Tues 5th Mar - a local walk Water of Minnoch

Having had a couple of dreich days activities have been somewhat curtailed. Today it was overcast but not pouring so set off on a local walk of only a few kilometres along the Water of Minnoch through Brigton Woods and to the Roman bridge.

the weather is turning and one can really feel Spring's warmth (sometimes)

lunch near the Roman bridge

 from the wilds of Scotia

Easter, Preston and back via Lake District

Been back three days from the trip south into Preston England.

on the road to Preston England

Preston's fabulous buildings with me managing to pick up a tummy bug

... set off Easter Monday for Scotland via the beautiful Lakes District and drove over the stunning Kirkstone Pass (one vehicle lane!)

charming villages and buildings at every turn

a quick visit to Beatrix Potter world was an absolute must!

and over the Kirkstone Pass

down from the pass and following more gorgeous lakes (not lochs, we're in England!!)

all too soon we are back on the motorway! and joining the Easter throng heading back into Scotland and surrounding areas of Dumfries

and almost home

- the last day of March and feeling so well again after my 'bug' that I set off for a 7.5km walk through Forestry tracks in the lower hills of Auchinleck Newton Stewart.

... pass by Auchinleck House and it doesn't look so spooky today...

it was a lovely walk and felt much better for it - lucky - 'heavy' rain is expected for the next two days.

Weekend Wanderings

......Saturday walk to St Ninian's Cave (near Whithorn) It's a lovely walk through Physgyll Glen and down to the rocky shore overlooking Port Castle Bay and looking right you can see the cave up in the rocky cliff face.
The Roman Catholic Church organises an annual pilgrimage to the cave each September with in excess of 300 people attending. The Catholic Church describe Ninian as the man who first brought the Christian faith to Scotland. It's fascinating history and can easily be googled for more information if you're interested.  Reaching the cave we immediately felt the spiritual vibes - crudely made crosses were everywhere and personal offerings of all kinds for all sorts of reasons. It was a deeply moving moment at St Ninian's Cave with kB being a devout Catholic.

leaving the carpark area and the walk through the glen to the beach

coming out of the glen and approaching the beach

a contemplative moment looking over the beauty of the calm, silvery bay - it was so peaceful
it is said that all of the stones, pebbles and rocks that make up the beach, are blessed

the view from inside the cave

I left St Ninian's Cave with a touch of quiet solemnity and reflection

............ what I saw on the way to Isle of Whithorn with the Irish Sea as blue as could be

... arriving at Isle of Whithorn, parked up with a view, had a packed lunch and J went rock climbing and got a wonderful photo of St Ninian's Church ruins overlooking the Solway Firth. 

 Headed back and close to Newton Stewart things were looking very 'springy'!

a lovely outing on a gorgeous day......