A very long trip yesterday from Ullapool to cousin Gillians in Beverley (near York). Really rather too long, especially as we did exactly what we didnt want to do - drive into the middle of Glasgow. We had the route all worked out - simple really! but because of massive road works, lots of off ramps blocked off etc. we sailed past the turn off to Carlisle and ended up in Glasgow. We took the first of ramp that we could find and ended up in a wide shopping street and pulled into a bus stop. Had a quick look at the map and had absolutely no idea where we were, let alone which direction we were facing. We pulled into a side street and were about to do a U turn, when another car in front of us did the same thing. We jokingly said - oh they must have done the same thing as us and proceeded to follow them all the way back to the motorway and onto the correct route. Later on we felt in need of a comfort stop and who should pull in beside us but the same car. We all chatted over a cup of coffee which was a nice little interlude during a fairly stressful morning.
The rest of the trip was uneventful, but very tiring and long, apart from when we arrived in Beverley and the map wasnt quite what it was supposed to be and we ended up in a fish and chip shop asking directions. Eventrually got here and had a very warm welcome, a very welcome shower and did our mountain of washing before enjoying our first home cooked meal for a while - lots of vegetables - yum.
Today we are going on a tour of the local area with Gillian and David. We will be driving our car as David has just had a hip replacement, and although he has the all clear from the Dr hasnt driven yet.
Tomorrow we hope to go to york - just under an hour away, and maybe catch up with Jan and Kevin - I think they will be there by then.
No photos to upload today as I am using David's computer as they dont have wireless. Will try and figure it out later.
Great to get your comments folks, keep them coming.
Diane and Robert, the Briish weather is still just as fickle as when you lived here. We have had two heat waves so far, cold wet weather, fog in Scotland, dull days etc. We keep having to remind the locals that we havent come for the weather!!
Mike, the Gaelic language was very evident in the North and almost as unfathomable as the Welsh (or Greek). Even those supposedly speaking English were almost impossible to understand at times. We loved our trip to the far north - quite spectacular. Orkney was quite different to what we expected - almost a mild climate due to the Gulf stream, and very agricultural. Ullapool was a lovely town, would have liked to have stayed longer.
Claire, so sorry to hear that David has been unwell while you are on your holidays. What a shame. I hope he is feeling better now - All for now, love to you all and keep those messages coming.