23-24/07/2023

We obediently did a 5 point turn in Callander as the road to the destination car park said no motorhomes.  The main town carpark had a cluster of motorhomes, but signs clearly saying no sleeping in vehicles, although apparently some do.  Paying for parking was a pain … none of the machines accepted cards or cash.  It had to be done through a parking app.  What annoys me is that they charge an extra fee so £3.40 became £3.70 for 24 hours … but no staying over night! 

From here, we walked up to the Brackinn Falls and then a loop to Scout Pools … amazing waterfalls.

Great help and leaflets in the tourist information centre. We shall bike ride tomorrow. Oh, did I mention that we had 2 ice creams each!  Including tablet and macaroon flavours.

We’ve not cycled for over a year, other than my riding for 2km to the supermarket in Kelso! So bikes checked, and helmets worn. The first stretch around Loch Venachar was loose stones, up and down – nothing major but not fun. Our ebikes are big and heavy hybrids but not designed for proper off road. Additionally, the dog trailer doesn’t have brakes, affecting descents and especially descents with a turn. I’ve hit the deck a few times as a result. I asked J if he was enjoying it, not much either, so we dropped down to the road … easy peasey! Thereafter, we were on much better firm cycle or vehicle tracks. Except for one section through bushes to look at a dam.

Stopping first at Brig O Turk for coffee and cake. Then, a short ride to Achray Farm for homemade ice cream. The flavours come from the garden, so today was meadowsweet and blackcurrant swirl. The milk from their own goats. Just delicious. Despite our sugar filled stomachs we still managed to stop later for picnic lunch.

We only had time for a shorter bike ride the next morning. Our bums were grateful. We headed up past the Falls of Lenny. J asked where we were stopping for coffee and cake … it seems to have become a daily feature! No cafes on our route today, I said! I was wrong. So coffee and brunch at a Forest Holidays cafe/shop. I googled … a 2 bed chalet is £2060 for a week in August! OK, so it has hot tub and BBQ, but even so, it’s still a shed! Our 3 double bed house in Devon is discounted to £1650 for a week in August and still several weeks vacancy.

First stop was Stirling retail centre for the supermarket and Dunelm. How can it be profitable to sell long and lined curtains for £65 and duvet sets for £24? Our bedroom in Crete sorted and a spare duvet set for the spare room. 😀

We drove to Livingston to stay on the driveway of some fellow motorhomers … should have been near Paisley seeing another friend, but he is poorly. Sarah and Mac read our blog, and had spotted we were nearby.  Lovely supper and chat, and we hope they’ll come out to Crete. A plane seems so boring, so possibly on a motorbike or train … planning stages!