We stayed in a nice motel-type unit last night, behind the local pub and stayed on to have breakfast in a cafe when it opened. The rain has finally caught up with us, after a couple of days of just missing it. The route starts of at sea level with a beach walk out to Mersehead where the path is pushed inland by the Southwick Water to Caulkerbush, from where there is a road walk to Sandyhills Bay. The road walk is about four kilometres. From the bay there is a lovely coastal walk, akin to good hillwalking with rollercoaster highs (74 metres) and lows. We expect to be wet, but have waterproofs which will offer some degree of comfort.
The first thing to note about this section is that it is longer and tougher than you might think. The hill walking section is similar in places to the SWCP with gullies and climbs. It offers superb views over the Solway Firth and, once you have turned the corner at Castlehill Point, fine views over the Rough Firth lying off of the village of Kippford and, out and over the Rough Island and Urr Water to Almorness Point on the next peninsula.
This was a day of three parts. The early morning walk along the shore from Southerness was a period of tranquility and solitude and wonder. The afternoon section was a wonderful example of why people love to walk the rough coastal routes, with soaring climbs and commensurate swoops and, in between, there was the road walking. Easily forgotten!