Summer 2023 – August I think… They say we’re in Ecosse – sounds Franglais to me….. I think we are in Scotland – home of Andy Murray, Murrayfield, Muray Firth and Murraymints ! I made the last one up…..
I must talk about Oscar – very sadly passed away in Calais – my mate – we used to snuggle together on his bed at night. But no pain or suffering which was good – much missed…
Back to Ecosseshire – we visited the Elphins – giant metal horses which changed colour at night. Then the Falkirk Wheel – they made me go upside in this device – Not my fancy at all. We ran along the canal – I went slow to make them look fast – the things I do for them….but they do look after us – sorry me…..
Got to see / sniff old and new friends. Sotland – Jesus – very lively but didn’t play? Scottish setters….. one minus one leg but very agile…..South West England and we saw Evie – a bit rumbustious and Kensey – not too well. Zoa made Evie look calm. Then Doris and Kevin at the same time. I’m exhausted and need my/their bed…
Off to Polski via Rustington – more hairy dogs – a tunnel train, night at Bergues. Polski was in a curtain – something about ironing – K has ironed curtains- why ?
Two days driving and we’re overnight at Bunkerville for a tour tomorrow – I may decide to stay in bed – K made me walk 113 km this afternoon – well, 13 actually. They discovered a leak over their bed – I hope it doesn’t disturb my sleep under their duvet – I might have to relocate James !
Farewell to Woodlands Farm in Chichester … until the end of Sept. Do hope the British start camping again … soon. The site was spectacularly empty. Dropped the aging UK car at the Aged Ps. Had a shower, ‘cos we could and we don’t know where our next water will come from, and off we went.
First stop was another huge lunch with Mel, Ian and Jimmy in Rustington. Even got a quick hello and goodbye with Ruth and Brian. Sober to Dover lunch for me as the driver. Actually, Le Shuttle, due to the recent rebrand, but sober and Dover almost rhyme. Le Shuttle even managed to put us on an early train. We promptly did our traditional tunnel crossing decamp to bed for a nanny nap! Quiet night at Bergues, about 40 mins into France.
0830 on Monday we were at Leclerc to stock up on box wine. Not sure, given how far northPELL is, how good the wine is. I’m sure we’ll sample some of the Polish vodka at some point.
Monday and Tuesday were planned to be driving days. However, we made such good progress, that we ate up 749km, leaving only 292km for the morrow. Out came the guide books … what could I put in for the next afternoon en route? Lagow became our destination. A castle and pretty village on a slip of land between two lakes.
3 pages on a spreadsheetof most of the places we’d like to see on this trip. I have put on some xxx OR yyy … in 6.5 weeks will only scratch the surface.
A quick soup lunch and then J joined me for a quick wander to the castle, now a hotel, and a view of the lake. Corrie and I continued up the other side of the lake. We followed a Nordic walking trail for about 11km. Good after such a long drive and so many calories imbibed.
LagowLake view. Quite a few trees down, so I was over and under. Corrie mostly under. The return walk was through a village. 3 linear ponds. Modern play ground. Old renovated houses with immaculate gardens.
Only a short drive, we thought, to the Bunkery Ostwall museum (love the name) we plan to visit tomorrow. I’d read that most roads are dodgy and we’ve experienced the tarmac turned into crazy paving. Our 2 sat navs are programmed to avoid unpaved roads. I guess they count century old cobbles as paved.
Average speed 10mph for over 6km.2ndgear and wind wipers deployed. Fortunatelylittle oncoming traffic.
The ticket office for tomorrow was shut, but the kooky cafe had an English speaker. First tour at 10. And, of course, we can sleep in the car park. Though not sure how much sleep J will get. He discovered a wet duvet … on his side. The roof light, which was replaced about 2 years ago, is leaking. Duvet drying on the dash board in intermittent sun.
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!Â
From here, we walked up to the Brackinn Falls and then a loop to Scout Pools … amazing waterfalls.
I’d read there had been two fatalities … common sense would tell you not to swim. No chance of Corrie ever volunteering to get wet!So much water gushing through. Bracklinn has deep vertical sides.Scout Pools calmer and we did see people swimming here.
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.
An allsorts pipe band in CallanderOvernight for 2 nights was a couple of miles north of Callander with 3 other vans in a large carpark with paths signed.
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.
Corrie slept well later!
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.
Falls of Lenny … more a series of rapids
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!
It was another slow start 😆. J ran laps of the park whilst I did pilates … in the sun 😲!
Alva overnight … Corrie does like to get involved
Did you know a little mashed potato, egg and cooked onion makes an amazing potato pancake? A first for us and served with cheesey scrambled egg. A good start to the day! I did my 2 day shop at the local butcher and Coop … every town has one. Eventually we set off for Dollar. Detour via the Stirling Outlet Centre … 5 outdoor shops but a little short on stock, but picked J up some walking trousers.
Roadside parking in Dollar as I didn’t like the look of a shrinking road and narrow hump backed bridge. J nanny napped whilst C and I did another Glen walk. A bridge had collapsed, so we were diverted onto the road past the car parks. Just as well I’d parked on the edge of the town as Jez would’ve struggled to get in. Sometimes my instincts are right!
Castle Campbell. I didn’t go in, but Corrie snuck in whilst I was looking at a map. This lad said the water wasn’t cold! His mate told the truth … freezing!!
Our overnight was a 5 pitch CL called Powblack Farm. At £20 with EHU, but no other facilities, it made Carr’s Hill £25, with washing machine, dish washer and fab bathrooms, seem really good value. I know some people don’t have much money, but there really is no need to have your farmhouse so untidy and messy that we thought it was uninhabited. Judgemental. Yes, totally!
Very slow start, again! But we did both run. Well, slight exaggeration as J ran. I staggered. In fact, I was staggered that the last time I ran was 28th May and the time before was March. In my defence, we have walked and I’ve done Pilates, classes and at home. But, boy, my legs knew about it … legs and my per km time both definitely dun better. Great to use the Falkirk Wheel showers after.
We drove to Dunmore Castle and the more famous Pineapple, another Atlas Obscura. We stopped at a narrow opening to the car park, leant out of the window to ask if big Jez could get to the car park. Yes, says she. A few pot holes but the car park isn’t too busy. We slowly set off. Pot holes weren’t the problem. Low hanging branches were! And when we saw the parking, there was no way we would have fitted, or been able to turn around. Really should know better than to rely on someone else’s opinion about our size and roads!!! So ivreversed to the sound of branches scraping side. Asked a lady sat outside her Gatehouse garden if she knew where we could park. She kindly offered the spot in front of her house and she was rewarded with a 500ml of Spiros’ Cretan olive oil.
Dunmore Park was a great place to meander. The Pineapple was built as a folly one side of the walled gardens at a time when pineapples were a novelty. Originally, glass houses fanned either side. Now, it is under the care of the National Trust for Scotland and is holiday accommodation.
Next is Elphinstone Tower. Elphinstone was the one-time family name. Now, a ruin it sits to one side of the graveyard for family and servants.
The piece de resistance was the Castle and stables. During the war it was a hospital. Then a private school. In the 1970’s it was abandoned and the roof removed to avoid paying property tax.
It doesn’t take long for nature to take possession.Two large wine cellars, would love to have done a tasting in it’s heyday.
Having run and walked, my legs were definitely heavy. We had intended to clean Jez at an award winning 5 pitch CL called Carr’s Hill,
but all I managed was 2 loads of laundry through the twin tub and some restorative wine!
