Hillwalking (Galloway Corbetts) 4:45:00 [3] 16.0 km (17:49 / km) +1015m 13:31 / km
Broad Law and White Coomb. Just before turning in the night before the hotel campsite owner advised us to move to higher ground as he'd had a flood warning regarding the adjacent River Ken. Somehow or other I'd managed to pitch on what was the last remaining island of dry in a site that was now almost entirely a puddle anyway and was going to tough it out. But I bottled at the last moment and in the ongoing downpour just stuffed everything in the car (just like the last time I was in Scotland) and got in too. So managed about 3 hours of very uncomfortable sleep. Decided to leave whilst it was still dark at 4.30. At least the rain had stopped, stars were out, and river hadn't flooded. Consequently was parking by the Megget Stone at 452 metres, under clear blue skies, before 6 o'clock! Had quite a magical early morning dander up Broad Law over Cairn Law as the lingering white cloud confined itself to the valleys and then burnt off altogether. Had no watch so was delighted to be back at car by 8.15 as it made the prospect of doing the second hill and driving home that day realistic. Went up White Coomb by the spectacular Grey Mare's Tail waterfall. Unfortunately all the wet meant I couldn't cross the Tail Burn anywhere and eventually paddled barefoot through the outflow of the delightful Loch Skeen and went up the hill via the ridge down from Firthybrig Head. It was quite a roundabout route so, in descent, decided to wade through the river at the suggested fording place in the book. Was surprised to be told by a walker it wasn't yet 12 as I'd guessed it was over an hour later. Paid the price for haste with back/leg/knee trouble though.
