" A host of Golden Daffodils...."

With the temperature up to 19 degrees  it was an ideal day to visit Threave  Gardens owned and managed by the Scottish National Trust and located just outside Castle Douglas. It's only a 15 minuite drive from Kippford and Rockcliffe so it's a nice wee jaunt! 

Being busy getting the B&B ready for the new season I normally miss the spectacular Daffodil Bank but this year timed things just right. One, by being rewarded by the spectacular sight of Southern Gems in full flower and two, the first chance this year to sit in the sunshine on the terrace sipping a Cappuchino at the aptly named "The Terrace Cafe"  .

Daffodil Bank: Thousands of daffodils planted by Colonel William Gordon original owner of Threave.

Threave House

Scottish Baronial in style the house was designed in 1871 by Edinburgh architects John Dick Peddie and Charles Kinear. You can tour the house but we love it as a place to meander through the gardens and grounds. There is a very picturesque hot house, a huge walled garden planted with fruit and veg and the rest of the gardens are split into 'outdoor rooms'. Surrounding the gardens are woodland walks and even a special 'dog walk'. 

We have been visiting since we were children (not going to say how long ago that was!) but still go back again and again, there is such a lovely tranquil atmosphere and it can be enjoyed by old and young alike as there is lots of space to run around (the kids love it too!).

The next treat to look out for is the huge banks of rhododendrons that fill the gardens with colour and make a spectacular sight.

If you would like to visit here is the information.

Threave Gardens and Estate  http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Threave-Estate/

Estate & Garden: all year, daily.

Visitor & Countryside Centres, Restaurant, Gift Shop, Plant Centre and Glasshouses:

1 Feb to 31 Mar, Fri-Sun 10-5

1 Apr to 31 Oct, daily 10-5

1 Nov to 23 Dec, Fri-Sun 10-5

House: 1 Apr to 31 Oct, Wed-Fri and Sun 11-3.30

Visit to house by guided tour only and visitors are advised to book in advance.

Tel. 0844 493 2245               

Living the dream...

As anyone who watches Kirsty and Phil as they relocate city folks to the country will know, it seems everyone dreams of a rural idyll where they can keep hens. We were no exception and started our little flock about three years ago. Keeping hens was something I had always fancied despite having an illogical and  weird fear of birds ( Could it have been seeing the  the movie 'The Birds' at an impressionable age that brought it on?) so it was perhaps, an strange decision. 

But not so, there has been a huge surge in demand for locally produced food; after all, what could be more natural than keeping your own chickens and collecting their eggs? So for us at Millbrae House running a B&B it seemed like the right decision. After all Bed & Breakfast is synonymous with fresh, home reared eggs.

"Henkeeping - Inspiration and practical advice for would be smallholders" from Country Living and the National Trust.

A friend bought me a copy of a brilliant little book "Henkeeping - Inspiration and practical advice for would be smallholders". This quirky little book with old fashioned illustrations  advises on all aspects of chicken keeping, from advice on the full range of breeds available, choosing and buying the right chickens for you, to feeding and naming them and finally housing and caring for them. I devoured it, and spent ages choosing my 'dream 'team. 

Friends urged me to rehome battery hens which from a humanitarian angle appealed to me and I was sorely tempted but, having avidly devoured  the pages of Country Living Magazine I wanted 'fluffy' hens.

Within a day our first three hens Madge, Muffin and T2 ? ( dont ask ) were eating out of our hands and following us around the field. Their curious nature gets the better of them, even when I'm cleaning the hen house they pop in and out just in case they are missing out on something and give your cleaning work a quick inspection to check standards are kept high.

Our first Black Orpington, Bramble (with her wide berth and ungainly gait) looks like a aircraft carrier struggling down the runway - attempting to take off but never quite making it. Her first eggs never made it to the kitchen as she would lay pale almost opaque small eggs and promptly stomp on them as she rose from the nesting box. I always felt she was saying "you are not having that one". She's obviously got the hang of it now as she now leaves them intact.

 

Our two latest hens (brought by Santa) have settled in well though naturally at the bottom of the pecking order being the latest to join our increasing flock. Their vast size is at odds with their soft docile nature being a Buff Orpington and a Speckled Sussex named Butterball and Myrtle. Each hen, has as the books say, have  a different personality and having seven different colours and breeds. it's lovely to watch them forage around the field. 

I never tire of the joy of collecting the different array of eggs all individually coloured and sized almost like there own signature. Its like finding little individual gifts.

A bowl of fresh Millbrae House home produced, free range eggs. 'Little gifts' courtesy of Myrtle, Butterball, Autumn, T2,  Bramble, Magorious and friends. (You can tell the kids named them!)

After a scarcity of eggs over the Winter months Spring has arrived here at Millbrae House and we are up to four eggs a day so our own fresh, free range, golden yolked beauties are back on the menu. Longer days and more sunshine mean more and more eggs for our guests – pass the frying pan.

Good Morning Vietnam...

"It's hot, damn hot, R E A L  hot..." here on the Scottish Riviera. Now bear in mind its only March 5th, yet my dinky little weather station recorded an amazing 45.5C in full sun around 9.30 this morning. I put it in the shade (which I was told was the 'proper' way to do it) and it registered 28C.


A neaps tide this morning at 9.21am so not much water up Southwick Water but a fantastic view along the Colvend coast at Sandyhills across to Port Ling.

Colvend Coast to Port Ling at neaps high tide

And before you ask, no! I have not used a filter on that sky, it's the real thing. Won't be long now till all those branches burst with colour. 


Off to get the bikini out!

Help with the New year's Resolution...

Saturday morning, and a good time to get out for a walk, I can't quite believe it's a week since the annual community walk designed to kick off Health Week.

I had made a New Years Resolution to get out and walk more and a quick glance at my Winter muffin tops confirmed I needed it so I joined around 56 folk at Colvend Village Hall for the off and I was glad I did.  We had a great walk, designed to suit all ages and well within my winter hibernation mode capabilities.

The walk, organised by our very proactive village Primary it was attended by pupils past and present, parents friends, community members, staff and an array of dogs of all shapes and sizes. It was a great opportunity to catch up with friends and have a natter. Walkers ages ranged from about 3 years to ..... well, dare I say without fear of being lynched at the next community event, let’s leave it as.... the more mature. There was much interest and curiosity as, for the first time on the walk each of us were issued with a pedometer. 

The weather was not quite as sunny as forecast, but did not disappoint as it stayed dry and crisp, as an army of us set forth at 10 am for an hour and a half walk. Not 'hat and gloves' weather but my thermals (although over hot at times) were appreciated on the top of the hill, where a cool breeze blew away the cobwebs.

From the Village Hall the walk took us around the NE shore of White Loch and at Barean Loch turned right past Smithland Bothy and up Barcloy Hill. The views of the stunning Solway coastline were our reward for the final push. Living here and usually seeing the views from just above ground level – not that I am that vertically challenged, it’s great to get up high and get a real feel of the whole area. Colvend Church (built on the site of a medieval building during the Rev. James Chalmers' ministry and opened in 1911) sits 

beautifully in the rolling Galloway countryside and further away Rockcliffe nestles around the crescent of beach. You can see our approximate route here:

Route courtesy of Google Earth™ mapping service

Participants arrived back  at the Village Hall, some muddier than others, at around 12- 12.30 to a wonderfully tasty, healthy, lunch. There was a selection of homemade soups with rolls (I went for the celery – delicious),  home made salads of cous cous, coleslaw and potato followed by (perhaps not quite as healthy but very yummy) flapjacks with tea or coffee. 

Pedometers read varying distances from 4.5km to 7km depending on how many times they had been shaken up and down by, might I suggest, the more mischievous amongst us, well you are not telling me all those little legs walked that distance in that time!

The event raised a sum of £125 for the school and a big thank you to all that organised it, prepared lunch and, the worst job of all, washed up!

Well the sun has just peeped out so it's time to don my walking boots and head on out!

A chilled Chablis of a day...

It was such a beautiful day we just could not resist getting up and getting out. Visibility was superb, the sun bright, the sky a cerulean blue and the air intoxicating. It was a morning as crisp, clear and bursting with flavour as a glass of chilled Chablis - every sight, sound and scent, fresh, vivid and clear. Paradoxically, it was what I think of as the perfect Autumn day.


8.30am saw us at the RSPB Mersehead Reserve at Southwick. The Visitor Centre (a converted traditional, whitewashed Galloway cottage) looked pretty as a postcard in the morning sun.

We decided to head East for a change as the sun was still so high. (Later in the day it's better to set off West) Despite the sun, last nights' frost spangled the grass and made artwork of the puddles as we strode out along the lane towards the Sulwath centre and the two hides. (It was a day made for striding - Brisk and invigorating).

Recent hedge trimming had revealed the remains of a last years Long Tailed Tit nest along the lane, there is a healthy population of them around here and I love it when around 12 - 15 all try to get on the same fatball. It always makes me laugh as it looks like some outlandish Xmas tree decoration.


We decided to visit Meida hide as you can usually spot Deer to the East of the wetland area in front of it so set off through the woodland. Unfortunately we didn't see the Treecreper who is usually about (maybe he was having a lie in?)

From the point when we left the car we had Barnacle Geese flying sporadically overhead. Their distinctive calls, described by some as like a dog barking, punctuating the whole 2 hour walk. Large numbers of the Svalbard population arrive at Mersehead in the Autumn and can be seen grazing the wet areas in densely packed flocks throughout the Winter months. I am always sad to see them go. There are 9,000 Barnacle Geese this year, a lower number than last year but still a fantastic spectacle. Not to be missed.   

After 20 mins in Meida Hide where we spotted all the usual suspects (waterfowl) we then went out onto the beach, Murphy's favourite place. Being a stick hound he loves the wide open space where he can chase sticks to his hearts content. The view was amazing. The East Stewartry Coast from Southwick along to Castle Point at Rockcliffe at the end of the long sandy beach. The dunes are very special and protected along with the rest of this coastline which is designated as a SSSI and a National Scenic Area.

Our bird list this morning included Barnacle Geese, Curlews, Phesant, Pink Footed geese, Chaffinch, Green Finches, Yellow Hammer, Snipe, Mallard, Widgeon, Teal, Pintail, Coot, Gadwall, Mute Swans, Lapwing, Skylarks to name a few.  It was a fantastic walk, one I will not forget. You can see the route here:

You can do the circuit in about an hour but today we lingered and savored the day. At the Visitor Centre you can get Fairtrade coffee and tea and Chocolate Muffins and Brownies to go with it or even a tub of delicious Cream O' Galloway ice cream. There are a couple of big squadgy sofas where you can sit in the sunshine and watch the birds on the feeders or borrow Binis' to look out over the Lapwing nesting area. The team of permanent and volunteer staff on the reserve are always on hand and are a great bunch of people. They do a fantastic job so a big thank you to them for all their hard work.

31 degrees: No wonder it's called the Scottish Riviera

What a difference.. today the sky is blue, big, white fluffy clouds line the horizon and the sun is beating down. The visibility is fantastic but I can't quite see the Isle of Man today yet. I am typing this blog entry in a vest top and have the door open for some, cool, air. Dundrennan weather station (just along the coast) says we have a temperature of 10 degrees but when I popped my own indoor weather station out side in the sun (out of the wind) it registered a whopping 31 degrees centigrade. How brilliant is that? Bikinis out ladies! The solar collectors are registering 57.7 degrees on the roof: amazing... think of all that hot water and it's only early February. 


As you can see on this solar radiation map of the UK (below) Kippford, Rockcliffe, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright and most of Dumfries and Galloway are in the yellow area and so benefit from the same amount of solar radiation as towns much further south. (Contrary to the popular belief in England that the weather in Scotland is cold, wet and miserable.) It's no wonder that the coast here is known as the Scottish Riviera and palm trees can be seen in local gardens.

During the cold snap last week, when much of the UK was crippled by snow and ice, here in Dumfries and Galloway we had no snow, very little ice and relatively mild temperatures. Talking to friends in Devon and Gloucestershire on the phone is always amusing as they assume, without fail, that they are having better weather than we are - how wrong they are!


This is bourn out by the guests that stayed in Riverview Lodge last weekend. They left a lovely note on departure which read  "we have had a good birdwatching weekend despite the foggy weather (It's much warmer here than in Yorkshire) we will have to come in the summer." I hope they do!


Not that chilly weather is a problem in the lodge, our guests say that the wood burning stove keeps it really cosy and warm, as examples of comments left in the guest book by recent visitors testify:
"Enjoyed the log burner"  September 2011
"Log burner kept us toasty warm"  October 2011
"A warm, cosy and comfy cabin with a wonderful view." October 2011
"Arriving to find the fire lit and the Christmas lights on was welcoming indeed. Cabin is cosy and warm." December 2011


We love reading the guests comments as it's always nice to hear that visitors to the area have enjoyed themselves. One guest, who stayed with us in 2010, loved the area so much they bought their own holiday home in Kippford shortly after. I hope they enjoy it for many years to come.

A mizzy day in Dalbeattie forest

Perhaps on the face of it not the most auspicious day for the first real post with mizzy weather and a chill in the air but we were to be proved wrong. Wrapped up well with hats, scarves and gloves  we set off from Richorn Trail Head, just outside Dalbeattie (the Dalbeattie 7 Stanes start point and carpark - just 4 miles from the lodge). 


The air was sharp and fresh and sounds in the forest had a muffled quality due to the low lying cloud but gave the trees a secretive air. It proved to be an eventful hour and a half.


Several groups of mountain bikers in coloured lycra and waterproofs passed us en route, Murphy (the wonder dog) said an enthusiastic hello to several chums (including a blind Labrador - I kid you not - but that's a story for another day) and two very cheery walkers greeted us going in the opposite direction. Dalbeattie Forest is a great place to get to know people, especially if you have a dog with you!


At Plantain Loch we stood awhile and watched the Heron showing early signs of getting flirty. It's harsh calls cut through the sea fret and sounded almost tropical. The mist, the half frozen lake, the dark fir trees and the Heron made a striking image - almost in monochrome.

A lone Canada goose passed overhead at one point, flying NE, it's unusual to see a single goose which made it remarkable.


The woods were very atmospheric and alive with people, dogs and wildlife which just shows what a good walk can be had, even on a mizzy day.  It is noticeable that there are suddenly more people around for the first time this year - probably due to the school half term.


Before heading home for a well deserved Hot Chocolate we had a peek at the site work going on at the cottage at the edge of the forest by the main entrance - they have just got planning permission to open a cafe and tea room so we are watching the progress eagerly. A good tearoom/cafe close by will make a perfect end to a good walk in the forest... watch this space!