Today is Day One of our latest adventure. We’re off to Scotland once more, to see some new places and to re-visit some old favourites. As with last year, we are breaking our journey with a stay at the Camping & Caravan Club site at Troutbeck near Keswick.
Unlike last year, however, we are driving north in the pouring rain.
The day started badly when we heard that the A21 was closed and so we had to drive to Tonbridge via the A26. An hour later (20 mins at the most normally) and after taking a detour, we made landfall in Tonbridge to drop something off with our daughter, Sally, Apparently there had been a nasty accident on the A21 so the decision was made to take the “country route” towards the M25. There was congestion at Dartford Crossing too (another accident) so we decided to go clockwise for a change, eventually turning onto the M40 and heading towards Birmingham. This proved an excellent choice and we drove along the beautifully quiet M6 toll road as we neared Brum. Well worth the £11.
We had decided to stop at the Stafford motorway services again but, unfortunately, the weather was against sitting by the lake with a sandwich and watching the ducks. This time it was a visit to Burger King and a Whopper with Fries! Odd how comforting food like this can be – especially when it’s a rare treat.
Feeling happy and full up we entered the M6 again but were soon drawn up short by what looked like an enormous tail-back. We crawled for what felt like hours at a maximum of 20mph. I phoned the campsite – 6pm arrival was looking more like 8pm!
Leaving the outskirts of Manchester behind us, the traffic finally thinned out and we were able to get up some speed again, although by this time it was raining cats and dogs and the road was just one slippery squishy river. The forecast had not looked good and the reality looked worse.
However, just before 7.30pm we finally drove in through the welcoming gates of Troutbeck and were greeted by a very cheery lady – Amanda. We had a choice of three spots and chose this one beside the babbling brook.
And it’s stopped raining!
Adventures with Bessie & Madge 
What a horrible day to be driving such a long distance. Glad you got there safe and sound. Day one and already a food reference! Your “spot” next to the babbling brook looks lovely but haven’t you had enough of water for one day?
LikeLike
I was hoping you’d be the first Sean! Yes, disgusting driving conditions and hope it’s not a bad sign that we’re in for more of the same. I have a horrible feeling we are though. It seems to be nationwide at the moment. Can’t tell you how much we enjoyed the Whopper & chips!
LikeLike
Hopefully you woke to blue skies this morning like darn sarf. Have you got a hard/fast itinerary or are you just seeing what happens this week?
LikeLike
You must be joking! Dad (and to a certain extent me) doesn’t do seeing what happens. 🙂 No, we’re here for three nights altogether and then we drive up the Ayrshire coast and stop for one night near Ayr. We’re just about to sally forth because it hasn’t rained for a while now and the sun is trying to come out. Done a watercolour while I waited! xx
LikeLike
Looks like absolutely lovely driving conditions. Hope you have a great time while your there.
LikeLike
We are Guy!
LikeLike