Terrafirma Travels

The morning started with late breakfast, and a tsunami of hot coffee and coffee grains caused by Lesley's clumsiness. It went all over the kitchen area and ended with feverish washing of the precious van curtain, pillow, pillowcase, drying up cloth, hairband, etc. Nic wiped valiantly while L washed.  At least the campsite has a drying room, warm and woody and comforting. Not something we've seen before, very useful. Apparently it rains a lot here and walkers get wet. After a whole day in the room, most of our stuff was dry. It was twelve by the time we escaped coffee grain hell. We set off walking towards the Corran ferry, a large vessel which plies across a small but very tidal neck of water. Foot passengers go free.  On the other side we walked through pretty scenery and into woodland by the water's edge,  and found a fine bench for lunch, pork pie and sandwich.  We mosied through the woodland and by a small crofting village, and back to the ferry. At one point we ...

The alarm goes off at 06:45, roughly with the dawn. We leave the site at 09:45; it's a leisurely start to the day. Drove through Glasgow on M8, and headed north on A82. L had genius idea of a SWIM in Loch Lomond on the way. N initially horrified but quickly won over by the spirit of adventure ... and the idea of 'getting one in the bag' despite the overcast skies. A quick bit of research suggested the beach at Luss, and Googlemaps was swiftly reprogrammed. Satellite view enabled us to park v close to the water, and in we dove ... well, waded carefully. It felt like about 13°, perfectly calm, no wind, lovely. Six minutes was enough. As we were getting dried by the van, a school trip arrived and started pumping up 20 paddleboards, a motorboat pulled up on the beach, and the wind picked up - so we timed it just right.  Onwards a few more miles along the Lochside (is that a word?), to a viewpoint and Bonnie & Ben's café for a very welcome panini, flapjack and hot choc. ...

Good night's sleep in the van. The heater came on several times overnight to keep us at 19°, and it was pretty wet outside. Porridge, coffee, visit to the tin hut that serves a perfectly good loo. All for 20 pounds.  Matt's house was the usual whirlwind of chaos and kids. Jude is now crawling and toothy, Louis scored 4 goals yesterday, Rhea was arrayed in a blue princess frock and a crown, and Hugo was glued to books. Shell looked serene as usual, Matt was the usual fizzing bundle of energy. Presents were doled out. Fun was had. We went to the Dizzy Duck in Wrea Green for lunch. N had roast turkey and L the biggest ever cheese pie, a Lancashire delicacy. We left the Cairns household at 3pm to set off for Scotland, trying to stay ahead of the huge winds forecast for Sunday night. Much rain on the motorways. Strathclyde park CAMC campsite is enormous and sophisticated; we'd paid already so the ANPR let us in, then after selecting a pitch we responded to a text with the numbe...

We're off to Scotland via the North West. Sadly not to Kirkcaldy, as Felix died rather suddenly three weeks ago. Instead we have two days to spend with Lesley's friends and relations. Yesterday we landed at K & Pete's after a nasty Friday on the M6. Lovely time at no. 38. This morning an easy journey to Preston to see Bernard & Doreen on their 69th Wedding Anniversary - in their 90s and still sharp as tacks. Lunch with Bridgeen at the marina cafe aka the Beach Hut. The usual good catchup and gossip for L. We bagged the best sheltered spot at the campsite at Bryar's Farm where a huge hedge would break the strong wind and rainstorms, putting our little sign up.  A cup of tea was had at Mary Wilson's new house in Wharton. A break in the rain saw us at Mary's grave, with such fond remembrances. A drive along the front past Fairhaven and Granny's Bay took us back to Lytham for a splendid fish supper at Whelan's - the pensioner's special never chan...

Have really enjoyed using one site as a Base for 4 days. Its worked well. To Wyke Regis this morning via the pretty Osmington route. Spent 2 hours with Ellen & Bill who I hadn't seen for over 50 years. Mum had written faithfully every Christmas. We shared many happy memories, it was quite special. They had a pic from 1968 in bar of boat they worked for 2 years in Pacific. Chesil beach car park for sandwich lunch in our mobile beach hut. Dorchester to meet up with Beth, a poet friend of L's. Easy drive home, unpacked and drained the van, all in time for dinner.

Woke up to clear skies. Whole day turned out much better than forecast. Got to Studland before 10, straight in for swim for 15 mins, 15 min walk in sunshine then another swim for 10 mins. N swims with one arm, trying to rest the shoulder which is tweaked. Elevenses courtesy NT cafe. Cheekily set up chairs on raised front of hut 259, no huts were open, and wrestled with Guardian crossword. Lunch made in van with roof up and door open - our own mobile beach hut. Clouded up by now, we swam at right time. Walk to Little Sea, past 5 fledgling swallows sitting on a rope not worried by us a few feet away just looking for their parents who were delivering food. Bird hide for 15 mins, only saw a crested grebe catching fish. New walk into beaver country but no sign of them, just a carving. Did see butterflies. Came out by entrance, had ice creams while watching the RNLI practice MOB recovery in the bay. Totally different beach and bay compared to Friday - comparatively empty which is lovely....