Wigtownshire Ramblers-Gatehouse of Fleet-Sandgreen-Cream O' Galloway

Saturday the 25th July (Already) 2009.Todays walk is a nice steady one starting from the picturesque 'Wee Toon' of Gatehouse of Fleet.Lots of tourists around,it's the start of Gatehouse Gala week.
We're a group of 25 when we all eventually manage to get together.Parking and road works to blame for the late start.Our route initially takes us out of town via Cally Park,where there's already a hint that the leaves on the trees will soon be changing colour.It's hard to believe it's almost August.
Cally Palace is busy as we take a break and learn a little of it's history.Here's a thing...it was built in 1763 for a James Murray...so how come i've been a virtual pauper all my life ? We didn't go in,i doubt whether a lineage claim would stand up these days.

Continuing on our route takes us under the A75 trunk road,and through the woods around Cally Mains.Across Fleet bay we can view Cardoness Castle.

It's a great day weatherwise (Writing this Sunday morning with the rain incessant,it's hard to believe how quickly it can change),and the scenery is of pastoral calm.

Soon we reach the caravan park at Sandgreen.It doesn't look overly busy,but i believe many of the timber lodges are in private hands.I've often wondered about places like this.You buy yourself a cabin to retire to,but then you're only allowed to live in it for 11 months of the year.You wouldn't want to get sick or infirm then would you.?

Soon we're on the beach at Airds Bay where we'll take an early lunch.

Bella keeps a close eye on things...

Panorama of Airds Bay,Sandgreen on CleVR.com

...as i take this panorama.

Lunch over we get ready to move.

There are one or two folk around.The tides well out as one family group walk out to the surf.Others are contemplating a bit of canoeing and boating.

Now at the caravan park entrance,these guys were up for getting their picture taken.Hope you find this picture sometime kids!

Quite a bit of roadwalking to follow now.A fellow rambler spotted swallow chicks being fed while sitting on a fence.This ones looking a little stern.

The old drystane dykers never got this sort of recognition.I suppose it's an art nowadays.
I met a few Thatchers,Weavers and Restorers on my recent island hopping trip,and although i think some of them are psuedo craftsmen,there is a need to keep up old traditions,so i suppose they have their place.
After dodging quite a number of Bmw's and Chelsea tractors we come to Rainton...

...home of 'The Cream O' Galloway'.Our walk leader welshed on his promise to buy the group a '99'each(maybe i imagined that bit),so those with money enjoyed a delicious organic flavour of their choice of the best ice cream in the UK.I make no excuse for giving them a plug,it's a great place and not just for kids.More info at
Cream O' Galloway
It's not the Ice Cream,since one of these was taken before the Cream O' Galloway...must be something in the air today.
Now underfoot becomes softer and kinder to the feet as we head over fields towards Girthon.There's a few gates,fences and stiles to negotiate,which we managed without mishap.

Now at Girthon we've time to take a look around the old churchyard.There's quite a few interesting gravestones,...

...including this one from a dark period of Scotlands history.

On our way again and we're soon back in Cally Park again.There's a lot of history connected to this estate,and anyone interested should download a fairly substantial PDF from here.
Cally Park
Oh those landed gentry,what they got up to.
There's a game of cricket taking place...

...as we stop for a photocall.

Now we're back in Gatehouse and in Garries Park.The group will split up and head off in different directions here.Cars are parked in lots of different places.

Past the bowling green,the 'Toon' is looking so spick and span at this time of year.Fair play to them.

And to complete an enjoyable walk,the Masonic Arms is a haven for a few thirsty ramblers to see them on their way.Who's that sitting on the bench being anti-social ?Cheers.

Westward Bound-A pictorial tour of Western Scotland

 I took a 15 day Island Rover Ticket with Caledonian McBrayne at the end of June 2009.
I visited Arran,the Mull of Kintyre,Islay,Oban,Mull,the Outer Hebrides and the Isle of Skye.
These are just a few of the many pictures i took.

Gracious thanks for the accompanying music by Moby goes to mobygratis dot com.
The two tracks featured are 'Look back In' from Album 18,and Blue Paper from the Album 'Hotel-Ambient'.

Balamory Panorama

BALAMORY

Panorama of Tobermory or Balamory on CleVR.com

Tobermory on the Isle of Mull.
Nowadays a very popular tourist destination due in many ways to the popularity of the childrens series Balamory which is filmed here.

Dromod-YouTube Video

This posting refers to the YouTube video posted below.


The Cavan & Leitrim Railway is run by volunteers. Their Depot is in Dromod, Co. Leitrim. Trains run every weekend, and on Mondays. The group also have a transport museum, with narrow gauge trains of every gauge, buses, planes, fire engines and artillery guns from WW1 and WW2. It is located beside the Irish Rail Station in Dromod.
One of the original locos, No.2, and one of the original carriages, is preserved on display at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.
Thanks to Wikipedia for the above.

I was meeting up with my Irish American relatives in Dromod early June 2009,and was told of a railway museum across the railway bridge.
I was persuaded by Mr Michael Kennedy who runs the place to join a couple of guys from Belfast for a look around.
The pictures in this photo story are just some of the items on display here.Some exhibits are almost perfectly preserved,others as will be seen are almost graveyard material.
There's a yellow submarine---the cockpit and passenger section of a Douglas DC7 used by the Queen and Prince Philip in 1958---more aviation memorabilia---a bike that you pedalled on the railway line ! ---artillery---buses and all sorts of vehicles---and a myriad of other stuff.

Michael and his staff (should i call them that), have an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the history of any of their exhibits,and i would recommend a visit to anyone with an interest in anything.You'll be well entertained,and all for a donation of your choosing at the end of the tour.
More info at
Dromod

Dromod Trains,Buses and Planes, or Maybe Just Some of Their Remains

In Dromod in County Leitrim in Ireland is the Cavan Leitrim Railway Museum...I paid a visit in June 2009

Wigtownshire Ramblers-Cairngarroch Bay-Ardwell-Barbecue

It's Saturday the 18th of July,and todays walk should be fairly moderate since we're following it with a barbecue near the shore at Ardwell
17 walkers gather at the path start above Cairgarroch Bay.
Regular blog readers will remember my previous visits here.
Cairngarroch Bay
Cairngarroch Bay Revisited

The short walk down brings us to the bay.We won't be looking for the Memorial Plaque today.One of our senior walkers has the book written by Sandy Rankin with him,and a few facts are read out as the book is passed around.

We're heading south.It's mainly cattle that use this coastal path,and the going is tussocks,heather and mud.At least the muddy path is fairly firm since we've not had a lot of rain.

After gaining height on Cairmore Fell,we take a moment to look back at the bay.I'm able to point out the location of the memorial plaque for folk wanting to find it on a future visit.

The path improves as we continue south,that is until we need to turn inland.
Gingerly we tread,as we need to get through thick gorse and bracken,then three live electric fences.The easiest way through the last of these is to roll oneself.Apologies if some of you ladies look undignified in this collage,but the pictures are needed to highlight the 'Adventure' as the walk leader put it.

Everyone through,rucksacks go back on and composure is regained...
...and then another obstacle as we turn back towards the cliff tops.

The wild fowers and plant on this shore headland are really at their peak at this time of year,and make a wonderful kaleidoscope.
Now with a fair drop beneath us,we round bays and headlands with names like Slannax,Slunkrainy and Horney,caves called Goodwife's and Dove.It would be great if one had the time to research where some of these names come from.


With Clow cave beneath us we take our lunch break.Not a lot of food today,the barbecue's still to come!
A welcome break,but we're soon on the move again.

Now back inland a short distance as we head through Little Float Farm...

...then back towards Float Bay.
I remarked to fellow ramblers that i thought we'd spotted a seal the last time we were here.I was right it's here.
Ardwell

Time for a photo...

...this is known as Water cave.

Now comes the scramble up around Arthurs Skunk.This is nearly vertical in places,the photo's don't really show how steep this climb is.As one rambler pointed out.It's not the climb that worries her...it's the fall !
We're soon all safely up though and take a moment to recover.


Now we have a reception committee at KenMuir where the cars to ferry us back to Cairngarroch are situated.
It doesn't take long to collect all the vehicles and we're soon on our way to Chapel Rossan Bay just south of Ardwell...

THE BARBECUE

...where we receive a warm welcome from our catering volunteers.

The drink begins to flow...

...and the buns,burgers,salads,pastas and other delicacies are soon being scoffed.

We're joined by our Chairman and others who've either been at the regional meeting at Maybole,or were unable to walk with us today anyway.
It's a mostly alcohol free barbecue,due to having so many drivers,but the alcohol free beer and the few who can drink make it a merry affair.

We must be a really righteous group-why else would the weather be so good to us.

As we continue to enjoy ourselves the burger bar over by the shore...

...decides to pack up-they can't compete with a ramblers barbie.

As the party winds up,our chairman gives our volunteer catering crew a vote of thanks for a very successful outing.It's also decided that this should become an annual event,and next year it will be the Saturday after St Swithins Day.

After an adventurous walk followed by a great barbecue,today was memorable.
Brilliant.