11/09/24
We made it to Scotland! Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised, but with Bertie’s recent radiator disaster we drove with our eyes on the temperature gauge and a slight tension in our shoulders. Now we’ve got this far I think we’ll start to relax but any steep hills might re-awaken our fears.
We’re parked up in an aire. Yes an actual UK aire/sosta/stellplatz (take your pick). This isn’t one of the five van sites that are claiming that title, but the type of parking you would recognise on the continent. An area at the end of a car park with space for about 20 motorhomes, a service point and bins. What an excellent facility for travelling motorhome owners.
Preparation
Before we set off we had to complete our packing and get the flat clean and tidy for any visitors who might pop down to enjoy the seaside location. We combed the food cupboards and emptied the fridge and freezer. Despite all efforts to eat the freezer down over the last few weeks we still had enough to fill Bertie’s freezer to bursting point.
We even cut a few trusses of green tomatoes off the tomato plants to take with us and ripen on the journey.
A quick trip to the supermarket for even more food (how we could need more is a mystery!) and a fill-up with fuel and we were on our way.
Cardiff
Our first destination was Cardiff where we met up with Aaron who is currently studying there. We couldn’t get booked into the campsite so cast around for an alternative parking spot that wasn’t to far out of the city.
We ended up in Sofia Gardens; a prime parking spot next to Bute Park and the National Express coach station. It’s an easy walk into the city and not far from the campsite.
I was a bit nervous that we wouldn’t find a space but I think the prices are off-putting to the general public (£24.50 for 24 hours). There were a multitude of spaces and we were able to pull up in a corner so that we only took up one space. We did see the parking attendant as we drove in and she was very relaxed when I asked if there was somewhere she wanted us to park. “Just do your best” she said. I think we did pretty well.
Squeezing into the parking at Sofia Gardens
We had the delight of seeing Aaron’s student accommodation (pretty much as you would expect, it was messy and cramped in the communal areas, but he does have a nice room) and then took him out for some food and cocktails. He’s been working in a cocktail bar recently and has developed a bit of an expensive obsession.
Our overnight stay was fine, no boy racers or traffic noise, but we were woken by one drunken group walking through the park who were having a very loud conversation about playing spin-the-bottle.
Road to Scotland
The following day was a working day for me. The day started with a few morning meetings before we set off. I sat in the back on my laptop working while Paul drove us north. This is fine while we’re on nice straight motorways. Usually reception is good and I’m not being flung around on roundabouts.
We stopped at Stafford services for lunch and another meeting. I definitely prefer being stationary while I’m talking to people, the background road noise is distracting despite my noise cancelling headphones.
After lunch we pushed further north. Just as we were leaving the motorway and joining the very scenic A7 I finished work for the day. A pleasant drive through hills, farmland and forest, weaving back and forth over the river Teviot, is a great way to decompress after work.
The obligatory border crossing photo
The free aire at Hawick was our destination. Hawick is a town famous for it’s textiles, in particular tweed and cashmere. The buildings in the centre of the town are reminders of that history. Woollen mills and fancy Victorian architectural show pieces make up the majority of the older buildings. It’s also the birthplace of rugby players Stuart and Graham Hogg.
New flood defences on the Teviot. A history of flooding, including a major event in 2015 has prompted some significant new infrastructure.
Looking towards the town across more flood defence engineering. You cant miss the town hall and it’s ornate clock tower.
Woollen mill straddling the river.
We got to the parking at 7:30pm. There were plenty of other motorhomes parked up, but we managed to slot into a space. As I had no intention to cook, and Paul wanted something more substantial than salad, we walked around town until we found a chippy. A portion of chips and some curry sauce accompanied ham, eggs and salad. A bit of an odd dinner but it satisfied the driver.
Parked in Hawick. A continental affair.
And so we find ourselves tucked up, enjoying the unusual feeling of fully sanctioned free motorhome parking.