With all the wet weather we’ve been having walks can get a bit tedious….unless you find somewhere new and interesting to explore every day. And in Ayrshire we’re spoilt for choice!

Today Google suggested that we try the “Burn Anne Historic Walk” around Threepwood Farm in Galston. Threepwood is a 420 acre working farm with both sheep and cattle. There’s actually a choice of 5 walks in and around the farm land ranging from 2 to over 7 miles long. There’s parking at the farm, a superb pet shop (best we’ve found in the area) full of goodies for little Beaglets and also some lovely stuff for gardens such as planters and handcrafted garden ornaments.

Dogs are very welcome. We bumped into one of the farm workers (OK, I admit it. We got lost again and he put us back on track – never let a Beagle lead the way!!!) and he assured as that we were free to go anywhere on the farm and that the animals wouldn’t be upset by Beanie and Biggles baying. Although obviously dogs must be kept on lead at all times.

The Burn Anne Historic Walk takes you along picturesque country roads, through fields (full of sheep and cows), woodlands and along the bank of the Burn Anne. The walk is abundant in flora, fauna and wildlife and this is described in detail on little information boards along the way. There are also boards with details of the rich history in the area.

Despite the subtle little path and the information boards along the way it doesn’t feel like a typical country park walk. The conservation work has been so beautifully done – unspoilt nature but better! It reminded me of when I was a child when I used to know all the great off-the-beaten-track places to explore in the countryside.

A fabulous place for the dogs – so much to see, hear and smell. I think this is going to be one of our regular walks! If you haven’t been there then you must try it – it really is beautiful. And SO relaxing.

A burn runs along the bottom of our garden. The actual boundary between our garden and the farmland is in fact down the middle of the burn. Sadly, in order to keep the dogs on our land we had to fence off the burn. We had a 4 foot high fence built with 2 feet of trelace on top. About 4 – 6 feet of land is fenced off along with the burn. Our plan is to turn this into a little wildlife sanctury, but also to plant vigorous climbers on the other side to grow through into the garden (the dogs dig up anything we plant in the garden).

In the spring I planted some clematis, rambling roses and honeysuckle to grow through the fence into the garden. We had planned to keep the banks of the burn partially strimmed down to give us access. But the weeds took hold quickly and before we knew it there was a jungle out there. I am so glad we let it grow wild – the entire river bank is now packed full of beautiful 8 feet high flowers. No idea what they are, but here are some pictures along with the resident wildlife.

And of course, we mustn’t forget the other wildlife in our garden:

I forgot to post this up at the time….

A week or two ago I went out into the garden to find that the lawn was alive with thousands and thousands of baby frogs. I guess they came from the burn at the bottom of the garden but the whole lawn (20 metres by 50 metres) was covered in them.

The next day they were gone. No idea where they went.