camping in Dumfries & Gallloway

























We got back from our 10 day camping trip two days ago. The laundry is done and all is good. I am not looking forward to returning to work on Tuesday....

Camping in Scotland can be a bit of a gamble, the weather is fickle and the midges are fierce. I am pleased to report that we were lucky on both fronts. The weather was largely good with a couple of really windy days and very little rain. It rained on our first and last days only. There were very few midges. We knew from experience that our campsite is not generally plagued by those hungry beasts but you just never know.

We stayed at Solway View, which is one of our all time favourite campsites. You should visit if you can, you'll like it. There are a few wigwams as well should you prefer a more permanent structure to stay in. There are two camping fields, the main one and the summer field. We stayed on the summer field, which has great views. The pitches are very generous and include a wooden table and benches and a fire pit. There is a lot of empty space to play rounders and other games.  It never feels crowded, even when the campsite is full. It is an eco-cite with lots of wild areas that offer habitats for invertebrates and birds. The facilities are clean and practical, the water really hot and there is as much of it as you need. The one thing there isn't is anywhere to charge your phones, unless you have a hook-up. We don't and promptly ran our car battery flat when charging our phones to stay in touch with the big kids at home... There is a charging point for electric cars.

We didn't really do anything particularly exciting or costly. We enjoyed walks and picnics on the beach, strolls through the woods and a few visits to nearby sleepy towns (Wigtown, Kirkcudbright, Gatehouse of Fleet and Castle Douglas). James and Alistair made lots of new friends. They cycled around the campsite, played hidey tig, swung on the rope swing and explored the areas on the campsite that are left to be wild. We watched the swallows dive for invisible bugs, read books and I knitted a fair bit, too. Richard explored the area on his bike, I went for jogs (never far). The boys were allowed to cycle on their own along the country lanes, too. Not far but exciting for them, new independence is always appreciated. Jack made sure our pitch was safe. He kept a close eye on the cows and rabbits and played fetching sticks for as long as we could face it.

Sam and Annie joined us on Sunday evening for two nights. I think they enjoyed Richard's company but not so much mine and the boys.... I am hugely annoying and get easily annoyed. Sam took his own little tent and pitched right next to our mansion. We returned a day early because Sam remembered an appointment on Wednesday 9 am. We didn't mind, it started to rain on Tuesday and the forecast was for heavy rains on Wednesday. There was no rush to pack up so we packed all the inside stuff and then left for a dog walk and a visit to the Cocobean Factory respectively. I took the boys for a chocolate workshop, which they liked. It was mildly yucky to watch, so much gooey chocolate and so many little hands being licked. Upon our return to the campsite the tent was magically dry. We packed it up as quick as we could and managed to get it in the bag all dry. Always a bonus.

I am so happy that we went camping, one of the most relaxing ways to holiday if you ask me!

Thanks for visiting. I shall be visiting you all over the next few days, in between keeping youngsters entertained....






Comments

  1. What a lovely, relaxing holiday. Your photos are gorgeous - I especially like the one of Jack wrapped up in a towel. Are those special camping chairs? They're ingenious. I haven't been camping for years but you've quite tempted me! xx

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  2. Sounds like a wonderful break away and a joy to read you got lucky with the weather and the dreaded midges. It has been a few years since we went camping but I do have fond memories of family times away.

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  3. Lovely photos that made me smile. Glad you had a relatively dry holiday which sounded perfect for your boys . Hopefully your batterIes are now recharged for your return to work ;) B x

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  4. Your time away sounds delightful! I'm afraid we like our creature comforts and we usually book our time away in a cottage or caravan. Having time off work is wonderful, but going back isn't. We last visited Scotland in '06 and the midges were indeed fierce and my poor dad was eaten alive. I think they found him tasty enough to leave the rest of us alone!! Best, Jane x

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  5. That sounds like a wonderful, relaxing break, just what we all need from time to time. I'm so pleased you had good weather, that can make or break a holiday. I'm sure lots of happy memories were made.

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  6. It sounds like a very relaxing holiday. The photos are beautiful.

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  7. Glad you kept dry. It isn’t much fund otherwise, at least not in my experience.

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  8. It sounds wonderful, and what a beautiful spot. Jack looks happy as a clam. Your photos are gorgeous, you've captured it all so well. Glad you had time for a little knitting. Hope the running is going well. CJ xx

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  9. Your trip looks wonderful and it was obvious your youngsters were enjoying themselves. My favorite part was seeing them having fun in the ocean. What a joy. I'm glad you're home with good memories.
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  10. You could never be annoying! Really you couldn't be. Send your kids over to me and they will understand annoying. I just made my 22 year old hug me three times because he wasn't putting enough love into it. See annoying. Glad your trip was wonderful and relaxing. You deserve every second of peace you can get.

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  11. I'm glad you had a nice time camping Christina. I'm just remembering camping in Jedburgh, not sure if it was once or twice. We did enjoy it and maybe one day in the future we may camp there again. Cx

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  12. Lovely photos! It sounds very relaxing.

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  13. What a great spot to camp. It looks beautiful and it sounds as if everyone (especially Jack), had a great time. It been eons since we've been camping and I'm really missing it so I might have to see what we can arrange for the next school holidays. xx Susan

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  14. Glad you enjoyed your holiday, Christina. Many years ago we honeymooned in Dumfries and Galloway and enjoyed visiting the little towns. My favourite is Gatehouse of Fleet.

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  15. It sounds lovely, glad you had a good time. My boys always enjoyed camp sites when they were young, they don't need expensive outings just fresh air and a chance to explore. We cheated and had a touring caravan, small and second hand but it earned every penny over the years. x

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  16. That sounds lovely :)
    I hope 'back to work' was ok!

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  17. As I have never been on a camping holiday and it's highly unlikely that I will start now, it as great to see your photos and read the narrative of your holiday, Christina. We experienced midges last year in Klamath, OR which is known as the "midge" capital we were later told.

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  18. Yay you and I have both been camping! You're seems way more civilised than my frenetic Glasto experience. jack is so adorable if I was closer I would definitely come and play Pooh sticks with him!! In exchange for a sausage 9 and Jack wants one too!) we just hardly ever get good sausages here in Bangkok!
    Wren x

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  19. That sounds lovely! I haven't been camping for four years and so really want to go soon! I'm working all summer though (for the first time ever!).

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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