We started our trip north just before 9.00 am on Thursday 7th July. We had determined to try crossing over to the M6 and heading due north. The SATNav was determined to take us to the M1 and north. We eventually prevailed and by Stoke the SATNav lady stopped her 're-calculating'.
Our first stop was Charnock Richard, which is the one with the tower, but otherwise an ordinary motorway dive.
We continued north from there with the heaviest rain being at Shap Summit. A little way on we encountered better weather and by the time we had reached the A74(M) services called 'Abington' the sun decided to shine. The services were accessed from the A702, which was perfect for the start of the cross country to Edinburgh. This was a splendid stop with a picnic area giving great views over the Scottish hills.
View from Abington Services
And so on to Edinburgh and the Forth Road Bridge.
We arrived reasonably early in Cupar and after parking the car in the large central, free car park we decided to go walk about and look for a cafe. The park is very colourful with a colourful bandstand in the middle.
Standing on guard at the top of the park was the Angel of Cupar. Beyond this was a cafe. This was next door to Joni's flat and this is where a phone call found us.
It was not long before we were out in the secret garden. A private alley way runs from the locked shared entrance. Opposite Joni's and Fiona's entrance is a 'doorway' into the shell of an old house. The doorway is the only entrance into the area. All the other ground floor windows and doors have been bricked up. Joni and Fiona spent a while removing years of accumulated junk and growth. In this area they have created a garden. Blue pallets make a decking area. Various plants and objects are artistically arranged and they have sown grass seed which is showing through. The photographs do not do justice to the area that they have created.
The Secret Garden. Fresh grass is showing.
A wonderful feast of stuffed butternut squash and asparagus was followed by delicious cup cakes.
Cup cakes - I chose the orange and lemon one.
During the evening we were introduced to 'Tay', the kitten. Tay is a delightful kitten. Very energetic, but thinks he is a dog. Throw a sock and he will retrieve it.
More of Tay later
We were given a good room for our stay; furnished with double bed, wardrobe a some desk space to lay out our bits. We slept comfortably with one problem. For three nights as soon as a particular shop closed an alarm went off at regular intervals through the night until the shop opened again in the morning. So much for burglar alarms.
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