Scotland trip for new year.

[poppycamper]

Thankfully we’re all different or life would be boring

if you believe what you read,!!! Household wood burners are being frownd upon unless they burn dried and < 20% moisture wood. And are the latest 'Eco Burner Range'
Oki doki, I except that .. my main heating system is, as above, and only use gas when it is BBBRRR'
HOWEVER. what shite is piled on that monstrosity of a bonfire in the middle of the town.
Yes i drove past it last week.and I said to Mrs Poppycamper.. look at that.. pallets.. doors, window frames etc... all painted!!
They are trying to stop us heating our house with logs , How many equvilant log burner fires is going to equal that pollution to the atmosphere right in the heart of the town..
Yep everyone to there own.. and let's burn what ever shite we can to stop life being boring.

 

[monzer]

if you believe what you read,!!! Household wood burners are being frownd upon unless they burn dried and < 20% moisture wood. And are the latest 'Eco Burner Range'
Oki doki, I except that .. my main heating system is, as above, and only use gas when it is BBBRRR'
HOWEVER. what shite is piled on that monstrosity of a bonfire in the middle of the town.
Yes i drove past it last week.and I said to Mrs Poppycamper.. look at that.. pallets.. doors, window frames etc... all painted!!
They are trying to stop us heating our house with logs , How many equvilant log burner fires is going to equal that pollution to the atmosphere right in the heart of the town..
Yep everyone to there own.. and let's burn what ever shite we can to stop life being boring.

That's the spirit

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Well we’ve had our fair share of wind and rain on this trip and last night was no exception. Saw rhe 10 o clock news last night and that the Edinburgh Hogmany celebrations and others about the country had been cancelled due to the weather forecast. They did say the Stonehaven one was going ahead but listening to the weather last night did make us wonder.
This morning didn’t show much improvement to start with. We planned to walk to Dunnottor Castle but for a while it looked doubtful. Could cope with the rain but the walk includes a clifftop footpath and we weren’t too keen with the wind.
The forecast showed it might brighten up around 11am and it did. The rain stopped, the wind died down although it was still a bit breezy and we were presented with blue skies.
We did the walk, just short of 3 miles each way and having dressed for cold weather we were then regretting putting on the extra thick jumpers and layering up. En route we talked to a Fireball Festival Marshall who assured us it will take place ‘come hell or high water’ being his words.
Stunning views along the walk which includes a steep climb to get out of Stonehaven, takes you past the war memorial on the tops and follows the coast to Dunnottar. The path gets close to the edge at times and is not for the faint hearted but us safe enough. There is an alternative following the road if high paths are not your thing or if you needed a mobility aid.
We’ve done it before so didn’t bother to go into the castle on this occasion. Only disappointment was having got there the coffee shack was closed and we hadn’t taken anything with us, in anticipation we’d get a drink there. Dunnottar Castle is quite a stunning site and very photogenic.
We returned the same way to Stonehaven and spent some time exploring the town, calling at the Waterfront Cafe for refreshment.
At Dunnottar we met an Irish guy who was out cycling. He asked if I’d use his phone and take some pics of him with his bike and the castle in the background. Got talking and he was telling us he was in a motorhome parked up on the seafront outside the CAMC site. When we returned the cheeky bugger was washing his bike off at the water point on the site. Quickly did one when he saw us??
Joined the staff and other campers for a glass of bubbly in reception. The staff were seething about the vans parked outside and how they use the campsite facilities.
Interestingly on the way down for drinks the wife stopped off at the toilet. Whilst waiting a lady with a foreign accent came to the toilets but after a few seconds walked off saying you needed a code. Think maybe she thought I wanted to use them. A bit later when we walked the dog she was getting into one of the vans camped outside on the road. I love a free park up, might have parked on the front ourselves if it had only been for a night, but if you choose that don’t expect to use the site facilities. I’ve said it and I’m sure there’ll be some will want to shoot me down. It does nothing but sully motorhoming reputation.
I did raise the point though that CAMC prices were expensive and they were missing a trick and could charge for use of servicing points.
Anyway it’s mealtime. I’ll try get photos of the fireball festival and post again tomorrow.



View attachment 995251

View attachment 995252

View attachment 995253

View attachment 995254

View attachment 995256

View attachment 995258

View attachment 995259

View attachment 995260

We loved Stonehaven. Using the campsite while parking outside is akin to theft in my opinion. I can understand the staff being upset, but agree with you on pricing.

 

[lorger]

if you believe what you read,!!! Household wood burners are being frownd upon unless they burn dried and < 20% moisture wood. And are the latest 'Eco Burner Range'
Oki doki, I except that .. my main heating system is, as above, and only use gas when it is BBBRRR'
HOWEVER. what shite is piled on that monstrosity of a bonfire in the middle of the town.
Yes i drove past it last week.and I said to Mrs Poppycamper.. look at that.. pallets.. doors, window frames etc... all painted!!
They are trying to stop us heating our house with logs , How many equvilant log burner fires is going to equal that pollution to the atmosphere right in the heart of the town..
Yep everyone to there own.. and let's burn what ever shite we can to stop life being boring.

 

[Apacheman]

if you believe what you read,!!! Household wood burners are being frownd upon unless they burn dried and < 20% moisture wood. And are the latest 'Eco Burner Range'
Oki doki, I except that .. my main heating system is, as above, and only use gas when it is BBBRRR'
HOWEVER. what shite is piled on that monstrosity of a bonfire in the middle of the town.
Yes i drove past it last week.and I said to Mrs Poppycamper.. look at that.. pallets.. doors, window frames etc... all painted!!
They are trying to stop us heating our house with logs , How many equvilant log burner fires is going to equal that pollution to the atmosphere right in the heart of the town..
Yep everyone to there own.. and let's burn what ever shite we can to stop life being boring.

Akin to closing all our coal powered power stations at the same time rushing to buy steel and products for wind farms and solar panels from China and India whilst they open more coal powered power stations to meet the demands. Only we Brits conform to the plans of others!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Yes we are saving milk bottle tops while the big countries plough on digging coal.

 

[Barriesimpson]

Terrible to use their facilities though, why would you when you can just go p1ss in the sea.

But what if you need a shit?

 

[CazPaul]

But what if you need a shit?

Same scenario the sea hasn’t moved

 

[Barriesimpson]

Same scenario the sea hasn’t moved

You sir, are an animal.....

 

[Apacheman]

Same scenario the sea hasn’t moved

Easier still when the tides in, although seeing some of those waves coming in yesterday

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Apacheman]

Woke this morning to a covering of snow and freezing conditions. Had a lengthy drive ahead of us so wanted to be off the site at Stonehaven by 9. Wanted to take on a bit of water but all the service taps were frozen.Always carry a small container and managed to fill that at the indoor washing up point. should have enough to see us home.
Gingerly left the site as all the roadways were really slippery but once onto the main road the gritters had done their work and surfaces were clear. I know many if us, me included, knock the CAMC but that site at Stonehaven is lovely, the wardens were very friendly and it is so well placed within minutes of the town. I would highly recommend it.
We had a decent journey down to Edinburgh, mainly dual carriageway and motorway with a stop off at Kinross services for a toilet break and coffee. Plenty of snow on the hills and in the fields but at least the roads were clear and until Edinburgh the traffic was light, crossing the Forth over the M90 Queensferry bridge. Was hoping the wife would get some decent photos but forgot the bridge is lined with windbreaks to protect traffic so you don’t really get to see much. We stopped again at Dobbies Garden Centre just of the Edinburgh ring road on the A7 for lunch.
A lovely drive down the A7 to Hawick. Much more snow about and in parts still laying on the road. Was gobsmacked by one car coming the other way piled high with snow and about a postage stamp of windscreen cleared for view. Bloody idiot. Fuelled up with diesel at Galashiels £135.9 a litre. Not had it that cheap for a while.
Finally arrived in Hawick where we are staying for the night before heading back to Yorkshire tomorrow. Many thanks to the foresighted council for providing the Motorhome aire with a CDP and fresh water. About 10 vans in tonight. Looks like a couple of them are long stayers.
Nice walk around Hawick, not much open except the main supermarkets but it’s an interesting and historical place to visit. Bloody freezing outdoors! Warm in the van though. Can’t see us going far tonight, even got some tv reception.

 

[DerryW]

Thanks for sharing details of your trip, very interesting and informative.

Have safe journey on the last leg back to Yorkshire tomorrow

 

[lorger]

Enjoy your trip and gives us food for thought, thanks for sharing

 

[namwaldog]

Might be worth a check on road conditions tomorrow to get across from either Carlisle or Penrith.

The A69 from Carlisle to Newcastle is less likely to be affected by weather than the A66 Penrith to Scotch Corner.

Safe Journey

 

[Apacheman]

Might be worth a check on road conditions tomorrow to get across from either Carlisle or Penrith.

The A69 from Carlisle to Newcastle is less likely to be affected by weather than the A66 Penrith to Scotch Corner.

Safe Journey

Thanks for the info, heading south east A68, 696 to join the A1 at Newcastle.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Apacheman]

Woke up to another very cold freezing morning in Hawick. Good news was it hadn’t snowed overnight, although walking across the car park to the Elsan point was a bit slippery and the water was frozen solid.
Said goodbye to my brother and his wife and they headed down the A7 back home to Cumbria.
On the road for 9, left Hawick heading south east on the A6088 through Bonchester Bridge and towards the A68 near the English border. Again it’s a beautiful drive through open countryside and a couple of small villages. There had been a lot of snow there over the last couple of days and it got thicker and more lay on the road as we climbed over 400 metres to Carter Bar where the Scots/ English border is.
A quick stop for a border photo and to take in the 360* beautiful views, too cold to hang around for too long and we were back in England homeward bound. Once over the border you drop very quickly and in no time there was no trace of any snow.
It is a lovely drive down the A68 then continuing along the A696 towards Newcastle, and the roads were very quiet.
A1 south, past the Angel of the North which unfortunately is now mainly hidden behind trees, and soon we were back in Wakefield.
Trip over, safely home, van washed, cleaned and parked ready for next time.
Our Scotland new year trip has been a blast and I’ve enjoyed posting my first blog? Thanks everyone for following. The emojis, comments etc made me smile and the effort worthwhile.
Some last pics of the journey home.
Have a great year wherever your plans may take you.

 

[namwaldog]

Thanks for the Blog!

Did the kilted Clansman pipe you over the border at Carter Bar?

If ever you stay at Hawick again, try leaving the car park, turn right, over the river as though you're taking the A7 south but at the mini roundabout, head into the main street and when the one way system forces you to, turn right onto the B6399. Follow this beautiful road over the hills till you turn left onto B 6357 towards Kielder. Follow this road past Keilder and you can reach the A68 again.
Beautiful run!!

Thanks again.

 

[Mikey RV]

Thanks for taking the time to post and photos. Really enjoyed your trip. Glad you got home safely

 

[Apacheman]

Thanks for the Blog!

Did the kilted Clansman pipe you over the border at Carter Bar?

If ever you stay at Hawick again, try leaving the car park, turn right, over the river as though you're taking the A7 south but at the mini roundabout, head into the main street and when the one way system forces you to, turn right onto the B6399. Follow this beautiful road over the hills till you turn left onto B 6357 towards Kielder. Follow this road past Keilder and you can reach the A68 again.
Beautiful run!!

Thanks again.

Cheers for the tip. Been to Hawick several times and will no doubt visit again so will try it one day. I’ll look it up on the map ( old fashioned but still use them). No piper today, would have frozen the fingers off one it was so cold. In fact not another vehicle passed whilst there but only hung around for a couple of minutes.