Adventuring together.
After a very slow day yesterday, taking 3 hours to get out of Norfolk, then a major diversion off the A17, we eventually joined the A1 and finally felt like we were getting somewhere. Our journey, which should have taken 6ish hours including stops turned into 10 hours, so we were relieved to be shown to interconnecting rooms at Bishop Auckland Premier Inn where we could get Racheal settled and then relax a little ourselves.
The second day of traveling north was much more relaxed. Lunch at Brocksbushes cafe, then exploring the Roman town at Corbridge, before settling in to a scenic 2 hour drive to Peebles with a photo-stop at the Scottish/English border.
Our Airbnb is a quirky cottage with few straight lines and triangular shaped bedrooms! The country is in the middle of a heatwave. We had hoped that we would escape it being further north, but it is still very hot, so unloading the car, walking to the supermarket, cooking a meal and seeing to Racheal's needs has been a very sticky affair! The girls have had a fun evening listening to music and chilling in Racheal's bedroom, which is lovely to see.
It's incredible to think that after all the planning, discussing, and researching of the past few years, and the trauma and set backs of recent months, we are here. The Wheely Amazing Gap Year has begun - hooray!
Photos: Outside Brocksbushes farm shop; Racheal exploring Corbridge Roman Town; Feeling and artifact with Ann; Home Care Direct teddy at Corbridge (our mascot for the trip); Sticking one of our stickers on the Scottish Borders sign; Flags and rock on the border; Even a special welcome for Summer at the border!!;Girly evening listening to music.
Great to hear your adventures are beginning — though that traffic on the first day sounds like a nightmare! I can't tell you how many times I've driven across the England/Scotland border and taken it for granted. Now, being away from the UK for so long, it gives me a pang in my chest to see you all doing the same. Missing the UK, but loving the fact I can follow your adventures vicariously!