Scotland at last......

Tuesday 2nd October 2018

On the road again today to a campsite near Castle Douglas in Scotland. We had made good time and decided to stop off at Threave Garden and Estate at Castle Douglas, in the Dumfries and Galloway region. The gardens are owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland and cover about 64 acres.

Euonymus Alatus -amazing colour in autumn

Kale growing in the walled garden

Wainwright country....

Saturday 29th September 2018

Arrived at the Camping and Caravan site at Keswick. Chose a pitch by the lake and overlooking Catbells. It was very busy on arrival and apparently busy all year round. It’s location suits us very well, within walking distance to the town, which always seems to be bustling with life. And of course, the gateway to some great walks.

Unfortunately, our stay wasn’t really long enough for us to get kitted out in our walking gear. But instead sat gazing out at the magnificent view and reminiscing on our past experiences of climbing the fells around Borrow dale.
Like our very first experience of climbing up to Dock Tarn from Stonethwaite to the summit of Great Crag. Then descending  to Watendlath Beck and back to Rosthwaite, where we were based at the time. That's when we got hooked and hungry to climb more fells.
We conquered High Seat and Bleaberry fells, Castle Crag and the lovely Borrowdale valley. Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy and Newlands valley was another adventure. Not forgetting  Sciddaw, our highest climb.
Great memories,  and still more walks to discover next time we're here.

                                          Keswick town

                                           Early morning mist over Derwentwater

Fix and go.....

When touring there is always something to fix...

 A whistle could be heard far off in the hills, that familiar sound of a steam engine. There seemed to be an extra express train running today, the City of Wells. We made a dash across the site to get a good spot for a photo, jostling with our fellow campers.

Next day, we were back on the road heading to the Lake District. To the camping and Caravan site at Keswick. On the way we stopped off on the M6 at a cafe and farm shop, bought a couple of pork pies from the deli counter.

Power cut on site.....

Thursday 27th September 2018

Early rise this morning, had Breakfast before the power cut, that was to last until about 5pm. Decided it was a good day to take a trip into Manchester. We walked into Bury and caught a tram to Manchester.

                               It was our first visit to Manchester, and decided to get off at the end of the line at Piccadilly. Alas, we had overshot and really needed to be at Piccadilly Gardens. We walked back and found ourselves along the canal, noticed a lot of building work going on. Looked like apartments.

Finally arrived at Piccadilly Gardens.

Caught another tram to Salford Quays. Really impressed with the trams, a great way to get around the city.

Salford Quays 

         

                      Imperial War Museum

We came across the Imperial War Museum. Ant remembered that he had been told by the London Imperial War Museum that a painting of his uncle Freddie and three other officers was stored in the Salford museum. 

We went to see if it was on display but it wasn't. The museum exhibition team checked through their records to confirm if the painting was in their archives. 

Air Shard jutting up over 180 feet high.

Had lunch while this was going on and returned back later to find their records were showing the painting is in storage at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. Not currently on display.

We will be visiting Duxford in the very near future. Hopefully to see this painting by Anthony Gross and named :

50th Northumbrian Division 1944,
5th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

Showing 4 officers standing around a table discussing war tactics of the imminent D Day, one being Ant's uncle, Lieutenant T F Lowe MC.

Outside the BBC building.

Burrs Country Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Site

Tuesday 25th September 2018
Back on the road today, travelling to Lancashire, to Burrs Country Park at Bury.  The journey took longer than we had planned. We encountered long delays on the M6 between junction 15 and 18.  Still arrived about 3.

Parked up and put on dinner. Then walk to stretch legs.
Picked up info, Bury famous market?... probably go tomorrow and maybe Manchester on Thursday? There is a Steam Train, station near site so may do that too.

As planned, we walked into Bury the next day, and had a look around Bury Market. It was quite an eye opener, the market was seen to be well supported by locals and coach loads of visitors. Something we haven’t experienced in the South for a long time.

.

After walking around Bury town centre, we took the steam train back to the camp site. 

Moreton-in-Marsh Caravan and Motorhome Club Site

Thursday 21st September 2018

Today, is the start of our tour up to Scotland in our ‘twin’.
Our first stop off is at Moreton-in-Marsh Caravan and Motorhome Club Site.

Had great difficulty picking a pitch. We found a potential pitch and placed a chair on the pitch as our marker. Whilst Ant filled the van with drinking water, I had another look around for a better pitch.
Alas.... noticed an influx of fellow campers arriving so decided to take our first option quickly.

After sorting ourselves out on the pitch we walked to the town. Can understand why the site is so popular, it’s only a short walk to the town, which is always a bonus.

 

We had a couple of days overcast and rain. Fortunately Sunday, was much brighter, so we took another walk into Moreton-in-Marsh. Popping into the Wellington Air Museum.