Tuesday 26th May

Today we set off early for a walk in Galloway Forest Park called the Loch Trool Trail.  Whilst we were on our way there it rained which we really hoped it wouldn't do whilst we were there and fortunately it didn't.  It was a nice walk, 5.5 - 6 miles (depending on whether you believe the signposts or the leaflet) and there were only 2 things I didn't like about it - big gravel (hard on my feet) and part of the walk was on a road because there is a house on the loch (understandable but not very interesting).  It was a shame that the last part of the walk took us through forest which had recently been cleared.  We had lunch at 'Bruces Stone' not far from the end of the walk, it was a large stone with an inscription and overlooked the loch.  Also a good place to have our lunch!

 Back in the car we headed off to the Glentrool visitors centre in the park which was 90% cafe 10% shop.  It was fine, but I found it a little odd that although the cafe was quite busy, nobody was talking to each other and I felt like everyone watched me when I went in (I have no idea if they did though).  I found two postcards which I liked, unfortunately they only had one available to buy so I just bought the same for everyone.

Onward to Wigtown which is known as Scotlands Bookshop Town.  Yes there were a few second hand bookshops although there didn't seem to be as many as I thought there were - 14 I think?  I'm sure we must have gone into 7.  Anyway, we had a bit of fun exploring those, I didn't buy anything except  some postcards which I would have expected to have been available at the Mull of Galloway yesterday but weren't, whilst Mathew bought 2 books.

I'm glad I resisted - I have a number of books I'm trying to get through before spending my £40 Amazon voucher which I got for Christmas on more books, including digital ones!  (Apologies to book lovers everywhere who hate digital books but I don't have much room for actual books and some things I want to read I don't mind reading digitally!). Speaking of digital books, in one bookshop (apparently the biggest one in the town) there was a Kindle which had been hung on the wall.  The plaque underneath it said that it had been shot in 2012.  This shop in particular was anti- Kindle, as they also sold mugs which stated 'Death to the Kindle!'.....!