You take the high road

 Things I know:

• Detours in Wigtownshire are l-o-n-g
• Local knowledge definitely helps

On Wednesday we had a huge amount of rain. Our neighbour's rain gauge recorded 2 inches in 24 hours. For various reasons, we decided that Wednesday was a good day for us to drive an 80-mile round trip to Dumfries to collect a second hand wood burner. 

[For clarity, when I say 'we' decided, I mean 'I' and for 'us' to drive I mean 'Ivie'. But you probably knew that already.]

On the way there, we took it steady and passed through a couple of major puddles\minor rivers. We spent less than ten minutes in Dumfries (it would have been two and a half if we haven't driven past the right house three times...) then set off for home. 

We got about 12 miles from the Spittal and were discussing what to have for tea when we drove into a wall of water just before Gatehouse. Thankfully we were in the pick-up so powered through it. (Ivie's so calm that it wasn't until afterwards that I realised it was probably a bit dicey.) Anyway, we got to the bottom of the hill and could see flashing lights in the distance. And a long line of lorries going nowhere. 

For those unfamiliar with the delights of the A75, it's the main route from the border to the Ireland and Northern Ireland ferries at Cairnryan. As it goes through Wigtownshire it follows the coast. Which is a problem when there are accidents or hold-ups. Or lorries stuck in flood water in this case. 

When we spoke to the police officer at the Road Closed sign (who was 12 because we're officially middle aged), we realised that we had a Wigtownshire detour ahead of us.

"Can we go up to the Glen road?" asked Ivie. 

The youngster shook his head, "It's really bad, there's no way past."

"But we could turn off and follow the road over the hill,"

"No, it's all blocked."

"We're going to have to go via Gatehouse Station aren't we?"

"'Fraid so."

 

Oh joy. 

The thing about Gatehouse Station is that a) it's bloody miles from Gatehouse b) there's no station and c) it's on pretty much a single track road. Up a hill. 

On a good day the views are spectacular. On a bad day with biblical rain and a big lorry in a big puddle, it is full of other locals going in both directions with limited passing places and mixed reversing ability. 

Big Water of Fleet Viaduct on a good day
(Near Gatehouse Station)
Photo by Ivie

It sounds like I'm moaning but without Ivie's knowledge of the back roads, I'd have been sitting in a queue of traffic for a few hours. Luckily, we only added an extra half hour on to our journey, got home safe and dry and had pizza for tea. I'm just glad we actually bought the stove. But more of that in a future blog...

Looking towards Gatehouse Station
Photo by Ivie