Author: Robert (Page 10 of 11)

Last week, the windscreen washer pump stopped working. After checking the fuse, I guessed the pump itself would be at fault and a new one was ordered.

Picked it up yesterday from the garage so today’s fun was fitting it. In theory this was simple; pull the washer fluid resevoir out, replace the pump and put the reservoir back. Of course the first thing was to put the volt-meter on the connection to make sure that electrons were getting to the pump otherwise it would have been a more serious problem. But there were twelve and a bit volts on the pump so on with the replacement.

In practice, getting the reservoir out was challenging as the air filter box was in the way so a certain amount of twisting and turning of the reservoir was done (along with some swearing it has to be said) before it would come out. The pump was pretty corroded so the new one was fitted and after more twisting, turning and head scratching, the reservoir was back in and a quick check showed it sounded like it was running.

Last thing is to put some new washer fluid in. I picked up a 5l container of screen wash but the container was too large to get near the filler without spilling it all over the engine.

Job done (hopefully) and a satisfied feeling all round.

Last trip of the season and it was off to Blair Atholl. Packed and ready to go at 11am, there was a quick trip to Sainsburys before heading north. As is traditional, the sat nav lead me on a merry dance as I headed for the bridge. But once there it was a straight road to Perth and then onto the A9. Which was lucky as the sat nav fell off the windscreen.

Traffic wasn’t that heavy and the roadworks on the M90 flowed freely. It came on to rain just south of Perth.

Found the campsite, avoided the suicidal ducks sitting on the road and booked in. The pitch was sort of hard standing but had seen a few better days. I had the row of pitches mostly to myself. It did appear to be a serviced pitch with taps.

Blair Atholl Caravan Park

Pitched up, there was time for a quick lunch before the serious business of making camp. The water and chemical toilet were dealt with quickly but the awning was another matter. After 45 minutes in the rain of trying to get the thing to stand up it was covered in muddy footprints and I was somewhat damp. I gave up and put it back in the bag. That’s two out of three trips it has proven beyond me to put up. Having an awning is fantastic. It is somewhere to put wet clothes and it provides extra living space. But that one was never designed for one person to put up.

After the fight with the awning I headed across the road to the ranger centre to check where the stalking will be this weekend and to plan the walks accordingly. Next to the centre was a chippy so I indulged myself with a bag of chips and felt better.

Fish for dinner was nice and then a quick Doctor Who (The Robots of Death) then it was time for bed. It Was getting chilly so on went the heater.

Saturday dawned somewhat overcast and after an extensive lie in, breakfast was had and the awning laid out to dry and then the day’s entertainment started.

First up was climbing Carn Laith. From the campsite it was about a 5km hike to the foot of the hill with was pretty pleasant. The foot of the hill was another matter. Bog and more bog. Treading a careful path through the quagmire, I reached the start of the steep ascent. He path was pretty good but went straight up the hill rather than tracing switchbacks. This is a more direct route but a killer on the calf muscles. The wind was beginning to pick up and the summit was clearly in the clouds. I continued to pick my way up until the cairn just below the summit. By this point the wind was a howling gale and I was getting somewhat buffeted about. The final ascent was over a boulder field which looked tricky, especially in the wind. So down I headed. I met a few other folk on the way and there were a few ironic remarks about the view ( there being none due to the mist ). Back to the campsite for about 2pm, it was time to try the showers. One thing about the toilets here is that the hot water takes its time to come through. But there was plenty of it and the showers was just what was required after the walk.

Carn Laith

Looking South from the foot of Carn Laith

Carn Laith

A spot of lunch then it was off to Blair castle. There was a £2 discount as I was staying at the caravan site. The castle is fantastic loads to see and they have arranged it in sequence to see it all. The Entrance Hall was amazing. I’ve never seen so many swords, knives and rifles in one room before and all artfully arranged. The castle itself is more of a Victorian country mansion than an actual defensive structure. It is also plain to see that one of the main incomes of the estate is stalking as there were a fair few stags heads on the walls. I wandered round there then saw the old kirk and then back for dinner ( chicken ) and some more of the Robots of Death.

Blair Castle

Blair Castle

Sunday it was up at 7 to start breaking camp. Got this done at a fairly leisurely pace, said bye to the wardens then hit the road. This time found a better route to the A9 then it was south. Road was fairly empty and luckily bereft of the idiots that speed along.

Made it home about 11am to unpack the van and start the mountain of washing.

All in all it was a lovely trip. There must be a trick to putting up the awning and it will now need a bit of cleaning. That’s probably it for weekends away this year but a few day trips are in the pipeline. Stay tuned for more :-).

One of the reasons for travelling is my interest in photography. I want to see the wild places of the UK and to record my visit.

To this end I have a rather nice Sony alpha DLSR with a Tamron 10-24mm wide angle lens. The combination takes impressive pictures, some of which I’ve posted here.

One problems is carrying the camera. As a DLSR, it is not the most petite of things and the lens adds more size as well. I have a Lowe Pro Toploader camera bag which in the past I’ve carried round my neck. This is ok but awkward as the camera swings around and the weight is taken on the neck. When scrambling, it can come perilously close to bashing expensive electronics off unforgiving rocks.

But a solution was suggested to me in one of the Flickr groups (sorry, lost the reference for it). My Osprey Kestrel day sack has some hooks on the front of the arm straps. Thus yesterday I picked up a couple of carabinas and attached the Toploader to the hooks on the arm straps. That plus passing the sternum strap thought the belt hole snugly attached the camera bag to my day sack. The camera is secure but ready for use and the weight of the camera is taken on the shoulders and waist with the rest of the day sack’s mass.

I’m looking forward to getting out and trying it out and of course, I’ll post any pics in the usual places.

Life is normally routine. You get up, go to work, come home, have dinner then go to bed. It becomes unconscious activity, done without any real mindfulness. What we need is transcendence.

Travel is physical form of going beyond. You pack up a small selection of possessions, you lock the front door and leave the routine world behind for an adventure.

As the engine starts and you pull out onto the road, the cares of the world slip away. Worries about the future and past are replaced by a sense of being in the moment with only the immediate problem of navigation occupying the mind.

And once at the destination, the looser routine of the campsite takes over. Water to be fetched, food to be cooked but that is all. No Internet to distract no e-mail, facebook or twitter demanding attention. You have transcended the daily life and moved to a more relaxed, more immediate plane. You move at a pace only dictated by internal desires.

Senses are heightened by the mind being at rest. Campsites often remove the physical clutter as well, many being in the countryside close to wild and open places.

Obviously this must come to an end and the real world re-entered. But the moment remains, to be recalled by a photograph or a smell or a sound. The travel is instant, taken back to that time and place and just for a moment there is bliss.

Up bright and early for the second part of my summer holiday. I packed the van and got the awning put away and said goodbye to Whitby.

The journey to Durham was to be broken by a stop for supplies at a big Sainsburys at a retail park in a place called Pity Me. In addition to the food, I bought a small brush for the van. The grass had been cut the previous day at Whitby and I’d managed to drag it all through the van. Durham Grange Caravan Club Site was 30mins across town and just off the A1M. Parked up, got the electrics on and then wrestled with the awning. I had taken care to pack it away neatly but somehow in transit, it had tangled itself up. But I got the thing up then went for a shower as the day was getting hot and humid. Sure enough, there was a downpour but this passed and the ground dried quickly. The shower block is of the usual CC standard and looks pretty new.

The afternoon was spent reading the paper, mostly about the Higgs Boson and the continuing fall out from Barclays. Plans were hatched to visit the Beamish museum. Then dinner, an episode of Sherlock and bed time.

First full day in Durham dawned with torrential rain. This was the cause of some extra snoozing but by 7:30am or so it was off and I ventured out for a shower. The shower block has only 4 showers so there was a bit of a queue.

Showered, breakfasted and teeth nice and clean it was time to head in to Durham proper. He easiest way in was via the Belmont park and ride. However, this involved crossing a dual carriageway that despite the footpath was still a bit scary. But soon I was on the bus and lost. I got off at a random stop and by sheer luck was close to the centre. I found my way to market square hoping to visit the tourist information. Only to find it was gone, replaced by a couple of guys with umbrellas. I wandered round the shops, picked up a couple of DVDs then headed for the Cathedral and Castle.

Durham

The Castle is part of Durham university so access is only by tour and I missed the sole tour that day. So it was into the Cathedral. Very impressive structure. Massive inside with an amazing pointed arch roof. Apparently the very first in England. No tours available so I wandered round. No cameras allowed inside either. I saw the shrine of St Cuthbert whose followers founded Durham while looking for somewhere safer than Lindesfarne. The story goes they found the location by following a milk maid who was looking for a lost cow.

Next stop was the university’s archeology museum. This was the prehistory of Durham from stone age to the Romans. Then onto another museum which told the story from the middle ages through to the present.

The weather had stayed reasonably good so lunch was eaten in Market Square then I found the right bus stop to get back to the park and ride, crossed he roads to get back to the campsite and made it back before he rain.

Another load of washing was required as I’d managed to drop both tea-towels on the floor. No breakage occurred and there was just enough time to squeeze in a nap before dinner.

DVD was one of the new ones I bought Scott & Bailey. Then time for bed to the sound of more rain.

Second full day in Durham dawned with overcast skies but with the rain having burnt itself out overnight. Plan was to go to the Beamish open air museum. With that in mind, I was on the bus into town at 9:30am. There is a direct bus from the bus station to the museum on a Saturday and I made the 9:45 one. 40minutes later I was at the front gate of the museum and completely forgot I got a discount with membership of the caravan club.

The museum is massive and incorporates its’ own tramway, two villages, a farm, a coal mine and a large house. The idea of the place is that you take the tram to each part then see people in costume working in the various areas. The staff are amazing and really know their stuff. They’re willing to discuss aspects of life from the early 20th century/late 19th century. So much to see and hear about. Spent ages here and the weather was fantastic.

Beamish Museum

Beamish Museum

Beamish Museum

Beamish Museum

Beamish Museum

Back to the van via Tescos. As the weather had been good, the awning was dry and this seemed to be an opportune moment to take it down.

Dinner then a few episodes of the Big Bang Theory then bed.

Up the next day, showered, breakfasted it was time to break camp. Did this by 9am and was on the road north. Journey home was uneventful apart from getting stuck behind a refrigerated lorry that dripping refrigerant all over the road and a couple of other lorries that were doing 35mph on a 60mph road.

Home, unpacked it was time for dinner and to think about a holiday that was interesting and that the rain didn’t really spoil.

First part of the summer holiday and it was off to the seaside. Whitby in this case. The van was packed the night before so it was a few clothes to be added then off via Sainsbury’s for food and the Asda at Dunbar for diesel. The price of fuel has dropped quite a bit recently so was pleasantly surprised at he cost for half a tank.

The road to Whitby was down the A1 with it’s fun alternating dual and single carriageways. As usual, the Sat Nav and I had a difference opinion as it wanted to take me via the Tyne tunnel and the A19 where as I wanted to stay on the A1(M) as far as possible. I won. The road wasn’t too bad though some of the ups and downs on the road approaching Whitby over the moors were fun and the last mile or so included a hill that I could only take in first gear.

Checked in and found my sea view pitch. This is the first site I’ve stayed on with grass pitches. Electrics hooked up it was time to put the awning up. As suggested by a friend, I pegged the windward side down loosely first before putting the poles in. This made all the difference and it was up in about 1/2 an hour.

Whitby

I settled down to read for a while and then it was fish and potatoes for dinner, this time actually cooked.

The dish washing area isn’t bad though there was the usual forgetting of washing something.  After the dishes were done, Dr Who (pirate planet) was watched and then down to bed for the evening.

Day two of the holiday dawned with bright blue skies despite rain overnight. First task of the day was a shower. The toilet block a Whitby holiday park is pretty well appointed but strangely missing the stools you get in the showers of the Caravan Club or Camping and Caravan Club so there is nowhere to put your clothes. Also, unusually, they started cleaning the block at about 9am. Breakfast was eaten and the day being so nice, it was time to head into Whitby proper.

First stop was the abbey. Pretty impressive place and English Heritage had done a good job both preserving the ruins and providing a visitor centre that was illuminating. Many photos were taken.

Whitby Abbey

Whitby Abbey

Whitby Abbey

Next it was down a steep slope into the harbour area. I’ve never seen a concentration of fish and chip shops like it. Loads of them and plenty of seagulls waiting to take their pick as well.

After hitting the visitor centre and picking up a map it was time to try the Dracula Experience. Bram Stoker had an association with the town and part of the story is set here. For most of it, it was your average ghost house type thing. But just at the end there was a guy in a werewolf suit and he gave me the fright of my life. So £2 well spent. Next up was the Lifeboat museum. The heroism on display was touching. It was amazing to see the stories of people who put their lives on the line to save others. But it is the price we pay as an island nation.

Lunch was eaten overlooking the harbour. With a hungry seagull overlooking me. Kept my sandwich though and headed for a wander through town.

Last was Captain Cook museum. He had quite an association with the town and some of his famous ships were built here. He museum was small but told his story.

Back to the van for a snooze then dinner, Dr Who and bed. Day stayed nice throughout though he wind was threatening the awning.

Second full day in Whitby dawned a bit overcast but no rain overnight. The wind had died down during the night as well. Up breakfasted and showered, the plan was for an easy day. Started with a walk into town to get some supplies and then back to do some washing. First attempt at the laundry was aborted when I broke the machine. No idea what I did but it was not accepting money. Waited for a bit then got the load on and dried. Most of the day was spent reading the papers. The nice part about being away is that time is available to read and digest the news and with the Barclay’s thing going on, there was something to digest.

Also on the reading list was Surface Detail by Iain M Banks. I had read it before but it would be my favourite of the Sci Fi Culture novels.

The day passes slowly in a relaxing and unhurried way. Dinner was had and an episode from Season 2 of Sherlock was watched. Then just before bed, I was rewarded with the most fantastic sunset. A bright red-orange sun, setting over the headland.

Sunset Whitby

The plan for the trip home from Killin was to climb Ben Lawers. This was fairly near the campsite but just a little too far to walk there. I headed along the A827 and with a little trepidation I turned up the narrow winding one track road to the car park at the foot of the hill. Parked up and discovered another campervan of similar vintage sitting there.

It was starting to rain as I set off thus it was on with the waterproofs. The walk up the hill was strenuous but enjoyable. The route starts in a nature reserve. The National Trust for Scotland are trying to preserve some of the plant life and have a reserve fenced off from the sheep. This contains a nature trail that is a pleasant walk in itself but for me it was onwards and upwards. The route snakes up the side of Ben Ghlass first and then onto a wide path before the final ascent of Ben Lawers. The Mountain Weather Information Service promised clear summits but this was not to be. I was well into the cloud by the half way point. The path between Beinn Ghlas and Lawers runs along a flat and wide ridge but is was a surreal experience to look either side of the path and just see white cloud. I hit the summit and had a seat by the trig point for a drink and bite to eat.

Downwards then, passing several groups on the way up. Then back to the van and a complete change of clothes. The waterproofs are good at keeping the rain off but make you sweat something terrible.

The journey home was uneventful getting back to the house about 4pm to dump everything in the washing machine and sit down to contemplate another trip done.

Ben Lawers Nature trail

Ben Lawers

Ben Lawers

Ben Lawers

Second trip away in the van. This time headed up to Killin on the shores of Loch Tay. Same idea as before, took a half day Friday and after a bit of packing and a trip to the shops, I was on my way. There are still road works and attendant 40mph zone on the M9 but the trip up was uneventful. I had an idea of where I was going, even if the sat nav had other ideas.

Killin Maragowan Campsite

Got to the site about 4pm, picked a level pitch after three goes and proceeded to make camp. This time, the awning got the better of me. There was just enough wind to catch it an make it act like a sail. Gave up in the end so no awning this weekend.

After water and chemical toilet duties, I wandered into Killin to pick up some orange juice from the local co-op. then dinner was cooked and some Dr Who watched. This trip was “The Android Invasion” with Tom Baker.

For all it is June, it was a bit chilly. I had made the decision that I didn’t need to bring the electric heater. In hindsight, that was a mistake. I tried the gas heater and it struggles to heat the van though I presume if I had run it for a while, it would have been fine. The fan is sounding a bit rattly so kept it off for the holiday.

Saturday dawned with the traditional sound of a British camping holiday, rain drumming on the roof. It had been cold overnight but I was as snug as a bug in a rug in my sleeping bag.

Breakfast was made and teeth were brushed and then the serious business of settling down and relaxing was started. I had brought a couple of books with me and was planning on getting some reading done.

About 10am I pulled on the waterproofs and headed into Killin itself. The town is pretty small and only takes a short time to walk from end to end. I popped into the outdoor shop for the weather forecast (more rain) and a pair of gloves as I had managed to leave min at home. Wandering along, I came to the folklore centre which was shut and looked permanently so.

Killin Folklore Centre

Killin Folklore Centre

The falls of dochart were next so some time was spent in contemplation of them. Then more time was spent watching the traffic navigate the single track bridge. This really needs a set of lights as you cannot see one end from the other.

Falls of Dochart

Next on the list of visitor attractions was the Moirlanich Longhouse. Shut as well but worth seeing and next to a somewhat impressive sub-station.

Moirlanich Longhouse

Back to the site and the now wet waterproofs were left in the drying room before a sandwich, with cashew nut butter – highly recommended, was consumed. I bought some of the papers in town and it was entertaining to see the doom and gloom. Matched the weather.

More reading and a quick nap was followed by dinner which was properly cooked this time and had the benefit of heating the place up a bit.

Dishes done, Dr Who watched it was time to settle down snugly in my sleeping bag to listen to the rain.

Woke really early on Sunday morning but some serious effort was put in to snoozing a bit longer so it was up at 7:30am to make breakfast and break camp. This was achieved in a fairly relaxed fashion and after saying goodbye to the wardens, I was on my was at 9am.

One of the tasks that happens on a yearly basis is the cleaning of the water system. This involves filling the tank with a solution of PuraClean, running it through the taps then leaving it for a while. Usually about six hours or so. Then, drain the system down and fill with clean water and flush through.

I don’t drink out of the water system, this isn’t recommended but this year I’m hoping to get to some more out of the way sites and some of them don’t have toilet blocks so a functioning and reasonably clean water system is essential.

The water system itself is interesting. It works by being having a pump keep the system under pressure. When a tap is turned on, the pressure drops and the pump starts working.

Up early again on the 6th. Mainly due to forgetting to pull the blind across the skylight thus the sun at 5:30am was bright and filling the van.

After a quick breakfast, it was time to break camp. The awning came down pretty easily but was a little damp from dew so some time was spent drying it with a towel. It will need some airing.

I was pretty much ready to go about 8:30am but I don’t like leaving the site without saying goodbye to the wardens. So headed off at the back of 9am.

The road was pretty quiet with most of the traffic coming towards Glencoe, people heading for the hills.

The weather did turn nasty with rain, hail and snow. And there were the usual set of mental overtaking manoeuvres. At one point a car overtook a horse box on a blind left hand bend and I had to stand on the brakes to let him back onto his side of the road.

But nothing more that that (and the usual crawl through the M9 roadworks, the signs should say delays inevitable). Home by noon and van unloaded by half past.

A fantastic trip and I’ll be back to Glencoe when I can. I got the weather and the scenery.