2014 – Backpacking to Stranraer, Scotland day 10

Backpacking to Stranraer, Scotland from 21 May to 26 June 2014 (37days) 

A beautiful cottage on Leswalt Road, Stranraer, Scotland.
 
Day 10 (30.05.2014) to Kirkland Fishery Farm in Leswalt (4.6km)

This morning after breakfast Li Kee Moon and Ching Neng Bin started walking north-west to Leswalt to visit Alistair’s friend Mr Stuart who runs a 2 acre fly-fishing pond. The rest of the team members went in Alistair’s car.

At Kirkland Fishery Farm we can fly fishing for brown or rainbow trout. The loch is kept well stocked each season and there are many fishermen like us waiting to test our skill and wits. Newcomers to the sport are welcome and Mr. Stuart will be there to offer friendly guidance. For our fishing session, only lucky Val Allan managed to fish one medium size rainbow trout.

In the afternoon after lunch, we all took a walking-town-trail to town visiting interesting sites and buildings. We then walked back and along the way we had very nice ice-cream. We had Sitiawan noodle soup for dinner.

Sleeping: Shambley Residence, Millfield Avenue, Stranraer, Scotland.
Temp: min.9 – max.16 °C


Beautiful cottages on Leswalt A718 Road, Stranraer, Scotland.


Beautiful cottages on Leswalt A718 Road, Stranraer, Scotland.


Beautiful flowers in the garden on Leswalt A718 Road, Stranraer, Scotland.


The farm land on Leswalt Road, Stranraer, Scotland.


A scenic view of Loch Ryan from Leswalt Road, Stranraer, Scotland.


A scenic view of Loch Ryan from Leswalt Road, Stranraer, Scotland.


To Leswalt Road, Stranraer, Scotland.


On Leswalt Road, Stranraer, Scotland.


Welcome to Stranraer Golf Club, the golf course designed by James Braid who was 5 times Open champion.


Stranraer golf course situated on the shores of Loch Ryan, the 6308 yard parkland course is set on undulating ground.


Stranraer golf course situated on the shores of Loch Ryan, the 6308 yard parkland course is set on undulating ground.


Stranraer golf course affords exceptional views over the loch to Ailsa Craig, the Isle of Arran and beyond. 


Stranraer golf course affords exceptional views over the loch to Ailsa Craig, the Isle of Arran and beyond. 


The farmland on the road to Leswalt Town, Stranraer, Scotland.


The farmland on the road to Leswalt Town, Stranraer, Scotland.


The farmland on the road to Leswalt Town, Stranraer, Scotland.


The farmland on the road to Leswalt Town, Stranraer, Scotland.


Leswalt Town, Stranraer, Scotland.


Leswalt Town, Stranraer, Scotland.


Ching Neng Bin at Kirkland Fishery Farm.


Lim Kee Moon at Kirkland Fishery Farm.


The farmland on the road to Kirkland Fishery Farm, Stranraer, Scotland.


Kirkland Fishery is a Fly & Bait Fishery in the village of Leswalt (4 miles from Stranraer) in Scotland.


Visited Alistair’s friend Mr Stuart who runs a 2 acre fly-fishing pond at Kirkland Fishery.


Swans at Kirkland Fishery Farm, Stranraer, Scotland.


Swans at Kirkland Fishery Farm, Stranraer, Scotland.


At the scenic Kirkland Fishery Farm we can fly fishing for brown or rainbow trout.


At the scenic Kirkland Fishery Farm we can fly fishing for brown or rainbow trout.


At the scenic Kirkland Fishery Farm we can fly fishing for brown or rainbow trout.


Pauline Toh and Catherine Oon at the scenic Kirkland Fishery Farm.


Swans at Kirkland Fishery Farm, Stranraer, Scotland.


Swans at Kirkland Fishery Farm, Stranraer, Scotland.


The loch is kept well stocked each season and there are many fishermen like us waiting to test our skill and wits.


Ching Neng Bin at Kirkland Fishery Farm waiting to test his skill and wits.


Newcomers to the sport are welcome and Mr. Stuart and his friends will be there to offer friendly guidance.


Mr. Stuart and his friends will be there to offer friendly guidance at Kirkland Fishery Farm.


On the right is Mr Stuart who runs this beautiful 2 acre fly-fishing pond at Kirkland Fishery Farm.


Mr Val Allan managed to fish one medium size rainbow troutc at Kirkland Fishery Farm.


Mr Val Allan managed to fish one medium size rainbow troutc at Kirkland Fishery Farm.


A group photo with Mr. Stuart and friends at Kirkland Fishery Farm.


A group photo with Mr. Stuart and friends at Kirkland Fishery Farm.


For lunch we had rolls, garlic bread, biscuits, jam, cheese and eggs at Shambley Residence, Stranraer.


The start of our walking-town-trail to Stranraer town visiting places.


The beautiful flowers in Millfield Avenue, Stranraer.


The friendly Millfield Avenue neighbours came out to chat with us in Stranraer.


All the beautiful flowers in Millfield Avenue, Stranraer.


All the beautiful flowers in Millfield Avenue, Stranraer.


All the beautiful flowers in Millfield Avenue, Stranraer.


All the beautiful flowers in Millfield Avenue, Stranraer.


A beautiful cottage in Millfield Avenue, Stranraer.


Agnew Park - There are walkways through beautiful gardens and a cafe serves a range of hot and cold snacks and refreshments. The park draws on its seaside location and marine heritage in the design of benches, railings, pavements and other features.


Shop houses along the road in Agnew Park, Stranraer.


The Princess Victoria Monument – This simple, powerful monument in Agnew Park commemorates the loss of the Stranraer to Larne car ferry ‘MV Princess Victoria’. She sank in the North Channel in January 1953 with the loss of 135 passengers and crew. This was the worst peacetime disaster in British maritime history.


The West Pier – Stranraer’s first pier was built by the Town Council in 1820 in an attempt to raise revenue. Before then ships were berthed on the shore. On the Breastwork nearby is the Harbour Office, a striking 1930s Art Deco building, built as the John Simpson Memorial Tower to acknowledge the generosity of that gentleman to the burgh.


On the left is the Old Town Hall – Stranraer Museum now occupies the Old Town Hall. This was built in 1777 as the burgh’s courthouse and meeting place. A market hall was added to the back in the 1850s. Look out for the town’s coat of arms on the front of the building and the golden cockerel perched on top of the weather vane. Granite stones in the road outside the Museum mark the site of the market cross.


The Old Parish Church on Church Street was built in 1841 on the site of the original parish church of 1642.


Stranraer, Scotland


St Ninian's Church - Construction materials: Stone (whinstone) - Used for walls; Slate - Used for roof. The present church here was built in 1883-4 and the opening service was held on October 22 1884. It was said to be known as West United Presbyterian Church as well. It has whinstone walls with freestone facings and embellishments, while the roof is slated.

New Town Hall – This imposing sandstone building on Lewis Street is the Sheriff Court, built in 1872 and incorporating a new town hall. In front is the war Memorial with its bronze statue of a Royal Scots Fusilier. The Royal Scots Fusiliers was a regiment of the British Army.


George Hotel – At the corner of George and Church Streets is the splendid frontage of the mid-Victorian George Hotel. Across the road is the Golden Cross with its crow-stepped gable and a sundial inscribed ‘Stranraer 1732’.


A view of George Street, Stranraer.


Castle Of St John, Charlotte Street, Stranraer.


Castle Of St John, Charlotte Street, Stranraer. This medieval tower house was built around 1510 for the Adair family. In 1678 it was used as a base by John Graham of Claverhouse - Bluidy Clavers - and his troops during their pursuit and suppression of local Covenanters. In 1820 the building became the town jail; the upper rooms were turned into prison cells and the roof was rebuilt as an exercise yard for the criminals.


This is a charity box - a project of the Rotary Club of Stranraer. All proceeds go to the local council.

Jubilee Fountain – The cast iron fountain erected in 1897 for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. It originally stood outside the Old Town Hall but after trying other sites was eventually shifted beside the Castile of St John to avoid street traffic.

Stranraer, Scotland


North Strand Street hidden beneath the road is the Town Burn which separated the late medieval settlements or clachans of Stronrawyer and Chapel. The remains of the old arch over the burn can be seen low down on the back of the building on the side of Logan’s Close. Across Harbour Street and just beyond the Stena Line office is Burnfoot where the culverted burn flows into the harbour.


Little Ireland - Stranraer had the largest Irish population of any town in Galloway. In the 1840s this part of the town was known as Little Ireland, an area of cheap slum housing for the hundreds of immigrants escaping the potato famine in Ireland. Nearby was Little Dublin Street.


Freezing in the Goodness at Stranraer, Scotland.


Ching Neng Bin enjoying MrFluffy Ice Cream in Stranraer, Scotland.


The ladies enjoying the MrFluffy Ice Cream in Stranraer, Scotland.


We had Sitiawan noodle soup for dinner prepared by Pauline Toh.
 
Click below to view daily adventures:
Day 01 (21.05.2014 Wed) – MH16 KUL/AMS 2355hr – 0655hr on 22May
Day 02 (22.05.2014 Thr) – Amsterdam City, Holland

Day 03 (23.05.2014 Fri) – Amsterdam Zaanse Schans Village (21km)
Day 04 (24.05.2014 Sat) – KL.1477R AMS/GLA 1535hr - 1605hr Glasgow Airport
Day 05 (25.05.2014 Sun) – Stranraer, Scotland

Day 06 (26.05.2014 Mon) – Fishing station at Lady Bay (15km) Loch Ryan
Day 07 (27.05.2014 Tue) – Portpatrick and Mull of Galloway Lighthouse (58km)
Day 08 (28.05.2014 Wed) – Lide supermarket (2.8km) and Museum
Day 09 (29.05.2014 Thu) – Exploring Galloway Forest Park (56km)
Day 10 (30.05.2014 Fri) – Kirkland Fishery Farm in Leswalt (4.6km)

Day 11 (31.05.2014 Sat) – Exploring Galloway Forest Park (60km)
Day 12 (01.06.2014 Sun) – Trekking 20.8km Loch Ryan Coastal Path
Day 13 (02.06.2014 Mon) – A free and easy rest day
Day 14 (03.06.2014 Tue) – To Robert Burns Cottage at Alloway (78km)
Day 15 (04.06.2014 Wed) – Fishing station at Lady Bay (15km) Loch Ryan

Day 16 (05.06.2014 Thu) – A trip to the Giant Causeway (153km) by coach
Day 17 (06.06.2014 Fri) – Trekking 4km Ardwell Pond, Ardwell Bay (18km)
Day 18 (07.06.2014 Sat) – Our ladies went shopping in Ayr (72km)
Day 19 (08.06.2014 Sun) – Visiting Isabelle/Robert in Newton Steward (50km)
Day 20 (09.06.2014 Mon) – Overnight stay at Fishing Station, Lady Bay Loch Ryan

Day 21 (10.06.2014 Tue) – Visited a farm using automated milking
Day 22 (11.06.2014 Wed) – Day 1 of Scenic West Coast Tour, Scotland
Day 23 (12.06.2014 Thu) – Day 2 of Scenic West Coast Tour, Scotland
Day 24 (13.06.2014 Fri) – Day 3 of Scenic West Coast Tour, Scotland
Day 25 (14.06.2014 Sat) – Day 4 of Scenic West Coast Tour, Scotland

Day 26 (15.06.2014 Sun) – Day 5 of Scenic West Coast Tour, Scotland
Day 27 (16.06.2014 Mon) – Allan and Pauline 50th wedding anniversary
Day 28 (17.06.2014 Tue) – Mysterious beach walk at Loch Larbrax, Scotland
Day 29 (18.06.2014 Wed) – Lake Loweswater, Lake District, UK (day1)
Day 30 (19.06.2014 Thu) – Outward Bound Ullswater, Lake Ullswater (day2)

Day 31 (20.06.2014 Fri) – Return from Lake District (day3)
Day 32 (21.06.2014 Sat) – Our last visit to the bothy at Lady Bay
Day 33 (22.06.2014 Sun) – A farewell dinner hosted by Margaret Modrate
Day 34 (23.06.2014 Mon) – A farewell tea hosted by Vera Little
Day 35 (24.06.2014 Tue) – To Glasgow for a night stay for next day flight
Day 36 (25.6.2014Wed) Glasgow 6am to Amsterdam 8.40//MH17 12noon to KLIA
Day 37 (26.06.2014 Thu) – MH17 touched down at KLIA at 6.20am.


 
37day expenses per person was RM6,139.05 
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4 comments:

  1. Lovely Scottish scenery, very insightful and informative travel blog and great to see all of you folks enjoying your hols, Mr Ching.

    Best wishes
    Gary Ong

    ReplyDelete
  2. When you are relaxed and fished in clean water & air (from pics) & cook the oily fish fresh on-site with the all the fish oil mostly intact, you tick in all the health boxes. Your internal organs are given a makeover to healthier you. You extend your lives by 10 years. I say you put up camp there, forget about returning where you come from.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ooi Soi Tai27 August, 2014

    Envy all of you. From Stephen Ooi (Friend of Allen and Pauline)

    ReplyDelete
  4. alancykok@yahoo.com05 September, 2014

    Scotland proves to be one memorable territory to visit, with its varied attractions. With NB Ching's detailed travelouge we come to know Scotland offers interesting sightseeing landmarks. We read about the endless green pasture with cattles and sheeps grazing, it's wonderful sight. The towns are filled with spotless, clean streets with eye-soothing buildings, some are medieval and some are modern, with museums, churches and gardens adorned them. At the coastal zones, one sees castles and some of them are in ruins. Lighthouses tell visitors that Scotland is famous for sea-faring people; some of them are descendants of Vikings of the Scandinavian fame. Loch Ryan and Trool but no mention of Loch Ness to catch a glmpse of the legendary long-necked monster. War memorials and graves are reminders of country's historical past, some are rather tragic. We saw Ching tried his hand at fly fishng, could be fun though he seemed to have landed none of the trouts. (I am trying to find time to read Ching's travels-albeit at a slower pace). Great description of travelling experience. Thanks to NB Ching.

    ReplyDelete