Dumfries, Gretna Green, Maryport, Oxen Park, Lake Windermere, Settle, Malham and Home.
Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway are a wonderful part of Scotland which surprise us. We always think of Scotland as the Highlands north of Glasgow and Edinburgh. We now realise that The Mull of Kintyre, Ayrshire and the south coast between Stranraer and Dumfries along the Solway Firth are just as stunning. It’s the forgotten part of Scotland. From the Mull of Galloway, Isle of Whithorn, Sandyhill, Kirkbean and Dumfries. We had a reason to visit Dumfries we wanted to watch England play Ukraine, somewhere we could get good broadband Internet. So we parked in the centre of Dumfries alongside the river Nith. We checked with the information office, no problem to park overnight for motorhomes. Thanks Dumfries.
Sandyhill Beach 
The River Nith 
Dumfries wildlife in the center of town . 
We ordered a takeaway and settled down to watch England win 🙂. The next morning we had a walk around Dumfries a very delightful market Town worth a visit. Next up Gretna Green, 30 miles drive. We’ve been before about 40 years ago. It’s changed big style, it’s now resembles a big motorway service station a tourist trap.
This is how it was 40 years ago .
Off we go over the border into England. We’ve been in Scotland for just over 4 weeks and we’ve enjoyed every minute of our holiday. What a beautiful country it’s so diverse with gigantic Mountains hundreds of lochs and secluded villages on the west coast with beautiful white beaches and not to forget the forests we’ve visited. What more can I say.👍. Our next stop Maryport on the west Cumbria coast a small but busy fishing port.
We parked on the harbour at Maryport a campsite run by the harbour authority, we were surrounded by fishing boats on one side and sailing boats on the other, very interesting. I would love to own a sailing boat and sail around the world, Pat says dream on ☹. Maryport is a lovely town a small seaside resort, we had a walk around and found a pub and had a pint or two as you do 🍺. We enjoyed our stay in Maryport. We’re moving further south down the Cumbria coast to the Lake District, to a very small village called Oxen Park.
The old pump 
The Oxen park library. 
Oxen park a fantastic village, but the satnav took us on a short cut 🥴 must have been the narrowest road in the Lake District 12 miles of passing place roads. By the time we got to Oxen Park we had a convoy behind us 🤣.
But it was a fantastic experience. Oxen Park is a lovely Village miles from anywhere just what we like. Lake Windermere is our next stop at Bowness on Windermere.
We went for a one hour boat ride on Windermere it was a bit wet and windy 
Lots of big houses on the banks of Windermere and the islands 
We had to wear our masks on the boat 
The lake District is very busy all year round for walking, Mountain climbing, sailing. 15. 8 million people visited the lakes last year. Lake Windermere is the largest lake in England 10.5 miles long, it’s a very desirable place to live houses are very expensive. We enjoyed our time in the Lake District it’s a beautiful place, but maybe a bit too busy. We’re now going to one of our favourite villages in the Yorkshire Dales, Settle. we’ve been going to the Yorkshire Dales every year for over 20 years. We were able to park in Settle over night for £5 thank you Settle. We had a walk round then we went to our favourite pub The Golden Lion. The next day we went up into the Moors to visit Winskill Stones nature reserve and Malham cove.
The Golden Lion 
Settle Market square 
Settle is a market town with a Population of 2564 the town stands beside the largest outcrop of limestone in Britain, with lots of potholes, caves and cliffs like at Malham cove. The whole of the Yorkshire Dales is wonderful that’s why we’ve been going so long and it never seems to get busy.
We have had a fabulous holiday but everything has to come to an end. So we’re going home. A big thank you for reading our blogs. Hope you’ve enjoyed them. We’ll be going to some folk festival over the summer in UK, we’ll be putting some blogs up about them. Don’t know when we’re going to Europe again, it depends on what’s happening with the covid 19 pandemic. Xx derekandpat.com
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