Touring 2015 - The Beginning

We had not intended to start touring this year until March, but the unseasonably warm February weather lured us back on the road.  We loaded the van, checked that all systems were working, and on a Tuesday in February, set off south on the M74.

At junction 21 we left the motorway and headed east towards the Scottish Borders on the B6357.   Even in February this is a pleasant journey and the weather was kind, dry with sunshine between broken cloud and the temperature nudging double figures.

We drove through small villages alone in thousands of acres of green field and moorland before dropping down into the tiny village of Canonbie and the bridge over the Border Esk.   Across the river we climbed out of the village and followed the B6357 east crossing the boundary from Dumfries and Galloway into the Scottish Borders.

Our destination was the village of Newcastleton, home to 800 souls and Lidalia Caravan Site.   An Associated Site, this pretty location in the heart of the village exceeds all expectations with a warm welcome and excellent well tended facilities.

The village itself is a revelation.   Isolated and far from its nearest neighbour, Newcastleton is self sufficient.  It boasts two hotels, a pub, a butcher, a baker, and although we didn’t find the candlestick maker there must be one, as the village is well served in all other respects.   There is  even a post office.

Set on a small level plain amidst the rolling countryside, the village suits those of us with limited mobility as there are no hills to contend with.

 

We spent two delightful days here then it was time to move east as the  weather had turned distinctly unpleasant with a northerly wind to accompany the heavy rain.

 

We continued to follow the B6357 to Bonchester Bridge then headed through Jedburgh to Melrose and the Caravan Club Site at Gibson Park.  By this time we had outrun the bad weather, and again it was dry and unseasonably mild.

 

I would describe this site as utilitarian, with everything one needs for a successful stay, but with no particular ambience.  This is by no means down to the wardens who run a tight ship.

 

But the location makes up for all other shortcomings.  Walk out of the site and you are in the heart of a beautiful borders town, with its spectacular abbey, now only a significant ruin, and looking so much better without the scaffolding that covered it last year.

 

Melrose has everything the adventurous could desire.  Shops, pubs, hotels, restaurants and buses to destinations throughout the borders and beyond.  There are good walks of varying length and difficulty around the town.

 

We stayed until the end of the week then headed off home taking the scenic route through Selkirk, past St. Mary’s Loch to arrive home in the early afternoon after a pleasant lunch in Moffat.

 

This had been a successful early first trip of the year for OTRA.  There were no snags, and everything bodes well for 2015 touring which if all goes according to plan, will take us to York, East Anglia, the north of Scotland and Devon and the South West.