Beautiful Britain - Our motorhome Spring Fling through England, Scotland & Wales..
Aug 5th, 2008 | 03:28 AM
#1
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Beautiful Britain - Our motorhome Spring Fling through England, Scotland & Wales..
This long and involved trip report is especially written for Travgina, a lovely lady who I had the pleasure to meet at a Fodorite GTG in Paris two years ago.
DEPARTURE FROM LONDON - 2nd May 2008.
ROUTE: Dover - England - Scotland - Wales - Dover.
Taking up where I left off from my trip report titled "Fabulous London", we made our way to Euston Station - just across the road from our hotel, The Ibis Euston, and took the tube to Charingcross station. Early 7.00am.
Good weather, everything on time we were soon heading down the track to Dover Priory.
On arrival it was a short wait for a taxi to the little town of Whitfield just outside Dover.
Our hosts were waiting for us and offered to hang onto our suitcases until our return in two weeks time.
This was brilliant as the little motorhome was kitted out to perfection and definitely no room for extras!
The Peugeot Boxer Motorhome was hired through www.Motorholmes.co.uk but privately owned.
To get on the road pronto we simply dumped all our clothes on the couch in the vehicle.
Buckled up and with a full feul tank we hit the highway North along the A2. I had brought along a Collins Road Atlas to more or less plan a route but we had our trusty Garmin to really direct us.
DARTFORD CROSSING.
By passing Canterbury which I had visited on a previous trip we joined the M2 and were soon in thick traffic heading towards the Dartford Crossing.
We paid one pound at the toll and soon had to make a decision left or right traffic flow. The cars were moving pretty slow but we found ourselves in the right queue.
The only other time we have been under the Thames river was taking the foot tunnel at Greenwich.
CANVEY ISLAND
Deciding to have a driving break and lunch at the same time we turned off onto the A13 and made for Canvey Island.
This is a reclaimed island in the Thames Estuary seperated from the mainland by a network of creeks.
Lying below sea level it has been inhabited since Roman times and was the fastest growing seaside resort in Britain over a forty year period. Unfortunately the North Sea flood in 1953 devasted the island with 58 lives lost. Now it is protected with modern defenses comprising 15 miles concrete seawall, flood sirens and internal drainage & pumping stations.
Now it has an enormous petrochimecal site which we avoided and after driving through a cluster of houses decided it wasn't quite what we were looking for in a lunch venue.
Where to go, where to go!
Looking at my big map again I notice the town of Maldon and we decide to kill two birds with one stone - have lunch and see where all this famous salt comes from!
The little town is a perfect little English village with nowhere to pull over in the main street and by the time we passed through it twice looking out for a lunch stop we eventually found a little fish shop out of town decorated like the Union Jack and this was going be it!
As it was only a takeaway place we ate our lunch in the motorhome parked right outside.
The fish wasn't cod - the owner, a Turkish man, reccommended some special kind of fish after I showed disinterest in Cod but wanted to try Pollock. Didn't have any. Wish I could remember the name now!
It was OK but the amount of greasy batter put me off. We were shattered at the huge helping of chips that came with it too!
ON THE ROAD TO COLCHESTER.
Full to the brim we made for the A12 and by 3.30 were pulling into Elmstead Market to meet up with my mum's cousin who was to let us park in his driveway for the night.
We politely refused a bed indoors as we were too excited about sleeping our first night in our super little motorhome!
But before nightfall we had loads planned for our stay - First a trip to the Co-Op to get some groceries.
Then cus gave us a particularly detailed tour of Wivenhoe, an ancient village with a wonderful new Marina.
It was very hot and sunny - perfect weather for an ice cold beer at The Rose & Crown.
THE SIEGE HOUSE.
Time for a spruce-up before dinner.
Cus had booked the Gastro Pub 1603 situated in The Siege House, 75 East Street, Colchester, and has a fascinating history.
http://tinyurl.com/5axo9a
We spent a good half hour before dinner inspecting this marvellous ancient building riddled with bullet holes in the old timbers. They are quite large so guess it must have been musket fire!
We had a lovely table in the bay window looking out and enjoyed a wonderful three course dinner.
I would have liked to photograph the dishes but I think Cus would have been very embarrased.
I can tell you what we had -
Seafood Tiane starters which was a prawn cocktail done like a little upright mound on the plate, and then Ribeye steaks all round.
With drinks & coffee the bill for three of us 75.85 (pounds) excluding service charge. Very expensive but we enjoyed our evening very much.
HOW TO MAKE A BED IN A CONFINED SPACE!
Oh Boy! This was a challenge to begin with but we got it right in the end and were soon cuddled up trying to get some shuteye before dawn.
Surprisingly comfortable bed! At 5am Cus knocked on our door with a tray of tea and soon after we were ready to set off on the rest of our adventure!
As much as I would have loved to spend the day in the oldest recorded town in Britain since the Romans invaded in AD 43 it will have to be on another visit. This was hard to do as I love all things Roman! ( As you will see!).
Some photos in the meantime:
http;//tinyurl.com/6kvbpt
DEPARTURE FROM LONDON - 2nd May 2008.
ROUTE: Dover - England - Scotland - Wales - Dover.
Taking up where I left off from my trip report titled "Fabulous London", we made our way to Euston Station - just across the road from our hotel, The Ibis Euston, and took the tube to Charingcross station. Early 7.00am.
Good weather, everything on time we were soon heading down the track to Dover Priory.
On arrival it was a short wait for a taxi to the little town of Whitfield just outside Dover.
Our hosts were waiting for us and offered to hang onto our suitcases until our return in two weeks time.
This was brilliant as the little motorhome was kitted out to perfection and definitely no room for extras!
The Peugeot Boxer Motorhome was hired through www.Motorholmes.co.uk but privately owned.
To get on the road pronto we simply dumped all our clothes on the couch in the vehicle.
Buckled up and with a full feul tank we hit the highway North along the A2. I had brought along a Collins Road Atlas to more or less plan a route but we had our trusty Garmin to really direct us.
DARTFORD CROSSING.
By passing Canterbury which I had visited on a previous trip we joined the M2 and were soon in thick traffic heading towards the Dartford Crossing.
We paid one pound at the toll and soon had to make a decision left or right traffic flow. The cars were moving pretty slow but we found ourselves in the right queue.
The only other time we have been under the Thames river was taking the foot tunnel at Greenwich.
CANVEY ISLAND
Deciding to have a driving break and lunch at the same time we turned off onto the A13 and made for Canvey Island.
This is a reclaimed island in the Thames Estuary seperated from the mainland by a network of creeks.
Lying below sea level it has been inhabited since Roman times and was the fastest growing seaside resort in Britain over a forty year period. Unfortunately the North Sea flood in 1953 devasted the island with 58 lives lost. Now it is protected with modern defenses comprising 15 miles concrete seawall, flood sirens and internal drainage & pumping stations.
Now it has an enormous petrochimecal site which we avoided and after driving through a cluster of houses decided it wasn't quite what we were looking for in a lunch venue.
Where to go, where to go!
Looking at my big map again I notice the town of Maldon and we decide to kill two birds with one stone - have lunch and see where all this famous salt comes from!
The little town is a perfect little English village with nowhere to pull over in the main street and by the time we passed through it twice looking out for a lunch stop we eventually found a little fish shop out of town decorated like the Union Jack and this was going be it!
As it was only a takeaway place we ate our lunch in the motorhome parked right outside.
The fish wasn't cod - the owner, a Turkish man, reccommended some special kind of fish after I showed disinterest in Cod but wanted to try Pollock. Didn't have any. Wish I could remember the name now!
It was OK but the amount of greasy batter put me off. We were shattered at the huge helping of chips that came with it too!
ON THE ROAD TO COLCHESTER.
Full to the brim we made for the A12 and by 3.30 were pulling into Elmstead Market to meet up with my mum's cousin who was to let us park in his driveway for the night.
We politely refused a bed indoors as we were too excited about sleeping our first night in our super little motorhome!
But before nightfall we had loads planned for our stay - First a trip to the Co-Op to get some groceries.
Then cus gave us a particularly detailed tour of Wivenhoe, an ancient village with a wonderful new Marina.
It was very hot and sunny - perfect weather for an ice cold beer at The Rose & Crown.
THE SIEGE HOUSE.
Time for a spruce-up before dinner.
Cus had booked the Gastro Pub 1603 situated in The Siege House, 75 East Street, Colchester, and has a fascinating history.
http://tinyurl.com/5axo9a
We spent a good half hour before dinner inspecting this marvellous ancient building riddled with bullet holes in the old timbers. They are quite large so guess it must have been musket fire!
We had a lovely table in the bay window looking out and enjoyed a wonderful three course dinner.
I would have liked to photograph the dishes but I think Cus would have been very embarrased.
I can tell you what we had -
Seafood Tiane starters which was a prawn cocktail done like a little upright mound on the plate, and then Ribeye steaks all round.
With drinks & coffee the bill for three of us 75.85 (pounds) excluding service charge. Very expensive but we enjoyed our evening very much.
HOW TO MAKE A BED IN A CONFINED SPACE!
Oh Boy! This was a challenge to begin with but we got it right in the end and were soon cuddled up trying to get some shuteye before dawn.
Surprisingly comfortable bed! At 5am Cus knocked on our door with a tray of tea and soon after we were ready to set off on the rest of our adventure!
As much as I would have loved to spend the day in the oldest recorded town in Britain since the Romans invaded in AD 43 it will have to be on another visit. This was hard to do as I love all things Roman! ( As you will see!).
Some photos in the meantime:
http;//tinyurl.com/6kvbpt
Aug 5th, 2008 | 04:55 AM
#3
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,654
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ONWARDS AND UPWARDS.
Soon the rosy red morning sun peeped over the horizon giving us a splendid sunrise. A thin layer of mist hung over the farm fields.
Our plan was to meet up with our very good friends from Rawtenstall who were driving across country to our venue for lunch. As we had no idea how long it would take us we kept in contact cellphone-wise.
Just off the A1 at a junction called Ferrybridge we all met.
Maybe not the most exciting place but it was our friends we had longed to see after a spell of two years. Having left South Africa from Hermanus they went to live in Cyprus. They built a house but the distance away from their daughters in England persuaded them to return.
We had a brilliant lunch of steak & kidney puddings (not pies) with all the veg trimmings too.
Before we said goodbye my friend Sonja had brought along a goodie-bag of specialities for us. Cheeses, black pudding sausage, and sweets. Friends are so thoughtful.
HEXHAM AND HADRIAN'S WALL
On the road again we passed through beautiful little villages with wild daffodils growing in clusters in the grass. We pulled off the road at a crossroads on the A68 & could see the Derwent Resevoir in the valley below. Photographs taken we continued on.
At this point we still had no idea where we would be for the night but this was not a worry as the Motorholme Company had been kind enough to give us free membership of The Caravan Club. This meant we had a directory of all sights and just meant a phonecall before 8pm.
This gave us time to go into Hexham and take some photos before the light faded.
As it happened we found a private park for the night called Causey Hill Caravan Park.
Not ever having set foot in a motohome park in our lives we were really green as what to do. The hostess was wonderful and put us on a stand with a lovely outlook on Hexham below.
Settling in we took a walk around to see what everyone was up to.
People were out walking dogs in the forest next to us, others out with their kids.
I settled down with a glass of the good stuff and decided what to do for dinner and how I was going to cook on a gas stove! We only have electricity at home so I was slightly nervous.
Actually, I managed quite well and didn't burn anything!
Tired from a really full day we made the double bed and hit the hay.
EXCITEMENT SEEING "THE WALL!"
Off out the park before anyone had stirred we took some photos and took the A6079 to Wall and Low Brunton.
Here is where we stopped alongside the road and caught our first sight of Hadrian's Wall!
Climbing over a sty we walked up into a field of sheep. They took absolutely no notice of us of course, and we had the pleasure of inspecting this ancient site all to ourselves-
This part of the wall was called The Brunton Turret, one of the best preserved turrets on the line of Hadrian's Wall, with a stretch of wall 70 yds long. It was built by men of the Twentieth Legion.
I have given a link to an impression of what it must have looked like.
I just loved the moss covered stones. There was evidence of a drainage system by way of a perfectly carved round drain in the large stone in the entrance.
It was hard to drag ourselves away but leave we must!
We join the A68 to Jedburgh and Scotland!
More tomorrow.
Soon the rosy red morning sun peeped over the horizon giving us a splendid sunrise. A thin layer of mist hung over the farm fields.
Our plan was to meet up with our very good friends from Rawtenstall who were driving across country to our venue for lunch. As we had no idea how long it would take us we kept in contact cellphone-wise.
Just off the A1 at a junction called Ferrybridge we all met.
Maybe not the most exciting place but it was our friends we had longed to see after a spell of two years. Having left South Africa from Hermanus they went to live in Cyprus. They built a house but the distance away from their daughters in England persuaded them to return.
We had a brilliant lunch of steak & kidney puddings (not pies) with all the veg trimmings too.
Before we said goodbye my friend Sonja had brought along a goodie-bag of specialities for us. Cheeses, black pudding sausage, and sweets. Friends are so thoughtful.
HEXHAM AND HADRIAN'S WALL
On the road again we passed through beautiful little villages with wild daffodils growing in clusters in the grass. We pulled off the road at a crossroads on the A68 & could see the Derwent Resevoir in the valley below. Photographs taken we continued on.
At this point we still had no idea where we would be for the night but this was not a worry as the Motorholme Company had been kind enough to give us free membership of The Caravan Club. This meant we had a directory of all sights and just meant a phonecall before 8pm.
This gave us time to go into Hexham and take some photos before the light faded.
As it happened we found a private park for the night called Causey Hill Caravan Park.
Not ever having set foot in a motohome park in our lives we were really green as what to do. The hostess was wonderful and put us on a stand with a lovely outlook on Hexham below.
Settling in we took a walk around to see what everyone was up to.
People were out walking dogs in the forest next to us, others out with their kids.
I settled down with a glass of the good stuff and decided what to do for dinner and how I was going to cook on a gas stove! We only have electricity at home so I was slightly nervous.
Actually, I managed quite well and didn't burn anything!
Tired from a really full day we made the double bed and hit the hay.
EXCITEMENT SEEING "THE WALL!"
Off out the park before anyone had stirred we took some photos and took the A6079 to Wall and Low Brunton.
Here is where we stopped alongside the road and caught our first sight of Hadrian's Wall!
Climbing over a sty we walked up into a field of sheep. They took absolutely no notice of us of course, and we had the pleasure of inspecting this ancient site all to ourselves-
This part of the wall was called The Brunton Turret, one of the best preserved turrets on the line of Hadrian's Wall, with a stretch of wall 70 yds long. It was built by men of the Twentieth Legion.
I have given a link to an impression of what it must have looked like.
I just loved the moss covered stones. There was evidence of a drainage system by way of a perfectly carved round drain in the large stone in the entrance.
It was hard to drag ourselves away but leave we must!
We join the A68 to Jedburgh and Scotland!
More tomorrow.
Aug 5th, 2008 | 04:57 AM
#4
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,654
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The link to photo album:
http://tinyurl.com/5gp2hp
http://tinyurl.com/5gp2hp
Aug 5th, 2008 | 05:24 AM
#6
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 242
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Thank you so much for continuing on with your trip report, dear friend! I so enjoyed your "Fabulous London" section and could hardly wait for you to share the rest of your journey. Your style of writing is so informative and entertaining that I like to pour a glass of wine and make sure I have plenty of time to relax and enjoy every word!
Since it is morning and I'm working today, I just popped in to see what's new and was delighted to see your post. This evening I will be glued to my computer - can hardly wait!
Gina
Since it is morning and I'm working today, I just popped in to see what's new and was delighted to see your post. This evening I will be glued to my computer - can hardly wait!
Gina
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Aug 5th, 2008 | 07:08 AM
#8
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Thanks all - Hi Gina!
Nona1- No duff advice, just saw the place on my map and thought seeing it was an island and on the Thames estuary there must be fish 'n chips to be had with a view of the ocean.
Oh how wrong can one be!
We didn't really mind - it was another unexpected detour that didn't pan out so good, but hey!we love England!
Nona1- No duff advice, just saw the place on my map and thought seeing it was an island and on the Thames estuary there must be fish 'n chips to be had with a view of the ocean.
Oh how wrong can one be!
We didn't really mind - it was another unexpected detour that didn't pan out so good, but hey!we love England!
Aug 5th, 2008 | 07:13 AM
#9
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,056
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Canvey by accident eh - ah well, at least you'll get a funny story out of it. Maldon is a nice little town - my parents live there - but shame you couldn't find anywhere to park the thing. You could have had a nice lunch at one of the pubs down on the Quayside (river view).
did you know Billy Bragg did a song called 'A13 - trunk road to the sea'? You might enjoy it
did you know Billy Bragg did a song called 'A13 - trunk road to the sea'? You might enjoy it
Aug 5th, 2008 | 09:31 AM
#11
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 0
This is an interesting thread as I have always wondered about camping in the UK. We camp a lot here so love to stay in UK B&Bs so it is not something we would personally do there BUT it sure is interesting to hear about your adventures! Love your food details...
Your photos are great and really capture the essence of the UK. I, too, like taking pics of villages.
Am really looking forward to your Scotland portion - the Borders area is just lovely!
Love your food details...Your photos are great and really capture the essence of the UK. I, too, like taking pics of villages.
Am really looking forward to your Scotland portion - the Borders area is just lovely!
Aug 6th, 2008 | 02:32 PM
#15
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 250
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The Peugeot Boxer Motorhome was hired through www.Motorholmes.co.uk but privately owned.
Can you further define where you rented. The link provided gives just more links mostly in the US.
Lydia
Can you further define where you rented. The link provided gives just more links mostly in the US.
Lydia
Aug 6th, 2008 | 11:41 PM
#16
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,654
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Aug 6th, 2008 | 11:42 PM
#17
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,654
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Aug 9th, 2008 | 02:05 AM
#18
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Still loading photos into my albums on Kodak Easyshare Gallery so I'll continue with our Spring Fling -
ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
We drove out of the camp gates of Causey Hill pretty darn early and thought we may get a nice breakfast in Hexham. Nothing moving anywhere but saw the huge supermarket sign saying "Open 24hrs" but as you can see from the photo the car park was practically empty with just a guy pushing trolleys back and forth. As we could see staff inside we asked him what gives - Only open at 9am I think he said, so we hit the road to Jedburgh. So much for 24hrs!!
SUNDAY ROAST IN JEDBURGH.
We joined the A68 again. When we saw the turn-off to Otterburn we thought we may find a shop at the Wollen Mill. The meadows were full of sheep and their gorgeous little Spring lambs. Most mothers had two baby lambs and it was not unuasual to see one white & one black!
Not finding anyone about we carried on through the Cheviot Hills arriving in Jedburgh just on 12noon and starving hungry!
The first sight of Jedburgh Abbey is quite something. I honestly did not know what the ruins were!
Sounds incredible but I could only do so much research on possible routes we may take and had no idea we would end up going through Jedburgh.
Well here we are and that sign with a picture of roast beef and Yorky pud looked terrific so we found the restaurant - more of a cafe really - called Simply Scottish and ordered the three course lunch @ 8.95 BP.
I started with pate` & DH ordered the soup. I've never had pate` that was as solid as a brick. The chef definitely got this wrong! If he had come over to the table I might have suggested he add some brandy & cream to smooth it somewhat, but he didn't so I didn't.
The roast beef was lovely though. Yorkshire puddings are one of our favourite things and I can't for the life of me get them right.
Together with a coke and a my beer called Border Gold, our bill came to 22.40.
Well satisfied we left the little town of Jedburgh and it's beautiful
old ruin, join the A68 again proceed to get horribly lost!
THERE AIN'T NO ROSLIN HERE!
How I ever thought Roslin was somewhere on the A721 Carnwath I don't know! (I never saw the pale blue print with Rosslyn & a picture of a historic building on my large Collins atlas) which was a pity because we spent a good 2 hours trying to outwit the Garmin! It was right all the time but I knew better.......gotta live this down!
Finally throroughly frustrated and tired we went back to Peebles and our camp for that night.
BIRDS, HORSES AND THE STARS AT NIGHT.
We again tried a privately owned campsite called Rosetta Holiday Park, Rosetta Road, Peebles.
Extremely large and parklike we were warmly welcomed although we had not booking.
As luck would have it our stand was very level and under a super big tree. But the downside to this parking space was that it was very far from the laundryroom, restaurant & bar! We had stuff to was so drove up the hillside and left deck chairs on the stand just to tell other folks we were living there!
While the washing was being seen to in their super big washing machine DH photographed the Shire horses/Clydsdale?? horses in the paddock next door. I played pool with some kids inthe games room but their scary attempts at launching the ball into the pockets was dangerously near to tearing the felt!
ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
We drove out of the camp gates of Causey Hill pretty darn early and thought we may get a nice breakfast in Hexham. Nothing moving anywhere but saw the huge supermarket sign saying "Open 24hrs" but as you can see from the photo the car park was practically empty with just a guy pushing trolleys back and forth. As we could see staff inside we asked him what gives - Only open at 9am I think he said, so we hit the road to Jedburgh. So much for 24hrs!!
SUNDAY ROAST IN JEDBURGH.
We joined the A68 again. When we saw the turn-off to Otterburn we thought we may find a shop at the Wollen Mill. The meadows were full of sheep and their gorgeous little Spring lambs. Most mothers had two baby lambs and it was not unuasual to see one white & one black!
Not finding anyone about we carried on through the Cheviot Hills arriving in Jedburgh just on 12noon and starving hungry!
The first sight of Jedburgh Abbey is quite something. I honestly did not know what the ruins were!
Sounds incredible but I could only do so much research on possible routes we may take and had no idea we would end up going through Jedburgh.
Well here we are and that sign with a picture of roast beef and Yorky pud looked terrific so we found the restaurant - more of a cafe really - called Simply Scottish and ordered the three course lunch @ 8.95 BP.
I started with pate` & DH ordered the soup. I've never had pate` that was as solid as a brick. The chef definitely got this wrong! If he had come over to the table I might have suggested he add some brandy & cream to smooth it somewhat, but he didn't so I didn't.
The roast beef was lovely though. Yorkshire puddings are one of our favourite things and I can't for the life of me get them right.
Together with a coke and a my beer called Border Gold, our bill came to 22.40.
Well satisfied we left the little town of Jedburgh and it's beautiful
old ruin, join the A68 again proceed to get horribly lost!
THERE AIN'T NO ROSLIN HERE!
How I ever thought Roslin was somewhere on the A721 Carnwath I don't know! (I never saw the pale blue print with Rosslyn & a picture of a historic building on my large Collins atlas) which was a pity because we spent a good 2 hours trying to outwit the Garmin! It was right all the time but I knew better.......gotta live this down!
Finally throroughly frustrated and tired we went back to Peebles and our camp for that night.
BIRDS, HORSES AND THE STARS AT NIGHT.
We again tried a privately owned campsite called Rosetta Holiday Park, Rosetta Road, Peebles.
Extremely large and parklike we were warmly welcomed although we had not booking.
As luck would have it our stand was very level and under a super big tree. But the downside to this parking space was that it was very far from the laundryroom, restaurant & bar! We had stuff to was so drove up the hillside and left deck chairs on the stand just to tell other folks we were living there!
While the washing was being seen to in their super big washing machine DH photographed the Shire horses/Clydsdale?? horses in the paddock next door. I played pool with some kids inthe games room but their scary attempts at launching the ball into the pockets was dangerously near to tearing the felt!
Aug 9th, 2008 | 06:39 AM
#19
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,669
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thanks so much for the report. We rented a motorhome a few years ago in the States to tour California and had a blast! It's a great way to travel. How common is it in Britain and the EU to travel like this? It is quite common in the US, so there is a lot of infrastructure, motorhome parks where you can spend the night. I found that it wasn't really much cheaper than a hotel and restaurants, but it was way more fun, especially with kids. A 5 berth was plenty for us, 2 adult and three (smaller at the time) children.
Aug 9th, 2008 | 08:09 AM
#20
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,654
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Sorry, I left the conclusion of my report unfinished as we had a power failure and I had to click send or loose the lot! Also my edit function is shot, forgive the errors.
THE COOK'S NIGHT OFF.
After loading up our dry laundry we headed for the showers and got a bit smarter for dinner in the restaurant.
Not a bad meal but nothing to rave about.
Back at our "space" we got settled for the night. The TV which came with the vehicle had shocking reception so we packed it away and lay in bed looking at all the photos we had taken that day on our snazzy little Vosonic picture viewer.
Above the bed is a skylight and we could see twinkling lights peeking through the branches of our tree. It's a long long time since I slept under the stars!
A GLIMPSE OF EDINBURGH.
It had not been on the cards to see Edinburgh as we thought we would be passing too far away, but with the Rosslyn fiasco we were now right on the doorstep, so how could we not even take a drive through!
The city certainly needs a day or three and this we did not have to do it justice, so we programmed "Royal Mile" into the Garmin and that's where we took our wander through Edinburgh.
This will definitely be on our list of places to see when coming back to Scotland, but at least we had a little sample of this fine city.
What was on our sight-seeing list was the Falkirk Wheel. The route out of Edinburgh took us past the Firth Road Bridge spanning The Firth of Forth.
CROWDS GALORE AT FALKIRK.
What a day to choose to see this amazing feat of engineering! It was absolutely teaming with people enjoying the hot sunshine. A radio station was having a show for the kids and music & mic's blarred for all it's worth.
The line to get a ride on the Wheel was booked until after 5pm so we lucked out there. It was fantastic to see it in action non-stop and we must have been there for at least 2 hours.
Now to find our way to Loch Lomond!
THE COOK'S NIGHT OFF.
After loading up our dry laundry we headed for the showers and got a bit smarter for dinner in the restaurant.
Not a bad meal but nothing to rave about.
Back at our "space" we got settled for the night. The TV which came with the vehicle had shocking reception so we packed it away and lay in bed looking at all the photos we had taken that day on our snazzy little Vosonic picture viewer.
Above the bed is a skylight and we could see twinkling lights peeking through the branches of our tree. It's a long long time since I slept under the stars!
A GLIMPSE OF EDINBURGH.
It had not been on the cards to see Edinburgh as we thought we would be passing too far away, but with the Rosslyn fiasco we were now right on the doorstep, so how could we not even take a drive through!
The city certainly needs a day or three and this we did not have to do it justice, so we programmed "Royal Mile" into the Garmin and that's where we took our wander through Edinburgh.
This will definitely be on our list of places to see when coming back to Scotland, but at least we had a little sample of this fine city.
What was on our sight-seeing list was the Falkirk Wheel. The route out of Edinburgh took us past the Firth Road Bridge spanning The Firth of Forth.
CROWDS GALORE AT FALKIRK.
What a day to choose to see this amazing feat of engineering! It was absolutely teaming with people enjoying the hot sunshine. A radio station was having a show for the kids and music & mic's blarred for all it's worth.
The line to get a ride on the Wheel was booked until after 5pm so we lucked out there. It was fantastic to see it in action non-stop and we must have been there for at least 2 hours.
Now to find our way to Loch Lomond!
