We made use of a rainy morning by planning some future stops and actually going as far booking campsites in advance. We did this because we need to know where we are going but also because we noticed some of the campsites are still getting booked up especially the smaller ones. So we have a plan which takes us up until 20th September.
We woke to rain, actually if I am honest the wind kept me awake I was worried about the rotary clothes line as I thought it may blow away and it was on my mind most of the night. Still I woke to rain at 7am and I did my duty and took the dogs out. I put my goretex coat on and it seemed alright but part way through the walk the rain started to hammer down and soaked we got.
After a busy morning of a run and pilates for me and a cycle for Tim we went out for a walk to Kippford. The skies looked moody the whole time but the rain stayed away and we sat outside in short sleeves and had a couple of pints at the Anchor. It wasn’t until we got back to the van that the heavens opened and the torrential rain started.
Today was very significant, yes it rained and I had to wear a coat but actually we reached 24 nights. This is (we believe) our longest ever camping trip /trip together ever. We have done 23 nights which we think was America but no longer so it was a celebration hence the prosecco this evening!
Who doesn’t like walking along a ragged coast line, going up and over the cliffs and looking down at small coves. There was a slight breeze in places and the sun was shining at times and in fact it felt warm. We had a lovely walk it was undulating and the dogs were mostly running free. It was just 7.25km and 2 hours walking and we rewarded with an ice cream at that end before deciding to catch the bus back!
Today is moving day and it’s significant too. Firstly today marks the day of my official retirement having just used my annual leave. Secondly, the first three weeks were booked and we had a plan we are now going by the seat of our pants. We have no plan, no schedule and no time constraints.
So today we headed to Scotland via the M6, crossing the border at Gretna Green. Our campsite was called Castle Point and situated in Dumfries and Galloway in a village called Rockcliffe. Our pitch was up high over looking the bay and Rough Island. We were blessed with sunshine throughout the afternoon and evening and it was warm at 22c. As moving days go it was actually pretty good!
Oops sorry I meant Hadrian’s wall (that’s one for our fellow Dover Darlings).
Today we caught the 681 bus from Park Village through Haltwhistle to Greenhead something Mabel certainly was keen on. This was probably due to us sitting at the back of a very bumpy bus! Upon arrival at Greenhead we decided to check out the local tea room and treat ourselves to a latte and biscoff biscuit and raspberry and white chocolate cake. At £11 it cost me more than 2 pints of beer and peanuts, mini cheddars and scratchings.
We set off at about 11.30am and our first step into history was Thirwell Castle.
We did a 17.1km walk back to the campsite and was afforded some amazing views along the Hadrians Wall. It was nothing more than spectacular. We arrived back at the campsite some 5 hours later having had a pint of Mr Moretti.
It was one of them days when your walk goes horribly wrong (cows in the field) and then turns out massively good. We came across Lambley Viaduct which closed in 1976 and what a magnificent structure it is. We were rewarded with a couple of pints in the Wallace Arms “Pennine Pale”.
It was my turn for a bike ride, so I went to Strava and looked for routes c50km and chose one. And wow it took me out via Haltwhistle and then I followed the bike route. The highlight was getting up and close to Hadrian’s Wall. Such a lovely ride.
We finally got to have a swim, ok it wasnt for long but it was a swim none the less. I found a little spot on the South Tyne River on my run and checked out wild swimming website and the spot was mentioned. The water was brown and murky but it was warm at 18’c and it felt really nice just to dip and Mabel joined us too. We had about 15 minutes before calling it a day.
Tim planned a lovely little route round and about to Haltwhistle so he could pick up a pint of milk! All started well and then we hit a cow field, we plucked up the courage and started walking across the field when the cows jumped up (literally) and started to walk and then run towards us. There was nothing for it but to run back from where we came. This meant finding a different way around the field. So over the barbed wire fence into the dense wood, through fallen trees, bracken and ferns and down a ravine. Eventually we came out at a bridleway and we could start to laugh about it!
Yesterday we did a small walk around the quarry as we wanted to rest Finley up. Bearing on mind Tim always does the map reading and has the compass and generally does a good job HOWEVER without those two pieces of equipment he literally has no idea of where he is, where he came from let alone remember the names of places. So when we met a couple on walk and we talked about where we had walked to yesterday Tim said north and pointed and the man said that’s south. He then said we walked via the little village nineacres and the man replied I think you mean longashes 🤣! The man then looked at Tim in the eye and said “I wouldn’t send you our for a can of peas”!
Today was travel day and Tim put in the sat nav where we were heading Haltwhistle and then has spent all day saying Hasselwait!!! I rest my case.
GoughAdventures 