The Southern Upland Way

Cruise Back Fell to Waterside Farm  14 Miles

 

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The second day began with heavy grey cloud but it was at least still dry.We followed the path across the moor toward the Loups of Bargrennan falls and were surprised to find three tents pitched only a few hundred yards along the path from our campsite. We spent a short time at the falls before continuing on to the curiously shaped Beehive bothy. We stopped here and had a lunch break before continuing up the track past the Laggangarn Stones towards the Wells of the Rees. Leaving the track we dropped down towards the woods looking for the wells. After stumbling about for about ten minutes we gave up and began making our way back to the track. Leaving the woods we suddenly realised that the large non-descript, overgrown 'stones' we had passed on the way down were what we had been looking for. We decided they had not been worth the diversion and continued on our way. Eventually we broke out into the open as the path skirted the perimeter of the woods and headed for the top of Craigaire Fell. The path was not that obvious as there appeared to have been a lot of forestery activity in the vicinity but eventually we reached the top of the first real hill of the walk and a fine view greeted us. All around there were rolling hills and forest with no sign of habitation, we were in the wilderness. A short half hour later this illusion was shattered as we reached Waterside farmhouse (above) on a metalled country lane. Here we stopped and asked about camping and were told by a lady who answered the door that we could pitch our tents on the farmhouse lawn. As we finished erecting the tents, to our surprise, the lady re-appeared from the house with a large tray containing a pot of tea with scones and jam. We thanked her and relaxed at the picnic table in the centre of the lawn (pictured) and enjoyed the unexpected treat in the pleasant evening sunshine. The occupants of the 'three tents' arrived as we had tea but after saying hello and having a look around decided to carry on walking. We on the other hand were left to enjoy to our tea and scones and a campsite with the comparative luxury of an outside flushing toilet and running water. We retired early to avoid the midges as dusk fell and re-charge our batteries for the following day.

 

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Day 1

Day 3

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