Brockenhurst, the New Forest day 3

Puff, puff, puff. We thought we were cyclists. Today we decided to take a circular cycle route out from the campsite, through the forest to Lyndhurst. The first gradient was more than a little challenging. All the fitness we had built up from our cycle trip late summer last year, gone. Oh well, we have about three weeks to do something about it before we set off to Europe. 

We'd forgotten just how beautiful the New Forest was. The shrill sound of birdsong filled the air. Pond skaters skimmed across the waters of the streams. The sun was up, the people out. Lyndhurst was busy, as always on a nice day. We treated ourselves to hot drinks from the cafe at Woods Cyclery, before firing up our legs for the return trip. 

John later visited the Cyclery to size up parts for his bike, they have some really tasty parts for bike fanatics like John.

This evening it is the final of the Eurovision song contest. We met a couple walking into Brockenhurst to attend a Eurovision party, their outfits were brilliant. Back at Marge larger groups of people had arrived and the air was filled with the aroma from meat cooking on barbecue grills.

We'd bought venison burgers in Brockenhurst village and couldn't wait to get them on our grill. The weather looks good for the next couple of days, so we'll probably stay away in Marge a little longer. Why not?

Brockenhurst, the New Forest day 2

We stayed up late last night to watch the results of the Eurovision song contest. Well, that was a waste of time. Buoyed by last year's success, we had high hopes of a decent score. Well how wrong were we?

This morning as we raised the window blinds on our beautiful vista, we spotted a grey squirrel scuttling up a nearby tree before disappearing into the green canopy. Followed closely by a treecreeper. Small and active it explored the crevices in the bark for insects who thought they were safely hidden. All around us on the site campers packed up. We booked in for another night. Yesterday had been fantastic. Despite our aches and pains, we'd really enjoyed our cycle out. Today we planned to do it all again. 

Our sit bones were complaining a little, but we soon settled in to our ride. The forest much quieter today meant we could take in our surroundings at our leisure. Violet blue bluebells bathed in the sunlight that penetrated through the trees. Their heady scent permeating the air. We stopped to 'Forest Bathe'. Which effectively is taking in the forest atmosphere which supposedly will improve sleep quality, mood and the ability to focus whilst reducing stress. Sounds good to us. We plan to do more. 

This evening, our plan of a Chinese take-away or fish and chips were scuppered, so we fired up the grill and cooked sausages' once again. While they cooked, we reflected on our day.

This morning the couple camped across from us gave John an adaptor for the new gas burner that we'd bought for tent camping. It meant we could use gas cylinders as well as cartridges. As we bid them farewell, their classic Triumph Spitfire roared into life, a lasting flash of red as they drove through the trees. The kindness of strangers, we've experienced it so many times whilst travelling, and it lifts our hearts. 

Where to tomorrow, Marge? A couple we spoke to before going cycling this morning were from Romsey, around a thirty-minute drive down the road. We all agreed that you don't need to travel far from home to find a beautiful stop in your van. So, we'll probably drive just a little way from here tomorrow, not needing to be home until Tuesday. Maybe we'll slot in a spot of forest bathing before we leave here.

Brockenhurst, the New Forest.

Are you here for the Beaulieu? Pardon? No, we're here for the view. It happens that there is a auto jumble on at the nearby National Motor Museum, Beaulieu this weekend. We can expect the campsite to be busy tomorrow. 

After being home three nights, we couldn't stand it anymore and decided we needed to move back into Marge. This happens every year, once we start going away in her.

Marge is waiting to go. The forecast good for the weekend, we decided to travel to the New Forest, a drive of around one hour, stopping on the way to check out some dry clothing at a canoe shop for when we go packrafting.

Marge, what a view. Arriving at the campsite early we had our pick of some of the best's spots. Looking out across the forest towards trees, all a slightly different shade of green, all beautiful. Nearby the ponies grazed, the lush grass more interesting than us. A mother kept close to her foal, which clumsily followed her around. She made us smile. She all legs and excitement. 

Tomorrow we will cycle out into the forest. We desperately need to improve our fitness ready for our cycling trip across Europe at the beginning of June. Back on the campsite, one member of staff decided it was easier to ride on a motorised lawnmower to the toilet and showers rather than walk.  We have legs for what reason?

Poole, Dorset

As we drove back south we noticed the trees, shrubs and flowers were all much advanced compared to those in Scotland. And it felt warmer, even when it rained. It's just over four weeks since we left home and places like the island of Lewis and Harris seem like they were a dream. 

To break our journey we stopped to visit some relatives before a stop at Oxf

ord to check out a dead tree that John was hoping would have a chicken of the woods fungi growing on it. It didn't, but the one behind did.

Result. It was nice to once again be by the river in Oxford, we missed the beauty of this area. 

Home now. Marge looking well travelled, in need of a good clean, we reflect on the past few days. Yesterday, we sadly lost another, younger member of our family. There are some people in life you are privileged to have known. And she was one.

The forecast for the weekend is looking good. If it remains so, we might just take Marge away to the New Forest. Now we live in Poole, we are lucky to have this wonderful space on our doorstep.

Stretton near Warrington

Thanks Marge! When we retired late last night, Angela discovered her side of the bed was wet. Don't blame me. The heavy rain we'd driven through had blown up and under the van's opening roof window. It's fortunate that Angela's 'child size'. She 'almost' fitted on to the downstairs bench seat.

A beautiful start to the day this morning. Warm and bright. Some archers arrived, setting up their targets on the far side of the cricket pitch, which was meticulously being prepared for today's match. We walked a little way into town to stretch our legs before leaving, our ten pound donation placed in the collection box outside the club house. Thank-you Kendal cricket club for a safe and convenient overnight stop.

Head south Marge. Early afternoon we arrived in Merseyside, where we spent a few hours catching up with John's daughter.

Then onto Warrington to the small village of Stretton to the Stretton Fox public house which offered overnight stops for vans in its car park. We were too late for food, so relaxed over a drink whilst we talked about our packrafting course and our plans going forward.

Back in Marge, we ate Strathdon Blue cheese which Angela bought at the fam shop at the Westmorland service area yesterday. As one of our grandchildren would say, 'it was delicious!'.

Kendal, Lake District.

Coronation Day. We still find it quite unbelievable that Queen Elizabeth II passed away last year. This morning we were a very shocked and saddened to hear John's brother in law Loz had passed away from a cardiac arrest.

After four nights at Grandtully it was time for Marge to take to the road again. Before leaving, to relieve some of the aches and pains from yesterday's self rescue on the river, we walked down to the nearby river Tay, to watch the slalom, but the kayakers were taking a break, their kayaks strewn across the grassy bank.

In no rush, as tonight we would be staying at Kendal cricket club, where we knew a match was being played this afternoon, we stopped at Perth to look around a large outdoor shop. Now we had more of an idea about packrafting, more gear would be needed. The day was warm, our onward journey Marge ate up the miles. As we approached the border with England the rain began. Welcome back Marge.

Despite the weather we enjoyed fantastic views from the road that crossed from the motorway to Kendal. The characteristic stone wall field boundaries crisscrossed grasslands where sheep unaware of our presence grazed. John spotted several snails, brought out by the weather.

Kendal is a favourite overnight stop for us. One of the reasons, there is a very good Chinese take-away in the town. Need we say anymore? As for the weather, rain, rain, rain, well we are in the Lake District Marge. Please don't leak too much.

Grandtully Station Campsite, Pitlochry, Perthshire. (Day 4)

Today we knew we'd be getting wet. Rain was forecast and we could no longer put off the fact we had to practice some rescue techniques.

A short drive up the road at Aberfeldy, where after some instruction we took to the river. Angela could see the water to her running quite fast, although she was reassured the flow was not too bad. She also did not like the look of the nearby 'bubbling' water. Oh dear! After much reassurance by David, we were in our boats and on the water. David has been very calm and patient with us all through the course, particularly a nervous Angela. He coaxed her gently into following his lead down the river with its obstacles. Once she decided to opt out watching him and John take on something a little more adventurous.

We were cold, but happy. After lunch the finale. Into the cold water, not very deep, but quite deep enough for Angela, we practiced some rescue and recovery. The assisted rescue was not as easy as David made it look. Haul yourself onto the boat, roll to one side, drop in your seat. Work in progress. We would need to practice back home in Poole harbour. 

Job done though. We now had 'most of the gear, and a bit more idea', than when we started three days ago. We also realised that we did not really need our sit on top kayaks back at home and that our pack rafts would suffice. With David's instruction and knowledge we leave Scotland a little more confident. The downside of the day, we have a lot of wet clothing to try and dry.

There is a white water slalom competition here on the river this weekend, so there are plenty of other people drying clothing. Marge's shower room has been turned into a drying room, so hopefully by tomorrow we will not have too much damp clothing to pack up. What do you think Marge? Shall we start heading back home tomorrow? Before we leave we just want David to know how incredibly grateful we are to him for the last few days. If you fancy having a go at packrafting or other outdoor pursuits take a look at his website. www.emmaus-adventure.co.uk