Moffat in Scotland was our destination on Monday as we headed north up the A74 (M) for about an hour.
Situated about 5 minutes off the main west coast arterial transport route, we were quite surprised with what was on offer in the town and in the surrounding countryside.
On metres away from the free car park on the edge of the town we had a choice of walks.
Faced with three options we decided, well actually Charlie decided, that we would follow the path that ran along the edge of the river. He is just bonkers for water.
It turns out that this walk, following the blue, red and yellow arrows also formed part of the 55 mile long Annandale Way.
Our path followed the crystal clear Annan Water upstream and it was not long before we managed to go for a dip.
Cascading and bubbling on our left hand side the cool refreshing water was great to drink and to paddle in.
Lining the riverbank on our side we spotted many flowers, the usual grasses and a lot of raspberries.
Scotland used to produce a lot of the red soft fruit, but in the last 20 years the production yields have fallen for many reasons.
Investigations are being done as to why but the main causes seem to be disease and climate changes.
We later learned that Moffat holds an annual walking festival and it was Scotland’s first ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town.
After about 40 minutes of paddling and walking, Moffat had started to disappear from our right hand side.
Not wishing to head any further north, we detoured off the path and headed back towards the town.
As we passed via one garden we spotted an unusual sight of a railway signal in someones back garden.
Do you know why it is here and where it came from? Let us know in the comments area below.
Moffat Ram
Past the tennis courts and playing fields we arrived in the heart of Moffat to be greeted by the biggest sheep ever.
Standing on a plinth, containing a fountain, and high above the main town square, the bronze Blackface Ram was presented to the town by businessman William Colvin.
The sculptor was William Brodie R.S.A. 1815-1881.
Brodie also sculpted “Greyfriars Bobby“, a Skye Terrier who belonged to John Gray, a night watchman for the Edinburgh police during the late 1800′s.
R Little Bakers
At the far end of the street on our left hand side dad spotted a licky sticky shop also known as R Little bakers.
Mum was quickly dispatched with some chew money in her paw to get some goodies for our tummies.
She returned a short while later carrying a big white bag with boxes, bags and a lot of nice sniffables.
Heading back towards the car we spotted Station Park and thought this would an ideal place to have our lunch.
Overlooking the boating lake and with the pitch and put lawn behind us, we settled down on a park bench and helped mum and dad eat their meat and potato pie and crisps.
Whilst we sat, encouraging mum to share every mouthful, we kept an eye on some of the biggest birds we have ever seen.
Gliding across the boating lake a flock of white swans were being chased by a big scary green dragon.
Charlie was not really phased but I stood on guard and, as they approached, I barked at them to keep away.
Mum did try to explain that they were plastic boats but I was taking no chances and was not going to risk them getting one lick of our pies.
Dowding Memorial, Moffat
Not far from the main entrance to Station Park is a three piece sandstone memorial to one of Moffats heros.
Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, was born in the town during 1882.
He became Commander-in-Chief of Fighter Command from July 1936 to November 1940
Dowding is credited with masterminding the RAF’s victory in the Battle of Britain against the Germans during 1940.
He died in 1970 in Tunbridge Wells in Kent.
The Royal Air Forces Association opened a sheltered housing property in the town during 1988.
Converted from the private school buildings in which his father had taught, St Ninians school, the Dowding House offers of 26 self contained apartments.
Duly refueled with plenty of fresh water from the river and suitably exercised, we headed across the road and snuggled up on the back seat of the car for our journey home.
Until next time
Big licks
Buster and Charlie