At last some sunshine but we’re using a lot of Gas!

Thursday 9th May

We left in sunshine and headed off towards the town of Plockton where they allow overnight parking by the Loch. This trip is actually passing all the places we have been on the West Highland Way. As we passed through Crianlarach we saw a few people walking through and I must confess a little bit of envy. Next stop Tyndrum where the famous Green Welly shop is. Joan however talked me out of visiting the chippy. While we were parked I heard the fridge clicking shortly after I put it on to gas which means the gas bottle is empty.  I was pleased actually, as I knew we could replace it here in a little general store, because I always like to have a spare one available (£23).

Arriving in Plockton around mid-day we had a snack and then explored the town. It’s a lovely little place with several nice pubs, (I was only allowed to try one). Then as we made our way to the Plockton Inn to check out the menu it started to rain quite heavily. Over the afternoon and evening there were several showers but we managed to get to the Inn and back where we had another nice dinner for £60. Some of you may be thinking this is quite pricey every day, but as the average campsite costs around £25 now, it’s quite reasonable when our overnight stay is free.  However I hope it warms up soon because when we don’t have an electric hook-up we need to heat with our gas, and of course the shower water also has to be heated. Just before we left I checked the gas and it’s pretty low.

A lovely Loch side 

From our van just before the rain!

Wow! That’s what you call a fish restaurant.

Wednesday 8th May

Headed off to Kinloch Seafood a super fish restaurant which if you eat there allows motorhomes to stay overnight free. Thus combining two of Joan’s favourite words, Fish Restaurant & Free, (oops, that’s 3). The journey was to introduce us to “passing places” these are a very good idea IF the other drivers cooperate. To be fair most do, but as is the case everywhere in the world there are people who have no idea how wide their vehicles are or don’t care. I’m not sure we picked the most direct route but we still arrived in very good time and the weather is improving, hurrah. 

The meal was very good if not amazing, but when you are sitting at a table and the waitress comes over with a set of tools, you start to worry. Then you casually look around and everybody else is attacking things on their plate with gusto and said tools. Joan ordered a crab, something she has enjoyed in the past but it usually came sort of ready to eat. This one came straight from the sea via a pan of boiling water. I could only find Langoustines on the menu that I could eat, as I eat prawns and apparently these are prawns on steroids!! I also got a toolkit and set-to. It was an experience we enjoyed even though after the meal we had also had a workout and were very glad our bedroom was only outside. Still for £60 all in, it was very good value and we will probably go again if we are up that way. If possible we intend taking a night school course on how and which tool to use.

Langoustines

Brown Crab

Our trip to Scotland day 1

Tuesday 7th May
Left home around mid-morning and headed towards Edinburgh with the intention of finding a Brit stop or campsite for he night. As it turned out they were few and far between so we headed for the Falkirk wheel campsite. This turned out to be an enormous gravel car park with a plug in. The Facilities were alright and there was bags of hot water, so that was ok. If it had stopped raining we might have wandered out for a look around but it was quite chilly so we just watched tele.

The day was NOT without incident however as we were very carefully directed by their road signs towards this VERY LOW bridge on what was a very busy rat run!!!

We did consider staying another night and having a look at the Kelpies but it was a bit miserable so we decided to head on up as the forecast was for better weather further West.

Cheers
Bryan & Joan xx

We need to try and use this crazy site!!!

So having finally accepted that Google has screwed me I have been forced to get a new blog. When I tried to enter both of our existing blogs I was sent on a magical mystery tour ending up back where I started. Then I tried to start a new one and was told that the two addresses I wanted were already in use. Yes I know they are in use by ME!!!!!!! But Google cannot find them, surprise surprise.

Now I shall try to put a couple of pictures on, God help me.

Eleanor on Norfolk beach

Jessica & Eleanor at Keilder

Doctor Jessica with Poor Joan (fake injury)

Well apart from the fact that it seems to jump all over the place I seem to have managed to get both words and pictures published, amazing.