Cyrano, Finlay, Gina, Jerry, Solo, Tim

Water was our key concern today as the hills baked in the continuing fantastic weather. If 

the length of the dogs’ tongues were a barometer then it was hot, hot, hot. And getting

hotter by the minute. Our first stop was the stream right beside Bonaly car park. Still too

excited at being out and most of them having not seen each other (or me) for over a week

they pretty much ignored the water.

Not to worry there would be more soon enough. They managed the climb around WhiteHill and down to the grass field devoid of sheep. Ideal for a chase. Not today, already a few

tongues were wagging more than tails. At the far side of the field in the shade of some

trees was our next stream. This time they could not get in quick enough. Not deep enough

to swim they still managed to get pretty wet as well a finding time to gulp down some of 

the water. Good job too as we were heading for a climb exposed to the sun. The long and

relentless track up the side of Allermuir Hill. Where we met another dog walker coming

down having turned around less than half way. She said it was because of sheep after I haduncharitably thought she had been beaten by the heat and the incline. That said as we

rounded the next two corners, climbing higher and higher, we saw no sheep. What we did

The Dog Rambler 

E-diary

Tuesday

27 March 2012

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see where to guys working on the path making it into a smooth surface with a big

drainage ditch to the side, trying to stop the erosion from the water that can cascade

down here. Not today!

We were below the hill summits. It was time to climb. Up Capelaw we went. A little breeze

blew up. Enough to cool the dogs and get them running. Archie bounded about chased by a

noisy Tim. Or was it Archie. No it was both of them. Cyrano and Gina raced near them

but at some distance and some distance from each other too. As the chasing began Finlay

sneaked forward having never been too far ahead of the pace until now. Solo kept an eye

on him while Jerry jumped about in the grass.

Then the sheep slowed us down. Too hot themselves to make an effort to move away. They

just watched us, their heads slowly turning following our progress. Then at the bottom of 

Capelaw Hill was another small stream. The dogs knew it and wanted to run to it. But 

they had to stay to heel until I was sure there were no more sheep. Once certain I let them

go. They raced like Huskies tied to a sled straight into what little water there was. And the

accompanying mud too.

This set them up for the climb around the other side of Capelaw Hill and their big reward.

A dip in Bonaly Reservoir. Once more they raced off well ahead of me. So eager that they

ignored a man sitting on a log eating crisps. But they needed me and a few sticks to get 

them swimming. Not everyone of course. I think Gina and Jerry declined but going quite

deep all the same.

Thoroughly wet and cooled we set out on the final leg of the walk back downhill towardthe field. Not enough energy to run over the sweeping slopes, closing in on Edinburgh and

Arthurs’ seat slightly faded in the haze of the heat. Their coats were soon dry despite their 

soaking in the reservoir.

They ignored the stream in the trees just before the field. But once we had climbed back

around White Hill they were keen for one last dip in the stream by the car park. Then it 

was a close heel to the car to avoid some teenage girls having a picnic on a school outing.Tim tried to sneak off to them. Or he acted as a decoy for Archie. I was so focused on him

that Archie was soon in amongst them. Thankfully he came back without stealing anything

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as the rest waited at the gate looking askance at the car.

Nick

Photo slideshow from the walk 

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