CASTLE DOUGLAS; DOUGLAS DAY; STEWARTRY SHOW

Douglas Day, Castle Douglas, August 2016.

Castle Douglas is built next to the beautiful Carlingwark Loch.

Carlingwark Loch and Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway.

Richard Hannay travelled up to this area from London.

...

If you live in London, take the train from London Euston to Dumfries (change at Carlisle) and then bus or taxi to Castle Douglas. 

Bus timetable: dumgal

Douglas Day, Castle Douglas, August 2016.

Castle Douglas is famous as a centre of cycling.


Douglas Day, Castle Douglas, August 2016.

Take a walk from Castle Douglas to 14th century Threave Castle, seat of the "Black" Earls of Douglas.

Castle Douglas is close to both Threave Garden  and Threave Castle

THREAVE CASTLE is on a small island in a river, and is reached by a small boat.


Douglas Day, Castle Douglas, August 2016.

It's worth a visit to Mossyard Beach, Rockcliffe beach, Brighouse Bay, Balcary Bay and all the other bits of coast.

Douglas Day, Castle Douglas, August 2016.

Golf courses in the area include: Castle Douglas Golf Club, Brighouse Bay Golf Club, Cally Palace Hotel Golf Club, Colvend Golf Club, Craigieknowes Golf Club, and the Crichton Golf Club

Douglas Day, Castle Douglas, August 2016.

Castle Douglas is famous for its large number of cafes.

All of them are good; Street Lights Coffee House is among those packed at lunch time.

The local Earl is said to visit the The Scottish Pantry and the Mad Hatter cafes.


Douglas Day, Castle Douglas, August 2016.

Castle Douglas has The Fullarton theatre.

Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway.

The cycling TOUR OF BRITAIN, 2016, features Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway.

CASTLE DOUGLAS TO WELCOME 'TOUR OF BRITAIN' / Tour of Britain 2016 to start with Glasgow to Castle Douglas route


Dumfries and Galloway. Douglas day 2015.  Non copyrighted photo by K Clark, Monaco. All the photos were found on the web.

Dumfries and Galloway is cycling country.

Studio VELO | Bike Shop | Bike Repair / CD Cycles / Next Level Bikes | Repair

Galloway Cycling Holidays.

7STANES DALBEATTIE - 7stanes Dalbeattie Family friendly mountain biking trail with a wide range of gentle to exhilarating rides and with a skills and warm up area plus local bike hire.

Dumfries and Galloway. Stewartry Show 2016. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark, Monaco. All the photos were found on the web.

Dumfries and Galloway has 31 golf courses and is 'mountain biking heaven.'

...

For children of all ages try: the Cream O' Galloway adventure playground

And the Laggan Outdoor centre 

And the Galloway Activity Centre.

Cream o' Galloway, Rainton, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas, is open Easter until October.

This place has an adventure playground and nature trail as well as a restaurant selling the best ice cream in the UK.

You may like:

THE CASTLE DOUGLAS TREASURE TRAIL - solve the clues on this self-guided treasure hunt.

And the GALLOWAY WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PARK, Kickcudbright - nearly 150 animals from all over the world can be seen within natural settings.


Castle Douglas.

There are all year round Entertainments and Events in Dumfries and Galloway.

Castle Douglas attractions / Things to do in Castle Douglas | Day Out With The Kids

Dumfries and Galloway. Stewartry Show 2016. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark, Monaco.

There are horses everywhere in Dumfries and Galloway.

LOCHHILL EQUESTRIAN CENTRE - Lochhill Equestrian Centre - BHS approved facility offering lessons, scenic hacks, trekking and cross country, plus Pony Club, Loan-A-Pony, floodlit outdoor arena and indoor school too.


Dumfries and Galloway. Threave Garden, Castle Douglas. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark, Monaco.

The mild climate in Dumfries and Galloway means exotic plants.

Dumfries and Galloway. Stewartry Show, 2016. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark, Monaco.

"Dumfries and Galloway's gentle coast offers sandy estuaries and quaint, picturesque towns such as Kirkudbright, Rockcliffe and Portpatrick." - The Daily Telegraph

Dumfries and Galloway. Douglas Day 2015. Non copyrighted photo.

Castle Douglas is famous for its beer, its bread, its biscuits and its food in general.

Try the Earth's Crust Bakery in Castle Douglas.

There are world-class beers from the Sulwath Brewers in Castle Douglas.

Sulwath brewery produces the world's tastiest real ales (Knockendoch is a dark copper coloured brew tasting of deeply roasted malts) and provides tours.

For Homestyle Baking buy Irvings biscuits, tray bakes, loaves and sponges.

THE COCOA BEAN COMPANY - Under supervision kids from 2+ can forge their own chocolate creations and then enjoy the play areas.



For world-class fish go to Dingwalls in Castle Douglas.

King Scallops from Orkney, Cod and Salmon skewers with mixed pepper and onions in a tropical mango, lime and chilli sauce, Langoustines, Oysters, homemade Monkfish Curry...

Dingwall's Fish Market.

Dumfries and Galloway. Douglas Day 2015.  Non copyrighted photo by K Clark, Monaco.

Castle Douglas is a Food Town.

Try Carlo's restaurant in the evening for dinner. Or try Moores fish and chips.

Castle Douglas. Douglas Day 2016. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark, Monaco.

Dumfries and Galloway is home to the original Scots.

Stewartry Show. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

Famous names associated with Dumfries and Galloway include Robert the Bruce, Merlin the Wizard, Robert Burns, Gavin Maxwell, J M Barrie, James Clerk Maxwell, David Coulthard, John Buchan, the Douglases, the Maxwells, the Jardines, the Keswicks...

And the Putins

Stewartry Show. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

WHERE TO STAY?

The King's Arms Hotel in Castle Douglas welcomes cyclists and golfers.

CASTLE DOUGLAS has a number of Bed and Breakfast places, such as Douglas House and Summerhill B & B.



The Lochside Caravan & Camping Site (above) is within walking distance of Castle Douglas's shops, cafes, etc.


Stewartry Show. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

Dumfries and Galloway has a population of approximately 148,000.

 
Stewartry Show. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

Dumfries and Galloway (above) has been named as the best holiday destination in Britain.

The region earned the award from fans of the flagship BBC programme Countryfile .


Dumfries and Galloway. Threave Garden. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

In September 2015 we headed up North to Dumfries and Galloway for some cycling.

www.queensberrybay.co.uk.

The TV star Neil Oliver says that "there is no more beautiful part of the world than the Galloway Coast."

Rockcliffe, near Castle Douglas. Photo by Castle Point Caravan Site, Rockcliffe

Sandyhills, near castle Douglas. Photo by Sandyhills Bay Caravan Park, Dalbeattie


Castle Douglas. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

In Castle Douglas, you might find some 'nightlife' at the Market Inn Hotel .

...

Or try the The Fullarton in Castle Douglas (formerly Lochside Theatre).

Threave Gardens. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

Threave Garden is a world class garden.

Castle Douglas. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

The King's Arms Hotel in Castle Douglas welcomes cyclists and golfers.

Stewartry Show. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

Cycling was invented in Dumfries and Galloway.

Cairnsmore in the distance. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

Loch Ken, near Castle Douglas, is for windsurfers.

The Galloway Sailing Centre at Loch Ken can tell you about Dinghy Courses, powerboating courses, canoeing courses, gorge scrambling and quad bikes.


Carlingwark Loch. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

Castle Douglas has the best shopping in the area, a boating loch, a little art gallery, one of the best second hand book shops in Scotland.

Stewartry Show, Castle Douglas. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

Drumlanrig Castle is worth a visit, but it is a one hour drive by car.


Castle Douglas. Non copyrighted photo by K Clark.

Cyclists might enjoy the route from Castle Douglas to Rhonehouse to Kirkcudbright (7 miles, deserted road, flowers, sheep, rabbits, little hills like babies' buttocks, country cottages)....

Or Castle Douglas to Palnackie taking the route over the hills.

The Dalbeattie area is famous for having off-road trails and miles and miles of quiet country roads.


www.7stanes.gov.uk/forestry/achs-5rnffw

Carlingwark Loch, seen from Castle Douglas


Kids sailing on Carlinwark Loch.


Kids sailing on Carlinwark Loch.

Kids sailing on Carlinwark Loch.


Kids, Carlinwark Loch.


Kids, Carlinwark Loch.


Castle Douglas.

...

~~

A Foodie Alice Awarded ... For Mushy Peas

I recently wrote about my dislike for mushy peas. Well actually it's a little more than a dislike. It's an intense hate relationship. Mushy peas are evil. Evil. Anyway, where was I? Yes, I recently wrote about mushy peas as the one food I certainly don't miss from my birth country. And The Displaced Nation awarded a Food Alice for the piece and gave a very magical shout out for the blog post.

If you are not familiar with The Displaced Nation, the site for the global voyager, then head on over - you won't regret it.

This is what The Displaced Nation had to say about the award:

"Amanda, we award you this Food Alice for the feat of turning the typical “foods I miss from home” post on its head. That’s what it means to step through the looking glass. You’re a smart cookie and the rest of us would do well follow your example and focus on the “evil” accompaniments to our native cuisines that for health reasons alone, we’re lucky to have escaped from."

It's the second time in a short period that I am reassured that there are people in the blogosphere reading and appreciating my blogs. It's motivating me to get blog posts out a little more regularly than over the last year........

Do I Not Like Mushy Peas

Prompted by a post written by Marianne over on her "Like A Sponge" blog about pulse discrimination, this post is about mushy peas.

Mushy peas are essentially soaked marrowfat peas which are then cooked. The end result is a thick, lumpy, green splodge. And yes, that is the technical term for them.....

They are traditionally served with the great British fish and chips, which regular readers will know I am a fan of. However, there is no way, no how, I will eat fish and chips with mushy peas. They are vile. Foul. By far, mushy peas are my most loathed food. The most disgusting monstrous green mess that has ever passed my lips. They turn my stomach. Mushy peas are in fact evil green mush.

Mushy Peas in all their glory
Photo: Carol (Flickr) (Creative Commons)

And that green? It's not real. It's an artificial colouring to make them greener than green. Artificial green mush.

And whilst I am on the subject of peas, I don't think much of parched peas either. Also known as black peas, this is a traditional Lancashire dish. A good friend introduced me to them in Preston. She bought them from a food stand in town and then tried to force feed them to me. Their evilness was one step below mushy peas on the food evilness scale.

Reading Marianne's post and being forced to conjure up images of mushy peas, I was hastily reminded to never, ever be diminutive of the mashed up meals that constitutes Dutch cuisine. At least the Dutch do not do mushy peas.

What food from your home country do you NOT miss? Have you ever had the misfortune to eat mushy peas?

A British Craving: Fish & Chips

During a recent holiday to Cornwall I realised some of the British things that I miss. Things I don't generally think much about whilst I am in the Netherlands. But once I get to Britain there is a sudden Britishness that comes to the surface that makes me notice things I do actually miss because I am living in the land of the Dutch.

One of those is fish and chips. Some eating establishments in other countries offer fish and chips, even proclaiming it to be like "British" fish and chips. But real fish and chips can only really be found in Britain. Well, that's my opinion anyway.

So I made sure that we ate fish and chips whilst on holiday. Our first attempt at a fish and chip supper was scuppered at Rick Steins fish and chip shop in Padstow . The first issue (and a continuous one throughout our holiday) was that we had no change for the car park. But no worries because husband had a cunning plan - to go ask at Steins for some change. He was told, in a manner and tone that would melt the heart of the most expert of Dutch customer service worker, that they don't give change and if he wouldn't mind getting out of the way and getting to the back of the line. Which of course he wasn't planning to do without any change for the car park. And because he was quite affronted by the manner of the unhelpful worker he decided that we wouldn't be eating any fish and chips there.

So we got a takeaway from a fish and chip shop in Bodmin. My two eldest boys enjoyed their introduction to traditional British fare. It was satisfactory but it never really quashed my fish and chip craving.

Fowey
(c) Amanda van Mulligen

Fish & Chips
(c) Amanda van Mulligen

Our second fish and chip meal was in Fowey, a beautiful harbour town where we had a fabulous afternoon out on the beach followed by a stroll to the town. We stumbled upon a fish and chip shop which had table and chairs overlooking the harbour. We were sold and this experience knocked my craving for fish and chips out of the stadium for sure. I'm certain I can last a few more years now without any further massive fried food intake....

The Cooking Coach and the Importance of Dutch Cheese

Dutch Cheese - A Measuring
Stick for Dutch Culture?
(c) The Writing Well

I read an article today on the Weekly Telegraph written by Karen Vivers about the role of Dutch food in helping her settle here in the Netherlands. It's an interesting read - the simpleness of Dutch food.... and a reminder that sometimes we don't need everything to be complicated or in her words, "bigger and better." I agree that food here in the Netherlands gives a real insight in to the Dutch culture and people.

Karen gives cooking lessons and culinary tours of Amsterdam and you can find more information on her site: www.thecookingcoach.eu - an interesting expat in the Netherlands!

UFOs and Chips - Kids Meals in the Netherlands

Well, when I label this post 'kids meals'... I do it a little tongue in cheek to be honest. I'm not really sure if you can call what is on offer here for children in restaurants and takeaways a child's meal. Why on earth are all meals here aimed at children fried? Every kid's meal is some unidentified fried object (UFO) served with chips, which if I am not mistaken means that the entire plate has seen the inside of a deep fat fryer.

It's usually a frikandel, a burger or a pancake covered in more sugar and sweets than I would eat in a year. What is that about?

Health consciousness plays no part in the assembling of children's menus here. Many places in the UK do at least make some kind of effort to produce something that is at least half way healthy for a child to eat, such as a plate of pasta and vegetables.

Why? Why is Dutch catering for children so unhealthy? Anybody? Is it a culture thing? A lack of imagination? Is there an exception to this somewhere? Has somebody found a kid's meal worthy of their kid's stomach?