Galloway getaway.
With a forecast for good weather on at least Saturday and Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend we headed to Galloway to escape the Lake District crowds.
Saturday saw us tackling one of our two remaining Corbetts in this area Corserine. Rather than following the route in the SMC guide we headed first for Meikle Millyea from the car park at Forrest Lodge. Access to the open hill was made easy by excellent sign posting and in 1hr 30min we were on the top enjoying excellent views. The next leg over Milldown and Millfire was a delight and we only met one other walker - how different to the fells at home. The summit of Corserine was a slightly different story as we timed our arrival with that of 4 other walkers who had come up the 'standard route'.
Views across to Merrick and Shalloch on Minnoch.
Along the ridge to Corserine.
On the final slopes of Corserine.
Two summit shots.
The descent was a little confusing as we reached the forest deer fence but we were soon on the forest track heading back to the car. Just before the car park we caught sight of a 'Black Watch' soldier - not a real one but a rescued figurehead from an old Fred Olsen Passenger liner.
We camped at the Glentrool Holiday Park ready for a mountain biking day on Sunday. We'd wanted to do the Big Country Ride at the Glentrool 7Staines mountain bike centre for a while and we hoped for good weather the next day.
Starting the Big Country Ride.
An early rest.
Big country views.
The whole 58km trail is well sign posted.
Loch Dee in the 'Big Country'
Another climb into a head wind but great views.
A well earned break at the Giant's Axe Head Stane.
The Bruce's Stone near the end of a great ride.
Saturday saw us tackling one of our two remaining Corbetts in this area Corserine. Rather than following the route in the SMC guide we headed first for Meikle Millyea from the car park at Forrest Lodge. Access to the open hill was made easy by excellent sign posting and in 1hr 30min we were on the top enjoying excellent views. The next leg over Milldown and Millfire was a delight and we only met one other walker - how different to the fells at home. The summit of Corserine was a slightly different story as we timed our arrival with that of 4 other walkers who had come up the 'standard route'.
On Meikle Millyea looking towards Corserine.
Views across to Merrick and Shalloch on Minnoch.
Along the ridge to Corserine.
The Merrick range from Millfire.
On the final slopes of Corserine.
Two summit shots.
The descent was a little confusing as we reached the forest deer fence but we were soon on the forest track heading back to the car. Just before the car park we caught sight of a 'Black Watch' soldier - not a real one but a rescued figurehead from an old Fred Olsen Passenger liner.
We camped at the Glentrool Holiday Park ready for a mountain biking day on Sunday. We'd wanted to do the Big Country Ride at the Glentrool 7Staines mountain bike centre for a while and we hoped for good weather the next day.
Things didn't look too good at first on Sunday morning. It had rained over night and just as we were about to get the bikes off the car a hail shower sent us scuttling back into the tent. It soon brightened up, however, and we set off for the start of the route at the Visitors Centre. Early in the round Susan had a mechanical problem when she couldn't move up the gears on her back cogs. As the route description promised 'long climbs' and an 'epic' day out this didn't look good. With a bit of tinkering we got them moving a wee bit and she was determined to carry on.
The first half of the route was mainly on minor roads and was quite easy but once we reached Black Loch things got harder. A big climb started here and to make it more difficult we were met by a head wind and a heavy shower. Fortunately Susan's gears had fixed themselves and we just kept going up. It was worth it though as the next stage had some of the best views of the day and was over all too soon when we reached the Bruce's Stone and the road back to the visitors centre.
The Big Country Ride was as good as the guide books suggest and the cakes at the cafe were also great.
Bank Holiday Monday dawned very dreich and we decided to leave the other Glentrool and neighbouring Kirroughtree trails for another weekend in this superb quiet corner of Scotland.
Starting the Big Country Ride.
An early rest.
Big country views.
The whole 58km trail is well sign posted.
Loch Dee in the 'Big Country'
Another climb into a head wind but great views.
A well earned break at the Giant's Axe Head Stane.
The Bruce's Stone near the end of a great ride.
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