Na rathaidean fada, lùbach tro Chuimrigh agus Alba

Today’s trivia for our the impedding arrival into Scotland:

• The National Animal of Scotland is the Unicorn.
• The Scottish flag (the Saltire) is believed to be the oldest national flag still in use.
• Europe’s oldest tree is the Fortingall Yew in Perthshire, estimated to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old. That’s pushing it a bit far to imply you’re part of Europe
• The world’s shortest scheduled flight operates between Westray and Papa Westray in Orkney, lasting just 74 seconds.
• On the Isle of Jura, red deer outnumber humans 30 to 1
• Edinburgh Castle is built on top of an extinct volcano known as Castle

It’s the first real bleak day after 17 days of not too bad weather. My pants and socks are dry, the left shoe is almost dried out, the right nowhere near dry.

Southport seems a little run down with shops in their iconic shopping strip half empty, the hotel coming out of receivership with new owners and just a bit of a run down feeling, there are some nicer areas . . .

We set off for the National Trust’s Rufford Old Hall a little early but unknown to us that there is a house tour prior to the official opening time and it is free! How good is that? The tour was pretty good with lots of info on the owners of the house from the 1500’s. Was well worth doing.

We then had a look at St Mary The Virgin’ Church which was only 5mins walk away. The weather had changed and was starting to look good.

Heading north I tried to make an attempt to see Ashton Memorial near Lancaster but couldn’t get the parking ticket machine working, a council ranger was on the prowl, the charger didn’t work and then to top it off, the memorial wasn’t open. So gave up.

Apparently it looks like this . . .

I took a left turn to make a slight detour to a village called Cartmel. It looked picturesque on google maps. Arriving, it was over run with cars and tourists. Turns out it is now a foodie haven with Michelin starred restaurant, brewery, fromagerie, a pub/Inn every 100m and the Cartmel Priory dating back to 1190. Not a place I’d like to be on weekends and holidays. Everything was exspensive or looked exspensive other than the Priory, parking and walking around, which were Free.

Spring is here too . . .

We made our way to Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa that wasn’t really far away but the main roads are single lane, narrow and windy, so slow going, but we got there.

Parked the car and went to reception. Said have a booking in the name of Newell. Hmm, said the receptionist, your name doesn’t appear here for any booking. What’s you first name? Gordon! Sorry, doesn’t seem to be a booking at all. Were you after the spa or treatment session? No, just a room! Oh sorry sir, this is the spa. The hotel is back out along the road a bit and to the left.😱😭

At the other reception there was a yes, as in we have you booked in for three nights in a very nice room with a surprise!

Annette wasn’t too impressed with the 1930s lift!

The suprise!

I went and plugged in the car to charge, 35hrs till 100%🤔. Came back and had my welcome drink, Annette had already sculled hers, I took two granny Smith apples. They were good with a slight tang.

The hotel is a bit out of town so couldn’t be bothered with the drive so ate in. There are three resturants in the hotel, The Grill, the Posh One and an Indian one. How convenient, so we booked ourselves into each, one for each night. The outstanding feature of The Grill, other than the food was the gelato for desert.

Today’s travels . . .

Coming soon, I hope once connectivity is regained between garmin aand strava