Scotland 2011 Pictures Page 13


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Photos Sunday 25th September 2011 - Day 13

We checked out by 10AM and headed out of Edinburgh to the M8. We went West to Livingston and to the outlet mall there. After a petrol stop there we parked up and we made it inside just 5 minutes before opening. We took 1.5 hours to go round the outlet mall and both found some bargains here and there. Then we went over the road to a bigger regular mall and spent another 45 minutes looking around there. Then we had lunch at Wagamamas before exiting at about 1:50pm.

Then we backtracked along the M8 and carried on around the south side of the Edinburgh ring road to the A7. Then we followed the A7 Southwards over the hills and had a pleasant drive all the way to England.


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Mike pondering the road ahead. Driving through the hills of Southern Scotland. Before long we emerge back into England and Cumbria. Over Cumbria the most fantastic wavey sky could be seen. A glider pilot's dream?

Just inside England at Longtown the plan was to turn left onto the A6071 but road closed signs were present. So we carried on along the A7 a bit further before cutting back to the A6071 along a minor road. However the closure was after Newtown. So in the end I drove to Newtown and then followed the diversion signs to the A689 and then into Brampton from the West. We arrived at 4:30pm to find lots of closed shops. Oh well never mind it is Sunday. So we headed to Troutbeck Cottage BnB, stopping at a pub on the way but rejecting it. At the BnB we got a couple of snacks at the co-op next door and then checked in to find ginger bread and other goodies left out for us. Nice! So we stayed in for tea and ate more snacks for supper, having had a good lunch, and so retired for the night. We were told we could have a late (9AM) breakfast so no need to rush in the morning.

Monday 26th September 2011 - Day 14

We had a nice leisurely start. We were up in good time so packed, got ready and checked the car over before breakfast. By 9:45 we had loaded the car and checked out. After getting petrol we hit the M6 southbound. A bit breezy over the high ground early on but otherwise it was gorgeous sunny weather. As planned we got off at J30 and took the M61/M60/M67 around Manchester and for the 2nd time this year hit the Snake Pass. Another nice romp over the moors. It took us 2.5hrs in total to reach the Snake Pass Inn, arriving at about 12:15.

Lunch was ok if not spectacular but a nice stop anyway. We left at about 1pm. Google Maps showed me a nice route to the M1 so I followed that. Instead of taking the A57 Snake Road all the way to Sheffield we turned right at the Ladybower Reservoir and headed in a general Southeastwards direction. The route took us over the tops of the hills again with lovely views in the clear air and sunshine, before descending on a rough twisty road that was great fun to drive. There were also some pleasant villages en route including a place called Barlow. Eventually we entered Chesterfield and after a long suburban stretch emerged at M1J29. From here it was a smooth journey home in perfect conditions and reasonably light traffic. It got warmer and more humid as we headed south. We got back about 3:45, less than 3 hours after leaving the pub. Nice! And there ends the trip as we unpacked and slowly sunk back towards reality.

We didn't take any pictures on the Snake Pass this time. However we did take pictures when we drove the same road in May on the way back from the Lake District. Please click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to see those pictures.


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