Stratford-upon-Avon

This morning Marge stood out from the other vans, not because of her good looks but more for her well-travelled appearance. The others all looked clean and shiny as did their owners. Marge and us, in need of a little pampering. A long day ahead we tried to leave early, stopping first at the nearby Sainsburys store to purchase sparkling red wine for Christmas. Then onto the M6 which was busy, but not as busy as the northbound side. Caravan, motorhome, campervan, caravan and more caravans. It wouldn't be the school half term holidays, would it? Our destination Higher Tranmere to visit John's daughter, but first we had to negotiate the Mersey Tunnel. Angela doesn't like driving in it. Slow and steady is the best way. Is that water dripping down above us. Stop trying to be funny Marge, it's stressful enough without your jokes. A pleasant couple of hours spent catching up and then we were off again. We'd already driven for two and a half hours and were tired, but our decision to stay in Scotland for as long as possible meant we had a few long days of travelling ahead of us. Marge is a heavy drinker if driven too fast so we try not to push her over 55 mph to conserve fuel. More M6 driving, the light fast fading fast we pressed on. Just over three hours later we arrived at Stratford-upon-Avon, it was 6.45pm and dark. Angela has never driven Marge in the dark before so the last half an hour of the journey was a little fraught.

But not as fraught as finding the barrier already down on the parking area where vans could overnight. It was not supposed to close until 9pm. Tired, frustrated, stressed and that was just Marge, we were in despair. Too tired to drive any further John was forced to think on his feet.

The exit to the parking area had alligator teeth fitted, which means a vehicle can only move in one direction and that was out. Let's do this Marge. Angela lined Marge up best she could and John depressed the alligator teeth with his foot. This could end badly. Hold your nerve everyone. We were in. Thank god. What is it with you two, always drama. We don't go looking for it Marge, it just finds us.

After the meal John's daughter Dawn laid on for us there was not much room left for food, so Angela had a snack, and John cooked an omelette using mushrooms collected from around the parking area at Caerlaverock.

Tomorrow a shorter drive, and another stop to visit relatives. But before we leave a much-needed walk to set us up for the journey. Keep calm and travel on Marge. Keep calm with you two in control!

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?

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!