Caerlaverock Castle Corner Camp Site (day 2)

We'd forgotten how peaceful a night at the little corner campsite was. No longer a proper campsite, probably due to its proximity to the nearby Solway Firth it still retains the service point where you can obtain water and empty your camper toilet, all for a donation in the envelopes left near the service point.

Angela decided this morning, after a bit of a lie in, that we should take advantage of the good weather and the picnic table on our pitch to pack up the rucksacks we would be using on our big walk, and then walk with them down to the castle. As a bit of practice for our West Highland Way hike.

Life has been hectic this last few weeks and any planning and practice we should have done just hasn't happened, so now we must organise ourselves. Walking through the trees to the castle we spotted the wrens nest we'd seen a wren fly in and out of when we were here in April.

Autumn will soon be upon us, and early signs amongst the undergrowth of yellowing leaves and wilting ferns caught our eye. Emerging from the trees the sunlight warm and bright lit the path. In a nearby field belted Galloway cows, feasted on lush green vegetation.

Smiling, Angela thought they resembled Oreo biscuits. Happy with our backpacks, we returned to Marge to pack in the final items. The weather today has been beautiful and we've been led into thinking it will be like this for our walk, but after Angela checked the weather forecast it seems not the case, so tomorrow we will need to decide if we should wait a few days before setting off. As the light fades this evening the geese fly over returning to their safe roosting spots, as always with much noise, their honking heard clearly before they arrived.

Bats flew around our heads hunting for food, so close we could hear their wings flapping. As darkness fell we prepared for our night in Marge, thankful for being able to spend so much time away in her.

Caerlaverock Castle Corner Camp Site

We're in the north now, the rainy north. After an early start we decamped to the nearest MacDonald's for breakfast, before heading back onto the M6 where Marge was swallowed up by the lorry's. The rolling green baize covered hills of the Lake District soon in sight the traffic calmed, and our drive became more relaxed.

John in need of more caffeine, we stopped at the Tebay service area. For those of you who've never stopped there, it's a bit of a destination, if you like to pay high prices for, we'll everything there. All that money passed over the counter, and no toilet paper in the men's toilet cubicles, of course John informed the staff.

Guilty of encouraging this overpriced venue we returned to Marge who surprisingly was joined by yet another Marge. Two Marges in close proximity, that's double trouble!

Soon we were across the border into Scotland, and of course the sunshine was cancelled out by dark clouds which couldn't wait to send driving rain in our direction. The wind blew, strongly and our happy faces turned sad. But this is Scotland! By the time we reached tonight's stop, an old favourite of ours near Dumfries, the sky was blue, and the sun out. Angela has worn shorts everyday since late April, the fluctuating temperatures of today made her realise she might need to dust off her long trousers.

A pleasant walk to the nearby Caerlaverock Castle for afternoon refreshments, and talk about Land Rovers with a member of staff before returning to Marge, checking out fungi and foraging the last of the blackberries from the tangled brambles along the way.

This evening a beautiful blue sky, the winds now lighter we sat outside. Through the trees the Solway Firth glistens, the oak trees rustle and all is calm. Just a handful of other vans here with us, just how we like it.

Pickering Arms, Thelwall

Muddy Marge's 'Return to the Highlands' has begun. Packed to the gunnels this trip because of our backpacks, tent and all those things you need whilst going on a hike. As usual, an overnight stop at The Pickering Arms, Thelwall where we spent a pleasant afternoon chatting to some locals before enjoying a meal with John's daughter and her husband. Tomorrow we will cross the border into Scotland and Marge will officially begin her Highland fling.

Coming soon on the 3rd of September!

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Trigon Farm Campsite, Near Wareham, Dorset, England (day 2)

Day two in Poole, and lots to do. Most importantly haircuts. It's been fifteen weeks since we were both coiffured. Whilst away in Marge our hair began to become a little wild, so Angela decided to trim John's and her own. When it came to her own, the back was guesswork. The hairdresser today amused, commented, 'you missed a bit'. The strip down the centre at the back of her head resembling a Mohican. Oh well, a girl can only do her best. So now we both have very short hair, it was the only way to rectify Angela's  attempt at do it yourself hairdressing. They say, never trust an Italian with anything that has handle bars or a steering wheel, in Angela's case, scissors and hair clippers! So a busy day, but after our jobs were done we rewarded ourselves with drinks outside a bar on Poole quay before a meal at the nearby pizza restaurant.

The area is quieter now, the holidaymakers few. The weather this evening on the turn, cooler and fresher, somehow we think we may wish for the hot days of July and August to return.

Trigon Farm Campsite, Near Wareham, Dorset, England

We're working away from home. Honest. Some maintenance and  inspections on two of our rental houses in Poole. A night in the Premier inn Poole, £127.00!. Thankfully we have Margery, a little more comfortable than Marge. £27.00 for two nights sounds much more reasonable. Angela joined us up for the Caravan and Motorhome club when there was a special offer on the joining fee. All over the country there are CL sites, mostly on farms. Large fields, sometimes amongst trees with facilities ranging from none to water, waste, toilet and shower.

 Tonight, fish finger rolls, water, waste disposal and a peaceful setting in the Dorset countryside at Wareham Forest, just half an hour from Poole. Much more us. We've been home now after our Moroccan trip for a month, so the chance to leave home and living in our van for a couple of nights excited us as we find it hard to be at home when the weather's good. Tomorrow, we drive back to Poole, but we don't mind, once the jobs are done we'll be in holiday mode.

Nice view from our sliding side door.

Thame, Oxfordshire, England

Upton upon Severn is a pretty town. Black and white houses and historical buildings add to its charm. The River Severn, Great Britain's longest river silently flows by, willow and alder trees lining its banks. This morning Marge all packed up, Angela once again walked around the pretty riverside town whilst John visited the VW T3 Bus Meet where he hoped to view and collect information on the vehicles.

Marge's days might be numbered it seems. The two nights we've spent here near the Malvern hills has proved that a full blown adventure covering many weeks may be great, but a micro adventure can be fun also. We enjoyed returning to this area, forgetting how charming it was.

For now, time to return home and  carry out all the tasks and attend all the appointments we allocate to the month of August. Roll on September, when we will embark on another trip. Who will accompany us? Will it be Marge, Margery or someone new?