12th Aug 2009, Maryport

Had a rest day on the 9th then Carolyn’s Mum & Dad came for lunch on board then we all went back to Lockerbie to stay a couple of nights at their house; which also gave us the chance for a quick visit from Peter (our youngest) when he was on his way to Dumfries. So we haven’t really seen much of Maryport, the price at the marina here has gone up to £18.50 per night (any length of boat) but for a week it is £8 / metre and a month is only £20 / metre so the longer stays work out at a reasonable rate. Water and showers etc are included in the price but electricity is extra. Carlisle is a 35 minute train journey if you need some major shops.
It’s great to be in this area because we are originally from Dumfries-shire and a quick cross-border-raid by car from here was a good way to get back for a visit. It is reported that the River Nith can be navigated up to Dumfries but that will need to be left for another time because tomorrow we are heading for Kirkcudbright. It is one of the unusual place names of Scotland that does not sound like it is spelt….. So if you want to sound like a local rather than a TV or radio reporter from south of the border you need to say “Kir-coo-breh” and not Kirk-cud-bright.. We'll tell you all about what it's like in the next post.