A bird on the wall

We left Gatehouse at 10am and set off to come home along the Ayrshire coast, more or less. We took the road through Newton Stewart to Girvan, some 30 miles of beautiful green meadows and woods. Seemed a good place to stop for a coffee somewhere with a wonderful view as we passed over many rivers, through wonderful scenery and at one point drove under a magnificent railway viaduct, crossed the river and drove back under another arch! En route we saw this lovely mural on a house in Barrhill. But could we find anywhere to stop? Absolutely nowhere - on and on and on. Suddenly, with no warning, a sign pointed down a side road 'Picnic area'.  We had to drive on for some distance before turning round in a farm entrance, then took the road to the picnic place. It was a grass area surrounded by a housing estate, with a rubbish bin overflowing on to the grass. Needless to say we resumed our journey, with a letter to South Ayrshire Council formulating itself in my head!

We skipped the coffee idea and continued on through a somewhat depressing Girvan and took the coast road which passed Culzean Castle, deciding to stop there for a picnic lunch. Everyone I used to know there has long gone, and the Head Gardener's house where my friend Susan used to live - see extra - is now rented out as a holiday home. Sign of the times. We had a good wander round the Walled Garden and then moved on.

After what seemed a very long day's driving of around 200 rural miles we arrived home at 5.15 to be greeted by the cats! Great time away - and good to be home!