Three Countries in One Day!

Monday, March 07, 2016
Gretna Green, Scotland, United Kingdom
We caught the bus just across the road from the Beresford Hotel where we spent the night and headed for the Dublin ferry port where the ferry left right on time. I found a comfy seat and after we had some breakfast crashed out for a couple of hours... YAWN... The crossing was like a mill pond and we arrived without incident at Holyhead in Wales. We had to wait for a half and hour and headed off by train to Llandudno Junction (pronounced Clandudno). About 45 minutes later we found the car hire place, filled up on essential supplies; water and chocolate and headed off for Gretna about 300 klms away. It was the most beautiful, clear day. Blue skies and sunshine. We found an enormous wind farm out in the middle of the ocean in North Wales. We couldn't stop for a pickie as we were on a really busy road. We knew that we were still in Wales because of the road signs in Welsh and then English. There was no border crossing into England but the signs changed to just English so we knew we'd crossed the border.

We went through Birmingham and were caught in the most horrid traffic for about half and hour . By the time we were back out on the M6 it was late afternoon. We still had about 200 klms to go so we powered up the motorway at the maximum 120klms/hr. We were about half way when we came across a nasty accident going the other way. Two trucks had collided, all their loads were over the road and totally blocked the M6. For about the next 20 klms the road on the other side was empty. We finally came across the police diverting the traffic. There must have been at least 10 klms of trucks and cars... we were so thankful that we were on the other side of the motorway.

It was just on dark when we arrived at Solway Lodge in Gretna. Graeme's kilt had been delivered. We had a lovely meal in their restaurant, trashed the room and crashed out. A really busy day but we saw a lot of Northern UK, glimpses of snow on the far hills and lots and lots of sunshine. Shame that tomorrow is supposed to be raining but we'll take as many clear days as we can.
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