New and Old Developments around Dumbarton. Mermaids Walk.

 

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I'd arranged to meet Anne and Belinda in Dumbarton for an unusual but very varied walk that I thought they would both like. Not an early start but timed for the tide going out so a lunchtime arrival here. The River Leven in Dumbarton, above.

One big change we noticed from the last time we were here was new housing appearing on what was previously derelict land and a new riverside walkway. I have noticed over the past year that practically every parcel of waste ground or derelict land in my area has building works green lit on it- presumably to stimulate the economy as it's mainly outside construction work bringing in wages and job security plus much needed new housing. I will miss the old waste landscapes though as some plots have been vacant for over a decade or even longer turning them into fertile green oases (plural) and thriving natural wildlife havens in the middle of otherwise urban sprawls and handy locations for local kids, dog walkers, and visitors to explore. More on that aspect later on in this post.

 Levengrove Park came next which is always a well kept green jewel no matter the season.

Colourful borders, plenty of mature trees,wide green meadows, and an attractive shoreline esplanade walk.

 Arboretum and fountain next to the circular ornamental  garden...

Planting beds that change with the seasons. Mid summer display of lupins here....

 But what we were really here for was this..... Big Skies- Thick Mud...

Out in the River Clyde Estuary at low tide you can walk over a mile from dry land into the mud flats. You do need boots or wellies of course as you will sink in a few inches- ankle deep in a few places- but it is a totally unique experience of big skies, shifting cloud scapes and vast horizons. Obviously going that far out you have to be very wary of the tide as in certain places, like Pillar Bank, you can be standing on a full acre of firm sand a mile and a half off the shoreline yet have deepening water creeping in suddenly much closer to shore to cut you off completely but other than that it's ok.

 With the tide going out you can walk from Dumbarton to Cardross or further still, right on into Helensburgh itself along the various mud flats, shallow water, and sand, giving any birds a wide berth of course as they have to survive out here as well and earn a living from the seashore.

Crab dinner for a hungry gull. Looks more like a beak mark than mermaid teeth to me but I'm no expert in these matters.

The edge of the deep water shipping channel a mile from the shoreline with a rain storm coming in. Not a spot to get stuck fast in the mud hereabouts methinks. As the Prime Minister said of the recent 'Freedom Day' let up of Covid 19  restrictions in the UK. 'Use your common sense, people.' Wise words that also apply here for this mermaid walk.

 A sunken boat on the River Leven that failed to endure the relentless power of  the rising tides. The ebb and flow of natural occurrence pulled by the moon.

Returning back nearer the land and a different shore front walk in the local area.

Two recently restored wells in the park dating from the early 1700s and one of the first large scale drinking water projects in Scotland running a pipeline under the River Leven into the town centre from a natural spring on the opposite bank. Bearing in mind the River Leven was always a well used highway for boats of every size since medieval times, including Viking raiders learning the twisting water overland route to enter the secret vastness of Loch Lomond with its 23 islands and later a notable shipbuilding and export port in Dumbarton.

 An even earlier 1200s well discovered nearby from the same spring.

 The restored well in July 2021.

 On the edge of the park we had good views across to Dumbarton Rock and Castle which lies on the opposite bank of the River Leven. A popular bouldering and rock climbing venue it is not a place for the fainthearted or beginners however. As it was very handy I used to go here occasionally to climb or boulder on summer evenings as it's a scenic and impressive location often sunny, sheltered, and midge free but the good climbs start at HVS to E 10 or thereabouts and the grades seem extra hard as it's mainly vertical or overhanging walls. See person in blue in above photo to give it some scale. Even the boulder problems often have bad landings onto sharp rock and being black basalt the place has a natural polish and slippy texture so you have to be careful to avoid a fall. Good place to cycle to though along the river track network and around an hour from Glasgow on scenic green trails using that method of travel.

 We then walked round to see the new housing. They are probably nice inside but I have to say all three of us on this walk independently thought it could do with a splash of colour. Six floors high in some places but a plain brick finish overall. I know the developers or housing associations responsible for new builds are under all kinds of restrictions and budget constraints I'm not even aware of but I always think even minor splashes of colour lift the spirits.

There was a very tall red brick building in Dumbarton lying derelict from old industry until recently ( now sadly demolished) close to this spot and I've noticed in other towns that architects or developers often like to replicate notable local iconic architecture in new build projects in the same vicinity but to me, looking at it just now, it definitely requires an extra zing. Warehouse apartments are fairly trendy these days but usually that means refurbished old stock not newly built faux warehouses. A good set of professional rooftop coloured edges/ battlements or Templeton Carpet Factory zig- zags perhaps or a well thought out muted design feature to give it some kind of lift...especially as this is a showpiece river front location........ so I've added my own... :o)

 

Something like this perhaps... only better thought out. Hmmmm, I could do better myself....don't worry.....my first go at it.

New waterfront path.

Dumbarton's new waterfront seen from a distance. As this view will presumably last for 40 to 60 years, unless climate change wipes normal society out altogether, I just feel it could have been more vibrant with good use of colour. Towns and villages throughout Ireland seem to manage it no bother, without any fuss. It's summer here and not raining but already it looks drab. Imagine if it looked like this instead....

 Ten year old buildings in Govan I really like. Just the sight of them instantly cheers people up in a similar post industrial, very historic, but generally rather drab looking area.

Even within Dumbarton itself , hidden away in the trees, later on in this walk, they have colourful modern houses.

 Once the scaffolding is taken down however it would probably cost far too much to do now... in retrospect. Another colour suggestion photo, above.

And a pastel tinted version which would not cost very much... done at the time of construction that is. A much better effort... getting the hang of it now.

 I consoled myself with a colourful dinner instead then settled down to watch Danish detective drama 'The Killing'. Thank you box sets and swapping. Grilled chop, pineapple rings, potatoes with butter slipped in, marrowfat peas, triangular egg with cracked black pepper, and cherry tomatoes. Art is everything in life! Mermaids rule!

To be continued.....in part two.