What are you all up to
Comments
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Yes but surely, if we did that, we would miss out on the spectacular scenery of the Highlands and what about the North coast and the possibility of a day trip to the Orkneys?
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I think that he wants to avoid that for as long as possible. It is only 6 years ago since he cycled and camped from the far north of France to the far South. He is actually walking better than he did 12 months ago and so that gives an idea of how bad he has been.
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Yes I do like Scotland Malcolm. We seem to have a tour there about every other year. May touch the borders on other occasions. Last trip was planned as 6.5 weeks but we did extend it beyond that to just over 7 weeks by stopping off at Meathop Fell Near Grange-Over- Sands.
Penpont Floors Caravan Park,Thornhill, near Dumfries
Kingdom of Fife, Markinch,Glenrothes
Huntly Castle Caravan Park AS
Culloden Moor, Inverness
Dunnet Bay, Dunnet, Thurso
Kinlochewe, Achnasheen
North Ledaig, Connel, Oban AS
Blair Drummond, Blair Drummond, Stirling AS
Dockray Meadow, LamplughMeathop Fell
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Four of those sites are booked for our tour. One of them, North Ledaig is open all year which opens up the possibility of a winter break in the future.
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No, Dunnet Bay. We can visit the Orkneys or John O' Groats from there.
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Yes, I can see that but it is a shame for him to missing out on life at present. We had a mobility business until we retired (Our son and daughter-in-law have it now) and time and time again, we have seen people making their condition worse by aggravating it from making such an effort to walk....of course, it depends on what condition he is suffering from!
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I wouldn't trouble with John O'Groats itself Malcolm. We enjoyed an afternoon visit here though: http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/castletown/flagstoneheritage/
Not sure of the opening times. We got a very interesting conducted tour including behind the scenes exhibits not on display. Not sure of the opening times as I am sure that it was not all day. If interested worthwhile phoning them to enquire. The centre was interesting and hands on and we enjoyed a stroll afterwards around the old site to the quay.
Probably 2 miles from site
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Well put it this way, Brue and Sell. We've survived over a year now doing what we're doing and it seems to have worked out all right for us especially now that we have successfully negotiated shorter hours and one day off per week. We also have a new more economical car to use for the business which will further improve things. So I'm not complaining! I agree that the 11 hour day with no days off was too much but rather than risk making me ill again and be left with no help at all, the boss has compromised by allowing more time off. So now I work a normal 7 hour day with one day off and that is much better than my previous working conditions.
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The 500 miles was from your last site back to the south coast Malc. Not each day. However, from what you write above you have clearly not checked the distances involved, or taken road types into account. This is one of the first things I do when planning a tour. I think you need to take note, that those of us posting have been there, often many times, and are indicating that what you are proposing is not a good idea.
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I note you say you will be stopping at a motorway services on your long run back south. If you prefer a site there is Milestone Affiliated site near Newark at about the 300 mile mark. It is literally a few hundred metres from the A1, but much quieter than a services, and given what services cost if you stop more than 2 hours, possibly not much difference in price.
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Malcolm....part of the problem was that the way your first post read, it sounded like you planned to drive from Sandringham to Garlieston in one go, and similar on the way home, had you said you planned to stop off overnight, you would have got a more positive response.
My comment there is that a proper site of some type would be a much better idea than motorway services. Even with a stop, it is a long trip, and much better to get a decent night's sleep somewhere quiet.
Regarding your route in Scotland, can I assume you have listed the sites in the correct order?
Which road are you taking from North Ledaig to Morvich? If the scenic route near the coast then it is a narrow and twisty road.
I would also be concerned about the Morvich to Dunnet Bay leg, which route do you intend to use? Lots of fairly narrow roads on the cross-country route, so possibly slow progress with your size of outfit, which is similar to ours. That is probably the longest "hop" on your trip.
The road down to and beyond Altnahara is also narrow, the time we were there we had our previous, smaller, caravan.
On these narrow roads You could reasonably reckon to average no more than 30-35mph, and there will be few stopping places for your size of outfit.
None of your distances in Scotland are un-doable, my concern is that you will have little time at each location to explore and enjoy the scenery.
If you wanted a less stressful trip, you could cut out Altnahara and Kinlochewe and go from Dunnet Bay to Culloden, and spread the time saved over the other sites.
Unless you are into hillwalking or birdwatching, there is not a lot at Altnahara other than the scenery and peace and quiet.
From Morvich you could take an extra day to visit Skye. Plockton is worth a visit too.
i would forget Orkney this time, you need a week on Orkney at least, a day trip will not even scratch the surface.
Lots to see in the Inverness area too, so add time there if possible.
When we were (much) younger we used to do these whirlwind trips, as holiday time was limited, but we always felt afterwards that we had missed a lot of interesting places, and returned home needing a rest.
What you are proposing would be much better done in a small MH, where you can sightsee as you go, but is not really suited to a large car/caravan outfit.
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I'm away back to my tiling now, OH is waiting in for a delivery of more tile grout and silicone sealant (which has to be grey to match the grout)
Sun has just emerged so hopefully I will be able to do some tile cutting with the electric tile saw.....strictly only to be used outside as it is very messy.
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Yes Dunnet Bay to Morvich is probably the longest stretch of the tour but we will be going from Dunnet Bay to Altnaharra and then on to Kinlochewe. This will give us the opportunity to see some of the North coast before turning south again.
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The west end of the north coast is more scenic, you could do a day trip along there from Dunnet Bay.
When we have been up there previously we did the whole west coast and north coast route, leaving out the middle (we did that another time) and stopped at Scourie, nice site there, wonderful sunsets, and from there took the mini bus trip to Cape Wrath.
At trip to JOG as ET said is probably not worthwhile other than to say you have been, but it is well worth driving out to the lighthouse and cliffs at Duncansby Head (is that the correct name?) and beyond.
BTW....Kinlochewe is a terrible place for midgies and flies!
When going up/down the west coast, the C&CC site at Poolewe is a better and less remote stopping place, and the Inverewe Gardens are a must as an NT member.
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No orders so far this afternoon. Technically work began at 12 noon but I've been sitting out here in the relaxer in the awning for the last hour and a half and my wife is also making use of the time to get ready for our trip to Redhill. Now which other job would allow that? This job has its advantages!
Ah an order has just come through for Macdonalds so back into action!
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Hi We are planning a trip in May in our motorhome from Dunkerque through France Germany and on to Croatia and giving ourselves about 8 weeks to do it.
If any members have done this trip and could offer any advice on routes ,costs of tolls and dos and donts we would be very grateful.
Im not sure if we need any special permits or papers etc.
Many Thanks
Colin
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Tiling progressing slowly due to lots of tricky cutting, bit I have now finished grouting all the area we did at the weekend, and have now run out of grout.
OH has just told me that the parcel has arrived, just hope they have sent the correct colour.
One other thought Malcolm........
Going from Ayr to North Ledaig, you should avoid using the road up the west side of Loch Lomond, even though it is the most direct route. We do not want to find bits of your van left in the stone walls along the narrow bits!
There has been much discussion elsewhere re the sensible route, please take the advice given there and use the A77/M77 from Ayr towards Glasgow then the M8 EAST towards Edinburgh and Stirling, not the M8 West which will take you over the Erskine bridge and up Loch Lomond.
By June the tourist buses will be out in force, and there are also lorries which will not give way or care about your caravan. We used the road once with our previous shorter and narrower van and I would never consider taking our current twin axle there!
Slightly longer via the sensible route, but still plenty of scenery to admire.
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Ok, I'll remember that! I always prefer motorway routes where they are available as they are so much easier with towing a caravan.
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Exactly. I don't think I'd get very far if I tried to manage on £140 a week state pension! Some earnings are necessary to top it up to a reasonable level. It's not always possible when you are young to have much spare cash to put into a private pension plan. I did try though but could only put away a very modest amount and so I only get a very small monthly private pension in addition to my state pension. By small I mean less than £50 per month. Certainly not enough to keep the two of us in our present lifestyle!
The boss did ask me if I wanted to retire and if so, to give them plenty of notice, so that they had time to make other arrangements but I said, in reply, that I needed to continue working because my pension was not enough to live on. If it was enough, I would definitely retire, no two ways about it. Freedom is more important to me than money and freedom is not something you get when you are chained to a daily work routine, is it?
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Hells Bells, its just started raining in the County Palatine
so I'm rather glad I have not cleaned the motor before
I take it on holiday to the N E C tomorrow!!
At least I wont get a dusty windscreen !!
Right now I'm shutting down & going to watch "Goldies"
favourite programme !! back later if you all behave
!!1
