A light hearted and (I hope) amusing record of some of our Campervan Trips.
It is mainly intended to inform friends and family where we are, plus, to keep our children updated on what is happening to their inheritance.
I do try to include details of Camp Sites and Aires, we visit. Checkout the "labels" listed in the right margin,
Please comment if you feel inclined, at least then I know I am not talking to myself (again).
Tuesday, 22nd August 2017 Cloudy with sun today, remarkably warm at 22C.
After yesterday's strenuous bicycle ride, I am not allowed to choose the route for today's bicycle outing. Kathleen selects a trip to Galashiels, ten miles round trip, much more civilised, mostly along this very pleasant and well organised cycle track. For much of the way, it runs alongside a railway line, so, no steep gradients!. Galashiels is a bigger place than Melrose, with at least two large supermarkets. Not as pleasant as Melrose however, with all of the signs of being "in decline", ie, a surplus of Charity Shops. Wednesday, 23rd August 2017. True Scottish weather this morning, pouring with rain! By lunch time, the rain has stopped, and, the sun emerges, between the clouds, occasionally. An appetite building three mile stroll along the banks of the River Tweed, followed by a very pleasant lunch at the Kings Arms Hotel, followed by an afternoon of sitting in the sun. Thursday, 24th August 2017
Mild and sunny this morning. Going to be a nice day, according to the weather forecast, typical, the day we are leaving. A leisurely packing exercise, beforethe drive home. Enroute, Kathleen receives the telephone call she has been eagerly awaiting, to say that Grand-daughter, Mollie, has excelled herself with her GCSE results, only the "A" levels and Degree to worry about now!
The best plans of mice and men, and all that, anticipating heavy traffic on Western Bypass, Gateshead, around Metro Centre, we go via Tyne Tunnel, only to find the Newcastle Central Motorway (A167M), is closed northbound, with a convoluted diversion through 20mph speed bump littered streets in place! Once clear of Newcastle and diversions, a scenic and traffic free drive mostly along the A68, to arrive after the inevitable rush of new arrivals, so, it is not all bad news.
The weather is pleasant, if not "full summer", time for a leisurely lunch, and an exploratory stroll around Melrose.
Melrose Gibson Park Club Site (N55 35'51" W2 43'26"), is a Caravan Club Site, or, to give the Club it's new name, the Caravan and Motorhome Club) and is typically clean, tidy and well run. Less than 5 minutes stroll brings you to a Coop Supermarket, and/or into the town, with a selection of Cafes, Shops, plus the ruins of Melrose Abbey. Melrose Abbey founded in 1136 met it's demise in 1560 (Henry viii strikes again), and, is supposedly the final resting place of Robert the Bruce's heart.
Monday, 21st August 2017 Although the weather forecast says it is going to rain, the reality, at the moment at least, is sunshine and only a very light wind. I select a cycle ride from the Scottish Tourist Office recommendations.
Not entirely a success, nothing wrong with the ride, only that I fear it is meant for people thirty years younger than Kathleen and I, with mountain bikes. The first two or three miles are fine, quiet "B" road, good surface, reasonably flat. Then comes two miles of "off road", path, up a steep hill, heavy going walking, even heavier walking and pushing a bicycle, I am not popular.
A two mile long slog uphill from Newton St Boswell, not steep, but, it does go on and on, brings us to Bowden, for a well deserved rest. We don't know it yet of course, but, we have are to have a nice coast downhill, to be followed by another long slow climb towards Melrose. At least the final stretch is downhill, into the valley, but, this does not mean that Kathleen has forgotten the five uphill miles! I am not sure I will be trusted to choose any
more routes, this trip, if ever again.
Refreshed by a light lunch, we stroll for another three miles around Melrose.
