Sun 27th Dec 2015-Clatteringshaw,Loch Ken,Gatehouse round trip

Christmas comes and goes so quickly that sometimes it's like a dream - now we look to another new year and no doubt wonder what it will hold for each of us. Hopefully all of us will embrace joy and happiness with very little sorrow.

We took a drive today and here's how it went with some wonderful views. The following narrative is from J as the many places we went I either couldn't remember the name of or, couldn't spell said name!  

Our first stop along the Queensway (A712) was at the Glen of the Bar. 
Just before Clatteringshaws we took the road along to Craigencallie where we got some great reflections and hill pictures. We said hello to the horse rider who was enjoying the good weather.
We drove back to Clatteringshaws Visitors Centre which was closed.The website had said it was open.
We continued on to New Galloway where everything was also shut but again we got pictures.
Now we turned south towards Mossdale on the A762. This took us along the western edge of the normally beautiful Loch Ken.
It was still beautiful but somewhat marred by floating rubbish on the northern half of the loch.
From Mossdale we continued along to Laurieston keeping our eyes out for Red Kites. Never saw a one, but we did spy what looked like a 'Hobby'. Too quick to photograph.
At Laurieston we took the road west through the Laurieston Forest and over the fells to admire the views from Knocktinkle Car Park.
On reaching Gatehouse we stopped to photograph a lovely family of swans in the top pond before going down into the town.
The Galloway Lodge was very busy as we went in for a snack and coffee.
After a short walk along the Mill on the Fleet, we took the back road round Anwoth and it's historic church before rejoining the A75 and home.

"come along children, we have visitors" he said

 

 

 "say hello children" 

 

trying to award myself a fav pic of the day and this is it - The Mill at Mill on the Fleet

11th Dec 2015 - Glentrool drive about

It was seriously freezing today so a nice drive was the ticket ... Glentrool continuing on to the Straiton Road through the Glentrool forest with 'Awful Hand' range of hills following us until turning off at Rowantree Hill and onto the 'Nick of the Ballach' with the Carrick Hills in glorious view. Reaching 'Balloch' (sheep country)  continued uphill by the 'Pilot' to 'Shawknowe' and turned for the stunning conservation village of 'Straiton' - it was like something straight from a postcard as we descended down Cawin glen and into the town.  Continued south over the Carrick Moor (love Scotland's muirs!) before completing a circle at the Bell Monument then back to Glentrool and Newton Stewart.
The weather was all over the place - FREEZING at all times, sunny (not often), sleet, rained and blew a gale in areas. It was fabulous!

Enjoy this selection of photos and I believe I actually have them in sequential order.

       from stunning South West Scotland

5th Dec 2015 - Storm Desmond and around NS

Hello loved ones,

UPDATE: Storm Desmond is wreaking havoc all over the UK now with the exception of the far south and east of England.

Storm Desmond is causing major flooding, wind damage and evacuations in various areas.

A walk was in order to see if the River Cree had broken its banks. It hasn't - yet.  A stroll in the rain and wind along the river just a wee way from the town centre near the King George V suspension bridge with the area also known as the Cree Mills walk.

It is now early afternoon on Saturday as I write and more wind and rain is expected up until early Sunday morning.  

from stormy, wet Scotland