We left York in very windy showery weather. The wind was against us all the way across the Pennines – so hard that it pushed our side mirrors in towards the van. The views were stunning across the treeless landscape.

We stopped for a very good lunch in Moffat at a cafe called Brodie’s. We talked to an elderly man on his own sitting beside us. He was a retired Lieutenant Colonel who had spent 49 year in the army with time in Northern Ireland in the 70s and Iraq in the 90s. He now works a couple of days in the cafe to help out the owner. The owner – also his neighbour – came from Perth Australia and arrived in Scotland 35 years ago for a 2 week holiday and stayed. So we had a chat with her too.

The food was very good – cauliflower soup and a toasty. We didn’t have room for the tempting cakes.

We then continued on our way past Glasgow, Perth and Dundee to Forfar. We were welcomed by Mum with G&Ts and dinner.

Next day we took Gus in to a garage to have a leaking radiator hose fixed – or so we thought. They actually found that the radiator needed to be replaced – a bit more expensive and taking a bit more time.

Meanwhile we went bird watching. First to Balgavies Loch where ospreys are nesting.

We then went on to Auchmithie, a historic Harbour where Arbroath Smokies were first created. It was sunny but windy. We managed to have an outside picnic – not in the car!

We then walked along the pebble beach to see birds flying into holes in the cliffs to nest – including puffins. There are some interesting rock forms.

It was a good day out but I was glad to get back to a nice cosy house.