New Year's Eve from Scotland 2015 & The Flood Newton Stewart

This is the worst major flooding Newton Stewart has experienced in living memory . What I did notice yesterday was how many people were out and about but more so, the pragmatic and positive approach and attitude shared among the community. A huge cleanup is underway as I type and new year's eve for many in Newton Stewart will be filled with mixed feelings and emotions but uplifted by the help-thy-neighbour motto and the unselfish dedication of emergency services.
I can't say as I usually do 'enjoy the photos' - but here they are....... this is what I saw. 

 For many it is not over yet.

BTW the date on the photos is out by a day...

the wall did not hold and finally broke, flooding the town centre

thank you

30th December, 2015 

Amid the human tragedy, many were wondering how local celebrities Mr and Mrs Goose & Gander were fairing, and we couldn't believe it - they were found trying to find their usual grassy bank, and later totally exhausted tucked asleep in the closed car park of Sainsbury's supermarket. 

THE END

Sun 27th Dec 2015-Clatteringshaw,Loch Ken,Gatehouse round trip

Christmas comes and goes so quickly that sometimes it's like a dream - now we look to another new year and no doubt wonder what it will hold for each of us. Hopefully all of us will embrace joy and happiness with very little sorrow.

We took a drive today and here's how it went with some wonderful views. The following narrative is from J as the many places we went I either couldn't remember the name of or, couldn't spell said name!  

Our first stop along the Queensway (A712) was at the Glen of the Bar. 
Just before Clatteringshaws we took the road along to Craigencallie where we got some great reflections and hill pictures. We said hello to the horse rider who was enjoying the good weather.
We drove back to Clatteringshaws Visitors Centre which was closed.The website had said it was open.
We continued on to New Galloway where everything was also shut but again we got pictures.
Now we turned south towards Mossdale on the A762. This took us along the western edge of the normally beautiful Loch Ken.
It was still beautiful but somewhat marred by floating rubbish on the northern half of the loch.
From Mossdale we continued along to Laurieston keeping our eyes out for Red Kites. Never saw a one, but we did spy what looked like a 'Hobby'. Too quick to photograph.
At Laurieston we took the road west through the Laurieston Forest and over the fells to admire the views from Knocktinkle Car Park.
On reaching Gatehouse we stopped to photograph a lovely family of swans in the top pond before going down into the town.
The Galloway Lodge was very busy as we went in for a snack and coffee.
After a short walk along the Mill on the Fleet, we took the back road round Anwoth and it's historic church before rejoining the A75 and home.

"come along children, we have visitors" he said

 

 

 "say hello children" 

 

trying to award myself a fav pic of the day and this is it - The Mill at Mill on the Fleet