Log No 168. Thu 24th Oct 2013 - Southerness to Bankend, 25 miles (2588 miles walked)

Today was another day of road walking along the Solway Firth and it's tributaries, I'll be doing this for a few days yet.

It was sunny as Mick and I set off from Southerness just after 08.00.

Getting on to the A710 we went through the villages of Kirkbean, New Abbey and Islesteps before managing to get to the footpath along the River Nith.

New Abbey was awarded the title "Best small village of 2012" and we had a quick look at the ruins of Sweetheart Abbey here.

I had brought my boots with me for the footpath but it was tarmac so I didn't need to wear them.

We only needed to go upstream about half a mile to get to the footbridge to cross over so we never actually got into Dumfries.

The footpath continued south by the river as far as Kingholm Quay and Mick decided we would get a pot of tea here in the hotel.

We were on a cycle route and we stayed on it as it went on the B725.

The road went alongside the River Nith and we stopped at Glencaple to finish off our lunch while watching some fisherman.

We saw one of them catch a small flounder which was thrown back in.

At the Caerlaverock Nature Reserve the road turned inland.

After going past Caerlaverock Castle we finished walking at Bankend at 16.00 having completed 25 miles.

I had had blister free feet for over 2000 miles but when I got back to the chalet discovered I had one on the heel of my left foot. It must be down to the change of footwear.

There is a bar & restaurant at the chalet and the owner, Gary, had told us that every Thursday night there is live music with Colette singing and that she could promote my walk.

I was a week too early really, the chalet park would be busy next week with the English school holidays but it being the end of season it was quiet just now.

There were only a handful of people in the bar but we still managed to collect £35.