It was interesting staying at a motorway service station and not something I’ve ever done before. The only outlet open in the evening was McDonald’s and it certainly was cheap. We opted for Costa this morning and it was more than twice the price. Fortunately, we had a £10 off voucher from Days Inn to soften the blow.
As we leave, we see Aylesbury ducks from Annandale Water settled in the grass among the Motorway services signage. We then retrace our steps (a rare event on this walk) back under the M74 towards Johnstonebridge. We take an unclassified road uphill to rejoin the Annandale Way a bit further on from where we left it. The morning starts with soft rain but as we climb, the clouds descend and we put on our coats and gaiters. I’m pleased to say Richard’s repaired gaiters are functioning well.
The way soon enters another plantation. This one is comprised of Nordic firs and blue spruce and is like a giant Christmas tree farm. The track is easy going underfoot, despite the continuing ascent, and more open than most commercial forests.
After a break, the route continues across the A701 and into another open plantation, eventually coming out onto a ridge of open farmland. The rain has stopped and the landscape is quite bewitching. The ridge runs between two slightly higher ridges. The views are lovely and we have cows, sheep, buzzards, skylarks and wheatears for company. The route does not pass through any settlements and the only people we talk to are three small children playing on a slide in their neat but very remote garden.
We have lunch sitting against a drystone wall in a cattle field. It doesn’t seem much at first, but the sun appears and we still manage to have a post-prandial nap! After lunch, we start to gently descend back into civilisation, greeted by a charming of goldfinches.
We head down towards north Beattock, crossing a railway bridge as a massive goods train passes underneath. Having joined the Southern Upland Way, the path then takes a small track off the road which goes down to the river Annan. We then follow the river under both the A701 and the M74. As there are bridges over the river for both, there are service paths which the route cleverly utilises.
We go through another set of fields and then follow the A701 into Moffat, crossing the Annan as we go. Moffat is a pretty little place and its sign calls it ‘The Dark Sky Town’ as it has adopted special lighting to preserve the great starry skies above the area. We are met with cups of tea and homemade millionaires’ shortbread when we arrive at 29 Well Street, where we are staying. I think we’re going to enjoy our rest day here tomorrow.
Total distance so far: 470 miles