April  07

We are still enjoying the lovely weather with only a few days rain, of which the fishermen were grateful for, and have managed to explore more of the forestry commission areas, The 2 closest to here are Mabie and Ae, great for a sunny afternoon wander.  The cyclists are in their element and the 7stanes routes are brilliantly organised and maintained.  Take a picnic and you can spend a whole day exploring. 
It seems to be the start of the cyclist season, already we have received a group on a charity Lands end - John O'Groats, one couple on a tandem!  We met history teacher from Indiana who was cycling across from Newcastle who ended up stopping a few days to make the most of  the historical sites nearby.  Just up the road at Ruthwell is an ancient stone cross and only 10 miles from here is Caerlaverock Castle.  They have an interesting sounding event this July, Clash of the Champions, which promises to 'capture the sights, sounds colour and atmosphere of a C14th medieval tournament'  Check out what else this area has to offer on our 'things to do' and click 'events calendar

March 07

March is here and we are busy preparing for Easter and the start of the tourist season.  The fishing season is now underway and we are working alongside Keith Snow, a brilliant local fishing tutor, he knows all the hot spots for fishing and people travel far and wide for his pearls of wisdom, absolute beginners and those wishing to add to their skills. 

Every thing has burst into life again and the skies are a stunning bright blue.  We recently met some guests who travelled all the way from Cornwall and were surprised how much earlier our daffodils have blossomed.  The gulf stream makes are real difference to the temperature around the west coast of Scotland, you have to witness it to believe it.

We have at last had the opportunity to switch around the dining and drawing room, which has given the guests a much more spacious space for their breakfast, essential in the busy months.  We now have a cosy snug for people to relax and stretch out on the chesterfield to browse through the newspapers.
 
In February, we were invited to look around 'Cream O'Galloway' a dairy farm which has diversified, makes its own delicious ice cream and has fantastic out door (and indoor) activities.  They offer tours around their working organic farm, have an adventure playground that our four year old adores and nature trails, walks and cycle tracks that are ideal for adults and children, including disabled access.  When we visited they were erecting a huge wind turbine which is part of a community project.  It is really inspiring to see a successful business working with a strong eco and community spirited vision.  A thoroughly recommended day out.

October 2006

Autumn is here, the leaves are falling and the sun is still shining.  Apart from the odd rainy day, the weather is still pleasant and quite mild, today we were working in the garden in t shirts- apparently not unusual for the west of Scotland.  October appears to be the month for our fishing visitors.  Several have been staying at the Old Rectory for nearly twenty years. They come not only to fish, but to meet up with family members and old friends.  The Annan river is very popular among those in the know and we are looking forward to working closely with  local fishing experts over the coming months.  We have managed to get out for a couple of riverside walks with Jericho, one just up the road and another a few miles away at Hoddom where we came across canoeists, walked along side a golf course and through the castle grounds. The Annan is a beautiful river and we will explore it further.  We have been busy with guests, who as usual, have interesting stories to tell.  We met a retired Captain who described his visit as 'a sentimental journey' to return to where he received his wartime training at Hoddom.  He was en route to a regimental reunion in Edinburgh.  Early Autumn is also popular with our Australian guests, several had been advised to visit in Autumn due to the beautiful colours and agreeable weather  and the reduced volume of tourists.

We had a lovely weekend at the beginning of  October when some very good friends sneakily booked to stay here under an unfamiliar name - it was a wonderful surprise and made us realise how much we miss living just up the road from them, but also how different our lives are now.  Luckily work wise, we had an unusually quiet weekend so we were able to take full advantage of having a lovely big house, enjoy wonderful company and show them what a gorgeous area we live in. Jericho was delighted to have his best friend all to himself and they got up to all sorts of mischief while the adults were catching up on all the gossip. They live near Nottingham and were surprised how quickly they managed the journey up here - about three hours - not so far really.  The following weekend it happened again.  We were expecting some friends to 'pop in' en route home from visiting their beloved
Arran.  They arrived a day early, and had booked under a different name.  We only had an evening with them to catch up on things, but it was such a tonic and a relief that all our friends can see why we chose this place.

We have worms!  Or a wormery to be exact.  Apparently they take a couple of weeks to settle in, so now we can start introducing our food scraps.  Wormeries are ideal for this type of business as they munch on cooked food as well as the usual compost fodder.  We feel slightly greener, but still a long way to go

This weekend we have just said goodbye to the Solway Argentinean Tango Society - we were full to the brim with dancers and tutors, and we look forward to seeing them next year for their annual 'extravaganza' with lots of workshops culminating in a glitzy ball.  By all accounts, the music was fantastic this year.  That evening we had invites to a wedding in Blairgowrie that we just couldn't miss - quite a journey for one evening but so pleased we managed it.  Jericho enjoyed his first taste of  a ceilidh and it was so lovely to see our friends now we don't live so far away from them.  Next year we will watch the tango society strut their stuff at their next event just 2 minutes down the road

We also had a group stay with us who fitted ATM machines.  When we got talking to them, one used to work for Ring lighting as an electrician and worked at B&Q on the lighting range reviews.  He reeled off load names of people we both knew.  Another guy piped up and said he used to work for Churchills and had worked at the Loughborough B&Q store where I used to work.  The world is a very small place.

September 2006

We have now been here for over five weeks, what a change of lifestyle!  Time has raced by.  We have welcomed guests from at least ten countries, ranging from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to Ireland, France and of course, England.  Definitely the most interesting aspect of our role here is getting to know such a wide variety of people.  In week 2, David was asked to be a witness at a Gretna wedding.  Our first visitors from France, Pamela and Aaron, originally from Ireland, wanted a 'no fuss' wedding.  We sat down and enjoyed a celebratory drink with them that evening and it was lovely to hear their impressions of the day and about their home in rural France. 

We also have welcomed several bikers and even more cyclists.  The SUSTRANS National cycle route 7 runs through Annan and the terrain is apparently 'easy to moderate' as we are so close to the coast, its fairly flat around here.  Several have been brave and determined to cycle the whole length of the country to raise money for charity.  Ian Grierson cycled solo from Lands End to John O'groats in aid of Macmillan.  Ian was clocking up over 80 miles a day by the time he was hitting Scotland and the whole journey took 19 days.   Congratulations Ian.  Also, the best of luck to Martin and Mike who are currently cycling in the opposite direction, from John O'Groats to Lands End in aid of treatment for cystic fibrosis. 

We have been grabbing what spare time we do have to explore this beautiful landscape we now live amongst.  Our son, Jericho, loves to hit the beach with his bucket and fishing net to explore the rock pools, Southerness located on the Solway Firth, about half an hours drive from here is perfect for just that.  We have also walked the Annan coast-line, which begins literally up the road from here.  A great walk for scenery, bird spotting and local history.  As well as the countryside, every day we are amazed by the skies around here - so big, dramatic and beautiful.  The colours are amazing, particurlary at sunset.  About half an hours drive from here is Caerlaverock with its stunning castle, beautiful setting, we took loads of photos and had a wander around the grounds.

There is plenty of choice for shopping.  Just up the road at Gretna is the outlet village.  It's hardly a village, but I can't say a week has gone by when I haven't found an excuse to spend some money there.  Great for soft furnishings, clothing and little treats from Crabtree and Evelyn. Jericho is working his way through the many flavours of Thorntons ice cream.  Dumfries is good, also very picturesque along the riverside.  Carlisle, across the border into England has a great range of shops.  We had a wonderful saunter through the food town, Castle Douglas, which has lots of individual shops, including a charming little shop, 'In-house Chocolates and Deli' where you can watch them making their own chocolate (which, incidentally tastes divine).  I love to get the chance to browse through those traditional and independent shops. This whole area, including Annan, is peppered with bric-a-brac and antique shops, perfect if you live in a Victorian rectory….

There seems to be lots of events and festivals on throughout the whole area.  We are preparing to be very busy throughout the next two weeks but are determined to get out to The Scottish Book town Festival at Wigtown and a couple of the Doors Open events.  Check out the Things to do page for more info and links.