The road to the ferry terminal at Gills Bay was short and traversed quickly. Turns out I wasn’t the only one at Dunnet Bay who was heading for Orkney as another van from the site pulled up behind me in the queue. The ferry arrived and the loading started.

Ferry to Orkney

The thing about the Northlink ferry is that it is necessary to reverse on if not a car. I made a bit of a mess of this but got it into position and headed for the sun deck (even though there was no sun at this point).

The crossing was quick and while not totally flat not rough at all. Disembarked at St Margarets Hope and headed over the mainland to the Broch of Gurness. The broch is the most complete one in existence and the small exhibition gives a taste of what life would have been like. It was fascinating to walk round the remains and imagine the lives that were lived there so long ago.

Broch of Gurness

Broch of Gurness

The weather wasn’t great and spitting rain so cut short the visit to the broch and headed for Pickaquoy. This is part of a leisure complex that lies at the edge of Kirkwall on the harbour. Strangely, the hardstanding pitch was actual tarmac. That and the wind that was blowing meant no awning. And funnily enough, next door was the van from Dunnet Bay and the ferry was parked alongside.

First full day in Kirkwall was a chance to explore the town. First up was the Ortak showroom that was next to the site. Orkney has a deserved reputation for jewellery and crafts and Ortak had a display of how they develop the pieces and and extensive shop next door.

Then on to the Orkney Wireless Museum. This was much smaller than expected but packed to the roof with old radios and some radar and military equipment. There was even a Pong game going in the back. Looked round and the development of radios from crystal, through valve to transistor ones. Many different shapes, sizes and designs.

Round the corner was St Magnus’ Cathedral. Impressive even if small for a cathedral. Wandered round the outside marvelling at the building then headed inside for a look round. There was the story of St Magnus and baptism font which contained stones from every parish on Orkney.

St Magnus’ Cathedral

St Magnus’ Cathedral

St Magnus’ Cathedral

Across the road was the Earl’s and Bishop’s Palace, a Historic Scotland property. Again the story of the buildings were told and although not much left of the Bishop’s Palace, plenty to walk round the Earl’s palace.

Earl’s Palace

Bit of shopping and then back to the van.

The second, and last, full day on Orkney was to be the main reason for going. A tour of the neolithic sites. A bit of a hiccup occurred with the tour bus but then it was on the way. First up was the Standing Stones of Stenness. Only three remain with a table that was added later. Turns out they’ve not always been popular with a local farmer trying to dynamite them at some point.

Stones of Stenness

Round the corner was the Ring of Brodgar. This is more complete, a ring still exists and it is though that it is linked with the Standing Stones and another now missing ring.

The highlight of the tour was up next with Skara Brae. This was an amazingly well preserved neolithic village that was uncovered in a storm in the 19th century. Again amazing to think of the lives that lived there so long ago. Historic Scotland has done a great job of preserving and making the site accessible with a replica house to see.

Skara Brae

Maes Howe was last on the tour. This is a tomb which was uncovered by Vikings. Thus there is entertaining graffiti in the tomb in the form of runes. It turns out people havn’t changed that much over the centuries.

Next day was heading back to the ferry terminal and back to the mainland. Again it was reversing on to the ferry and again a bit of a mess was made of it. This time they really packed the vehicles on like sardines.

Summer holiday started with an early departure heading north along the A9 all the way to the north coast.

It was easy going all the way to Inverness. Stopped at the tourist information just north of the bridge to get a bite to eat and have a rest. For this trip I decided to give the usual mix of music a miss and listen to a talking book thus I was listening to Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale.

North of Inverness, the A9 isn’t as good a road and there were a few nasty hills that had to be taken in second gear with disturbing signs like “Test Brakes Now”.

But a right turn at Thurso brought me to the campsite at Dunnet Bay. And what a fantastic location it is. Almost right on the bay with a few steps to a sweeping golden beach. The site itself is grass pitches and quite cramped for a Caravan Club site. Quite relaxed as well, the wardens were not on duty and I was instructed by the notice just to pick a pitch and come back when they opened.

Dunnet Bay CC Site

Dunnet Bay

The second day at Dunnet bay was scorching hot. The showers were the usual Caravan club standard with the added amusement of only one millimetre travel between boiling and freezing.

The plan was to head to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point in mainland Britain. Thus clad in suntan oil, I headed off on the ten mile round trip. The walk was rather nice and the head itself was worth it. Great views over the Pentland Firth and a light house and abandoned radar station to look at. Was really impressed when a coach turned up having made it along the narrow road.

On The Way to Dunnet Head

On The Way to Dunnet Head

Dunnet Head

Dunnet Head

Dunnet Head

Back at the van I hit the showers for the second time that day and sat and read in the sun.

The third and last day an Dunnet head was overcast and cooler than before. Broke camp early and hit the road about 8am for the ferry to Orkney and the second part of the holiday.

The weather forecast for Sunday was looking promising so I thought it would be time to get this season’s walking started. And with that in mind, at 7:30 am I set of for the National Trust for Scotland’s nature reserve at Grey Mare’s Tail.

As is traditional on these things, there was an error of navigation. This time however, it was my fault and thus I ended up on the single track road of the B709. Not to be recommended. But after that I reached the car park about 9am and booted up, I hit the trail.

There is a well made path that leads up from the car park above the falls of the tail. The sun was just breaking through some clouds and the falls were looking spectacular.

Just above the tails I crossed the burn without too many problems, the walking poles proving invaluable. Across the burn was the wall that the map said would lead me to the top of White Coomb. But between me and the summit were the Rough Craigs.

The trail mostly followed the wall though at the steepest part, it moved away. The climb was steep and with a few hands on sections but nothing too difficult. And Loch Skeen was coming into view.

Passing the Craigs, it flattened out to the summit cairn. I’d met a few walkers on the way up and we stopped for a chat before heading on. Also at the summit was another walker, this one with a radio transmitting as part of Summits on the Air.

The wall continued east to Firthhope Rig then turned north to Donald’s Cleuch Head and then on to Firthybrig Head. The going was relatively flat and good time was made all the while watching the wind turbines in the distance.

There was a down then up to the cairn on Lochcraig Head and the views over Loch Skeen.

Then it was time to turn for home. Down to the shores of the loch and a fairly boggy section. Looking back though there were some good views of the hills I’d just climbed.

Continuing on, I caught the path at the top of the tail and then down the way I’d come.

With some time to head along to the viewing point of the falls. The sun was out fully now and it was getting hot. So there was time to sit in the van and have lunch before setting off.

Home was via a different route and I reached the flat about 4:30pm. Just time to nip out to get some after sun cream (I was a bit pink after being out in the sun all day) and then a well earned tea.

First weekend away in the Van. Easter has come early this year and the winter has lasted late so it was going to be a cold one. The main point of the journey up to Callander was to go to my friends wedding and then possibly to do a little hill walking.

Set off on the Sunday towards Callander and arrived with no problems other than the usual argument with the Sat Nav. For some reason it was wanting to take me one junction further along the M9 and onto some B road with four numbers. From experience, this is never a good thing so I decided to overrule it and take the A84. This is major road with only the narrow bridge in Doune providing any choke point. Made good time and pitched up on a very busy Gart Caravan Site.

Gart Caravan Park

I picked a hardstanding pitch which were all serviced. Managed to get the awning up with only minor amounts of swearing. The trick seems to be to peg down the four corners first then raise it up section by section. Due to the cold, I decided not to fill the water system, indeed the people at the next pitch told me that their aqua roll froze the previous night. Electrics on, I got the electric heater going.

A rather nice dinner of fish then some friends who had also arrived early for the wedding sent a message to see who was about. Thus it was off to the pub (and the warm) for a few drinks and a horrible repetition of a Proclaimers song.

Heading home from the pub, I was able to walk through some unlit roads and was able to see the stars clearly as it was a totally cloudless night. You forget what the night sky is really like living in a city with lots of streetlights (and possibly light pollution depending on your point of view).

It was cold and the temperature was due to fall below freezing for the night so I was relying on my sleeping bag, new long pyjamas and warm socks to keep me cozy through the night.

Woke early the next morning having had a pretty good sleep and still being warm. Showered, breakfasted and dressed, I sat down to read for a while as the wedding wasn’t till after lunch.

At this point it started to feel cold. The gas heating was put on to try and heat the van but without good insulation it was just burning money so I decided to leave the site early the next day rather than stay on a do the walk. That was already out as the target, Ben Ledi, was covered in snow and ice.

The wedding was lovely, Roman Camp in Callander is a great location, the wedding breakfast (at 5pm) was tasty and the band played a mean tune. The few ceilidh dances that were played ended in chaos but that is half the fun.

Roman Camp

Midnight it was back to the van and back into the cozy sleeping bag.

Tuesday the 2nd was bright and clear and cold like the previous day. There was a leisurely decamp and about 11am I set off. First port of call on the way home was Doune Castle. This is a Historic Scotland property which was the singular distinction of being one of the filming locations for Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Well worth a visit. The audio tour is narrated by Terry Jones and describes both the castle and the filming there.

Doune Castle

Doune Castle

Doune Castle

Doune Castle

Doune Castle

About an hour round the castle, it was getting cold, then a lunch in the van reading the visitor’s guide then it was off to the second port of call that day, my now married friend’s house. This involved much driving around, getting lost and finally a phone call when I’d made it to within 500m but the wrong side of a wall.

Chatted for a while there and showed off the van before heading home, giving someone a lift. Made it through the rush hour traffic and home to find that the car park was almost full. parked where I could and managed to unload in only 4 trips.

First weekend away pretty successful. It was cut short due to the cold. I maybe should invest in a thermal blind for the windscreen and I guess that is where most of the heat loss is. On the other hand, it isn’t that well insulated round the rest of the van.

Had the habitation check today. All went pretty well with only one thing noted as a failure. The burner for the water heater has disintegrated. Thus it wasn’t burning correctly and pouring out Carbon Monoxide. The flue is outside the van so there no problem there but the water heater is not usable on gas.

Problem is that the heater is a Carver Cascade 2. Carver are long gone and parts for the Cascade 2 are becoming thin on the ground. Luckily there are a few places with new burners for sale and second hand ones are available on ebay.

It isn’t really much of a problem. I don’t use the water heater at all. If I need to do the dishes, it is as easy to boil the kettle as to use the heater and cheaper as well. Plus the heater still works on mains so I’ve still got that option.

Friday was also when I’d booked Harmony in for it’s Mot and service. After last year, I had my fingers crossed that it wouldn’t be too expensive.

But mid Friday afternoon I go the text saying all was well. Picking the van up on Saturday, it looks like it just needed new windscreen wipers to pass. There are some advisories but nothing that needs any urgent attention.

Just the habitation check and that’s the main maintenance tasks done for the year.

Friday was a visit to the caravan show Scotland. As usual, they’d taken over the whole SECC.

Firstly there was a trip to the accessory and awning hall. I’d heard that Duncan’s Caravans where showing off an easy erect motorhome awning. I watched the demo of the Quest Elite Instant Motorhome Awning and was very impressed. All the poles are fixed to the fabric so it is just a case of clicking them into place and it is standing up. Also on display at Duncan’s stand was a caravan awning that used columns of air instead of poles to hold it up. Just attach pump (or compressor) and it would be standing in no time.

After the Accessory hall, I took a wander through the static caravans and lodges. Fantastic some of them, bigger than my flat and very luxurious. If you find a spot that you love, these would be perfect. And there were plenty of sites trying to tempt you.

Didn’t spend too much time in the caravan hall, some very lovely units in display but as a confirmed (for now) motorhome-er I wasn’t that interested.

The motorhome hall though was full of very shiny and nice stuff. Hymer were present showing off their A-class units. Very opulent inside but with a price of close to £70000 to match.

A new dealer, Border Cars from Ayrshire were in attendance. They’ve only been dealers for about 10 months but they had a big stand and some very nice kit on display. They had a Globecar van conversion on a Transit base which is quite unusual these days with most motorhomes on Ducato/Boxer bases.

Tyne valley motorhomes had the van that if I ever decided to sell Harmony, I’d want. This was an Autocruise Jazz. Smallish van conversion but with all mod cons. Looked lovely. £38000.

After drooling and the vans, there was a trip to Warwickshire Clothing’s stand for some bargains on Craighopper trousers and a fleece then it was back to the accessory hall for a new water carrier and water hose then home.

All in all, a good day out.

It is year end now and time to look back on the adventures I’ve had over the past 12 months.

The year started somewhat expensivly with Harmony requiring £2000 of work to pass the MOT. But fingers crossed that it the major stuff until the timing belt and tyres need replacing in a couple of years time.

First trip was a day drip to Castle Campbell and King’s Seat Hill in April. That was the first time out on the hills in 2012 and proved a lovely walk with the Castle a fitting back drop.

Glencoe (Pt 1, Pt 2 & Pt 3) was the first proper weekend away in May. Although technically spring, it got quite cold at night and up at the top of the hills, it was easily falling to 0C. But the weather was great and the sceanary spectacular.

Killin and Ben Lawers were the weekend away in June. It rained the entire weekend and the wind prevented me from putting up the awning (the first of may failures to put it up). But even in the bad weather, a trip away was welcome. Work was a bit stressful and it was nice just to sit in the Van and read.

Summer holiday in July was Whitby & Durham. Despite a summer that was totally washed out by rain, I managed to miss the most apocalyptic stuff and actually got really good weather for Whitby. The ruined abby at Whitby and the Beamish Open Air Museum were real highlights of this trip.

Last trip of the year was Blair Atholl. More walking and photography here and a trip to the castle rounded off the trips of the year.

Looking ahead to 2013, plenty of places to go and see what’s what. Callander is first up for a friends wedding  (and a trip up Ben Ledi & Ben Venue). Summer, I’m hoping to make it to Orkney. I wanted to go there for a few years now. It is a long way but why not. Loads to see and I’m in no hurry to arrive :-).

Day trip today to visit a couple of museums in Glasgow that I’ve been meaning to get to for a while now. Setting off bright and early I caught the train to Partick station. Driving through Glasgow is not for the faint hearted.

Arriving, the first thing I see in the station is a statue of the GI Bride from Bud Neil’s cartoons. Fantastic. There is a statue of The Lobby Dosser & Rank Badjin’ in Glasgow as well so worth a look.

GI Bride

Exiting the station it was off through the rain to the Riverside museum, the home of the Glasgow Museum transport.

Riverside Museum

First up was a Lotus bike and Colin McRae’s rally car in typical all-four-wheels-off-the-ground pose.

Lotus Bike

Colin McRae Car

Then it was on to see a street scene from the early 19^th century, complete with horse drawn tram. The shops down the side of the street were open and described the trade that would have been doen in them.

Street Scene

Just off the street was a recreation of an old subway station complete with original car. The Glasgow underground was the third one in the world and used a cable driven system. The subway was arranged in circle (and still is to this day) with cars going in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. The cars were pulled by cabled with a contraption operated by the driver to attach and detach from the cable as required. The system was converted to electricity later.

Subway Car

Leaving the street scene, next up was the wall of motorcycles with a personal favourite, the 916.

916

The main part of the museum consisted of cars, stream engines and models of ships including a wall of cars through the ages.

Vauxhall Chevette

VW

Car

There were more trams, electric ones this time, on display in the main part as well. It was fascinating to see some of the old cars, including not so old ones that I can remember from not that long ago (or so it seems to me :-).

Leaving the Museum of Transport, it was a quick walk to Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery. There was a particular reason for the visit here, more later.

Kelvingrove Museum

The entrance hall was an impressive structure, almost like a cathedral, all the more as there was an organ at one end. The Kelvingrove is split into two, with one side being a museum and the other an art gallery. I headed for the museum first and looked through a section detailing aspects of Glasgow life. Some of it was the more unhappy side such as domestic violence and sectarianism. But there was a fun aspect as well detailing Glasgow people’s love of Country and Western music (including a costume worn by Sidney Devine).

Upstairs from that was gallery devoted to swords and armour. Some really fantastic pieces there.

Sword

Armour of a mercenary

Sword

Armour

Then it was across to the art gallery and the main reason for the visit, Christ of St John of the Cross.

Christ Of St John Of The Cross

I had seen this picture a few years ago in the Museum of religion in Glasgow and was interested to see it again. It was kept in the Kelvingrove in its own room with panels detailing how Glasgow came to own the picture and details of how it was painted and then restored after it was damaged. I took several minutes to look at the picture as it has a very haunting quality. Dali’s picture has split opinion with many saying it is a work of genius and an equal number decrying the picture.

From there, there was a quick turn around the rest of the art gallery before sitting down to listen to the organ recital.

Heads

Then it was back to Partick station to head home with a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. All in all a very good day out and two very recommended places to visit.

The Caravan and Camping club site directory arrived today. The coming of the site directory (and the one from the Caravan Club) starts the process of dreaming and planning for the next year’s adventures. Looking through the pages describing the sites, it is easy to imagine travelling to some out of the way place and setting up camp for the night or the weekend.

Something I’m looking forward to is trying out some of the Certified Locations. These are small five unit site, usually with limited facilities, all through the country. I’m hoping to find some near some lovely walking.