We did warn you there may be a final 2018 post if we could find a gap in all the Christmas preparation duties – and here we are! My first job after the Lisbon trip was to correct all the upside-down pics from the last few posts – sorry about that – I swear they looked fine on my phone but when I checked on my PC after we got home – eeeek! 😀
We took delivery of our Christmas dinner on Friday; we’ve taken the easy way out and used an internet service which sends everything you need in advance, all labelled up and with a minute-by-minute guide as to what to cook, when, and for how long. We reckoned that’s saved us a day so we shoe-horned in a quick Vince trip in between house cleaning for our Christmas guests’ arrival and wrapping all the pressies.
Having seen this post on my Facebook feed, there was only one place to head for – sea views, fine ales, good food and a bit of live music seemed to be the perfect choice for the last Saturday before the Christmas mayhem.
Poor old Vince has been sitting forlornly on our drive for many weeks, his batteries fading and his tyres slowly deflating. I have to be honest, I had to resort to my checklist to get him all ready for travel; there are so many things to remember. We charged him up, pumped him up, filled him with water, turned the fridge on, did all the engine checks, cleaned his windows and stocked up the drinks cabinet (of course!) He had to make his feelings clear by refusing to let us close any of the cupboards – the sudden change in temperature made the catches stick I think. He really doesn’t like being left alone for too long. Fortunately everything else did as it should and we headed off to the Isle of Whithorn.
All the way there I was looking forward to a cappuccino at the village café but after we’d parked at the harbour…d’oh! It closes an hour early in winter so we just missed out. Still, we’d had a brisk walk by the sea in the biting wind so we could retire back to Vince’s cosy gas heating in good conscience. We hadn’t packed the TV this time as we were only away for a night so we settled down with a nice cup of tea to a spooky play on Radio 4extra. See? We know how to have a good time…
Our evening meal at The Steampacket was everything we’d hoped for. (Vegetarians should look away now…) Haggis fritters to start with, followed by some tender Galloway lamb chops with fries & veg. Sublime! I’m ashamed to say I may have indulged quite heavily in the local ales you see below but hey! It’s Christmas so why not?
Gill must have been feeling romantic – I just wish she’d told me in advance she’d asked the entertainer to play my favourite song – I moaned all the way through that it was nothing like the original..! If Vince had a spare room I can guarantee where I’d have been sleeping. Again.
It’s been some time since we woke to sound of gulls & waves breaking on the shore, but sadly the weather had closed in so we weren’t able to stroll out to the rocks for some fresh sea air. We just had a lazy breakfast, and a read of the Sunday papers followed by spinning the front seats back round and heading home. What we have done though, is made a note to get away for a few more one-nighters as soon as we can. Otherwise what’s the point of having the big fella on the drive?
I’ll just finish by saying Happy Christmas everyone & thanks so much for reading my drivel, and for all your comments, emails & best wishes over 2018. Next year is looking good for a proper old trip so we’ll have lots more to chat about when we go away in March. See you then, if not before! 🙂 xx
Happy Christmas Gill and all your family, please send me your address so I can send cards in the future, and you never know I could turn up for a visit , have fun, love Helen, Mikey and Adam xxx
Plenty of room on the drive for another camper, Helen! Have a lovely Christmas, address is on its way xxx