Transports of Delight

This should have been the first day of Spring so blue was the sky. Apart from a rather sneaky and cold north westerly it was a lovely day. Just the day for a spot of local photography.

First port of call, perhaps literally, was Old Graitney near Gretna. The house adjacent to where this picture was taken is called Port House. Whether this refers to some earlier period I don't know but all that remains now of a seafaring past are a few upturned boats just above the high tide mark. Certainly this part of the Solway Firth has a sea going tradition; Annan, my home town some 8 miles to the west, still has a harbour area with a significant number of associated buildings albeit now very tumbledown. Quite why this end of the Solway, situated within a few miles of the England/Scotland border and the M6 and M74, has not seen a marina type development is a mystery to me.

A short ride brought me to the world famous Blacksmith's Shop. This is a major tourist attraction with would-be married couples and other visitors coming all the year round. In my view it's a little overdone but there is no denying it is very popular.

Echoing the marriage theme Mathieson's café within the nearby shopping complex or "Designer Outlet" to give it it's full title provided me with a very tasty lunch (Macaroni cheese with chips, peas and a pot of tea for £5.84). This car dominated testament to modern consumerism provided a sharp contrast to the simpler world of human powered vehicles though only I seemed to notice.

I was rather stuffed when I climbed back on board though it would have been far worse had I not cried "enough" to the lady who had dished out my food. Unlike a bicycle however the riding position of a recumbent tends to encourage good digestion not prevent it. Ecclefechan, (literally the Church of St. Fechan) some 10 miles away, was my next destination. It is located on the old Carlisle to Glasgow road and must have witnessed huge changes to it's daily life when the adjacent M74 was opened. Now it is a quite backwater, famous for being the birthplace of Thomas Carlyle, Philosopher and Historian, and an ideal cycling base. Mr Carlyle (1795 to 1881) died in London and his body was returned to Ecclefechan to be buried in the nearby Hoddom churchyard.

Home beckoned. The day's mileage was a gentle 30 or so. The weather had remained sunny but a little chilly throughout. Good ride.