Wednesday 25th April

Kendal did not make much of an impression. 'The Gateway to  the Lakes' it is called and I can see why people drive straight through on their way to the lakes. We walked into Kendal and back while at the site, part of the walk being alongside the River Kent that passes the site and Kendal, crossing the old Lancaster Canal (no longer used) on the way.

I know there is a drought but......., no longer in use the old Lancaster Canal with bridge but no water.

After leaving Kendal we headed for a night in Clitheroe, mainly to break our journey then continued on the next day to Delamere Forest just outside Chester. Carly and Matt visited while we were here and we had an enjoyable day which fortunately stayed relatively dry. On the day after they visited we went in to Chester for the day which coincided with St Georges Day being celebrated by several schools from the city.

St Georges Day pageant outside Chester Town Hall.

Apparently the most photographed clock in the world, I couldn't resist.

After leaving this site we headed to Market Drayton in Shropshire and stayed at a delightful site alongside the  Shropshire Union Canal a few miles out of town. We walked into town in the afternoon that we arrived and had a walk round which did not take too long. What surprised us was he high number of shops that had closed down, even in what used to be a bustling market town.

Traffic jam Shropshire style on main A528 south of Mkt Drayton.

We are now on a site at the Clent Hills just outside Halesowen (W. Mids) In better weather it would be a stunning location but with the sunshine and showers it is not quite so desirable. Plenty of flooded roads on the way here today.

Tuesday 17th April

We left Edinburgh on Friday (the 13th) and headed for Whitley Bay for no other reason than curiosity. On the way we visited Jedburgh which is very close to the Border and is a lovely town. While there we visited Mary, Queen of Scots house which was fascinating. We were also told about a local butchers that made award winning Chicken and haggis pies so had to try them, lovely. As the weather was very changeable we did not visit the Castle of Abbey there but may well return at some time. A very welcoming town.

Mary, Queen of Scots house at Jedburgh

Whitley Bay camp site was on low cliffs overlooking the sea and St Mary's island and lighthouse. With a cold wind coming off the sea it was not warm so we only stayed the one night and had a brief drive round the town the next morning, nothing very special.

We did walk along the causeway to St Marys Island, here is the proof.

Our next stop was at Haltwhistle, not far from Carlisle where I wanted to walk some of Hadrians Wall. Our camp site was ideally placed for this but not much else could be said in it's favour. Very expensive, isolated, basic facilities and a warden who always seemed to be watching what you were doing. Hadrians Wall walking was more tiring than I thought. Not so much the distances involved but the up and down nature of the route. I probably walked (and scrambled) about 15 miles (including an incorrect set of instructions causing me to walk the wrong way) and I ended up hitching a lift back to the site. Sue had wisely decided not to walk that day so stayed in the van in the warm. I walked and got hailed on several times along with a bitter wind. Very enjoyable though.

One of the Mile Castle's en route to Housesteads Fort on Hadrians Wall

It must rain a lot here, even the lambs wear macs

We are now on a site just outside Kendal in the Lake District again having completed a full circle. We have visited the local castle today, Sizergh Castle (fascinating) on whose land the site is located.If the weather suits tomorrow we are hoping to walk into Kendal and explore that a little.

Tulips at Sizergh Castle

Thursday 12th April

We have been in Edinburgh for a few days now and been out an about when the weather allowed.

Before this we had been at a site at Fintry (Balgair Castle) for three  nights and had appalling weather and no internet access, the worst combination. It was also the week leading up to Easter so full of children as well, we didn't like it especially as the roads to and from Fintry are like driving over a ploughed field, they were dreadful. It really was a last choice though as we had difficulty finding a site with space for us on it. Perhaps that should have told us something.

En Route from Fintry to Edinburgh we stopped off in the rain to visit The Falkirk Wheel which is the only one of it's kind in the World. It allows boats to be lifted from one canal 35mtrs up to another Canal in one go and in about just four minutes. We experienced this as we took a boat trip on the lift and were  surprised how quick it lifted the boat while lowering another in the balancing trough, fascinating.

The Falkirk Wheel in the rain

Now at Edinburgh, we feel civilised again. A lovely site in easy reach of the city and of the Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith which we visited today. We had intended visiting on Tuesday but could not face the horizontal rain that was coming down. It didn't stop until 3 o clock by which time it was too late to do anything. Wednesday we had a visit from an old work colleague of mine (Hi Irene, good to see you and catch up) and all of a sudden it was our last day in Edinburgh so we blitzed the city starting with the Royal Yacht which was a real pleasure to visit even having a coffee and scone on the top deck of her. From there we went into the city and got off the bus at Princes Street (or as near as we could as it is currently closed for the installation of tram lines). We headed off to Holyrood Palace to see if the Scottish Parliament building looks any better in the flesh. Take my word for it, it doesn't.

Look out, the Captain's on the bridge

Sues bar on Britannia, note he contents of Champagne, Gin and Dubonnet, not only The Queens favourites

After a visit to the Castle we caught the bus back to the site and just got our awning packed away dry before a few drops of rain fell so we were more than happy with that.

Edinburgh Castle

Off to Whitley Bay tomorrow for a night or two depending on how we like it.

Tuesday 3rd April

We woke to snow today, not around us but clearly visible on the nearby peaks and hills. Temperatures are back to about normal or less (about 4degrees today) but the views are spectacular to look at.

View from van window looking across Loch Lomond

Looking up the Loch to Ben Lomond, (3195ft)

Monday 2nd April

Saturday 31st March

We had a lovely day today, visiting the Culzean Castle that we are pitched in the grounds of. An easy walk took us to the entrance where we used our National Trust membership to gain entry although it is NT Scotland. An audio tour told us all about the castle and how Eisenhower was given the use of an apartment there for as long as he lived after his efforts during the war. All the main windows look out over the Firth of Clyde to Arran and Kintyre. Also on a clear day Northern Ireland can be seen apparently. A beautiful sunset finished the day off nicely.

Sue at Culzean Castle

Culzean Castle sunset

One strange thing here is the TV reception. After spending a long time trying to get a picture when we first arrived I gave up. On he following day speaking to someone in a neighbouring van they told me the signal that worked at the site came from Northern Ireland and they were still analogue. No wonder I could get no signal.

Monday 2nd April

We have moved on to Loch Lomond today despite the forecasts of snow for the area. Our pitch is about 10yds from the edge of the water so we really are on the 'Bonny, Bonny banks o' Loch Lomond. On the way here we called in at Robbie Burns birthplace at Alloway near Ayr. A very interesting museum tour before visiting his birthplace then a walk to the 'Brig A Doon' where Tam O'Shanter was chased by the witch. 

Outside Robbie Burns front door

Brig a Doon

We crossed the Clyde at Erskine then came on to Luss on the western shore of the Loch. As we entered the site a great big bird of prey flew of in front of us which I think was a Buzzard........... it may have been an eagle.

On the Bonny, Bonny banks etc etc, you know the words