We were all packed and ready to go at 8.30am this morning and Keith said he would drive up to Tebay services, where we'd stop and have some lunch. I'd fondly imagined that we would be standing in the sunshine and munching on our picnic but I couldn't have been more wrong!
We made good time on the M6 as we decided to use the M6 toll road, which at £5.50, saved us all the bother of going through the busiest part of Birmingham. As we drove further north the weather worsened and by the time we reached the beautiful part of the M6 which runs through the Lake District the rain and mist were much in evidence!
I was so disappointed as I really wanted Sophie to see the Lake District (the parts you can see from the motorway anyway!) in all its glory, but it wasn't to be. We pulled in at Tebay, or Westmoreland Farm Shops (it's perhaps the only motorway services which isn't part of a huge chain), dashed in to use the facilities and then ate our picninc overlooking gloom and mist.
I took over from Keith and we made our way a bit more slowly and sedately north, leaving the M6 which turned into the M74 as soon as we reached the Scottish border. Sophie slept most of the way so our commentary on the sights we could see from the car nearly always fell on deaf ears although she was awake when we crossed over into Scotland!
All too soon we were in Glasgow and Keith negotiated me through the city and onto the M8 towards Bishopton where we were stopping for the night, at the Ingliston Country Club. We found it first and then headed back onto the A8 to find The Wheelhouse Bar and Grill.
We'd researched this pub a few weeks ago and it looked the most promising for an evening meal so we had a drink (Keith tried a lovely beer called Belhaven Speyside Oak-Aged Blonde Ale) while I had a coffee and Sophie had a bottle of water. The menu looked good so we booked a table for 8pm and then drove to our home for the night, just a few miles away.
We parked the car in the hotel car park and walked over to Reception to find the receptionist on the phone. So we waited and waited while she booked some people in and then we discovered that we were at the wrong place and had to go to the country club entrance! Keith was not very happy!
We trooped off back the way we had come and this time we were given the instructions for our lodge and told where to go. It was great that we were able to park right next to our little wooden chalet!
We were all delighted with the lodge and it would have been an ideal place to stay for a few nights as we had a dining room/sitting room/kitchen area, a shower room, an additional loo and two bedrooms.
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| Our well-equipped kitchen |
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| Sophie's bedroom |
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| Our bedroom |
It was lovely to have so much space and we unpacked for the night and then relaxed. Outside were rows of stables as the country club have an impressive riding school and dressage area. Keith and I went for a walk and although I was sorely tempted to go and see the horses, visitors weren't allowed.
Our chalet had an outside area and the grounds were extensive so it would be a great place to stay and explore the local surroundings. The weather was horrible, though, but if the sun had been shining it would have been lovely to have sat outside with a drink.
After we'd showered and changed we drove to Bishopton itself and called in for a drink at the Bishopton Inn Hotel. Although the place looked fine to me, Sophie took exception and hated every minute we spent there! We had a couple of drinks and then drove to The Wheelhouse where we sat and enjoyed a drink in the lounge before dinner.
Keith and I chose the carvery while Sophie opted for the Cajun Chicken and very spicy it was as well, she said! Our carvery was great but Keith still does a better roast! We had pork, gammon and turkey accompanied by all the usual veggies, roast potatoes and mash. The pub and restaurant were very busy but the staff did a good job of keeping us happy and were very friendly. The weather, sadly, hadn't improved at all, which was a shame as the pub sits right on the Clyde and the views must be stunning when the sun's out throughout the evening.We could see Dumbarton Rock from the windows and I would have loved to have explored a bit more.
We were back at our lodge at just after 9pm and it was great to sit and relax while watching The Three Day
Nanny!
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