Friday 12th July (Day 1)
So off to Scotland! We started the journey from Mawdesley, having spent the night at Matt and Liv’s. We went there to reunite Nala to them having had her for three weeks and arrived last night to find a new pooch, Rocco. A Chinese takeaway was the evening meal followed by a bacon butty for breakfast before we left around 1030. The journey was motorway almost to our destination. The M6 was a nice drive, especially when we got near to the lakes of Cumbria. However, on entering Scotland we had a thirty minute plus traffic queue. With other delays and a stop for lunch the four hour journey took over six hours. Arriving at Loch Levens Gardens near to Kinross we parked up in the car park and Chris and Carolyn where already there. The weather defied the forecast and was sunny, quite warm and with lovely blue sky. We went for a walk to the loch but the footpath never actually got near to it! Arriving back at the motorhomes we continued on to the local pub, the Balgedie Toll Tavern. Here we had a great meal and a pint or two. Back at the car park we sat with a drink and chatted until gone 2345 when we retired to sleep.
Saturday 13th July (Day 2)
Well a good nights sleep but the car park was very busy quite early. It turned out it was a park run and about forty cars were parked up. We found our water heating wouldn’t work on gas and so had a kettle strip wash. A bit if further investigation and our leisure batteries we almost discharged. Hopefully all would be well later after a drive. We then went into the Loch Levens Gardens restaurant for breakfast. A tasty breakfast with quality meat if a bit expensive. After a look around the shop, including the farm shop which had some lovely food (again on the expensive side) we left for our stop for the next week. It would not have been a journey without some traffic jam, and so we had two, albeit small in comparison to the last two days. Just after 1330 we arrived at Bogroy Croft CL at Carrbridge which is just north of Aviemore. A quick lunch and soon after Chris and Carolyn joined us. In the afternoon we walked along the footpath into town - a café, a hotel, a pub and a Spar shop was the sum total. There was a unique pack horse bridge over the River Dulnain. This is the oldest bridge in Scotland dating back to 1717. Cartridge is at he base of the Monadhliath mountains and iron the edge of the Cairncorn National Park. we were keen to watch the Euro Final and we thought Aviemore was to be our place of choice as Carrbridge was too small. Unfortunately there were no buses to Aviemore on Sunday buses and a £25 trip each way by cab was the only option. Fortunately, we were wrong as Chris went into the local pub to find they would be showing the match, they also did food. A win win with, hopefully, a win for England also tomorrow. Back to our motorhomes and we cooked a stir fry for us all and then sat and chatted until around 2330.
Sunday 14th July (Day 3)
An overcast start to the day and some ‘scots mist’ also. After breakfast we waited a while as Chris (K) had a hip / knee problem and needed to wait for the tablets to ‘kick in’. Around 1100 we were off for a walk along the River Dulnain, across to the railway station and then on into Ellan woods for a pleasant two plus miles walk. It was very serene and quiet with a strong smell from the Scots pines which made up almost the entire forest. Returning to the town we had a coffee and scone in the café before returning to the motorhomes. We sat and read and listened to the Gentleman’s single Tennis Final at Wimbledon. Almost as soon as it started we were invited over to the K’s as they had it on their TV. A good match with Alcaraz, the Spanish player, winning 3 - 0 against Djokovic. 1730 saw us stroll up to the pub, The Cairn Hotel, where we had a meal of haggis lasagne which was really tasty. We then stayed to watch the Euro 2024 final, with some lively banter with the locals. Always a bridesmaid but never the bride proved to the the case as England lost 2 - 1 to Spain. On this occasion our opponents scored the telling goal in the final minutes, similar to the way England won in several of the matches in the championships. To be fair they were the better side overall. A good day for the Spanish. The back home and a night cap before bed.
Monday 15th July (Day 4)
We are off to Nether Bridge and the Nether Adventure Centre where we met Chris K for the first time in August 1974 - this is the 50th Anniversary trip. We caught a bus at 1115 and by 1220 we were in Nether Bridge. We had no idea where we needed to go so I asked a shopkeeper in a Premier store. He had no clue. Fortunately, a lady overheard my enquiry and she gave us the directions which involved a thirty minute stroll. (Indeed we passed it on the bus on the route in unknowingly.) As we strolled through some woodland it started to rain which was not forecast. By a stroke of luck it was very light as we had no rain jackets. The Nethy Adventure Centre main building had not changed from the exterior but was significantly different inside, In the grounds were holiday lets, a ski slope, a high ropes course and even a sports hall and swimming pool. We spoke to the staff and they were happy for us to stroll around. While inside the original building it rained very heavily so we were quite lucky. We were invited to sit and have our lunch in the main building and while there the Activities Director came and had a long chat as he was very interested in our return. By the time we had finished lunch the rain had stopped and we walked around the grounds before leaving. Our next destination was Castle Roy, a 13thc fort. As you would expect the history of it was quite dark with lots of violence and plundering going on. Next door was the ‘Old Kirk’ and as it had some war graves we paid ur respects. Our last part of the trip today was a walk back into Nethy Bridge for the 1524 bus home. (If we missed this one the next, and last, bus was 1745.) On the walk back it started to rain and, while not heavy, I got a bit damp. The bus duly arrived and deposited us back in Carrbridge by 1609. A laze about until 1900 when we went over to the K’s for Spag Bol and a chat until almost midnight.
Tuesday 16th July (Day 5)
So a fried egg sandwich for breakfast, a great start. Today we are off to the capital of Speyside, Grantown-on-Spey. It is a shorter trip than yesterday but both the same time bus, bus number and in the same direction. So 1125 saw us on our way arriving just before midday. Having driven through it yesterday we knew there were quite a few shops which were mostly independent shops and not part of a chain. Indeed, apart from the Co-op none were part of a shopping chain. So a slow walk down one side of the street and back up the other was our first aim. Along the way a coffee also. Around 1300 we walked down to the River Spey hoping for a seat to eat our lunch overlooking said river. We were out of luck as, not only was there not a pleasant seat to do this, but on the way it started raining, albeit lightly. This ‘Scottish liquid sunshine’ continued and so we made our way back to the town and stopped in the woods to eat lunch, partially sheltered by the trees. Having just missed the 1402 bus we planned to get the 1349 (our original return time). Missing that would bmean the 1816 a long time to wait. So to while away some time we visited the museum which was ok without being a must go to experience. Then a drink in a local hotel before boarding the bus home. Black home it was the usual routine, ie one of us cooked for a 1900 meal (our turn) then chat until late.
Wednesday 17th July (Day 6)
Another day, another bus. Same time as all the other days (1120) but in the opposite direction to Inverness. We arrived just a bit after midday. We had earmarked four places to see. Firstly, on the walk we discovered Abertarff House. Built in 1593 it is the only residential building from that time still in existence. It has seen the Jacobite revolt, the cheese riot, and may wars. The cheese riot involved some women selling cheese. A man came pick up some cheese, dropped it and it rolled into the river. They demanded payment; he refused; things got heated and eventually families got involved and swords, knives and muskets got involved. The local Provost Marshall raised the alarm and the militia came and fired into the crowd; two were killed but the deaths was blamed on the rioters. A short distance further on, past numerous open hostelries and grand buildings, we arrived at Leaky’s Book Shop (‘must see’ number one). This is as stated a ‘must see’ place, especially if like Carolyn you are partial to books. It has thousand, and I mean tens of thousands, of second hand books covering all topics and some of the books went back to soon after then Dickens era. A very interesting place and the owner look absolutely the part of a bookworm / owner of such a shop. Next door was the old church which had a War Grave - just the one. As were in this part of Scotland a different type of stone was used to mark the grave so it took a while to find it. A coffee break was next with a wee stop also. Then across the River Ness on a pedestrian bridge where on the other side we sat beside the river and ate our lunch. Opposite our lunch stop was a church, which turned out to be a catholic church, St Mary’s. I had a peek in and it was a pleasant church and, indeed, really quite grand. Unusually some of the organ pipes were bent at the top through about sixty degrees as the roof was a bit close. A further stroll in the warm sunshine and we reached the Cathedral (‘must see’ number two). There was a small charge to go in but you could see all you needed without paying and, to be honest, it did not have any ‘wow’ factor, so we gave it a miss. On the walk to the cathedral we saw the castle on the other side of the river (‘must see’ number three). It was partially covered in scaffolding and closed! Back across the river and on to the distillery (‘must see’ number four). It was housed in a partly old and partly new building. The frontage on the riverside was in keeping with most of Inverness buildings but the back, out of sight, was very modern. Here we had a drink before making our way back for the 1530 bus home, which left from the bus station. This was a slightly different route to that coming here and a nice drive. Getting back at 1635 we returned to the motorhomes. A full day with no rain (liquid sunshine). The evening was the usual format and bed was at almost midnight
Thursday 18th July (Day 7)
Today we have decided to go to Aviemore. It is either an hour plus journey by bus and about £9 each or six minutes by train and £8. Guess what our choice was? The train times, like the buses, are not very frequent. We had a train around 0930 or 1325 was the next one. We choose a morning in the motorhomes doing bit of admin and then a stroll up for the 1325. It arrived on time, more or less, almost before we settled we were pulling into Aviemore. On arriving we had a couple of potential walks planned. We opted for the smaller and less arduous as Chris (K) has a bad knee / hip. This was around three miles and still had some steep parts. It was a pleasant walk and we sat by a loch eating our snack. (We had a big boys breakfast in the morning so it was only crisps and a piece of fruit.) While sitting we attracted eight ducks all hoping for some food. They were a bit disappointed I think with just crisps, especially as some were chicken flavoured (cannibals?). Back into Aviemore and a walk along the shops, with the obvious purchase to two followed by a visit to Aldi for some essentials. Then a libation in the Cairnforth Hotel. This was a typical Scottish hotel with plaid and tartan everywhere and deer skulls / horns on the walls, even the chandeliers were made of horns. 1745 saw us back on the station platform for the 1750 home to Carrbridge. It arrived was scheduled and again a quick journey time to Carrbridge. The evening meal was quick and easy with burgers and salad and then another night of chatting.
Friday 19th July (Day 8)
Another day; another bus journey. Same time, same bus, and same direction as Monday and Tuesday, so towards Aviemore. The destination was Boat of Garten. A strange name but it goes back to 1662 where there was a boat to get travellers across the river given to the Grant clan leader by the local bishop. This is also one of the stops for the Strathspey Steam Railway which we heard several times during the afternoon. As we approached our destination we saw a sign for the RSPB Loch Garten Osprey Centre which was nearby. Having got off the bus we decided we would walk to this centre as it was as good as any other walk. We only had three hours before the return bus and it took about seventy five minutes to complete the walk to the centre through the pine forest (what else). On arrival we only had about thirty minutes before the return leg needed to be started so we did not enter the RSPB site but sat by the loch side and had lunch. Sitting on rocks for seats we were facing into a very strong wind which was not the most pleasant experience. On the walk back we took a slightly different route which we thought was longer but it couldn’t have been as we got back a bit quicker. So we sat in ‘The Boat of Garten’ public house with a pint before catching the bus back. Dinner was at 1900 as usual and we went to the Carrbridge Hotel to eat. We all had a nice meal and then returned to the motorhomes for the usual chat / bed.
Saturday 20th July (Day 9)
Today we are leaving for our second week at ç, Gardenstown, near Banff. There was no rush to leave and so a slow pack was the order the day. That said it was still only about 1045 that we left. Chris and Carolyn were going to be leaving a short while after us. We had earmarked a motorhome dealership we wanted to visit near to Inverness so were taking a slightly longer route. Before we got there we passed a Tescos Extra and stopped for a shop. (Where we are stopping for this coming week is more remote than the last week.) After the food shop and diesel fill we arrived at the dealership which was too small for what we were after. One more stop before our destination was for AdBlue. Along the route we passed an original AA Box in full livery, a most unusual site. It was then around 1400 that we arrived at the CL and set up with Chris and Carolyn arriving less than fifteen minutes later. The sun was shining and we had lunch and sat outside - the first time we have done so since we left Wimblington. By 1630 the skies turned grey and it started to rain (which continued into the night). The site owner arrived and was a very chatty, bubbly person who gave us a lot of information about the area. We sat in our motorhome until the ‘magic’ hour (1900) when we went over to the K’s for a curry which was great. Sleep time was soon after 2300.
Sunday 21st July (Day 10)
Heavy rain overnight but a bright start to the day. We are staying local today with a late (Big Boys) breakfast. Around 1130 we all four left to walk down into Gardenstown. ‘Down’ being the word. We timed the walk to the bus stop (twenty minutes) and then crossed over for the start of the downward road to the village. It just got steeper and steeper. Pavements were present for about half of the way. Quite a few cars were coming up leaving the village and we wondered why. On a bend in the village we found out. Gardenstown Church had finished its service and a tsunami of people were leaving - of all ages. This area is a, apparently, a very religious one it would seem. We spoke to several of the people who all invited us to have a cup of tea at the church (we declined) and so we walked the last bit to the harbour where we sat and watched the world go by. Chris and I went to ‘Eli’s’, a coffee shop and sat outside with a nice coffee and people watched. Gardenstown and Crovie (pronounced Creevey) were a fishing community with, at its heyday, over 90 boats in the fleet. In 1953 ‘The Great Storm’ cut of the route from the two villages and forced many in Crovie to flee for their lives. As a result a lot of people moved to Gardenstown, leaving Crovie a shadow of its former self. There are now only about five fishing boats left in the two villages. Gardenstown itself started in 1772 by the local Laird, although the local church, now no longer used, went back to 1006, and the ‘Battle of the Bloody Pits’ (!). A walk along the sea front and then up to the pub, which was closed between 1400 and 1700 (it was 1402). The walk back was a strenuous affair undertaken slowly. Back on site we sat out in the warmth until about 1645 when it was cooling down and, indeed, it started to rain as we put the chairs away. An evening meal together and a chat and bed around 2230.
Monday 22nd July (Day 11)
Today we are off to Banff, about nine miles away. After breakfast we strolled up to the bus stop to catch the 1150 bus (they are about every two hours). We arrived early so as not to miss it. We got on and the fare was £21 a couple return! The dearest to date. Anyway a short time later we were deposited into Banff. We strolled up to the high street and along towards the harbour. Before that, we arrived at the castle (grounds). The remains of the castle was ‘hidden’ behind the community house. Not much is really left, just a long piece of the defensive wall. Onwards and downwards to the harbour. It was, well a harbour, and not very notable. A family had set up for the day with their children. Chairs, buckets and spades, a stand up board, food indeed the whole shebang that would be expected on a beach all on the side of the harbour. We then started back to the town centre and went into the castle grounds for lunch in nice sunshine. After this we continued on to Duff House, a solid looking 17thc building where we took a photo or two. A short distance away, still in the grounds of Duff house was a memorial to ten people who died in an air raid in 1940. Looking at the names, eight of them were german sailors from a U-boat. Duff house was a prisoner of war camp back then. Soon after this air raid it changed to be the HQ of the Free Norway Resistance and also the Polish Free Army HQ, quite a chequered history. We completed the circuit and on our return to town had a coffee in ‘The Famous Spotty Bag Shop’. Leaving there we still had an hour to wait for the 1615 bus ‘home’. There being not much more to see in Banff we visited the oldest house in continuous occupation in Banff, since 1585. It just happened to be a pub. Just before we boarded the bus it started to rain. On alighting from the bus at our return destination the rain was quite heavy. With rain coats on we started our twenty minute walk to the site. As we started a lady in a car waved to us and drove down towards Gardenstown. Having almost got to the site the car / lady appeared again. It was the owner of the site apologising for not taking us to the site but she had family at her door wanting to get in. Such a sweetie! 1900 saw us walk across to the K’s for a chilli evening meal. Around 2200 Huw Rees rang to say that Peggy’s operation on her liver had gone well, which was good news. 2300 bed.
Tuesday 23rd July (Day 12)
The day started out a bit grey but was to be the best so far. After breakfast we were about to start a walk to Crovie when the neighbour stopped and asked us if we needed a lift. We were then given a lift to the Spar where we were to start our circular walk. The first part was along a gentle rising roadway before taking a decided downward direction. We soon were able to view fan quite an elevation Crovie village. Crovie was established after the Jacobite uprisings of 1717 and 1745 when the land owners cleared their lands for grazing. The original cottages were built ‘end on’ to the sea. The gave the end wall facing the sea protecting the windows / doors. Any windows on the end gable were shuttered. We spoke to a couple living there and only five properties are actually continually lived in amounting to seven people. We made our way back to Gardenstown along the beach and on the ay Carolyn saw a bird with a large wing span land on a rock in the sea. We believed it to be a sea eagle (tomorrow we spoke to a bird watcher who confirmed from our description it was - the largest bird in the UK). Arriving at Gardenstown we sat eating lunch. After this we walked to the harbour and were surprised at how very busy it was with families. Children in wetsuits jumping into the water and on stand up boards. We sat outside the café hub waiting for it to open and marvelled at how busy it was. More and more cars and families arrived and watching them try to manoeuvre their vehicles (big and small) revealed how poor many were. The hub opened and we had strawberries and cream Scottish pancakes which we had been recommended several days ago and were smashing. Then a sit on a bench overlooking the harbour to watch the people having fun. Eventually we had to face the long steep walk back up to the site. On arriving we sat and basked in the sun until almost 1900. We cooked dinner and then it was chat / bed.
Wednesday 24th July (Day 13)
It was decided yesterday to go to Pennan today, a short drive away. In 1983 a film called Local Hero (a K’s favourite) was filmed there. This meant a drive in the motorhome which we had volunteered to do. So for the first time we needed to access our extra seats. We transferred our drink to the K’s, disconnect the electricity and waste, took off the front covers and then played around with the cushions having set up the front facing belted seats. All this took only about thirty minutes. I had a peek at the route on Google maps using the ‘little man’ and found two parking options. By 1040 we were off. It was only about five miles so within fifteen minutes we were parking up just above the village in a lay-by. It was a steep walk into the village which, like Corvie, was a line of cottages along the seafront. The first thing we saw was the iconic red telephone box which featured in the Local Hero film. A photo opportunity was taken up. A walk to the harbour and we arrived at the ‘Coastal Cuppie’ Café which informed us would open soon when the water boiler (on gas) had reached temperature. This gave us time to walk along the entire front of the village, stopping to talk to a couple of locals on the way, and then back. They actually opened before 11.50 and we were the fourth group to be served. That said it took about twenty minutes to get served. Not because the lady was slow but two of the three groups in front of us dithered and were undecided on just about everything. The café lady was not at all bothered. Eventually we were served and the yoghurt raspberry cake which also had lemon drizzle and was gluten free was so light and lovely - and still warm. It made the wait worthwhile. A quick visit to the toilets followed as our next stop had no facilities. A steep walk back to the motorhome and then off for about four miles to the RSPB Troup Head bird sanctuary. The approach was a single track metalled road that changed into a very poorly kept track. Arriving at the car park we managed to bag a spot, lock up and walk to the cliffs. This is the second largest colony of gannets in the UK. We soon settled down on a steep cliff top to watch thousands of nesting kitty-hawks and fulmers wheel and dive around us. Occasionally the smell could have been better! (It was here that yesterdays sea eagle was confirmed by a bird watcher.) We also saw small group of puffins, albeit at a distance, and a very colourful jelly fish. We ate our lunch and in the distance saw HMS Queen Elizabeth, the latest British aircraft carrier. Recently on a round the world trip it developed an issue with one of the drive shafts and so has just come out from Lossiemouth after nine months where both drives were replaced. A stroll back along the cliff tops and then back to the site where we sat out for a short while. The sun was smashing but the wind kept blowing chairs / tables / glasses over, so we retreated to our motorhomes. It was the K’s turn for dinner which was a nice stir fry. A chat, as usual, followed and then bed.
Thursday 25th July (Day 14)
Another day when we are driving to a location. This time it was Fyvie Castle, a National Trust (Scotland) site. After breakfast we transposed the motorhome to a four seater and by 1040 we were off on the twenty five miles to Fyvie. As we approached the satnav directed us to turn left. It was the smallest track to date it has attempted to direct us down. Ignoring it we approached Fyvie village and picked up the castle signs. We quickly parked at about 1115. Off we then rushed as Chris (K) had spoken to the NT Staff and booked us all on the 1130 tour. The castle is over 800 years old. Many people were custodians / owners including kings of Scotland and England. In 1984 the National Trust Scotland did something they rarely do; they purchased the castle lock stock and barrel (usually castles etc are donated to their care). That is because the owner then was running out of cash and he was offered ‘a deal he could not turn down’. Two years later it opened to the public. There are 109 rooms and many stories of ghosts, starving a wife to death as she did not bear any sons only daughters and racing / betting on horses charging up and down the wide circular staircase. In one of the room is a painting of a Gordon clan owner by an Italian artist called Spinoli. If you walk from the right side of the painting to the left the left shoe appears to follow you; likewise left to right and the right shoes does the same thing. Two famous people stayed more recently here. King Alfonso XIII of Spain who had just married Eugenie (the grand daughter of Queen Victoria). This was their honeymoon had been married only a few days. As they entered the castle, Eugenie heard music being played upstairs and she rushed off and started to dance in the ballroom as she was an accomplished dancer and musician. King Alfonso followed, saw her dancing, and informed her she may never dance in public and must ask permission to do so as it was not befitting the Queen of Spain. They spent the next six days in separate bedrooms! There were many other documented tales and the time passed quickly. After almost ninety minutes the tour was over and we returned to the motorhome and got our lunch and sat on a bench eating it. Then a walk around Fyvie Loch within the grounds. A trip to the toilets and then a visit to the Walled Garden where we tasted (‘stole’) some delicious raspberries. A return journey to the site and we set up again. The evening meal was booked at the Garden Arms Hotel in the village. This meant by 1730 we were walking down to the village. We ate royally. Both Chris and I had a ‘Balmoral Burger’; a 6oz locally sourced beef burger with a 2cm thick black pudding and a 2cm slice of Haggis topped with bacon and cheese all in a bun…. oh and chips and salad. The whole meal was delicious. It did mean that having got fully stuffed we had the long uphill walk back to the site where we eventually arrived at 2115, stopping on the way to photograph a lovely sunset. Another good day.
Friday 26th July (Day 15)
A local walk planned today. A nice sausage sarnie to start though. By about 1045 we were off in bright sunshine. A walk along the road to the local Parish Church and graveyard (with War Graves). If your surname was not ‘West’,’Watt’ or ‘Wiseman’ then you really should not be buried here as they had it all sown up. From here we walked along the main road to a small track that took us to St John’s church and churchyard. A twisty walk with several steep ups and downs and we arrived at the derelict church. This church goes back over 1000 years. Some marauding Danes took refuge in their boats in the bay and, needing food, attacked the locals. However, the locals under the Thane of Buchan were ready and killed many hundreds, even the women filled their stocking with stones to throw at them. They through their bodies in natural hollows and so the battle was referred to as ‘The Battle of The Bloody Pits’. Some Danes escaped and set up on a hillside. The Thane of Buchan asked for God’s help, via St John the Evangelist, to rid themselves of these Danes and said that he would build a church if they were successful. Well they were and then he built this church. It is very remote but each week people from miles around would walk to the service and even carry coffins for burials. In 1927 the roof was badly damaged in a storm and a better church loc ate in a more easy reached position was then built. From here we walked along the cliff edge and down to the beach. On the way the rain started, white light, it made the walk quite treacherous. Then it was along the sand to Gardenstown and on the way the rain stopped. Our plan was to ‘support the local economy’. Our first stop was Eli’s Café where we had a very large hot sausage roll; this was followed by the Community Hub (called ‘Harbucks’). This was where last Tuesday we had pancakes, strawberries and cream; so we had to repeat the order. Sitting in the sun we had a few big drops of rain fall on us and so we retreated to the Heritage Centre until it stopped. The sky looked ominous so we started the long, and for the last time, walk up the steep roadway to the motorhomes. A walk none of us will miss. Part way up our neighbour who we had got on with, John the fisherman, came up the hill in his motor car, he stopped and gave us a lift back. We had only been back about fifteen minutes when the sky opened and it was stair rods that fell. We would not have made it back! We cooked dinner and the K’s came over in time to watch the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. It was unanimous that they were the worse in living memory, with the exception of the ‘minions’ and Celine Dion. Four hours we will never get back1 This meant quite lat to bed.
Saturday 27th July (Day 16)
The joint trip ends today. The K’s are making their way to Derbyshire and for us it is an MCC meeting next Wednesday in Whitby. 1015 saw us say our goodbyes to each other, plus John the Fisherman and Linda the site owner. We had selected a rugby club spot in North Berwick, with two other options overlooking the sea. A fairly pleasant drive with one three mile slow traffic jam, a stop for lunch and a £90 diesel fill. As we approached North Berwick we decided to try the car park areas overlooking the sea first. They were rammed and we had to make a ten point turn to be able to drive back tot he rugby club. We had spotted the rugby club on the way in and so returned and parked up with about eight others. Next ….. Aldi then a cup of tea. After a short while we walked into the town and covered most of it. A stop at ‘The Auld Hoos’ for a beer. Then back to the motorhome for dinner and a watch of the Olympics.
Sunday 28th July (Day 17)
A bit of a ‘mash-mash’ today. After warm croissants for breakfast we got sorted and left. A short sixty minute journey - well a bit longer with some heavy traffic - and we arrived at Berwick-upon-Tweed. We haven’t been here for probably thirty years. We parked up in a place we could stay at overnight should we have wanted to. Then walked over the old bridge. We were after a coffee first. As we walked over the bridge we saw some chairs and tables by the riverside so opted for there. Well it won prizes for its coffee; it was the worse coffee of the trip and, almost in living memory! A walk into the town centre and then along the ramparts, stopping at an exhibition on the history of town and the army. Then back to the motorhome and off to Alnwick. We parked up, again in a car park that we could stay overnight in. By now it was 1315 so lunch was the first thing on our minds. As we finished and before we washed up we saw another motorhome come in (there were six others here already). Only it wasn’t a motorhome, it was a free hop-on; hop-off minibus. We dashed to catch it and the driver was most helpful. He dished out a map and explained where everything was. There was a military 1940’s / steam railway engine exhibition just out of town (the bus went there). We opted for the castle and paid the ‘senior price with 10% discount’ for purchasing on-line. The castle was really good. Lessons in broomstick flying (a nod to the Harry Potter filming here); demonstrations on colour dyeing in the 1700’s. Archery lessons, a Dragon Quest experience (basically a mirror maze with lighting / dragon effects). We opted for a guided tour which was very interesting. The castle was started in the 1100’s and ’finished’ in 1130, but never really finished as right up to Victorian times things were added / changed. By the time we left it was just before 1700. A short stroll around the town, as it was Sunday everything but the pubs were closed, and we saw enough to want to return another time. We then telephoned a pub in Broomhill, The Trap Inn, for an overnight stop. We arrived and just squeezed in. After an evening meal we went into the pub for a drink. It is a large pub and was almost empty with no atmosphere and, to make it worse, for us no-good beer. We ‘did our bit’ and tight went back to the motorhome for sleep.
Monday 29th July (Day 18)
Happy 46th Anniversary! A bacon butty to celebrate! That said we believe we have battery issues as last night we had seven ‘bars’ out of eight and this morning it was only two. So our ‘Plan A’ is now ‘Plan B’. On our proposed destination route (Durham) is Tyne Valley Motorhomes. Can they help? Well having arrived there we found that it was ‘not really’ as they might be able to do something ‘sometime today’. We decided to do the lifting out of the passenger seat and changing the batteries ourselves. They supplied two batteries and while they would fit in the space the difference in the position of the positive and negative terminals meant we could not use the batteries. So we returned them and moved on to Leisure World (Tyneside). Again they supplied the batteries but while we did the hard work of removing that passenger seat they were content to do the wiring. All was well…. but then the batteries were about 3cm higher and the passenger seat would not fit!!!!!! So we asked for the original batteries back. No problems but they had checked our original batteries stated that the batteries appeared fine - what is going on? It saved us £300. Off we went to Durham, parking up at a car park by the rowing club for less than £6, including a donation to a NHS charity. We then walked along the river into the city for a coffee and then a stroll up to the cathedral. The cathedral, the Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham. It is over 1000 years old. It is a massive building and an amazing building also. A walk around the city followed and then we sat by the side of the river with a cider (or two) in the lovely sunshine. We spent quite a time trying to sort a Chinese meal for our anniversary but they were not easy to find - well one was found at around £18+ a dish! We returned to the motorhome and around 1915 we left for the city centre again. We had decided to go for a Turkish which turned out to be an exceptionally good choice. We then had a slow walk back to the motorhome and at 2200 we started to watch the Olympics until tiredness won out.
Tuesday 30th July (Day 19)
So a further discussion over the battery issue. It was decided that bee would ‘soldier on’. After breakfast we emptied our loo in the neighbouring site, having asked, and then drove a couple of miles to a launderette. Chris did the much needed washing and the launderette offered her tea, coffee and even alcoholic drinks! After this we stopped in Middlesborough for Chris to buy some knickers! I wanted to get the windscreen wipers changed but the Halfords did not sell the correct ones. Our destination for this afternoon was a stop in Pickering - not yet determined or booked. Part way we found, firstly the site we had identified was fully booked and we were going to drive into Whitby and out again which seemed a bit pointless. We then found an alternative stop at Redcar Rugby Club, which was about forty minutes from Whitby. Opting for this as a stop we soon arrived and set up and then walked into Redcar itself. It is a really run down, quite sad, place, albeit the beach is sandy and lovely. I also have not seen so many morbidly obese people who, as often seems to be the case, are inappropriately dressed in our opinion. We purchased food for our tea and had a pint of cider in a pub. (£5.60 for two pints of cider.) Then a walk back to the site where we sat in the lovely warm sunshine until we cooked around 2000. Some olympic watching and then bed.
Wednesday 31st July (Day 20)
We still have the battery issue which will not go away anytime soon. We left around 1030 and filled up with log and also diesel and then did a ‘must’ shop at Tesco. A short drive to Whitby Rugby Union Football Club of about an hour arriving at 1230. This is an MCC event. The rest of the afternoon was sitting and chatting in lovely sunshine with Resa, Eric, Graham and Chris. Around 1530 we walked to the local pub and sat in the sun overlooking the sea and a golf course. Back for an evening meal and a chat into the night.
Thursday 1st August (Day 21)
Well what a change in the weather. Around 0430 it started to rain. It got harder and 0530 ‘saw’ me outside in my undies checking that the chairs in the quest were staying dry. (They were.) We had a ‘duvet day’ slow start. I had to start the engine to ensure enough power to fire up the water boiler. Then it was breakfast but, as the wind had got up a bit, I went out again to the quest. The chairs were now getting a bit wet so I put a second side on to keep them dry. We sat around for some of the morning until the rain ceased. Next we decided to catch a bus to Straithes. By around midday we arrived and a walk down, and I mean down, into the village. It is a lovely, typical, village and harbour. We visited the museum where we learned about Captain Cook (again) as he was born near here and was apprenticed here before moving to Whitby and beginning a sea career. There walso some unique clocks including the fist one that could be used at sea aiding navigation. Indeed we found out that before this four naval ships retiring form fighting were lost on the rocks of the Isles of Scilly as they though they were near the French coast. After walk around we needed some food and had a great crab sandwich washed down by a beer. After a while it was back up to catch the bus back and we arrived on site around 1630. The we sat in the sun until just after 1800 when we went to the local pub for a meal. A great meal for all. Back to the site for a game of the Mexican Train Game and bed around midnight.
Friday 2nd August (Day 22)
Today it is a trip into Whitby town and a Traction Engine Fair. Around 1130 we left for the walk into Whitby and then across the river and up the 199 steps to the Abbey. About 600m further on was the fair itself. Only Resa, Eric and I went in with the others returning to the town. I spent about ninety minutes in the fair and saw the parade of the traction engines which did not disappoint, Also the automated music machines were, as expected, great. I then left the fair (I had not been with Resa or Eric) and walked into town to meet the others at a pub (where else). Then Read and Eric joined us and we strolled around to the harbour side and the other four had fish and chips or something similar. Graham, Maisie and the two of us then returned to the site by walking along the cliffs. The other three got a cab. We cooked fresh salmon bought in the town which was lovely and, as the clubhouse / bar was opened, we made our way over to watch the olympics and chat, well a drink or two also. It was around 2300 when we went to bed/
Saturday 3rd August (Day 23)
I woke up around 0600 with a baffling noise. First, we thought it was rain but that was wrong; then we thought is might be the heki blinds rattling, well it wasn’t. As we have battery issues I crawled under the bed to hear if it was the batteries ‘boiling’, they weren’t. It really was frustrating and eventually I dressed and went outside to find the source of the noise. It was from the flags of a neighbour, most annoying. The day started cool but the promise was there of much hotter weather to follow. Our decision for today was a walk to Robin Hoods Bay. The other four were going to walk about two miles to Sandsend as, excep[t for Eric, non felt up to the six or so ,miles hilly cliff walk to Robin Hoods Bay. That said it took nearly an hour for others to decide whether to join us or not. So it was not until 1050 that we left. We were told it was a five and a half mile walk from Whitby Abbey which was about a mile away. Off we trundled in the warm but not hot sunshine. What followed was a delightful walk, albeit challenging, along the clifftops, with very steep ups and downs. It did get much hotter and we only just had enough water with us. Eventually, after two and a half hours, we arrived at Robin Hoods Bay and almost nine miles walked! We walked down a very steep road to the beach / harbour and had a crab sandwich and beer talking to a couple from Cheshire. Then we strolled back up the hill to catch the bus and found a huge queue waiting for the bus. It arrived and we were two of the last four to get on with about a dozen having to wait for the next bus. Arriving at Whitby, Chris was seeking a beer while looking over the the river. We didn’t find anywhere as it was Whitby on a Saturday and so rammed with visitors. Eventually we went into The Ship. We should have twigged that a security guy at the door signalled something. We were probably, apart from the staff, the only really sober people present. That said we had a choice of great beer! We then went to Trenchers fish and chip shop, a favourite top recommended food venue. We had Haddock and chips (chips shared) and I had a spam fritter also. It was too much! A walk back to the site and we had completed over 28,000 steps and over twelve miles today. I sat in the sun recovering form the food glut. Then a shower and over to the club house for the singer / entertainment. She was very talented but had a song list that could have been better. It was gone 2300 when we returned for a night cap.
Sunday 4th August (Day 24)
So for breakfast it was bacon rolls but the rolls we had were mouldy so Chris went to buy some more at the Spar shop. So bacon rolls it was. We then went with Graham and Masie for a walk down to the beach while Graham’s Chris went to a committee meeting. After a short while Graham wanted to return to the site with Masie and so we parted ways and we walked further along the beach towards Sandsend. We didn’t make it there and after about ninety minutes walking arrived back at the motorhome. Just before 1400 all four of us walked to the White House Inn where we had booked a Sunday lunch. The options for roasts were, Yorkshire ham, beef, turkey or pork. What to have? Well we all decided on the same thing……. all four meats. It was a good meal and after finishing and feeling a bit full, we went for a walk along the cliff top towards Whitby. Back at the site around 1700 and a game of Mexican Trains Game. before we went into Chris’ motorhome as it started to lightly rain. Eventually we said our goodbyes and returned to our motorhome around 2300.
Monday 5th August (Day 25)
We had said goodbye to Chris, Graham and Masie last night as they were intending to be away before 0800 - and were. We were bit more leisurely and left around 1000. It was a four hour journey home (198 miles). The journey had two small traffic jams which added a bit of time. We stopped at Blyth services for a quick lunch and were home by just after 1500.
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