Poolburn

On Friday 2nd January, Denise and I walked on the Rail Trail from Lauder to the Poolburn Viaduct and return. We travelled toLauder via Middlemarch and Ranfurly.








The walk was held in very blustery conditions especially once we got close to thye Poolburn Gorge. At some stages the wind was so strong that the small bits of gravel felt like pin pricks as the wind swept the gravel onto our legs. When wew alked between the two tunnels we had to keep our head downs because of the grit getting into our eyes.

The 14km return tip took two and a half hours. We had a drink at the Lauder Hotel to get out of the wind.

Sunday 4 January

Craig and I resumed our Sunday walks. We met at the North Ground at 8.40am and walked up Leith Valley Road, Rockside Road, Tanner Road and around the outside of the Ross Creek Reserve until we came to John McGlashan College. From here it was onto Maori Hill, along Highgate and down Newington Avenue until we came to Queen Street. We resumed alongside St Hildas, Carrington Hall, down Park Street and back to North Ground. The walk took 1 hour 50 minutes which was around 9kms.