Ayr to Newton Stewart

Dep. 09.00 Arr. 15:25

Distance 45 miles

Thankfully a shorter days cycle with a cooked breakfast at the B&B to start the day. Avoided the two hills out of Ayr to Maybole. Long climb up to "The Pilot" with slight up and down before dropping down to North and South Balloch. Steeper Climb up to the Nick but then mainly downhill to Newton Stewart. Had tea at Glentrool visitor's centre. Apparently this was where Robert the Bruce fought the English. We had planned to camp here. Thankfully not, as the mozzies were numerous and hungry. According to Dawn there were "definitely" no youth hostels in Newton Stewart. Tiredness was obviously getting to Eddie and I as we could have sworn we saw a YHA sign on the way in. (In Dawn's defence the Youth Hostel was across the river in Minigaff) Stayed in a B&B. Had nice meal at Galloway Arms (excellent Salmon and chicken). Dawn spent the morning in Ayr library before meeting us in Newton Stewart half an hour later.