Isle of Whithorn, Wigtown, Rockcliffe and New Abbey.
I could go on.....
So on Tuesday at 2.30am I left for the Mull of Galloway with a short stretch of the legs at Gretna Green services. I continued via the A75 which was very light in traffic but had 2 lorries to wait to overtake.
I arrived at Stranraer by 6.20 am thinking I might get an early breakfast somewhere but alas too early. Still there were signs of life: lorry drivers, dog walkers, commuters, bin men. Above us all were constellations with no light pollution.
Onwards to Portpatrick where I could see the orange glow and some lights of Bangor (NI) and Belfast. In front was lapping waves and the village starting to wake up.
I double back and twist through the countryside and head to the Mull passing through beautiful Drummore and very few vehicles. Indeed I find myself alone at the lighthouse apart from a flock of sheep.
I begin my long journey back home now.
I hug the Southern coast and fly back up the Rhin before turning right south of Stranraer and right again to join the road to Port William, Isle of Whithorn and Burrow Head. At the last of these, I find it odd how little trace there is of the iconic scene in the Wicker Man on this remote caravan park.
I follow the Machars peninsula road to Whithorn and have a tasty breakfast roll in one of the few cafes on a large high street.
I continue my journey to the east and divert off the A75 again and follow the Port Road railway remains to the Big Water of Fleet viaduct which is in reasonable nick but some masonry is on the ground around here. There's also many walkers and cyclists.
I turn south and count 12 minutes driving to Gatehouse of Fleet from the old station. A further half hour takes me to Brighouse Bay which gives me the peace to fall asleep for an hour and recharge beside the salty air.
I twist back North and a few minutes finds me in Kirkcudbright which is the most busy place I've seen so far. A really pretty town with scallops being brought ashore and a busy bakery where I fill up.
I take a very twisty country road to Dalbeattie then coastal road to Dumfries stopping at Rockcliffe and New Abbey. Two very splendid locations worth half a day by themselves.
At Dumfries I linger at the station to see what counts for rush hour with trains for Carlisle and Glasgow arriving. I'm not yet hungry for food but have a look at options anyway before walking back to the river and watching the water churn violently beyond the weir.
My final stop is Annan where I have a look at the station as its been a while and also the remains of the Solway Viaduct that is now some gas pipeline I guess.
The rest of the trip is mainly motorway with a call at Chorley for a Wetherspoons before getting back for 9.30pm.
