Castle No2 - Open

The pending cold that I have been trying to ignore for the past couple of days has finally taken hold. Stinging watery eyes, sore runny nose, frequent violent sneezing fits, light headedness... Not ideal when on holiday.

However, after a nice breakfast - fresh fruit and yoghurt, cinnamon bagel - who needs a full Scottish? - we set off south for Caerlaverlock Castle. It's a fantastic triangular castle with a moat, but of course you can't see that unless you're flying over it. My suggestion of a flying fox was dismissed by one staff member as impractical.

Never mind, although it's a ruin, there is plenty to see. And it didn't rain. And it was dog friendly! We had a passable scone in the cafe, and there was an excellent wee video about the siege of Caerlaverlock way back in the day. There was a mangonel in the grounds (see extra).

Due to my pressing desire to lie down and shut my eyes, we didn't tour around, nor yet did we wander round Dumfries, though I doubt we missed much, apart from, of course, all the Robert Burns links (with apologies to Dumfriesians), but came back to the hotel via a Tesco for some snacks (my appetite is not affected) and oh look! The (English) football is on... I don't normally watch football, but it just fitted the bill this afternoon.

I must be no weel - rice pudding is on offer in the restaurant, and that would normally lure me in. Hope I feel better tomorrow.