Mog Blog - travel adventures round Europe and across Africa

April Update - 12/4/08 - Ilkley (baht 'at), England (806 km)

Our first stop was all of a mile down the road!! Donald and Elvira had invited us for supper and produced a cracking homemade chicken tikka and glasses of bubbly which was lovely and meant we didn't have to scratch about looking for something.

When we stopped I noticed steam coming from under the bonnet and thought that it would be a bit embarrassing if we broke down 1 mile from home! Turns out Oz had forgotten to replace the radiator cap when he had filled it up earlier so all was ok!

Due to leaving so late we only made it as far as Perth on the first night. A comfortable night in the lorry park tucked between a lorry with a prefab house on it and a milk lorry... no-one seemed to bat an eyelid at us which was nice as we usually draw some rather strange looks!

Up early the next morning and away to meet up with Mikey at Ikea just south of Edinburgh. Great to catch up with him over a plate of meatballs (for breakfast!) and then on southwards towards Newcastle.

We arrived in Consett (home of Phileas Fogg crisps for those who like pub trivia!) and caught up with Mark for a most delicious Chinese supper and bottle of wine at a rather posh restaurant (thanks again Mark!). We slept in the restaurant car park having driven round looking for the flattest bit!

The next morning we headed for Whitby on the rugged east coast. Neither of us had been to this coastline before and we loved its towering cliffs and vast sweep of sandy beaches.

Having walked round the pretty fishing town we did the touristy bit and climbed aboard 'Elizabeth' a steam powered bus for a quick tour of the town. Chugging along the front past brightly painted fishing boats and lobster pots piled high all drenched in brilliant sunshine - it was enchanting.

Click on picture to enlarge

Walking back along the beach eating ice creams (I'm fairly sure it's compulsory to eat ice cream on a British beach!) we trundled off along to coast past Scarborough and down towards Hull. Stopping at the Humber Bridge toll booth, the toll collector looked us up and down and said "£4.90... erm... er... you lorry or t'camper van?!" Turns out that camper vans pay the same as cars no matter what the size so we only paid £2.80!!

We trundled on to where we were having the roof tent fitted and met Paul, Nicky and Tom and their amazingly well trained dogs! Oz squeezed the mog backwards between their house and next door with only 2" to spare which impressed us all (not to mention the neighbour!) and we retired for a lovely homemade supper.

Up bright and early the next morning to Oz and Paul scratching their heads over the roof tent fitting. Will tell you all about it in my next update and put up some pictures also.

Kate and Oz - on the road