We decided that as I’m currently two days ahead of schedule it would be a good idea to have a day off at Whithorn. Moving on from Hoddom Castle, our first stop was Kelhead Water, originally an 18th century Quarry now a lovely place to see wild flowers: ragged robin, water lillies, irises and especially orchids.
We then rejoined the A75 to go West towards Whithorn. We took our time to visit the Priory and adjacent museums, including a reconstructed iron age round house. This is based on the finds of a nearby excavation of a house dated to 450BC. The early Christian stone crosses from 400 to 1100AD are also fascinating.
After lunch in Whithorn we drove to the car park for Ninians cave, on the coast SW of Whithorn. The walk to the cave through a beautiful strip of woodland emerged onto a stony beach with the cave at one end. Again the wild flowers were a feast.
The stones and surf also made lovely patterns. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day, which I finished off with a bit of ice cream at Carsluith castle on the way back to Dumfries.
For one night we’re at the Townhouse Hotel, helpfully near the Noblehill fish and chip shop.
From Psalm 8
When I consider the heavens, the work of your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
What is humanity that you are mindful of them,
Human beings that you care for them?
We can go back centuries,
Your story recalled in rocks and stones
And in long buried remains from the past.
I marvel at your continued care.
Standing on the shore, close to Ninian’s cave, the sea and land and sky
Make a majestic sight.
I am thankful.
God grant a quiet night and a peaceful end.
JAL 21.06.2019
Midsummer’s day, not walking LEJOG.