31st July Rest day in Dumfries

I woke 7.30 in a proper bed but no sound of rain. I checked my phone and this tweet from Susie Dent was the first thing I read

A lovely reminder (because the cap fits) that hurkle-durkling, from 18th-century Scottish slang, means lying in bed, or lounging about, long after it’s time to get moving.

That would sum up my day quite nicely. A hot shower and down for breakfast which someone else made. So this is how the other half live.

I hear back to my room and just laze about and read a few pages of my book. I’ve managed 19 pages on the whole trip!

10.30 and I leave the B and B and head into Dumfries. THE SUN IS SHINING!!! Where were the storms that were promised. So a dry mile and a half into the town centre, a treasure hunt to find the tourist information shop. Turns out it was next to a closed cafe I had dripped all over the floor on my previous job. I’m given a map of things I might find interesting.

As I head to the first of these I see the Frothy Bike Shop. I can’t help but go in, it has a wide door, ramp access and a place to park your bike inside. A lovely cafe and a bike shop. I have a chat with Harris about cycling in the area. He had just returned from France and finding it less inspiring now. We discuss my route and he is slightly envious but wishes me well.

First port of call was the Bridge museum , a building that is built into the structure of the Devorgilla bridge and one of the oldest buildings in the town. The bridge built in 1431. It had been two dwellings, 3 rooms each with no services and used until quite recently. The ladies in the museum make me welcome and share lots of information. The rooms set up as Victorian times with one room as s dentists. Amazing how so many dentist tools still look the same today. I leave a donation, I’ve been well trained by Jayne. Lots of visitors to her heritage centre but hardly any donate.

Next to the highlight of my day. I walk up the hill to the old converted windmill( see if you can spot the white building on the right in the River Nith picture) This building now houses a museum and a Camers Obscura. What a fascinating piece of technology. A highly interesting presentation on how it works and 360 views of the town with the history thrown in. If you ever get the chance I highly recommend seeing it. They only use it on dry days so it was a good job it was not raining.

I retrace my steps over the bridge and can add several species of hills to my list, sand martins skimming the surface of the water, great crested grebes to my trip list.

I head back to the B and B and give Genevieve a little TLC ready for tomorrow. At 3 ish the Thunder and Lightening start and now I feel fully justified for my rest day. Panniers are packed, kit is finally dry and it’s back to it in the morning. I’m hoping to make Troon at least tomorrow but know there are some sizeable lumps in the way and wind looks as though it’s going to be in my face again. Oh well it will be good to be riding:)