Monday was my birthday and I decided that what I wanted to
do was continue on our quest to get all the Historic Scotland castles ticked
off our list and go for a nice day trip with Missy and just not make a bid deal
of things.
I've really fancied Caerlaverock Castle since I'd first seen
it in the guide book. A bizarre triangular shaped medieval castle that had
undergone siege and battle, complete with towers and a real moat, it ticked all
the boxes. We hadnt done this one before as, located in Dumfries with a drive
time of two hours, it was definitely a day trip.
And it did not disappoint! The weather held fair and the black murky moat contrasted beautifully with the red sandstone, making this castle dominate the local scenery. I'd been told the castle fitted into the 'fairytale' description and, looking about the courtyard and the beautifully carved fireplaces, I was forced to agree.
We stopped for a homemade bento (the book and containers an
early birthday gift) and looked out through the ruined curtain wall, over the
boat and into the woodland beyond. The foundations of the original castle are
still visible some 200m away and we enjoyed a nice stroll around there. The
original castle was abandoned as it was too close to the sea and started to
sink (the original owners apparently really wanted a moat!)
To justify the drive back, we visit a little gem called the Crawick Multiverse which is an outdoor art installation inspired by the galaxy and our
connection to it. Whilst there, we walked past comet collisions, through the Milky-way
and climbed up the Andromeda galaxy (where Missy decided to pee on it).
The area is huge and we could easily have spent far more
than the two and half hours we were there. Its beautifully designed and, as it
so quiet, we allowed Missy off the lead and she bumbled along beside us
completely missing the point of her continued education! The weather had begun
to turn though so we made our way back to the car and got in just as the
heavens opened.
All in all, I couldn't have asked for a nicer day.
"climbed up the Andromeda galaxy (where Missy decided to pee on it)."
ReplyDeleteThis has me in stitches.
Good to hear you had a great birthday in your own special way! And that the presents are being loved and used! I've checked mine out proper and can't wait to get Felix initiated into RPGs!
You must let me know how it goes!
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