We were up at 3.30am on Saturday to set off from Battle for the Lake District and the campsite we had booked for a couple of nights. Got there around lunchtime after a pretty harmless trip to find the site heaving with Mums, Dads and kids all celebrating the break-up of school for summer hols. Because we never go away when the kids are off, we'd quite forgotten how busy sites can get - factor in the credit crunch/global warming/carbon footprint fear and you get the picture. Finally found a quiet (ish) spot about a mile and a half from the loo block, but right on the shores of Ullswater. Walked into Pooley Bridge, the nearest village, for a very disappointing tea and then hired a rowing boat to head out onto the water. Whilst out, we were buzzed by a low-flying Dakota - what it was doing I don't know, but very impressive nonetheless.
Next morning, awoke to the sound of heavy rain on the camper roof, so decided (J's brainwave) to head on for Scotland a day early. Great idea as it happened, cos we were soon in sun again, and sitting on Findhorn Sands just outside Forres, the town where our friends were to be married on the following Wednesday.
The campste was lovely, less full than Ullswater and perfect for the dog, who spent all afternoon chasing rabbits in the dunes. The beach was amazing and had the finest pebbles I'd seen anywhere but Porlock in Devon.
We relaxed, read, drank tequilla and wine, pulled ticks off the dog, walked, drank coffee and generally had a great time. Watched Nimrods flying out of Kinloss and Jaguars and Harriers (?) from Lossiemouth.
The wedding was real fun, starting with the ceremony in the gardens of the Ramnee, a hotel, and then moving inside, to the bar obviously - short & sweet speaches, a nice meal and much whisky and we were into the Scottish dancing - Gay Gordons & Stripping the Willow. Much chatting to Malcolm & Katie's family & friends, especially Colin & Caroline and their daughter Harmony.
Colin is a drummer but in the Middle Eastern style, and Caroline is a belly dance teacher. Harmony plays bass. Sloped off a bit early but wanted to get back to the site before gates were shut etc.
Another couple of days at the site getting over hangovers and the obligatory midge bites and then had to return, via our friends Claudia & Ken who have just moved to the Borders just outside Peebles, right on the banks of the Tweed. In one day, we saw a seal in the sea waving us goodbye, pipistrelle bats flying around their chimney and an osprey take a fish from the river.
After a nice evening meal and a good breakfast, set off for our favourite camping spot in St Ives just outside Cambridge for 2 nights r&r before back to work this morning. All in all, a fine trip.
The campste was lovely, less full than Ullswater and perfect for the dog, who spent all afternoon chasing rabbits in the dunes. The beach was amazing and had the finest pebbles I'd seen anywhere but Porlock in Devon.
We relaxed, read, drank tequilla and wine, pulled ticks off the dog, walked, drank coffee and generally had a great time. Watched Nimrods flying out of Kinloss and Jaguars and Harriers (?) from Lossiemouth.
The wedding was real fun, starting with the ceremony in the gardens of the Ramnee, a hotel, and then moving inside, to the bar obviously - short & sweet speaches, a nice meal and much whisky and we were into the Scottish dancing - Gay Gordons & Stripping the Willow. Much chatting to Malcolm & Katie's family & friends, especially Colin & Caroline and their daughter Harmony.
Colin is a drummer but in the Middle Eastern style, and Caroline is a belly dance teacher. Harmony plays bass. Sloped off a bit early but wanted to get back to the site before gates were shut etc.
Another couple of days at the site getting over hangovers and the obligatory midge bites and then had to return, via our friends Claudia & Ken who have just moved to the Borders just outside Peebles, right on the banks of the Tweed. In one day, we saw a seal in the sea waving us goodbye, pipistrelle bats flying around their chimney and an osprey take a fish from the river.
After a nice evening meal and a good breakfast, set off for our favourite camping spot in St Ives just outside Cambridge for 2 nights r&r before back to work this morning. All in all, a fine trip.
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