Travel – Page 92 – Life is a Journey

UK – Day 25 – Stirling

Posted on July 15, 2010October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

For the first time on holidays we woke to a wet, rainy and cold day.

We had an easy morning (Christy got a much needed sleep in) and Dad & Amy arrived back just after 8.30am. We had a cup of tea and comtemplated todays plans. We decided with the rain expecting to ease to go do our grocery shop and hope it would ease up. We drove to a nearby Tesco and did shop which included 5-6 dinners – so that will keep us going for a while. We then drove back to the motorhome and unpacked before heading out to the Wallace Monument.

We caught the bus up the hill (much easier than last time when we walked!!! ) to try and avoid the rain…

and arrived just in time to hear a talk all about William Wallace and the battles fought in the area. The guy was great and we enjoyed this, in spite of it being rainy and cold.

We then started to walk up inside the monument. I wasn’t really sure about the enclosed staircase but there light coming through so I made it the first part. This is where Wallace’s sword is (and as far as I got the last time).

Kevin was keen for me to go up further so I gave it go and it was fine because there was light and fresh air coming in. So we all made ALL the way to the top – up over 200 steps. It was well worth the effort as the view was incredible – even on a day like today. But boy was it cold and windy.

We headed back down the staircase – there is really only room for one so passing is very difficult. But going down was a lot easier than going up :-).We then walked back down the hill and went to have lunch at the cafe. We all had toasted sandwiches.

Then we drove over to Stirling Castle.

We arrived just in time to catch a tour that had just started. This was great (once Christy got over her annoyance that we didn’t do an audio tour). The guide was really great – one of the best we’ve had – and it was very informative.

After our tour we explored a little more on our own and headed back to the motorhome around 4pm. We had some afternoon tea and Christy went off to play at the park. Amy made up this awesome platter for us to share.

We spent the rest of afternoon chatting and I got some more washing done (most of it done by Kevin !!). We had dinner about 6.30pm. My prepacked mac ‘n’ cheese was really GOOD! I’d say almost better than what I make at home :-).

Dad & Amy left around 7.30pm and we settled in the for night. It had started to rain steadily again but we were so pleased to have missed the rain this afternoon

Day 24 – Scotland at last

Posted on July 14, 2010October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

We had a bit of a slower paced morning, which began with Yorkshire tea and butter cookies.

In spite of a forecast of rain we woke up to beautiful blue skies.

We were going to go on a short nature walk but it was rather muddly and wet so decided not to both. We visited to caravan park hoping to buy some fresh bread but it hadn’t been delivered yet.

So Amy and I had a wrap to eat in the van. Kevin & Christy had already eaten. Shortly after Christy fell asleep.

After leaving the Lake District behind we entered the different countryside of Hadrian’s Wall.

Evenutally we arrive at Vindolanda.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect here but it was really fascinating. We were able to talk to real archeologists – there were so many working away on the site. It’s not expected that they’ll be finished with the excavations here for another 200 years!!!

It’s also where they found many old Roman tablets – which are no considered to be Britain’s greatest treasure.

Look closely and you can just see Christy at the top left hand side…

After going through the museum we stopped for morning tea and then headed back to the van. We could have spent more time here but were hoping to arrive in Stirling at 4pm to meet up with my Dad. Next we drove to the Roman Army Museum – which is a joint project. We watched a short film about Hadrian’s wall and saw more artifacts. It was not what I was expecting so I’m glad we went to Vindolanda first.

We drove on to and into Scotland.

Stopping shortly afterwards at the Old Blacksmith in Gretna Green.

First up was some lunch..

We then went through the museum where we learnt all about why people came here from England to get married.

We couldn’t believe how quickly the landscaped had changed when we drove in Scotland.

and we had a good laugh at the excessive use of traffic cones… some were even touching they were so close.

Just after 4pm we finally made it to Witches Craig Caravan Park where we’ll be staying for the next 3 nights.

I made up a cheese platter (using our Wensleydale cheeses) and we waited for my Dad to arrive. He arrived in Scotland 5 days ago and has been visiting relatives (he was born in Scotland) and doing some sightseeing around Glasgow.

Not too bad a spot to sit and relax is it?

Finally Dad arrived just on 5pm. The girls and I were very excited to see him. But it will be strange not having my Mum as well (she doesn’t like to fly so a 24 hour flight is out of the question). HI MUM!!! WE MISS YOU!

We chatted and caught up with one anothers adventures over the cheese platter. And around 7pm headed out in search of dinner. This turned into a bit of an ordeal but eventually we found a Little Chef. It was way on the other side of Stirling but it was quick and the food was good.

Like last time I had the tomato soup. Kevin joined me tonight.

Another ordeal getting home with road works and getting slightly lost on the back streets. We got the Wallace Monument that we are visiting tomorrow up close.

Eventually we made it back and Amy packed her stuff as she is sharing Poppy’s hotel room tonight. Christy and Kevin headed to bed and I typed up todays post.

Day 23 – Yorkshire Dales & Lake District

Posted on July 13, 2010October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

We set off this morning at 8am after having the wake up both the girls. One day we’ll manage to get a sleep in – maybe! We stopped for breakfast but there wasn’t much to choose from so we just grabbed something quick and ate in the car. The landscape through the Yorkshire Dales is just spectacular – green hills, stone walls and lots of sheep.

Christy was a bit car sick with all the bends so I let her sit in the front while I sat in the back.

Our first stop today was Wensleydale Creamery.

first introduced to us by Wallace & Gromit.

After watching a film and walking through the museum we sampled some cheeses – oh, my, gosh, so yummy! We bought 3 different types. The original with pineapple was our favourite.

More driving with an occassional photographic stop.

I wonder if these were the cows that helped make our cheese?

We drove on the Lake District and to Windermere. We found a place to park the car and caught the little train to the water.

Winderemere was as lovely as I remember and a lot dryer.

We walked into the town to the World of Beatrix Potter.

First up was lunch in the tea rooms.

Christy had toast soldiers and I had the kids potatoe with baked beans (don’t you love my bowl :-))

We then saw a movie about Beatrix Potters books and walked through the exhibits.

On the way back the train spot we bought some ice creams, and sat and ate them buy the water.

We managed to spot another Golden.

Then it was back on the train and back in the motorhome, where we caught the car ferry across Lake Windermere. This was esp. fun as before our trip we had been watching it live on the webcam.

We then continued driving, through some very narrow windy roads and on to Grasmere.

Our mission – the famous Grasmere Gingerbread. Luckily I had read about parking difficulties and that there was garden center you could park at. We made sure to buy something from the gift shop – which wasn’t hard as there was loads I could have bought. Such a beautiful town.

We eventually found the Gingerbread shop and the gingerbread was yummy. We decided to just buy a few bars but after we ate a more later already wished we had bought more :-).

Then it was on to our final destination – Castlerigg Caravan Park near Keswick. We got checked and on to site. Best location yet!

Check out the view. We’ve been so lucky with the weather. Today was forecast scattered showers but we really didn’t get much of anything.

After got settled Kevin & I enjoyed some tea and gingerbread while taking in the view.

Kevin and Christy both spotted a Goldie in the park. I only saw the photo :-).

There are also lots of bunnies hopping around.

People who live the UK are just so spoiled when it comes to holiday spots – they have so many beautiful places to choose from and many right on their doorsteps. While we lots of beautiful places in Australia they are all so far from home. Unless you want a beach holiday you’re a bit limited where we live.

It’s been a long day – with way more driving than indicted by google maps :-(. We’re going to try and a “take it easy” morning before hitting the road and driving to Scotland (and to met up with my Dad).

We had a nice dinner sitting outside – taking full advantage of our view and plan an early night (at least for the girls). They’ve been fighting quite a lot today and I’m thinking it’s because they are overtired. We have 3 nights in Stirling coming up which will be a nice break from being on the go every day.

Day 23 – York

Posted on July 12, 2010October 12, 2026 by Libby Withnall

We had an early start this morning and we were on the road at 7am. Thankfully it was Sunday morning which meant we had little traffic as we drove through Sheffield. I was surprised to find we drove right past Leeds where two of my fav. bloggers live (Hi Heather and Rachel!).It’s a much bigger city than I thought it was.

We stopped a short while later for breakfast. I had Mex-bean wrap from M&S which was very yummy.

We eventually got Stockton Lane, York only to discover it was not the right one and we had to drive to other side of York!!! 30mins later we did arrive at the York Caravan Park. One thing we’ve realized is that postcodes are way more important than street addresses over here.

We dropped off the motorhome and went to catch into York. Unfortunately we had to wait 40mins for it to arrive (being Sunday).

We missed our booked time at Digg but it was quiet so not a problem.

The girls loved it here. They got to dig up artifacts (like the ones really found in York) and our guide told us all about them. It was very interesting and informative. We spent around an hour here and then went to find a pub so we could have what else but Yorkshire Pudding! We found this very cute place which dates from the early 1500s. No foundations so the floors are very wonky.

I ordered the Nut Roast which was so yummy.We were glad we ordered the childs size as it was huge enough!

We then headed to the Jorvik Viking Center. This is pretty good (but not the best attraction we’ve been to). We definitely got more out of it having been to DIGG first. A highlight was the girls getting their very own pressed keepsake coin.

We then went to track down the open top bus and hopped on to do a tour of the city. Such a great way to see the sights, learn about the city and have a rest at the same time.

I also spotted a Golden!

We hopped off near the Shambles and went off for an explore and do a little shopping.

I got excited when I saw a Disney Store as we don’t have them in Australia any more. Sadly I discovered my girls are almost past the Disney toy age but Christy did buy this set of Club Penguin figurines.

We then caught a taxi back to the van park – after finding out we’d have to wait 50mins for the bus. It was great decision as it was so much faster and only cost 10 GBP as opposed to 5GBP.

Back on the park we got the motorhome set up and Christy got to work playing with her new figurines. I got started on blogs for the last few days, showered and made friends with a Goldie called Poppy who is staying in the park.

Tonight’s dinner used up things we’d bought that were about to go off. This cous cous salad was delicious. I’ll say it again – they have THE best food in Britain!

I worked on my blogs some more and am about to post today – so I am FINALLY all caught up! Then I’m going to read for a bit before hopefully having a relatively early night. I’m finding I’m just not tired with it being so light so late.