Another varied day in Galloway

It was a cold night in the van but we soon warmed up with our heating system. Cousin Duncan called to take us out for a differed walk through the estate up to the moor and Loch. There had been frost but it was warm in the sun. We stopped at his place where his wife Grace served coffee in the garden and Duncan fed the birds from his hand.

His mum, my mother’s sister, always loved Sweetheart Abbey which was founded by Lady Devongilla in remembrance of her husband John Balliol. from of all places, Barnard Castle, a contender against Robert the Bruce for the Scottish throne. Together they founded Balliol College, Oxford. Their son became king of Scotland In 1292.

After stopping at Glencaple on the Nith to have a late lunch we proceed to Caerlaverlock Castle, a moated Castle dating from the 13th century. My aunt used to live on a farm on Solway Moss, close to the castle and we’d have a day out there as children. The castle was free to visit and not as manicured as it is now. As we entered the car park, we were accosted by a very aggressive keeper who asked if we had a timed ticket and when we admitted we’d not realised one was necessary, we were turned away. I managed a quick blip as Mr C turned the van round. The castle was besieged by the English during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

After that we headed home fuelling up just off the M74 where diesel was 112.7p a litre. A few miles earlier, on the motorway, it was 134.9.

It was still sunny as we bowled along the Roman Road and I just had to take yet another picture of the Sycamore Gap tree which featured in a Robin Hood film, totally out of geographical context.

We have unloaded the van and done 2 lots of washing. I have been sen another optician’s appointment for Thursday, as he wants to re-check various readings and scans as he thinks he might be able to gather enough evidence to warrant an earlier hospital investigation. So no quick turn round with the van for another trip. But I’m so grateful we got away and that we had such amazing weather.