Kedleston Hall – A Country House and Parkland Walks

Kedleston Hall – A Country House and Parkland Walks

Sarah and I have spent the weekend in Derby attending the wedding of Sarah’s niece Suzy to Carl. So, after all the partying, a more relaxed activity was required. Kedleston Hall and Parklands is just a few miles outside of Derby and seemed the perfect place to visit. We arrived before the Hall opened. Fine, an excuse for tea and cakes! Kedleston Hall is an eighteenth-century mansion with Adam interiors. The estate has been in the hands of the Curzon…

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Lochs & Glens South Day 6 – Dalgarven to Glasgow

Lochs & Glens South Day 6 – Dalgarven to Glasgow

Our Lochs and Glens South Day 6 was the final day of our cycling tour. Beginning from Dalgarven House Hotel the day began in blustery conditions. Thankfully, for much of the day, the wind would be behind us. Wherever Des books one of our overnight stays, there is usually a hill to climb. And this one didn’t disappoint. Just around the corner, there was a ‘cheeky’ climb and while our legs were still trying to function the climbing continued. Thankfully,…

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Lochs & Glens South Day 5 – Ayr to Dalgarven

Lochs & Glens South Day 5 – Ayr to Dalgarven

Friday was our Lochs and Glens South Day 5 trip where we cycled from Ayr to Dalgarven. We had to wait until midday before we could collect our clothes from the laundrette, so we had a walk around Ayr. Having collected our washing, we cycled into the centre of Ayr for lunch. After lunch we then cycled to where we had enjoyed ice cream the previous evening to pick up NCN route 7. We passed Cromwell’s Citadel. The route went…

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Lochs & Glens South Day 4 – Newton Stewart to Ayr

Lochs & Glens South Day 4 – Newton Stewart to Ayr

Our Lochs and Glens South Day 4 began with slightly cooler weather than previous days. We were quite thankful, for this was going to be a day with plenty of hill climbing. This was always going to prove the most challenging day, and so it proved. Leaving Newton Stewart we soon headed up our first hill of the day. We entered Galloway Forest Park and started by cycling through Cree Woods. Our first stop of the day was at the…

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Lochs & Glens South Day 3 – Castle Douglas to Newton Stewart

Lochs & Glens South Day 3 – Castle Douglas to Newton Stewart

Wednesday was our Lochs and Glens South Day 3. We left Castle Douglas and headed out along NCN route 7 initially to Kirkcudbright, passing the loch on the outskirts of Castle Douglas. Kirkcudbright was a nice little town with a castle and harbour. We stopped off for a coffee, except for Tracey who went for some shopping. We stopped at the Harbour Lights Cafe which was very nice place. We left Kirkcudbright and followed the estuary along. We passed a…

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