Richmond - touring with George - and onto Scotland

 Tuesday, the 25th August, 1981

We left the camp site by 9:30 a.m. into Richmond to find the darned optician.  Believe it or not he wasn't in again.  Had a stroll round looking at antique shops.  Sandra bought 2 Queen Victoria plates, then back to Brompton on Swale for lunch.  We are delighting in the cheese and pickles at the moment.  Can buy food from all the continent here - French yogurt, Spanish figs, cheeses from everywhere.  George picked us up in his 10-year old Bentley and we drove off into the country towards the sea.  Through flat countryside we went to Newham Grange farm, quite a unique farm as it has rare breeds of farm animals which are in danger of becoming extinct.

 

Touring in George's Bentley 1981

We spent a pleasant two hours strolling round with our pleasant host, then he drove us on to Captain Cook's birthplace at Marton, the museum is the starting point of the Captain Cook Heritage Trail.  It is set in beautiful surroundings - Park and Lake of Stewart Park, Middlesborough close to the site where James Cook was born.  It has won quite a few major awards, and it is well worth a visit.  Very well done and very informative.  As John was going out with George to Rotary we headed for home about 5:30 p.m.

George, Rachelle and Sandra at Captain Cook Museum 1981

Wednesday the 26th August 1981

Another fine and hot day.  We travelled to the Lakes district with George and his nephew Ian.  Left Brompton on Swale about 8:30 a.m.  Sean elected to ride in the Bentley.  Set off on a nice long trip to George's pad in Coniston Lakes about 10 a.m. We stopped at various little pubs on the way.  Apparently this is a ritual, each one had its own beautiful setting.  Had morning tea at Kirkby Stephen - a clean little village.  Then on to Windermere to meet the rest of the party.  As it is still holidays and splendid weather the village was crowded.  It is situated on the lake surrounded by hills.  Very commercialised - lots of hire boats etc.

We continued around the Valley - stone walls lined either side of the road. This time the structural fence and house change.  Grey slate very effective.

A short pause at the Priory Tavern for a drink or two, then on to Skelwith Bridge for a Ploughman’s lunch for seven.  I disgraced the party when the waitress sang out seven Ploughmen’s and I answered in my Aussie twang.

And then through Coniston, to Brown Howe House "Tanglewood" George's name for a quarter of this 17th century old home, a once beautiful home in a rainforest area set on Coniston Lake - breathtaking!  After a cuppa we walked down to the stone quay.  The boys brought the sailboat in and we had a terrific afternoon sailing.  Liz and Jackie arrived and we had high tea.

Donald Campbell made his last bid for a record here in the Lakes outside "Tanglewood".  There is a memorial of rest for him in Coniston.

We were to stay the night at "Tanglewood" compliments of George - but after the Shaw family left we all felt the ghosts had returned to look us over.  The darker it got the scarier the place felt - musty smells from a past pervaded every corner.  After we all showered a unanimous vote of silence to evacuate spurred us on to pack and leave (much to John's disgust) we tumbled out into the pitch black, moonless night fumbled for a weak Woollies torch turned the antiquated key in lock and stumbled off down the path to the van, overhanging branches set off screams when touched.  I had three leeches clinging to me as we stopped and slithered down the path.  Phew, at last safety of the van- then much to our chagrin the engine wouldn't fire - well evthe road and into Coniston where we free camped next to half a dozen truckies and Donald Campbell's monument.

Thursday, the 27th August, 1981

Bright and warm again, went back to "Tanglewood", cleared the ghosts and collected our things and headed for Scotland.  Very beautiful countryside as we weaved up and down dales through to Ambleside.  The scenic drive is breathtaking, Heather on top of all hills.  It grows in sweet profusion as we head for Scotland and near her border.

As lunchtime approached we turned off at Cumbria to see Long Meg and her daughters.  A Druid saga.  

Long Meg and her daughter, Cumbria 1981

One large monolith and about 68 -- 70 round rocks all in a circle.  The legend goes that no one ever gets the same number of rocks no matter how many times you walk around and count.  We proved this - all differed.

Off after lunch we were nearly in Scotland.  At 2:30 p.m. we crossed the border into Scotland.  Rae ran across the border to be first on Scottish soil.  

Gretna Green 1981

Took photos of Gretna Green then continued on to Moffat a lovely little town with a huge church in the centre of the city.  It is the centre of the weaving industry.  We saw tartan skirts being made, and then went through the weaving Mills.  A big industry selling everything from suits to "tam o shanties".  Found a nice clean caravan park - more expensive than anywhere but worth it £1.60.  Showered and went for a drink to the Black Bull Inn in town.

Richmond, Yorkshire to Gretna Green, Scotland