Freuchie to Harrogate

Monday April 20^th

• starting miles           49325
• temperature              7.5
• weather                     cloudy

Having had our passports delivered by Rachel on her way to work we were able to take the obligatory selfies in front of the house before we  set out on the first leg of our European adventure.

 In the spirit of minimal planning we stopped at IKEA to buy new curtains for our house in France.

The free coffee helped to keep stress levels to a minimum but being IKEA we ended up buying more than we had intended.

Next stop a layby outside Coldstream  for another free drink. Carrying your house around isn’t all bad.

Next stop was Bamburgh Castle via Wooler.

We are not sure if we are pleased or miffed that we are not senior citizens so we don’t qualify for a discount. 

Bamburgh castle itself was fabulous. 

Although it dates from Norman times the largely ruined castle was restored in late victorian times by Lord Armstrong. Sometimes returning to a place you visited decades ago can be disappointing but Bamburgh in Spring sunshine surpassed our hazy memories. Fantastic views out to the Farne islands  scene of Grace Darling’s exploits.

After a three hour trip down the A1 we are parked as I write in the car park of The Moaning Cow a pub stopover for motorhomes which is closed for refurbishment so we are parked illicitly which only  adds to the sense of adventure.

Harrogate Chatsworth and overnight in Oxford is the rough plan for tomorrow.

Miles travelled:  250