Menombling; Then It Was Wednesday

When I awoke on Wednesday morning on that Moffat week, I was aware of a dry, gruff throat. Nothing more than that, then. I put it down to exhaustion from the previous day's fantastic adventure and just upped my fluid intake. We were off on another drive, this time to Sanquhar, where Aitch could gather more caches and I would spend time with fellow blogger "GZ" of the blog "Ook?" - our first 'in flesh' meet up. (That link takes you to her post/report about the day.)

The oldest operational Post Office in the world. Operational since 1712.

The drive was pleasant, going once again through Leadhills and Wanlockhead and collecting a few caches as we went. I parked Grey by the charger and left him to guzzle power, while we went down to A' The Airts to meet Gwynneth and have lunch. Proper home-cooked yumminess. After this, Aitch went off on her searches and G and I wandered the main street enjoying all the door furniture and info plaques as we walked, learning a little more about each other. We went to the Tollbooth, which houses the museum, small but delightfully formed - and manned by a most personable young fellow called David, whose accent intrigued me. I narrowed it down pretty closely, but not exactly - he hailed from Transylvania! 

Sanquhar, apart from it's amazing PO, is perhaps most famous for a very particular knitting style. There was a lovely quilt hanging in the museum that showed much of what Sanquhar is about, but the edging reflected all the different patterns of this style...

Down below...

We then returned to A' The Airts for an afternoon cuppa and to reconnect with Aitch, who'd been having her own fun. I admit that at this point, a headache had begun to make itself felt, but again, I upped fluids and put it down to the sudden onset of heat we'd experienced, as well as all the extra activity.

We said our farewell to Gwynneth, did a quick grocery shop, then back to Grey and around to the cemetery, this time in search of some headstones that might fit into Aitch's genealogical research... a couple of interesting stones, though not immediately obvious as being directly in her line. But a peaceful and beautiful place to visit, so we had a cuppa in Grey and watched a sheep in the paddock beside us go into lamb, (didn't see the result!), before heading off back to the caravan. 

By the time we were back, I could feel the full headache, and what I feared may be the onset of fever. During the night that proved to be the case - there were some wild half-dreams/delusions! - and I slept right through to Thursday lunchtime. I had not heard Aitch moving about or going out on her own to continue her cacheing. I tried to bring myself together, and with Ibuprofen and hot lime drinks, it did feel like I might improve quickly, but overnight I worsened again. Friday, we had to depart the caravan by 10 am, so despite being really quite groggy, I bid farewell and made my way on to Carnwath, where I knew I could easily hook up for another power charge. Whilst letting Grey do his thing, I could feel myself sliding down into a proper dwalm, and made the decision just to stay there the night... 

TBC on Thursday...

Menootanaboot; Southward Bound

My month back at home base came to an end. September came in with full autumnal force: windy, wet, and plummeting temperatures. Typical, when I was due back on the road! Hey ho. At least there was a pretty bow to send me on my way...

The first part of my road south was to the park up at Sanquhar, which has featured here before. I hadn't intended to stay more than one night, but ended up there for three, because the weather was truly foul and any planned garden visiting was going to be pointless. Thus, the interim places of Dumries and Annan were written off on this trip. From Sanquhar, I went directly down to Carlisle.

I had found a charging point that was in a nature reserve, so could combine The Grey's feed with my spending time in nature. Gosling Sike is under the care of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. I had a lovely chat with the manager of the centre, who told me a little of the farming background of the place, and how the trust had returned the sike (stream) to its original course and wetland nature, by making five new ponds and planting all relevant water plants. Immediately adjacent to the fairly new centre building is the garden and orchard. One can then walk through the grazing field, where the sheep are, and on into the wetlands area. It is possible to continue walking all the way through to Tarraby Woods, to the lane and back by the main road to complete a circuit. (See the yellow line I've drawn as a rough indication.) Had I more time, I'd have done that... worth another trip! As it was, I managed to spend the two hours while the van sucked juice, enjoying the garden, the sheep and the wetland walk. The weather here, although overcast, was very pleasant, thank goodness. The electricity was cheap, too... 

I took lots of photos of the abundant autumn fruits in the garden and hedgerows... they will be shared tomorrow for Nature Friday! I managed to get one, and one only, photo of this Small Copper. Lycaena phlaeas. Very distant, but I was grateful to have captured it at all, given it's the only one I've seen all season.

I didn't take any of the wetland, as it was all bullrushes and not much else was happening at the time of day I was there. 

It was the perfect break after what had been the best part of a two-hour drive - more than my usual run - and that I still had an hour of driving to do before getting parked for the night. Getting through Carlisle after school hours was tiresome, but couldn't be avoided without a major long loop. Along the A66, I pulled off near Troutbeck Inn, where there was a bit of wasteland. Not attractive, but serviceable for an overnight. 

That was me officially in The Lake District at last, south of the border (SotB label created). Why was I here and not wandering the Bonny Land as usual? Well, because I was on my way to visit my dear wee nephdog, Nobby, of course!!! We'll get to that visit in a couple of weeks, but first, I have to share what I did during the day before I got to his place.

However, if you are a little impatient (and I don't blame you!), you can read Nobby's latest (and last) post over at his blog today. He has some news...

Menonday...Yes, Really, A Me-Non-Day

Having departed the rather heavenly stop at Sanquhar, I moved fifty miles further north and a tad more west to a little spot by more water. Kilbirnie Loch and Lochshore Park are nestled nicely between the villages of Kilbirnie and Glengarnock. The 'park' is still in development, part of a North Ayrshire Council and Scottish Enterprise initiative aimed at creating a 'destination focus', and they are making a fine fist of getting the place set up. It is already attracting a lot of local walkers and cyclists; there is fishing by permit and watersports (yes, there was some jet ski noise, but only for a short time). The local rugby ground is just behind, and a brand new community building with a cafe, toilets and rentable space for various functions is recently opened. There is some plane noise, being under a flight path from Glasgow, but infrequent. The Glasgow trains are regular but distant enough to not be annoying. Mostly, it is just pure peace.

I did park at the farthest end of the parking track, noting there was a decent amount of fairly level spaces to use. I didn't stop at that higher point, though, as it felt a tad exposed for me. Dropping down just back around the corner and facing the side door to the water felt more comfortable. Let's call it Van-Shui!

I chose this lumpy gravelled spot over the tiled hard-standing over the other side because I felt that the other was a bit sloped, and with a bit of to and fro, I was able to settle The Grey as level as he's been almost this entire trip! However, a couple of large French motorhomes turned up in the evening and didn't need their levellers on that other pitch, so that might have been okay. (And, yes, the make-do fly screen is working grand!)

Ample rubbish bins are provided, and I am pleased to report that I didn't witness any litter, so proper use is being made of them. I slept well again and rose to find the sun well over the loch at 7am. I decided there and then that I would spend the day doing very little other than absorbing the tranquillity. A non-day, if you will. Delaying tactics... for the next part of the trip from here would be back to the Hutch. I did want to see my sticks and bricks home again, to get stuck into what needs doing... but golly, van life is properly taking hold of me by this stop and stop is exactly what I didn't want to do! This month will be about getting the Hutch sorted as much as possible, and The Grey fitted out a bit more (if not totally), and then it will be back on the road for the YAMster!!!

Anyway, I truly revelled in my non-day, enjoying brekky on the step and having a yarn with a lady and her dogs, who was intrigued by (and, I think, a little envious of) my plans. A couple more dog walkers nodded and acknowledged the fine morning that had dawned after the overnight rain. At lunchtime, an older fellow and his wee Cocker Spaniel, Poppy, stopped for a blether; he had been studying the back door and wondered if the "E" before the Transit meant it was electric. Spot on, that man! He'd been watching a programme the night before about electric vehicles and was clearly very interested and wondering if it would suit him. He only needs it for local stuff. My response was to think of a little e-car as a glorified mobility scooter, for he would find driving it much the same! He liked that idea. I may have started something!

I will close with a vid clip from that morning - crank up the sound, and you will hear exactly what I heard... true!

Menonday Magicalisms

Well, today, I want to share an extra-special post.

View from the charger station.

I moved on from Yorkshire, up through Cumbria via Carlisle and on into the Bonny Land once more. I had been thinking of one more stop below the border, but frankly, the charging situation drove it. Below, the best I might get is 59p/kW... up here, it's free to 30p maximum in most places. (There are exceptions - but a separate post will discuss this.) Parking is also free (outside of cities and tourist spots). So no contest.

I opted to drive for the longest stint since the start of the trip, a total of two hours and forty minutes. The new backrest setup has paid off! The town of choice for stopping? Sanquhar. The town carpark had chargers at 25p/kW, and I used the time of 'filling' to take a walk around the main street, going to the wee shop for some fridge items and then... into the chipper for an easy tea! The lady there told me of the flat area down by the River Nith where I could park. The weather was again rather damp, but the spot was ace. One other camper when I drew up, but they moved on before tea time, so I had the place to myself the first night.

I had a marvellous sleep and came to next morning to the sound of a horse being spoken to softly and kindly to 'stand still'. I spotted something colourful out the side window, so I opened the sliding door, offering a hearty "good morning!" to my new neighbours, MC, his horse Midnight, and his dog Roxy.

A true Traveller and a proper gentleman! He readily accepted a cup of tea, and we settled into a comfy conversation directly. Later in the morning, I pulled out the RRD and MC, Roxy, and I set off on a walk that I only discovered when we got back - due to MC having an app that measured - was about 3.7 miles in length. That, too, on some quite challenging pathways. I was well chuffed to have completed it and could never have done so were it not for the new equipment. Also, the fine company and yarn - and the steady silences - shared along the way. 

Back at the park, MC built his fire and made our cuppas while I put a nibble lunch plate together. So the day went on... shared a meal again in the evening with lots of natters and lots of downtime. What marvellous company to share this most delightful and welcoming space ... the number of local folks who stopped by to say hi and chew the cud (and also to bring MC supplies of dry wood and meet the animals) was heartwarming.

Roxy: What's dad doing?
YAM-aunty: Making the chowder sauce for our tea - you've got fish, I've got veges

Roxy: Oh, that's okay then... yup, smells good!

Roxy is a Labrador x Pointer

Come back Thursday to see photos from that walk and to learn a bit more about the local history!