The Sun in Sunderland and then on to Scotland

Day 2 - 26th May

After a quick shower, breakfast and a bucket of coffee with Dorothy (plus waiting a good couple of hours while Mum sorted out her luggage), we headed off to Sunderland to have lunch with family friends of ours - Michael and Val at the Little Haven Hotel.

This was our second visit to Sunderland, as we had been there in 2011 after finishing the Coast-to-Coast ride from the east to west of England. Despite what people say about the weather up north Sunderland was again true to its name and we were again greeted with a beautiful day of about 23 degrees and sunshine in Sunderland.

Val, Mum and Claire enjoying the Sunderland Sun.

Following lunch we headed north again towards Scotland, with no particular destination in mind apart from being somewhere near Sterling.

Scottish Border Air Guitar

Mum, Claire and I at the balmy Scottish Border

Mum not really understanding the concept of the 'Crazy Pose' - I guess she looks crazy anyway.

This was our first real attempt at ‘Wild Camping’ (camping anywhere you don’t need to pay and are not at risk of physical harm), so we were fairly unfamiliar with the key things to look out for.

We passed through a number of towns, which had obviously had issue with our type as the local car parks, gardens and even supermarkets reminded us that there would be ‘No Overnight Camping’!

As the sun started to set (about 10pm in Scotland at this time of year), we were still plodding along the winding roads of the Scottish lakes when we came across a camping site, which would suit quite well but Luke was driving to fast to slow Maxi down and we sailed right past the entrance.

Lucky for us, there was another picnic area less than a mile up the road and we made sure we travelling at a suitable speed to make the turn in.

Being a Saturday night, about 25 degrees in Scotland and on a lake the campsite was packed to the hilt with drunken Scots. Actually, I take that back. There appeared to be only one drunk Scotsman, who was so pissed and loud that it made up for everyone else.

Stroll along Loch Lubraig - with glass of wine in hand and no idea about the Midges at this stage.

Luckily none of us could understand a word he was saying, so it became white noise and we managed to tune out.

Following dinner we had a quick stroll down by the lake and Mum decided to help herself to a seat at someone else’s fire and begin rattling on at them about her spiritual journey. I didn’t complain as it gave my ears a rest for a while.  She later returned back to Maxi escorted by a dirty old drunken scot who was clearly hoping for a little more than a quick walk back home.

Morning walk up to the top of the hill just behind Loch Lubraig to get a view over the lake.