Hi folks,

It’s us again from a very smart little campsite right on the marina here at Maryport. Maryport lies on the Solway Firth and from our pitch we can see the Dumfries and Galloway region of Scotland across the water. This is the furthest north we have been for a few years and we have had, so far, the best weather of the trip. A report from Spain described nine inches of hailstone so we are certainly in the right place.

We got here on Monday after a good trip from just outside Carlisle, after setting up we went for a walk around the small town. Whilst the harbour and marina have certainly had some investment in recent times the main area of the town hasn’t. There are lots of empty shops and not a lot else which makes it look all a bit run down which is sad as I would suspect in the summer months this place could be heaving, if only for the great walks in the area. On the advice of the site receptionist we ventured into the ‘The Lifeboat’, you’ve guessed it, for a beverage or two, and then back to the motorhome.

We were picked up yesterday by our friends who we first met in Spain and taken back to their abode after stopping off and picking up some pies and cakes for lunch. After lunch at Paul and Jayne’s it was time for a bit of Maureen’s favourite activity, bowling. On the way to the club we had to have a go at finding a geocach, success! Paul and Jayne have just taken up bowling (and geocaching!) so we offered some guidance on the green. After a fair few ‘ends’ and the blokes getting beaten by a couple of points it was decided to walk to the farm where Jayne would meet us in the car, she had to go there to feed ‘Oscar’, the large four legged carriage puller. There was a rope swing on the walk by the river which Maureen had to have a go of, of course. After meeting at the farm it was back to their house for a beverage in the sun followed by a lovely dinner, and after lots of chin wagging we retired having decided the next days activities. Sleeping in a real bed!

This morning Jayne was out early to sort out ‘Oscar’ and after she got back and bacon sandwiches were had it was off geocaching! We had a mediocre result, 3 out of 5! However it was a great walk in the Cumbrian countryside, so peaceful and quiet. It was time to say cheerio so we were dropped back at the the site and goodbyes were exchanged. We know we will meet up again in the future, just depends on where and when. This evening after a bit of down time Moe and I went for a walk, picked up a chippy dinner and strolled along the harbour walls, the weather is still very warm and pleasant. Tomorrow we head off south to Garstang in Lancashire via the Lake District…. We will see what the marina at Garstang has to offer …….