A gentler bike ride - the northern end of the Rhins of Galloway

Thursday 16 May 2019. Thirty one and a half miles, with 950 feet of ups and downs.

A slightly earlier start than on Tuesday, and the intention of taking it steady...next time we're in the area the target will be Corsewall Lighthouse. 
Another brilliant ride, with masses of wildflowers again. I love the scent of wild garlic and bluebells.

We rode up the obligatory hill out of Portpatrick, along the A77 as far as the left turn along the B738, which we followed past Portslogan, ignoring a right turn on Rawer Road, where the Southern Upland Way footpath crossed our route and another right turn to Glaick and Stranraer.

We rode through some beautiful woodland, with bluebells and rhodendrons, and turned left at a junction with the B7043 to Leswalt. Instead of taking the Leswalt road we passed farms and settlements of Galdenoch, Knocknain and Cairnbrook.  We paused for a coffee at a grassy junction just before the road turned north (left) at a right angle. 

Oy, oy, what are you up to? We had coffee just across the road from these cows, with Little Cairnbrook in the distance.

Ervie was the next point marked on the map - there's not much there either. We turned left and followed minor roads to reach South Cairn, from where there was a rough road down to the shore - we'd seen warnings that high speed ferries could cause unexpectedly high waves, though we didn't think they'd reach as far up as we were!

Then we tried to get to North Cairn, but it was not easily accessible by bike, so we returned to the road.
When we saw a sign that Corsewall Hotel and lighthouse was three miles away along a road to our left, we considered it, but six miles was a step to far... so we decided to head along the A718 for Kirkcolm, and the possibility of a shop, or a pub, instead. Kirkcolm Community shop was on the village sign, but was closed, probably for good! The pub didn't look any healthier.  Luckily we had brought food with us, and found a picnic site looking across to Cairnryan.

We didn't hang about long, since it was windy.
The next three miles along the main road were hard work, with Loch Ryan on our left while we cycled against a strong headwind. When we arrived at Soleburn Garden Centre we were delighted to stop. Garden Centres with their coffee shops are modern oases.
From there we continued on the A718 for a short distance up to a roundabout. Straight on along a B road, past the other end of Rawer Road, and Glaick, to rejoin our route out, returning to Portpatrick on the B738 and A77. 

Near the Southern Upland Way

Another fabulous day out, and another meal at the Harbour House Hotel.
And finally, just to prove it wasn't flat...

A wander to the local ruin - Dunskey Castle, Portpatrick

Wednesday 15 May 2016
We felt we'd earned an easier day after our 45 miles on the bike yesterday.

Dunskey Castle is a ruin on the cliff top about half a mile from Portpatrick. 

It does involve climbing the steps at the south end of Portpatrick seafront, and about half a mile walk along a clifftop path.

And always the profusion of wildflowers, especially sea pink, bluebells, red campion, birdsfoot trefoil and spring squill.

There is a cove just beyond the castle, but we didn't investigate the way down.

We returned in the early evening for a sketching session.

Bike ride from Portpatrick to the Mull of Galloway

Glorious weather on Tuesday 14 May, and we decided the bikes should not be confined to a garage. We knew it would be a stiff climb out of Portpatrick, but there was no rush and daylight lasts at this time of year.
So at about 10.30 we went up the A77 and turned right along Portree Terrace, past the caravan sites and the pub, and on towards Cairngarroch.

At the top of one of the (several) climbs we stopped for a quick coffee. There were wild flowers all the way along the roadsides.

 After about 9 miles we came to a crossroads.

We didn't visit Ardwell Bay to the west, but headed to Ardwell, on the East side of the peninsula. This was a lovely ride down through woodland with bluebells and wild garlic.

and we soon arrived in the village. A caravan site, an angling shop, but nowhere to buy coffee or lunch.
The nearest cafe is in Drummore, "about 4 miles south".

We cycle along this main road - not very busy. About a mile outisde we see a signpost. "Drummore - 5" . Obviously a motorist's four miles, not a cyclist's! We're committed now, so...onward and not too much upward.
In Drummore, there's the "Mariner's Rest" coffee shop. It looks open, but isn't. we ride down to the shore and back up to the Southernmost food store in Scotland! 

With supplies for lunch we head uphill out of the village, and find a spot by the roadside for a picnic. Signs tell us that the Mull of Galloway, with its lighthouse is a mere 5 miles away. Of course we're going to ride there.

 The lighthouse is visible from quite a distance. The road is rolling, with some lovely downhill stretches, and of course some uphill too.

It was nearly four o'clock when we arrived, so we didn't go inside, or visit the RSPB reserve. 

And, even better an excellent cafe which is open until 5pm.

Almost 45 miles, with ascent and descent of just over 2 000 feet. 

It simply remained to make our way back - and I confess to walking up one of the last hills before our triumphal descent into Portpatrick at almost 8 o'clock. We rounded the day off with a meal in the Harbour House Hotel.

Killhope to Allenheads

Friday 10  May 2019
A fairly strenuous walk by our current standards, with wonderful wide views. We were accompanied by the sound of curlews and lapwings, and we  saw a group of oyster catchers on a field.

Walked from Hill Top cottage, at a height of close to 1800 feet, down to the road (a mere 1500) and turned left towards Killhope Mine.

Looking at the cottage from the road below.

Just opposite the lead mining museum, which we visited yesterday, is a gate and a public footpath.

The plastic tags were quite useful in showing us the path.

The path leads steeply uphill, fairly sharply to the left then swinging round to the right. On the OS map the path climbs Carriers' Hill, High Linn and Great HillUnderfoot there were some boggy patches, and the odd pool which we had to avoid. the path was clear and well marked and led up to close to 2000 feet high, and the border between County Durham and Northumberland. We  could see Cross Fell in  the distance to the west and Killhope Law fairly close to our left.  Shortly after the  highest point the path joined  a wide grassy bridleway, where we turned right and  began a fairly gentle descent. The area is marked as Allendale Common. Great views into Northumberland.

We could see the small Dodd Reservoir below us. We walked to the right of this, but it disappeared from view behind a small ridge.

At this point there are two choices - follow the bridleway to the minor road, then turn right for Allenheads, or, as we did, take a footpath to the right and follow this to join the road closer to the village.

A muddy path and a stream to cross

Allenheads (about 1400 ft high) is the site of a lead mine, a major local industry until the nineteenth century.

But we were even more delighted to find the Heritage Centre with an excellent cafe for lunch.

We had a look round the small museum before retracing our route. Almost ten miles in all.  We climbed around 1600 feet altogether.

Route from Hill Top Cottage via Killhope to Allenheads

Elevation profile looks impressive...

Hambleton Peninsula, Rutland Water

Monday 06 May 2019 , with Maureen and Norma. A very straightforward walk of just over 5 miles. Not warm, and cloudy. Lots of people around on this Bank Holiday Monday.

We took the usual clockwise route. Today this was windier on the northern leg, as well as hillier, so a good decision.

Windsurfers galore!

Wrapped up warm

Hey, look this way!

The undergrowth has been cleared - more bluebells this year.

More windsurfers.

Lunch at Wellies again!