Menootanaboot; The Top End

Well, for this trip - Scotland goes on quite a bit further, and one day, I'll share that with you, too. Seconds Trip was only ever going as far as Alness, though. Having departed Macduff, I drove right through to Inverness, where I overnighted by the skate park, having a pleasant evening's entertainment watching all the young uns throwing some tricks and turns. When I arrived, it was at least dry and relatively mild. The readings didn't match the 'feels like' though = by a long chalk! 

I awoke on the morning of moving on to the sound of howling winds as if The Grey was being scoured. The app declared "Sandstorm." In Inverness?!!!

...And that 'feels like' figure was nonsense too. The wind could cut slices off one. I drove over to Merkinch so that I could have a view of the Kessock Bridge. 

Jings, crivens, and help ma boab, driving in that wind was the biggest challenge in the van yet. Getting side-swiped by the unpredictable gusts had me gripping the wheel and tensing my shoulders rather too tightly for my usually easy driving style. Only when I crossed the Cromarty Bridge and turned Grey's back end to the blow could I start to relax again. 

Then came the test of reversing Grey, all 6m x 2.3m, through the wee gate at my aunt and uncle's place. It was not so bad in itself, except that the turning availability of their tiny street brought flashbacks to the multipoint turns executed in minute spaces in Fife coastal villages—a lot of rocking back and forth. 

I realise now that I never took any shots of The Grey in his 'holiday place' beside the freshly painted cottage, all white harl and grey trim. Not any grey trim, either. It was as close to The Grey's shade as scarce a spit between them! Yet again, then, he blended with his surroundings. I slept in him and saw to most of my own food so as not to infringe too much on the oldies. I did do a laundry run, which had to be dried inside, because the weather was as it has been. I spent most of each day dotting in and out, sharing time with them both, catching up on all their news and they mine. One morning, I drove over to my cousin's (their son and only child) place and his wife's place. They moved from Edinburgh to Alness after the lockdowns ended. Mike is an ex-airforce fighter navigator (Buccaneers) who endured Desert Storm and was invalided out with PTSD, which still affects him badly. A couple of afternoons, they came over to Mary and Ian's for a cuppa and natter. Along with Gabby. (See this post for doggy photos...) 

The oldies were happy to have me prepare some veggie meals for them; Uncle has decided Linda McCartney Lincolnshire Sausages are 'banging'! (He was also inordinately fond of my wholemeal cheese scones cooked in the air fryer.) Aunty asked how I prepared them and the vegetables we ate with the mac'n'cheese, which made a pleasant change from potatoes and peas.

The Sunday morning of my stay came up sunny, though bitey winds still. It allowed me to open Grey's doors and do a bit of 'grooming'. I also wanted Uncle to be engaged with the van; he was a mechanic and truck driver and loves all things vehicle. I had kept a new toy I bought just before the trip, which, although I was sure I knew how, was a useful thing to ask him to supervise and make sure I was doing it right. A tyre pressure guage and pump. It got him out and smiling. Nothing pleases an old fella more than to help a woman out! It got better. While discussing the interior, I inadvertently uttered the words, "What I need is a man with a jigsaw"... "I've got one of those!" and he was off into the workshop to bring out the heavy gear. This was in relation to resetting the central table/workbench, which, if you watched the tour video, you know I have wanted to move. Crikey - this bloke was close to death in hospital a mere two months back...

I was worried he would overdo himself. That wood (as Mac1 and I discovered when hand-sawing off the legs) feels like it has steel in it. But, within half an hour...

Here's the pretty aftershot. You can see that I now have not only full-width corridor space but also full-length workspace on the surface. It has made all the difference in operating van life!

I am properly chuffed with this, and Uncle was so lifted for having put some truly useful work into my build. It gladdened my heart. It also made Aunty smile as she saw her husband spring a little more back into life. They'd really had an awful Dec/Jan. 

Another day, they wanted to take me to the local farm shop. That was dangerous. There were too many yummables! I bought us some rhubarb tarts for pudding that evening (which were beyond delicious), some specialist oatcakes, and some yarn! It's already worked up.

We said hello to the Miniature Donkeys as we left.

The Wednesday before Easter arrived, and it was time for me to set off southward again. Very fond farewells were made, with admonitions of returning much earlier than the three years it has been since the last visit! This will not be hard, as Grey clearly enjoyed his stay, too, taking the chance of a home charge from the elegantly painted garage (I wonder if my trusty steed had aspirations?)

Back on the road, first stop, a return stay in Inverness...