Kendal

The site at Caeverlock Castle near Glencapel was the perfect stop for our last night in Scotland. Peaceful and relaxing. Early this morning most of the other vans started to slip away, including the one opposite whose owner couldn't take his eyes of Marge. John thought the man may have been a little starstruck at seeing Marge. Perhaps he'd read about her on the internet. Wanting to make the most of our last few hours in Scotland we took a walk out to the nearby castle. The sky an autumn blue, the waning moon still visible, we walked through the woods, the sun lighting the ground, picking out the fungi. Oh no, John wouldn't be able to resist checking them out. He's become a bit of an expert on mushrooms over the last few weeks.

The castle like most historical sites in Scotland was closed for inspection and renovation. But the grounds were still open.

A tent set up near the gift shop, which of course was also open, was home to a couple dressed as medieval peasants. The man showed us the dress of a medieval soldier and demonstrated some of the hand weapons sparing none of the gory details they could inflict. It was very interesting and we spent a long time asking him questions.

After we walked around the outside of the castle, surprised at just how intact it was considering its age, 13th century. You could clearly see the footprint of the moated triangular castle. However, over time the added building work has caused it to begin sinking. 

We'd spent longer than we intended at the castle and by the time we returned to Marge there was just her and a van from Belgium. What kept you. Oh, a man wanted to demonstrate his weapons. A quick lunch and then we must leave this little piece of heaven. We both wanted to stay, but knew we couldn't. The lake district was calling. We seemed to talk of nothing except when could we return. Perhaps we could stay another night. No, too much driving tomorrow. We were stopping to see John's daughter on Merseyside and then we needed to travel on to Stratford-upon-Avon.

So just before two, the last van to leave, we began our journey south. Say Aufwiedersehen Marge. Why? We're in Scotland not Germany. Before we knew it, we were on the M6 boxed in by lorries all in a hurry. Marge didn't much care for it either. Like us she'd become used to a slower, quieter pace of life. 

The weather's been beautiful today, all those wet days in Scotland seeming a while ago now.

The gentle rolling landscape of the lake district was stunning. The sunlight picking out the detail. By five o'clock we were parked at Kendal cricket club.

Cost £10. Last year £5. That's staycations caused that. We know Marge, it doesn't make it right though. It will be interesting if prices decrease next year when more people holiday abroad. We doubt it. Anyway, a night off from cooking for Angela. Chinese.

And very nice it was as well. 

We are a little sad now about returning home, but there's always another trip to be had. To travel is to live, and we've a whole lot of living still to do. Haven't we Marge?