Day 12

Met an interesting character last night in the Graham Hotel in Longtown, Roly the Salmon Poacher. He describes himself as a sort of an hybrid of Kenny Dalglish and George Harrison...see picture and decide for yourself.

Apparently this how you do it...get a mate with 20/20 vision to climb a 25ft Scotch pine tree to observer the Salmon as it fights its way upstream. Meanwhile Roly the Poacher has in hand a 15ft pole and attached to one end is a Rabbit snare wire. When he hears the cry of Salmon under the floating leaf moving downstream, Roly pulls the wire which closes the snare around the Salmons tail...hey presto Salmon for tea. In fact Roly asked if wee wanted one and if so what weight!

Anyway, I was soon on my way and crossing the border into the debatable lands..through Gretna Green then on to Annan where I met Big Dave and we called in his mums for coffee and biscuits.

We pushed on towards Dumfries and met some chap who must have been pushing 25 stone, with a bike fitted with 48 spoke wheels who reckons that he has circumnavigated the world without a single puncture?

Stopped for lunch at Crocketford for light lunch and 2 pints of Speckled Hen. Then through the Galloway hills to New Galloway and Kitty's famous Tea shop, which was surprisingly closed.


However in discussions with the locals found alternative supply of tea and cakes by Blacksmiths at side of stream. Now checked in at digs in Dalry. No mobile or WiFi signal so will be sending this Blog by carrier pigeon...so could be delayed.

Statistics;
Days Mileage ; 65
Total Mileage; 639
Time; 5h 10m
Ave speed; 12.5mph
Max speed; 36mph
Ave heart rate ; 110
Max heart rate ; 138
Calories ; 2,812
Weather ; Warm ad sunny spells
Alcoholrometer; Speckled Hen... Plus 2 glasses of Red