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.

Brown roll rim

Witches eggs - immature stinkhorns

Sulphur Tufts

Birch Polypore

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.