Scotland is further away than we think.

This always seems to be the case.

In my mind, we’ve not got too far to travel today as we leave the Lake District but as we finally reach the end of the unexpectedly attractive northern end of the M6 at Gretna Green, we’ve still got miles and miles to reach our destination tonight at Ayr.

Thankfully the roads are pretty quiet this bank holiday.

The same, however, cannot be said for the beaches.

In the bank holiday sunshine, Glasgow appears to have temporarily relocated and arriving at Ayr Esplanade we’re greeted by a sea of slowly roasting, pink and red Glaswegians.

We’ve never seen it so full here and as a result of either people not reading, or most likely not caring, the Motorhome dedicated parking area was of course filled with cars.

Sally hops out as we arrive to see if there’s any space and is immediately accosted by a bystander who wants to ask about Beatrix. Normally we’re happy to answers questions but as its sweltering inside and out, we’re sweaty and stressed as we try to squeeze in between the parked cars.

No sooner have we turned off the engine and breathed a big sigh of relief than the resident of the only other motorhome parked up is across to talk to us. She informs us that the cars shouldn’t be parked here and as such she has called the council who have sent around a parking attendant. Sure enough, as we look at the cars nearby they’ve all got parking tickets on them….. That’ll sure be a happy surprise for those who’ve had a hot day on the beach when they come back!

We’ve always stayed at the Ayr Esplanade for at least 2 or 3 days as it’s one of the few places in the UK where you can actually park right on the seafront with a view over to the Isle of Arran. For some reason the weather has always been kind to us too which always helps.

Sure there are always some kids racing their cars up and down in the evening but they’re not normally out too late and the mountain sized speed bumps keep it quieter around the vans. Overall, it’s a small price to pay to watch the sun set and to be able enjoy the first cup of tea in the morning with your feet in the sand.

This weekend however, it is super busy on both the Monday and Tuesday, as the schools are all closed, making it all feel a little intense.

Thankfully we’re able to meet Rachel, Johnnie and all their family and can chill in the garden away from the madding crowd.

By Wednesday everything was back to normal but we had plans to move to a little campsite out of town for Sally’s work day.

The Garton CL site is a lovely find a few miles outside Ayr and a relaxing change from the bustle of the seaside. The 5 pitches are nestled in the trees and the weather is so good we can get our outdoor room all set up for the first time this year.

Having a couple of nights to ourselves and relaxing outdoors at our quiet little campsite, I find myself reflecting.

After nearly two years on the road, it feels like we’re starting to get the hang of this lifestyle. Perhaps beginning to find and feel the rhythms of life and travel in this unusual way.

Although we’re frequently staying with holiday makers, living in a van fulltime is certainly not a holiday every day.

We’ve deliberately travelled slowly, wanting to explore and savour the new places we visit rather than risking burning ourselves out with travel at the breakneck pace of our old work lives.

For us, this has definitely been the right approach and it leaves us with years of travelling ahead to see all the places on our bucket lists and a strong desire to do so.

The result of our Home having wheels has enabled us to do more of the things that are important to us.

Visiting and making new relationships with our families, friends and their families has been a rewarding and unexpectedly important part of this for both of us.

With these thoughts in my mind, I have one of those inspirational flashes when I can almost see ‘what next’; like when you glimpse something through the crack in a door slightly ajar but then the door is closed and you’re left with a sense of what was there without really knowing.

I don’t stress about it, there’ll be time to find it again.

After a three generational, family dinner in Ayr we say goodbye to Rach’s family and return to Beatrix to get things packed away for our trip the next day.

Before leaving though we realised we’d left our shopping in Rachel’s freezer….. Doh!

Kindly, the whole family pops by to drop off our food and as the kids haven’t seen Beatrix we do a quick tour. Whilst they were interested in our tiny home, I think they were most impressed that we could get Disney + on our TV….. thanks Eilidh and Alex!

Saying second goodbyes, we depart heading north through Glasgow crossing the Erskine Bridge and, after a nervous ‘low bridge’ moment, onwards into the Trossachs National Park. We’re hopefully staying tonight on the exciting Three Lochs Drive, right in the wilderness but that’s a tale for next time.

Thanks, as always, for reading and er, sorry about the title. Sally, Toby and Merlin.