Moffat CCC Site 31.10.2012 Halloween

 

          

Originally we were going to spend two nights at Kippford holiday park but we decided to move on but didn’t want to head home just yet.  We looked to see which of the club sites were near our route home and saw that Moffat CCC site was handy, had space and was nice and close to the town.

Our drive to the site was through some very heavy rain, we in fact wondered if a boat might be suited for this last trip to Scotland with all the rain we have had so far.

Another warm and friendly welcome greeted us on arrival at the site. Nice, level,spacious site with large,clean toilet block. After parking up we walked into the town to browse the shops. There were plenty of places to eat and we can recommend the Moffat Mill restaurant for breakfast (which is just adjacent to the site).

We have now covered 2345miles in Monty since new. Many more happy miles to come.

Kippford holiday park 30.10.2012

Located near Castle Douglas just outside of Kippford, Kippford holiday park is mainly a static caravan site with some tourer pitches.  We saw an article on the site in MMM magazine and liked the look of it all be it didn’t appeal as much when we were there.  No complaints re welcome or the pitch, which was well screened and had electric hookup, water and grey waste on each pitch. The facilities block was very clean and plenty of hot water. 

                 

From the motorhome window we watched red squirrels scampering around, and even when you were outside they came up quite close. The price is very good too including discount for CCC & CC site members.  The only thing that put us off going back was the lack of views and that you were in amongst static caravans.  Beside the welcome at the office the only other friendly hello from the several people we saw was from the caravan next to our pitch.

New England Bay CC Site 27.10.2012

     

Setting off on a very cold and wintry morning in North Yorkshire, with a dusting of snow on the ground and temperatures around 2c, we made our first stop, for breakfast at Scotch Corner services on the A66.

The A66 route had more snow and the side roads off looked quite icy but by the time we got to Brough on the A66 it was if we had crossed into a different weather zone – sunny, no snow and warmer. 

Arriving at New Bay CC site we still had decent sunny weather but this changed in the evening and for the rest of Sunday with plenty of rain coming down.
Lovely big site direct on to beach, up to the usual standards of the Caravan Club. Very friendly welcome.  One toilet block was closed for the winter period. The only small point was the hot water wasn’t that hot in the showers. At this time of the year there was only about 20 units, 5 left on Sunday, maybe due to the forecasted weather. Sunday we spent in the motorhome sheltering from the constant downpour, watching formula 1, a film and looking at the 100's of rabbits and sparrows that abound the site. Nearest shop is approx 5 miles away.

Monday. Brighter today with sunshine. So we decided to go to Logan Botanical gardens just 1.5miles from the site. Nice place but at this time of year not much was out in bloom.

           

            

           

We then headed to Logan fish pond, yes sounds strange but looked interesting on their website.  But they had closed early for winter so we never got to see it. 

Next on our list was a place we have visited a few times, Mull of Galloway lighthouse and RSPB centre.  The site is on a peninsular with views of Isle of Man, Northern Ireland and Cumbria.  The point is the most southerly point of Scotland.

                 

By the time we got back to the site the weather was changing, so while we still had time, out came the BBQ and by the time the burgers were cooked the heavens had opened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday.  Time to pack up and head off to our next site at Kippford after seeing an article in the MMM magazine and reading rave reviews on UKCampsite.co.uk

Whitby - 28th September 2012

 

    

This trip we headed off to Whitby in North Yorkshire for the weekend.  We booked a pitch at Sandfield House Farm, on the Sandsend to Whitby road.

Nice site with good views over Whitby bay. Shops are about 15mins walk away and the centre about 30mins, or there is a bus stop outside the entrance.

Saturday morning we got up early and drove the 5 minutes to the Cliff top parking area so we could have breakfast with a view. After breakfast we went for a walk along the beach and round the town of Whitby.

 

A sail on the Endeavour (not the real one) around the bay. Not bad for £3 per person.

Then a ride on Elizabeth, Whitby’s steam powered bus.

Rosemarkie CCC site 29.8.12

29th August 2012
Rosemarkie CCC site nr Inverness

Well after our drive from Dunnet Head to Rosemarkie via a fuel and food stop at.... yes Tesco's in Wick, we arrived to a sunny day.  A minor problem with Monty's habitation door, the strut screw came loose and the door stuck.  Thankfully the very helpful site manager had a spare allan key to keep tightening it.  This is our third time at this site, and probably one of our favourites.  Great views, dolphins at the point, and the beach in front of you.  Okay the toilet blocks are small and you may have to queue but that is the only minor niggle.

30.08.12
The following day we went to Cromarty

to visit Ecoventures  for a 2 hour boat trip to see dolphins and other wildlife.  we spotted 3 harbour porpoise and a dolphin and baby.

Chanonry Point Dolphins video

28th August 2012

28.08.12

Dunnet Head

Most northerly point on mainland UK, see wikipedia. 

Off to the right are the Orkney islands.

panorama 360 view.

John O Groat's

Eldest daughter spotted comedian Kevin Bridges while we where at the famous John o Groats signpost.

John o' Groats is popular with tourists because it is generally regarded as the most northerly settlement on the island of Great Britain, although this is not a claim made by its inhabitants and is in fact false. It is however one end of the longest distance between two inhabited points on the island of Great Britain, Land's End being the other. (The most northerly point on the island of Great Britain is nearby Dunnet Head). (Wikipedia more info)



Ducansby Head.
wikipedia info

Orkney islands in the background

Duncansby stacks

27th August Dunnet Head, Thurso

27.07.12

Caravan club site Dunnet Head, nr Thurso.

We arrived after a long drive through some heavy rain and strong winds. Glad we had taken the main route from Inverness. Lovely site with a great beach. Just want the wind to die down, the rain has stopped. Only here for 2 nights.  Shopped at Tesco's in Thurso for supplies. Off 2 see John O Groats and Dunnet Head, most northerly point on mainland UK. I always thought that was John O Groats!

27th August 2012

27th August 2012

Driving from Poolewe to Thurso via Inverness.  Forecast for strong winds and heavy rain, so sadly have decided to take the main route rather than the long scenic route around the north west coast.  5 minutes before we stopped and took this picture a large deer had crossed the road in front of us.

Salmon farm in the distance

Salmon farm - zoom in and see the men working.

Inverewe Gardens, Poolewe 24.8.12

24th August 2012

Inverewe Gardens CCC Site, Poolewe, Scotland.

Monty got up early for this trip, 3am to be precise for the long 8hour drive to Poolewe via Inverness.  Driving was relaxed and less stressful than when we used to have the caravan.  Monty drove well, and fuel economy was around 24mpg, with 4 on board and plenty of clothes for the changeable weather!

We stopped at Tesco's Inverness for fuel and provisions.  We found that the fridge is a bit on the small side compared to the caravans, so stocking needs to be well planned.  We even had a cool bag and kept swapping freezer blocks.

Poolewe site, known as inverewe gardens, is lovely.

With views of the loch in front and the hills behind, and Inverewe gardens off to the right.
The gardens are amazing, we went expecting to be an hour and spent 4 hours.

We didnt see the local otter or much wildlife other than herons, gulls and lots of sparrows.
We are staying for a couple of days then thinking of driving the long scenic route round to Thurso via Ullapool and Durness.

Weather - wet on the way up but not as torrential as forecast. Saturday overcast, sunday very sunny and warm. Monday forecast strong winds and heavy rain, may not do the scenic route and go via Inverness to Thurso.