2 weeks on the road

We started on the 1st of April, by train to the Netherlands where we visited our friends Linda and Robbert, to continue the next day by bicycle to IJmuiden where we boarded

the ferry to Newcastle.

The DFDS ferry leaves in the late afternoon and arrives in North Shields around 9am UK time.

The first part goes via the Hadrian cycle way (cycle way 72).

Searching for a campspot in Hexham, Peter and Jill offered us a spot in their garden. When we arrived at their house, the offer was changed into a bedroom in their nice house.

The remains of the wall can still be seen at certain places but most of it has been dismantled ages ago and the stones were used for building churches and homes.

So far, the weather has just been fantastic, blue skies and the wind in the back.

Approaching Dumfries, we’re meeting Hazel who tells us the story of the local fishermen who stood in the river with big nets to catch fish with upcoming and outgoing tides. On one the photo’s she points out her late husband.

In Dumfries, we’re lucky to find an affordable room for the night at the other side of the river. Prices for accomodation in the UK are minimum twice as what we paid last year on our trip in Portugal and Spain.

Roads are slowly going more up and down and it confirms the advertisement on a

a car saying “Holidays in the rolling hills of Galloway”

Along the way, the number of sheep we’re seeing is gradually increasing. They all have newborn lambs and we’re rescuing one from upcoming trafic by putting it again on the better side of the fence.

In Gatehouse of Fleet, we’ve spend our first night in our tent. During the day, temperatures go up to 20 degrees but during the night, it is still around 0 degrees. Pretty cold and we need to put on extra clothing in our sleeping bag.

In the morning, the sun is out again and with a hot porridge breakfast, the cold of last night is quickly forgotten.

We seem to have arrived in an area with verry few inhabitants. This also means not a lot of places for grocery shopping so we need to carefully plan ahead for food and drinks.

In Glentrool village, we stop at the community centre where the few residents have their 2weekly get together. Still one scone left over, which we gladly accept. Our first one since we’re in the UK

In Troon, we’re taking the ferry to Arran island.

Hotel prices in Arran are completely over the top, we’re talking about prices starting at 300 euro’s for 1 night. Suppose this is because of the Easter holiday season combined with the unusual good weather. We opt for a campsite in Lamlash without the below costly seaview.

We’re making a clockwise 3/4 circle around Arran island to Lochranza where we will take a ferry to Argyll and Bute

The last km’s before we reach our camping in Lochranza, we cannot miss the seals bathing in the sun on rocks close to the shore.

On the ferry, we’re meeting 74 year old Norman, who’s cycling to the isle of Skye visiting his nephews. He’s doing this about 4 times a year and is a regular in several of the campsites along the way.

The campsite in Port Ban is definitely the most scenic so far. Certainly breakfast on the beach makes you feel like in heaven.

We both say that this is so far, the most beautiful part of the trip.

Also first time to meet up with the Highlanders.

Just before Kilmartin, we’re following the Crinan canal with 15 locks, still operated manually.

The next day, it’s all the way to Oban. We’re warned, the upcoming 70 km are all steep up and downs. Let’s see.

Also, the first Scotland rain has arrived. It’s only a couple of showers but it certainly produces a nice rainbow

First rest day of the trip in Oban. Tomorrow, we’re taking the ferry to the Outer Hebrides.

Done : Newcastle to Oban

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