Caeverlock Castle

Firstly, a quiz. What is this?

A little bit shaky, shaky last night Marge. Yes, it was. From the time we went to bed around ten thirty Angela was anxious. We were up above the beach with two other vans. The forecast for the wind was a speed of 16 mph, but no one mention gusting. We sleep in the bunk in the top of Marge so could feel every movement. And there was a lot of it. In the early hours it settled a little, then at five thirty this morning Angela wasn't happy despite John telling her he was 120% confident they were safe. Fire up Marge, let's get out of here. So, we did. By six-ten we were away down to the village where we waited until just before eight as it became light, to leave. A large cotton wool ball of a moon hung in the sky watching over us. The wind had made us think whether or not we should make the crossing across the causeway to Holy Island. Low tide began at seven thirty-five.

Around eight thirty we stopped just before the causeway to photograph the early sun. Then, steady Marge, not to fast through the water and over the piles of sand. I thought we were winding down now, not ramping up the excitement. No Marge, you know us we like to live life on the edge. 

The island was not as we expected. That being a little like Iona just of the Island off Mull. It was very commercialised. The car park held a thousand cars and by the time we left it was about three quarters full.

Like sheep we all followed each other around. Up to the priory, over to the watch tower, down the path to the castle cared for by the National Trust. We discovered that In 1901 Edward Hudson founder of Country Life Magazine offered on the castle and had it converted in to a holiday home. The wind blew relentlessly and despite the beautiful sunshine it was cold. 

That woman looks like Marge. It's me John. Why are you dressed like a herring girl with your scarf wrapped around your head? Funny.

As we returned, we could see the water returning slowly into the harbour where fishing boats lay haphazardly waiting to be up righted. Conscious of the rising tide we returned to Marge. The return journey along the causeway was a little fraught. More traffic, more water, more sand, more nerves. Where's the edge of the road? I'm not too keen on this water lapping around me. Neither are we Marge. It wasn't high tide for another two hours; goodness knows what it would be like to cross then. 

Having spent one night in Northumberland it was time to leave. The wind was going to be the same strength again tonight. Whilst we loved the beaches and castles in the area, we didn't feel comfortable. Locals gave us a sideways glance, which was a little unnerving. We'd dipped a toe into this county, but we must now move further west. By lunchtime we were at Jedburgh. Isn't this Scotland? Yes Marge, we sneaked you back across the border. Despite the warm sun a chill reminded us of the season.

We took a walk around the town visiting the priory and the house where Mary Queen of Scots stayed on a visit here in 1566, also a stop at Briggsy's butcher's shop where we purchased some savoury snacks to keep us going on this long day. We thought we might overnight in Jedburgh but didn't fancy it. After the events of last night, we wanted a quite stress-free night, not a stay in a town or parking area in the middle of nowhere. So, we drove on to Dumfries to Caeverlock Castle a place we love, albeit a little in the wrong direction. Who cares Marge, we can do what we like. The drive across the Cheviots to Dumfries was pretty. A green lush agricultural landscape a little like Devon entertained us as we journeyed. 

Our arrival at Caeverlock castle coincided with a pink and orange fireball of a sunset lighting the sky as we approached the site in the trees. We were surprised how many vans were already there considering how late in the season it is. Including Marge eleven. Two have set up camp in the corner with a wood fire and a string of rope lights around a nearby tree. Please, this is a nature reserve what are you doing? It's not a camp site. We've stayed here four times now in the last two years and have never seen the like of it. Hopefully next year these sorts of people will return to holidaying abroad

We've heard there has been snow flurries in Aberdeen today. We'd love to see the mountains in Scotland topped with snow and were both in agreement that if we didn't have family commitments and work on our rental houses to attend to, we'd not hesitate to start back up the west coast of Scotland again tomorrow. Sadly, that trip will have to wait.

Answer to the quiz. A pork and black pudding scotch egg from Briggsy's which got a thumbs up from John who is becoming somewhat of an expert on Scotch Eggs!