East Scotland and Shetland Islands

The rain overnight wasnt as heavy as forecasted but there was a strong wind blowing up the Solway Firth this morning and it was very cloudy and impossible to see the coast of Scotland across the Firth. As per usual Saturday started with parkrun.  This time Silloth Promenade.  I met a lady who went on the Andy Airie trip to the Pokkinen parkrun in Finland and was on the same train as us. Apart from one very big puddle, the promenade was dry but the grass section was quite wet and slippery.  I was glad I took my waterproof socks.  There were only 29 taking part and I got position 18, my highest ever. There was a strong headwind for half of it - the grassy bit - and it was hard to stand up let alone run.  Silloth promenade Starting right at the front - that doesn't happen often And we're off. We left the B&B around 10.30 and had a last look around Silloth before driving home.  After quite a long hold up on the M6 due to a car fire, paul decided to come th...

We gave the car a rest today and caught the no 60 bus to Workington.  The B&B owner told us that a lot of money had been spent in recent years on regenerating the town which had become very run down.  The bus journey between Silloth and Maryport (half way) was all along the coast, passing through some nice little villages.   Workington has all the big shops and a large area is pedestrianised so is mostly a modern town.   We also walked to the River Derwent which flows from the Lake District into the Solway Firth at Workington.     River Derwent and footbridge Former church Unusual building in Workington Theatre Royal, Workington Statue in town centre This was a sun dial but was mostly in the shade. Wildflower planter We had about 2 and a half hours in Workington before getting the bus back to Maryport.  Maryport felt more of a seaside resort with lots of lights up and down the main street although there were no souvenir shops.  ...

We left our small but comfortable B & B room in Airdrie and made for the town of Moffat.  I remember mum and dad coming here on one of their visits to Scotland and saying how nice it was. Moffat is a lovely touristic town and there is quite a lot to do.  Parking is free and unlimited all along the central section of the wide main road.  The town was originally linked to the wool industry.    The Ram statue at Moffat   Moffat Church   The narrowest hotel in the UK   Clock tower on shop   Street in Moffat   Residential street in Moffat   Moffat Town Hall We had coffee in a nice little coffee shop and visited the Moffat Wollen Mill outlet centre as well as looking around the shops. It was lunchtime when we left Moffat so we decided to drive on a bit and find somewhere quiet to park.  We made for Locherbie which also looks a very nice town.  We couldn't find anywhere to park and Paul didn't want to walk again so we tried t...

We both had a good night's sleep and docked in Aberdeen on time.  Our car was on the lower deck so we had to wait an extra 30 minutes before getting off as they unload the main deck first.  Paul spent the time having a second breakfast.  We had use of the business lounge which is included if you book a cabin.   First stop was the car wash which we had used before going over to Shetland as the car is now covered in dust, sand and seagull cr@p .   A Samsung news item appeared on my phone saying Shetlanders were angry that a cruise ship had allowed nearly 4000 passengers to disembark in Lerwick knowing that a severe sickness bug was circulating around the ship and many were in quarantine.  It was only realised when one of the ships tour guides told the coach driver about it after passengers had boarded his bus and he alerted his boss who halted all tours.  That is why we saw so many of them at The Knab yesterday.  Apparently the town centre...