South of Dumfries. Near a castle.

Yesterday was a good day but today was better. Almost 12 hrs between leaving Wigton and stopping here in a great spot (under another oak tree) at Caern something Castle.
Much of that time was spent eating - three meals today, and drinking (tea, beer and Fanta).
The cycling was great. I was a bit cheesed off with myself that I was going to be retracing my outward route, but today I found B roads and cycle tracks that meant I hardly repeated any of the early roads. Mind you, the views are totally different going the other way.
I had a great breakfast in Newton Stewart. The sausages were well done (I’m not keen on pale bangers) and along with all the usual bits were haggis and tattie scones. My phone hadn’t finished charging, so I had an extra pot of tea.
I then had to rejoin the dreaded A75, but only for 2 miles today as I’d deciddd that a longer B road up to over the hills was preferable to dicing with death.
After a few minutes of dodging the lorries I came across another cyclist up ahead. He was wearing a high viz waistcoat but no helmet and riding very slowly. With a gap in the traffic I was able to overtake him. A bit further on I was checking my map and he turned into the lay-by and we got chatting. He must have been pushing 80 and laughed when I said how terrifying the A75 is. ‘Oh I’m used to it. I ride on it every other day to go to town for my shopping’. He then gladly told me of an alternative cycle route ‘I don’t bother with it as there’s a fair hill on it’.
The mountain road was wonderful. Scenic, smooth and nowhere near a steep as I expected. Quiet too - just three cars in six (very slow) miles. There were birds of prey and ravens and a mixture of open hill and forestry.
At Kirkcudbright I had a disappointing Scotch Pie and a very welcome ‘TOO FAST’ speed sign flash! More due to a steep hill and many kilos of luggage rather than my legs.
Stopped at a pub for a drink in Dumfries and there were two men discussing the menu posted outside as I arrived. ‘£17.95 for steak and ale pie?!’ ‘Or £20 if you want salt on your chips’. They didn’t go in.
Last full day tomorrow. Not sure where I’ll get to - possibly Penrith.Read more