DUMFRIES/ALNWICK

 NORWEST-NOREAST   580 Miles

TRAVELLERS :-  John & Val W

580 miles !!!!  That's more than a walk !  It's more than a bike ride !............ 

YES ....   we drove !

Hardly a true Meanderthal jaunt but sadly there wasn't one of those this week 

Soooo............ First stop on our journey. Moffat.

A local champion Ram has long been the mascot of this border town. 

Legend has it that the talented artist who sculpted it committed suicide when he realised he had missed it's ears off.........   So much for legends.

The sculpture sits upon a rocky base containing a water feature which itself contained something not often seen in Scotland. Somewhere to throw your money. (Careful John that could be construed as "Racist"). 

There were other artworks around the town such as these eagles cleverly carved using just a chain saw.

After a small lunch (more of a snack) at one of several cafes in the high street.

We then drove on further into Scotland and the Premier Inn at Dumfries where we have stayed before and found it comfortable and convenient.

CASTLE ALERT !

The following Morning we dropped down to the Solway coast to look for Caerlaverock Castle.

.....and here it is...a most unusual triangular shape.

As with many castles it was a ruin. Many of them caused by battles with them across the border

A deep moat surrounded the castle

Extensive living quarters had been built within the castle.

During a siege the castle was battered by huge stones launched from machines like this called a "Mangonel"

Of course we always check out the cafe wherever we visit and a coffee in the castle grounds was a must.

The guide books for the castle were £5 in English but in any other language £1 (slightly abridged )........ we bought a French one. (we can read French) you may notice this if you look top-right of this photo.

From here we drove though Dumfries to Castle Douglas, another town we are familiar with, where we found ANOTHER   beast.

"Don't get too near John."    "Don't worry I've got mi stick."

A rather large Belted Galloway  Bull (look closely).  As we were in Galloway this was obviously a tribute to an important part of the region's economy, past and present.

Our favourite cafe in Castle Douglas has a shady garden in which we had lunch. 

We continued our days tour stopping briefly in Dalbeattie. It was a warm afternoon so we crossed over a river and sat on a park bench for a while enjoying the cool tranquillity.

The town was obviously keen on remembering and honouring people and occasions, as there were plaques scattered around. Here are a few.

The Bandstand was also a memorial in it's way as it was constructed using the old gas Lamp Posts when Glasgow switched to electric street lighting.

and of course the ubiquitous War Memorial.

The next day we left  Dumfries and drove across  country to Alnwick stopping briefly in Haltwhistle.  In Alnwick we stayed at the very modern Premier Inn.  This was rather "Spooky" as our room was EXACTLY" the same as our room in Dumfries, Same size. Same colours, Same shape. Same furnishings etc. etc. etc.  All positioned in Exactly the same place virtually to the inch !!!!

After checking in at the hotel we drove the short distance into Alnwick centre. This was mainly to buy something for our evening meal as, although we are fans of Premier Inns, we are NOT fans of the evening meals they offer.

What's with the cool "Man of Mystery" shades John ?   There is a reason.

Here we are in the town's market place...... and there's a "Dragon" Say n'more.

The following day our plan was to follow the coastal road down from Bamburgh down to Newbiggin by the Sea.

CASTLE ALERT !

We have visited Bamburgh several time so we drove past the marvellous castle (our favourite) and picked up the coast road going South.

The Castle seen from the village .

Then from the very busy car park. We drove through the park to take the photo.

Our next stop was Sea Houses and well known and popular place.

This small church on the main street caught our attention or rather the stained glass window did.

We have photographed "Pillar" boxes with decorated (knitted) tops on several of our Meanderthal walks. A happy and charming eccentricity.

Back on the road to our next sea side village (Town ?)  Amble

As we drove through the tiny hamlet of "Spitalford" a cafe sign was too much of a temptation...... but surely ...was this the cafe ????????  

Spitalford is a shortening of "Hospital at the ford" and was set up by a Queen in the 14C. This and other information we found on an interior stained glass window in the 10/10 toilet. On our travels we mark the toilets out of 19. (We once found a - 5 😕)

No! it was a little more than that. There was a cafe and shop in this building.

In the field next the cafe were some Highland cattle........ 

Highland Coo...... Scotland....... have to take a photo.

Except of course we were not in Scotland any more.  Ah well ..Never mind.

After coffee/tea and a biscuit we continued towards AMBLE our next target.

But before we got there.....

CASTLE ALERT !

As we drove on Warkworth Castle hove into view.  We have been here before so we did not go in just took photos.

Again a ruin.

Then into Amble, another tiny but attractive harbour town.

A spill of paint which some unsuspecting seagull had not spotted. "That'll sort yu for pinchin' mi chips "

Our last visit before going back to the hotel was NEWBIGGIN by the SEA. rather larger than this photo suggests.

A small, down at heel, but still very attractive place.

A strange construction but we thought possibly made to mark those rocks at high tide (There was a sailing club which uses the bay.)

At the end of the headland seen in a previous photo was a small museum dedicated to the lifeboat men of Newbiggin.

Then a final coffee at a seaside cafe before heading home the following Morning

N.B. For the first time all week it was RAINING as we drove home.

THE END

JW.