Forres to Suffolk

This was a simple A to B drive with only two overnight stops. That is quite a quick drive for us with daily drives around 320Kms. We had a lazy start from Forres (via Lidl for pre journey top up!) and we were on the road about 11am. First stop was by the side of the old A9 near Newtonmore for a coffee stop. Easy drive over Drummochter but the traffic stopped just south of Pitlochry near Ballinluig so we slipped off west on the A827 to follow the River Tay upstream for a few miles before crossing the Tay and returning back towards the A9 along a delightful minor road. Here we found a pretty pull in above the Tay which was perfect for our lunch stop.

On the road again before 3pm we rejoined the A9 near Dunkeld but the traffic was still busy all the way to Perth. We noted the Queensferry Bridge looks nearly complete but no sign of an opening date yet. Our stopover tonight is beside the Firth of Forth at North Berwick. An incredible spot right beside the beach. It was popular with mohos and we were lucky to fit into the last space.

We had a great night here and although it is slightly off the direct route south this is definiteley a stop over to remember.

Good start on Good Friday morning and we were back on the A1 heading south before 9:30 having fuelled up at Tesco in North Berwick. Nearly all main road today but on impulse swung off the A1 near Stockton on Tees looking for a quiet spot for lunch. We did find a layby but the road was a bit busier than expected! After lunch on through sveeral small towns including Yarm which caught our eye as an attractive Georgian coaching town – there is so much more history to be seen on the older roads.

Arrived at the Muskham Ferry (Britstop) around 6pm. Had a nice meal in the pub as usual.

Back on the road on Saturday by 10am. Amazed to note the huge caravan rally in the village almost beside the main A1 – must have been quite noisy. Fancied a Morrison’s salad for lunch and mindful of the traffic issues in Newark on Trent (we have got stuck there before going to the Morrison’s in the town) we thought we would give the Kings Lynn morrison’s a try – BIG mistake on Easter Saturday as the traffic was even worse both coming and going. The good news was that they had LPG at 51.7p per litre so filled up. We ate our lunch by the river in Thetford and then as Eileen’s eye was bothering her we diverted via Diss so that she could see her usual Specsavers optician. Finally home in Wenhaston around 5pm.

Mileage reading on arrival:	126987 kms
Mileage reading at start:	126008 kms
Mileage this trip:	979 kms
Nights away this trip	2
Total Nights in Bertie so far	79