Campervanning for beginners (1)

Getting organised for a campervan trip didn't come easily. Too many problems and too used to cycle holidays where space is so limited it's easy to decide what's essential. However van was packed and off we went.

Basically: Lamancha (Scottish Borders), the Channel, Bordeaux and not quite, Cadiz. Easy if you say it quickly.

Road photo opportunities are rare it seems when it's motorways or dark damp campsites and these two were the best until Bordeaux.

Bordeaux was the only major city we drove near and even then it was really a suburb village going by the name Gradignan. A bit Gulliver's sounding but it was warm and dry enough for us to walk to  centre ville to buy food and soak up the french town ambience (said with french accent of course).

These two were pudding of course. And they were good.

Next photo stop El Puerto de Sanata Maria.

The bikes were strapped to the back of course.

Northumberland + Van

 Blogging seems low down on the priorities for some reason, so now it's several weeks since we went to Northumberland - the inaugural trip with the 'van'. It seems very big and very wide when driving along small roads but eventually a little smidgin of relaxation creeps in.

The Northumberland coast is exceptionally good and often windswept. The first morning I went down to the beach before breakfast -lured by the sound of breaking waves - to see what was what. The remains of Dunstanburgh Castle were silhouetted by the morning sun.

The easterly wind had created a good swell and there were half a dozen surfers enjoying the breakers but too far out for good photos with my wee lens. This guy conveniently posed on his way home for breakfast.

The beach did provide a few other subjects, seaweed, birds and boulders. The birds were a bit blurry in the low light but I thought the blurriness was a bit arty, so what the hell.

Blurry-arty-birdy 

And a few lumps of rock.

Vans are brill.

Creag Death

Went on a trip with Frazer to Creag Dubh last week to go climbing He's always keen to go 'cragging' but I refuse to go if the forecast is wet or cold. Last week's forecast was for scattered showers on Friday and sunshine Saturday. So, only the second outing of the year, a three hour drive and we're there. Frazer had a look at the rock and and I'm eyeing up the views.

We set up to do a two pitch HVS. First pitch pumpy, but luckily Frazer was at the sharp end. Starting the second pitch I was worried it might be as hard but, luckily, setting off at the front end of the rope, it turned out to be much friendlier. Forgot to take the camera up the rock so no pictures.

Meal in Newtonmore with a pint and then back to the tents for a very cold night. Two sleeping bags took the sting out it though, but I did pop on a hat about five am. Next morning was fabulous with sun and mist so I had to go walkabout. The campsite view was much better than the usual.

Quick walk down the to get a view of  the hill. On the way a wind torn silver birch had a bracket fungus growing - just waiting there to be arty-farty.

Getting down towards the lochan, the mist rolling along with the sun shining through made the light just right, so that it was hard to take a 'bad' photo. Some of them I quite like.

Back to the campsite for Muesli and cup of tea as the mist was starting to burn off. Mid way through the muesli two dragonflies fluttered past. Eventually sneaked up on them after 'doggedly' chasing them for two or three minutes.

Eventually we made it back to the rock and I finally managed to take a 'climbing' photo half way up the cliff on a friendly belay ledge. Frazer was the proud leader of an E1 followed by an E2. I contrived not to fall off either.

There were other climbers about, but none of them human. We had the the whole crag to ourselves all day, apart from the newt, which I couldn't capture as I was busy belaying, the snail and the herd of feral goats. If you have a minute, try counting them.

Just as we were about to leave for the drive back to Edinburgh the wind slowed, the sun dropped below the clouds and it all turned a bit autumnal.

If not the bike climbing is magic.

King of Saddell

A close friend celebrated his 65th birthday by renting Saddell Castle for a week and having a succession of friends to wine, dine and walk the beaches in Kyntire. Saddell is in a south west corner of Scotland that is quiet and beautiful. 

Just in front of the castle was of course its own 'private' beach.

Lots of rock pools of course. Trying to take pictures of water boatmen skating on the water proved impossible without the distinct chance of falling in camera first. Then this wee guy blew past, literally. The breeze dropped momentarily - et voila!

Further along the the beach a few daisies were on their last legs, but the rowan berries were positively glowing.

A quiet morning walk produced a delicate campion, a rhododendron tunnel and an early fallen leaf.

Cambeltown is a few twisty miles away and is in the process of trying to regenerate itself - mainly with a marina and new harbour frontage. The Linda McCartney memorial garden eluded us totally but the church was a focal point.

A walk along Machrihanish beach was a blowy affair with an unusually strong east wind. The waves weren't that big but the wind gave the surf a wild look.

Finally, the huge chimney in the castle proved even more interesting if you stood in the hearth. However, it did take five attempts to get a decent photo with the wee camera trying to focus on the bright lum at the top rather than getting the huge dusty web in focus.

Distinct lack of happy pedalling but plenty of gin.

Museum of Modern Art

Visit to the Modern Art museum in Edinburgh to have lunch with friends. Always good to get in a bit of culture and some good café food. Especially good to arrive and find out that everything was going to be alright.

The big sculptured pond area at the front is a nice outlook for the museum but I found a 'top up' pipe which was interesting.

Edvard Munch was featuring as the special exhibition but we didn't see that, as the museum wanted some money, and I am famously mean when it comes to culture. I've seen his pictures in other museums and find his images a bit depressing - but good they are.

Big smile generated by the huge sculpture in the café area of, I presume, Thor (didn't see an info card).

A stroll down the Water of Leith (again) to help the food go down gave a few more chances of images. Looking over the side of the first bridge an overhanging tree provided an oil painting result.

One of the numerous access points which probably daunt the less athletic.

Presumably Dutch Elm disease or similar prompted this very warmly radiant bonfire. The camera just about captures the feeling of intense heat. Nobody had any marshmallows.

 Took a shot weeks ago of a new chestnut leaf - this could be the same one looking a little worse for wear now.

Back to the museum for a . . . comfort break and the aforementioned date slice and coffee. This 'pile of stones' art is on the way in.

The stairs down were to the loos - nice sculpture.

Before going out for lunch we had a quick 10 miles of exercise going to West Linton on the bikes. This field, on the way, usually has a couple of horses - instead, a duck and ducklings were taking advantage. It doesn't look as like it's going to dry up quickly.

 Happy pedalling.