This is night No.16/2021 living in the caravan. It's our forth and final night at the Garlieston C&MC Site in Dumfries and Galloway.
Woke up to a wet and drizzly morning. Still a bit of mist around, but it was the sort of drizzle that soaks you! After taking the dogs for a run around on the beach, and getting a shower and some breakfast, headed along the road to Kilsture Forest to walk the longer of the way marked trails, the Red Deer Trail.
One feature of the woods around these parts is the abundance of bluebells. Apparently, there a feature on the Atlantic facing fringes of the UK? I've only ever seen as many in Glencoe and on the Isle of Raasay.
It's a great forest for walking, even in the wet. The paths are pretty good, it's big, and it's also very quiet.
Certain parts of the wood were completely carpeted in Bluebells.
The walk took around 90 mins, and after retuning to the van for some reading and some lunch, I read about a wood just outside Newton Stewart which looked interesting. It was Knockman Wood, a 20 min drive away.
There were three different walks, and I picked the mid range one, and it suggested on the information board that it would take 3 hrs. Turns out it was around 90min, but what a stunning walk.
Apart from at where I parked, there were no conifers at all, all broadleaf.
And a lot of historical remains, like this chambered cairn (I think?).
Some really old and gnarly trees.
Fresh leaves on the Oak Trees.
Again carpeted in Bluebells.
This was probably the finest woodland I have ever visited, it was just so different from the usual conifer plantations.
And to top it, the remains of an abandoned settlement with houses, byres, and corn dryers.
Despite the drizzle and mist, what an incredible walk. I read that in decent weather the views are fantastic as the wood is up a hill. Can't wait to return in better weather.
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