Southend

This morning the sun rose above the island of Arran, its silvery light more of the moon, cast a spotlight on Marge. The snow on the islands peaks no more, we could feel the day would be our warmest yet. Just after nine, two ladies arrived, de-robed and took to the water. Good on them, not for us though. Back on dry land, all on display, they seemed in no rush to dress and warm up. Keen to make an early start, we were away by nine-thirty. Firstly, Marge there are some 14% gradients to climb. Rest assured, we're not too keen either. 

Campbeltown just a few hair-raising miles down the coast, was our first stop. the leisure centre in fact, where £2.50 buys you a nice hot shower and, the ultimate, use of a hairdryer. Scotland is really geared up for van people, cyclists and walkers, offering shower facilities at village halls, ferry terminals and sports facilities. We have decided to use them sometimes this trip to take the pressure of Marge. And who doesn't like a hairdryer? £5.00 well spent we walked into town to see the Linda Mcarthy memorial garden, which wasn't much and turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. 

Our final destination today the Mull of Kintyre. Southend (not the one in Essex), is a small village at the tip of Kintyre. We had come to see the ruins of St. Columba's chapel and well, St. Columba's footprints, and the Keil caves. Also, the basking seals, of which there were many lying on the rocks in the afternoon sun. We sat a while and watched them before walking along the beach, combing it as we went. If the weather holds, we will cook sausages on our gas grill this evening. So far there are three vans here in total, but it is such a beautiful spot we expect more to join us this evening. For now, we will enjoy the view across to Ailsa Craig and the coast of Ireland.

Torrisdale

Before leaving Loch Fyne, which was outstandingly beautiful in the early morning sunshine, we bought crayfish sandwiches and a black pudding sausage roll from the deli for our lunch. The crayfish sandwiches were delish! The black pudding sausage roll not so.

First stop this morning Tarbert. A small town on the west coast. We walked up to the castle and around the shops, buying a book on the outer Hebridean islands for later in our trip. Castle day to day Marge.

Skipness castle on the side of the Kintyre peninsula afforded views across to the island of Arran. The sun shone, and we took our time walking back to the van alongside banks of daffodils. In the woods wild garlic grew in abundance. A stash of it now in Marge's fridge. 

Tonight, Marge has the best spot in a very small parking area just off the road adjacent to the beach. Our view is still Arran, standing proud in the evening light. Angela collected driftwood for a project she has planned at home and John sat and watched two seals in the shallows.

Soon the weather broke, and as every night since we arrived in Scotland it rained, heavily. But we didn't care, we knew the sun would shine on us again tomorrow.

Loch Fyne Oysters, Clachan.

A restful night last night at the castle corner campsite Best nights sleep for Angela in a while. Before leaving we spoke to a couple of our fellow travellers. One, a young girl around eighteen/nineteen was off to Ireland, then taking a ferry over to northern Spain to then drive to Portugal, Southern Spain and if there was time Italy. We wished her a safe journey. Having driven some of this route ourselves we gave her a few tips. As Marge slipped out of the site, the morning sun caught the tops of the ruffling waves in the Solway Firth. Today our adventure would begin properly, we were in Scotland now. Bring it on Marge.

Once pass Glasgow we drove alongside Loch Lomond, which was beautiful, interesting and a little dangerous. Eyes on the road Angela, not on the view. It was hard to concentrate, the mountains topped with snow were fascinating. Then the weather changed, four seasons in a few hours. Heavy icy rain made us pull over for five minutes, then cold wind made us retreat back into Marge after we stopped high up in the mountains to take photographs. But the sun kept reappearing, and we soon forgot the earlier cold rain. 

Our stop tonight is in the car park of Loch Fyne Oysters at Clachan. The view from Marge down Loch Fyne is fantastic, just as the view towards the snow topped mountains is. 

Suffering from cabin fever, having spent so much time in Marge these last few days of travelling we walked out. Angela tripped over a bramble, despite a warning to be careful from John, which she did not hear. Ouch! Now she has very sore and swollen knees. 'What a liability'. O.K. Marge, that'll do. Despite the rain closing in for the night, we are snug in Marge, and looking forward to tomorrow when we will drive down to the Mull of Kintyre. Fingers crossed for fine weather.

Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfries & Galloway

Right Marge, let's roll. The sun was shining and we were looking forward to arriving in Scotland around early afternoon. Our destination, the forever reliable castle corner campsite (although no longer a campsite, just a stop over site under the trees), near to a fantastic ruined castle with views across the Solway Firth.

The site is popular as it is near to the border and has water and a toilet disposal point. It's the little things in life that matter.

Our drive took us through the Lake District, the views a dangerous distraction when driving. Shadows from chasing clouds scurried across the mountains causing the landscape to constantly change. Stunning. We were in Cumbria now, where it seems ladies, tights cause a problem at service areas. 'Please do not flush your tights down the toilet'. And it was not just tights, the list of don'ts was eight items long! 

Early afternoon Marge crossed the border. We have been excited about coming back to Scotland. We usually visit in September, so were looking forward to seeing the area in the spring. A carpet of bright yellow celandines greeted us accompanied by a cluster of violet blue bluebells, who nodded to us as we passed by. Beautiful. 

The gods have smiled on us since we left Poole. Fairly good weather, no traffic congestion (a first), but now, you've guessed it, heavy rain. Well, we've said it before, and we'll have to say it again, you don't come to Scotland for the weather. Let's hope it's an improving picture Marge.

Thelwall, nr: Warrington.

Marge is groaning. We said, groaning Marge, not moaning. She is under strain from the bikes on the bike rack, extra clothing and food supplies. We are heading to Scotland's west coast where food supplies are limited, and then later in our trip across to the east coast for a three day pack rafting course. This is to be an activity holiday. Cycling, walking and kayaking.

Angela, inhaler in hand, on the mend after a two week chest infection, will tomorrow plan our month long journey around this beautiful area taking in some of the western isles that we've not visited before. Will it all run smoothly? Well, we'll see. As Angela's late brother used to say. 'Life is for living, rules are for breaking'. So we're going to live life and no doubt Marge will break the rules!

Tonight a pub stop, just a few miles from the M6 motorway. The Pickering Arms is an 18th century black and white pub in the village of Thelwall, unknown to many who drive by as they head north or south on the nearby motorway. For the price of two drinks, plus a meal if you wish, you can stay in a quiet spot, safe and secure in the pub car park. What's not to like? 

Tomorrow, we'll cross the border into Scotland. It's been eighteen months since we were last there and we are looking forward to seeing the area during springtime. We are armed with midge nets for our heads and midge cream. Sorted We hope. Let the fun begin.

Oxfordshire

 A random photo of Marge of on our drive, as we're flying a bit under the radar and not wanting to give away the actual location of our stay for the night!

(Bikes are too tall on rack)

(blocks made to hold front forks from old scrap wood, then painted)

(Thats's better, bikes tucked down out of the way)

Before setting off John was busy fitting our new bike rack on Marge's rear end as we are going to need something a bit more capable than the Bromptons as we want to cycle some gravel off road tracks in Scotland, also we have packed our lightweight tent, and a bit of camping gear as John wants to leave Marge on the Isle of Skye, take the ferry to Rasaay, cycle Callum's Road, and hopefully spend a night camping on top of Dun Caan.

Poole

  

Well, that's Jersey done. Another tick on our 'places to visit list'. We'd had a wonderful time; the weather came good after arriving in the rain and dark last Saturday. But Sunday had dawned dry and bright and we drove to Rozel just along the coast, so it only seemed right that we re-visit it this morning before driving to St. Helier for our return ferry. 

And of course, a coffee and hot chocolate had to be partaken at The Hungry Man kiosk on the harbour. Sitting soaking up the sun, the temperature 18 c, we noticed that many of the people sat around us were familiar faces from our last visit. Rozel, a small but perfectly formed village, home to fishing boats and brightly painted holiday homes. Why wouldn't you want to be there?

But sadly, we had to leave, so we drove slowly along the narrow roads, lined with lush green banks carpeted with hosts of fresh yellow daffodils. Never in our lives have we seen so many daffodils as here, we constantly admired them and never tired of seeing them. They just lit the whole island.

St. Helier, after the quietness of the rest of the island was a shock. Traffic, noise, chaos. This wasn't the Jersey we liked. But the ferry back to Poole sailed from here, so we joined the throng and eventually squeezed ourselves into the waiting queue and eventually onto Condor Liberation, the catamaran that would return us to Poole, stopping at Guernsey to pick up more passengers on the way. The other channel islands clearly visible as the ferry powered through a swell that tossed it around in the ocean foam.

Upon our arrival in Poole, early evening, just as the sun was going down over Brownsea island we appreciated the beauty of the area we live in. Some of the other passengers marvelled at the landscape, and we realised we were lucky to live amongst this natural beauty. 

Madge is now parked next to Marge who'll be heading to Scotland soon. We hope you'll all come along on the trip with us.