Summer 2018 was when we started our vanventures, a big decision to fork out a wedge on the beautiful black bus, and we swore we would keep it forever (cos that’s how long it would take to pay it off!!) but almost immediately, well when we saw the likes of the Grand California, we started to dream about whether a slightly roomier van was a … Continue reading Big News – Big Red Incoming
Half term came around and we planned a cheeky campout for 4 nights to get away. As usual we had no clear plan until the week before, and after googling and checking out many places online the length and breadth of the land, it was clear that lots of places are charging a fortune and either offering not a lot, or ramping up the extras. … Continue reading North Yorkshire Adventure
Due to the parade of frankly clueless campers marching in to the facilities block will armfulls of all sorts of toot in Kirkwall I feel the need to impart the rules of showering when camping for general enlightenment. What qualifies me to spout forth on this topic? In more than 40 years of camping I reckon there is no shower situation that could take me … Continue reading The rules for showering when camping
After the exceedingly pleasant crossing of the Pentland Firth we set a course for Dornoch Firth Caravan Park. Google, in its wisdom, sent us immediately past Ferry View and into the wilds, instead of to John O’Groats and the A9 to Wick. Although we were on the minnowiest roads, they were pretty straight and we hardly saw another vehicle. In 45 minutes we did 24 … Continue reading Big Orkney Adventure – The Return Leg via Dornoch & Lettershaws
One hour from St. Margaret’s Hope back to Gills Bay across the treacherous Pentland Firth, today in beautiful sunshine and spent almost entirely out on deck. Crossings had been good value and easy to book online – £216 to get there and back with 4 of us and the van. We did the recommended LFT tests before leaving home and getting to Orkney and there … Continue reading The Big Orkney Adventure – Sailing Away
Where to start? The purposes of this trip were twofold: to appreciate megalithic genius heretofore unseen and to escape the covid-ridden crowds elsewhere. Both objectives I can reveal were attained, and handsomely so. Let’s begin with the accommodation arrangements. Orkney Caravan Park at the Pickaquoy Centre on the outskirts of Kirkwall, a spit from the sea. Largish site, no views to speak of, curiously important … Continue reading The Big Orkney Adventure – Mainland
Well it’s already looking like Loch Ness Bay were rob dogs with their 37 quid a night. There had been rumblings in camp of it being a bit on the steep side, and discussions were had of the closures during the pandemic, and everybody and their dog now going camping, but on arriving at stopover number 2, which as 12 quid the cheaper, suspicions were … Continue reading The Big Orkney Adventure Part 2
Has a camping trip ever been so eagerly awaited as this one? I don’t think so. It may not be #EspañaRoadTrip2020 one year later, hopefully that will make an appearance next year, but a desperately needed break all the same. We booked 2 weeks’ worth of adventure beginning with a loooong drive up to Loch Ness. As I’ve noted before, the van really hasn’t seen … Continue reading The Big Orkney Adventure Part 1
After a recent purchase of the Cadac Safari 2, it has come to my attention that we currently own 4 barbecues. Bearing in mind 3 out of 4 of us don’t cook on them, one per beard seems a bit excessive. Over the years of course we have had a parade of barbecuing hardware, but never so many at once. So why so many? And … Continue reading The great barbecue debate
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