Dumfries and Galloway

Yesterday we made a snap decision to have a couple of days in Dumfries and Galloway. We used to holiday there a lot when Sam and Rowan were wee and Murron has been desperate to visit Cream O'Galloway to sample their wonderful ice cream. Weather forecast checked, we packed and set off. We stopped at Threave Castle for lunch, caught the small boat across to the castle and on the way back decided to chance our luck at the Osprey viewing platform. The volunteer manning the telescopes told us that there hadn't been much activity, but just as I looked through one of the fledglings returned to the nest followed by the adult male who was carrying a HUGE fish in his talons. He dropped the fish into the nest and the fledgling attempted to fly with the fish. After a few tentative attempts, the fish was eaten and the two birds flew away. It was amazing to see and we felt very privileged to have witnessed it. I think the girls were a little underwhelmed, their sights fixed firmly on having an ice cream. We made it to Cream O'Galloway and all indulged in some ice cream before the girls scampered off into the adventure playground. They had a great time go karting too - even if they did go round the wrong way creating multiple pile ups!

We stayed the night at Barnsoul Farm in one of the wooden wigwams. It was great fun. Nick built a fire for us to sit around outside and we cooked some chicken and sausages on the little bucket barbecue. Murron (as always) declared it one of the best days ever!