Category Archives: scotland road trip

Discovering Albion – day 7: The Elasticity of Time.

According to the map we covered another two hundred miles that day. More, if you take into account that we did it all on the back roads , being very gentle with the ailing car and sticking to the coast … Continue reading

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Discovering Albion – day 7 – Dawn on the Sea

We’d been well fed again and liberally doused with Edinburgh spiced orange gin… so I fell asleep on the sofa and was sent to bed yet again. I’m useless. Next morning we were on our way, taking an early leave … Continue reading

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Discovering Albion – day 6 – Dunfermline Abbey

They were locking the door on half of the Abbey Church as we arrived. The new bit, built on the site of the old choir, was opened in 1821 and houses the tombs of Queen Margaret (later canonised as St … Continue reading

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Discovering Albion – day 6: Afternoon Tea

“Where did you spend your holiday?” “In a graveyard.” Well, a whole selection of graveyards really, the length and breadth of the country. And we were on our way to another one… the second of the day. Not that there … Continue reading

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Discovering Albion – day 5/6: The Kirk on the Bay

We took the road across the hills, drinking in the green and white beauty agains the backdrop of blue. It was a perfect day. The trip could have taken all day, with me slowing the car every few minutes to … Continue reading

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Discovering Albion – day 5: … and, More Importantly, Ruthwell…

“Bloody Hell!” The blasphemous words were out before I could stop them… and in a church too! I think, under the circumstances, I might be forgiven. My companion, though less verbal, was equally astounded. The history of the little kirk … Continue reading

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Discovering Albion – day 5: ‘Don and Wen do Gretna…’

We should probably have stopped at Carlisle. Well, for more than just a supermarket to stock the car with biscuits and suchlike. It has another of those thousand year old castles… and another cathedral that used to be the priory… … Continue reading

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Discovering Albion – day 5: Aspatria

By the time we had watched the flock of crows and wandered around the churchyard we were about ready to try the door. Would it be open? There is always that question… Many of the churches in villages and small … Continue reading

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Discovering Albion – day 5: Déjà Vu…

Where do ladybirds go for winter? I can tell you that… they go to Aspatria. The carvings on the gateposts were full of them. I had recognised the name immediately because it is so unusual. I couldn’t quite remember why … Continue reading

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Discovering Albion – day 5: Decisions at Dawn

The trouble with bodies is that by the time they realise you are on holiday and don’t have to get up… you are not, and you do. So I was up long before dawn, as usual, scraping the ice from … Continue reading

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