UK 1 Southern England and into Scotland
Saturday, 1 September 2018 7:14 am
Our first night camp is at Bonnydoon Airstrip and Yes named after the Australian film “The Castle”.
Arrived into the UK a couple of days ago and met by great friends Bryan and Leigh who have been looking after our truck. The vehicle is now serviced, cleaned and as always i did a couple of the necessary repairs.
Bryan has only recently purchased this little flying beauty and by pure good fortune has been granted sole access to this private airstrip and hanger.
The aircraft was just picked up and flown in this afternoon. Thus it was a welcome BBQ for all, and our first camp on site.
Camp E1: Bonnydoon Airfield
Cost: Nil
Altitude: 106 metres
Today : 19 Kms.
UK Total : 270 Kms
Vehicle Odometer : 203,705 Kms made up of
Africa 2016-2018 : 56,152 Kms
Australia 2015: 14,780 Kms
Nth, Cent & Sth America 2011-2014 : 102,727 Kms
Malaysia to Vladivostok 2010 : 23,276 Kms
Australia 2010 : 6,500 Kms of testing.
Saturday/Sunday/Monday 1st /2nd/3rd September 2018
Took a drive up to Manchester to drop in on Lyn’s niece.
Lunch stop was in Robin Hood county and the Sherwood Forest
Camp E2: Sandra and Shaun’s place
Cost: Nil
Altitude: 96 metres
Today : 378 Kms.
UK Total : 630 Kms
Sunday afternoon it was on to another UK contact with Alan and Samantha who had purchased wheels and other Fuso accessories from us.
It was a great evening sharing travel experiences over a bottle of wine..
Camp E3: Alan & Samantha’s place
Monday 3rd:
Next morning loaded up the 6 tyres that I had previously sent over from OZ.
2 things to achieve today.:
Get the engine warning light that has been on for the last 6 months sorted and the new tyres fitted.
Mercedes in Leeds was the first stop and although they seemed confident, after 3 hours of waiting they had to admit defeat ! Although they charged nothing I would really have preferred to pay for the light to go away !
The tyres took for ever to fit and balance. Even with me unbolting and refitting it was over 5 hours...must have been a work slow day ! In any case they did perform well on the highway and were balanced even though they only had a car balancing machine for the truck wheels.
At 5.30 pm we are finally ready to start our holiday.
NORTH is where we are heading and the A1/M1 motorway is the quickest route out of town.
Finally we feel it is all happening.
Tonights stop is a off the A1/M1 on a side road and the Lamb Pub.
But no lamb on the dinned menu !
Camp E4: Lamb Pub
Cost: Nil - Just buy dinner
Altitude: 96 metres
Today : 187 Kms.
UK Total : 817 Kms
Tuesday 4th September.
Found our very own Pub and just up the road was the Bolton Castle !
Lots of quaint houses as we pass through Yorkshire and then into the Lakes District.
With distant memories of Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter they were revived with a visit to the Beatrix Potter Attraction in Windermere.
With some earlier research I did discover a good dotted line through the Lakes District and over the Wrynose and Hardknott Pass.
Lyn was quite concerned as the sign at the start stated STEEP Grades, Narrow Roads etc etc. WARNING width 6’6” we are 6’ 9”...that'll be OK ! So off we go !
Almost to the top of the pass we find a small hole in which to camp.
Camp E5: Wrynose Pass camp
Cost: Nil
Altitude: 325 metres
Today : 179 Kms.
UK Total : 996 Kms
Wednesday 5th September 2018
Our early morning walk took us ‘almost’ to the top of the western side of the pass. Enough to see the valley stretching out in front and the Bay beyond.
The road over the two passes was built by the Romans in AD100 !
The pass is described as “The most challenging road in Britain”
Must be why I wanted to drive it !
Sharp hairpin bends and little visibility around them make for an interesting drive.
Thoroughly recommend it !
Down at the coast some even older items to see.
Viking and Saxon Crosses just outside the town on Beckermet.
There are so many castle to see so we have elected just the most photographic or the most historical ones.
Hermitage Castle falls into both categories:
Sinister and Atmospheric.
Built 1240, and was known as the “Bloodiest Valley in Britain”
Prisoners have been boiled to death, wrapped in a lead shroud and cooked, and starved to death in towers.
Camp E6: Wauchope Forest Camp
Cost: Nil
Altitude: 382metres
Today : 189 Kms.
UK Total : 1182 Kms
Tomorrow into the big city of Edinburgh !