8th August - Last day in Perth

Today we return the hire car, so we decided first to visit Scone Palace which we have been parked within a mile of! We first had a coffee and a scone (a must do in Scone!).

There is a replica of the Stone of Scone on the mount where the Kings of Scotland were crowned.

Looking back through the old arch you can see the relatively modern Palace.

We then had a go around the 'Tartan' maze in the gardens, quite easily solved, helped by the viewing platform!

We then visited Perth and had lunch, and walked down to the River Tay.

Then shopping at Tesco to stock up, more diesel in the hire car to fill it up, and then returned it. In the evening we got out the BBQ and had Lamb Burgers, Square Sausage from the local butcher who visits the site, and then packed up quite a bit for the set off tomorrow.

7th August Pitlochry and Dunkeld

Today we went to the Edradour distillery near Pitlochry, the smallest distillery in Scotland with just three distillery staff. For £7.50 we got a tour, two drams and a tasting glass.

 The entrance .............

and their two stills!

We went via the Ballinluig Motor Services Cafe for breakfast - the vegetarian meal was quite large!

We then went to Dunkeld and looked into the small Cathedral where they were ringing hand bells

and bought some food near the market square.

6th August - Glamis Castle tour in our hire car

Today we went to Glamis Castle, where the Queen Mother lived. We went on a tour around the house and walked round the gardens.

View of the front of the castle:

We saw the Italian garden

and some Highland cattle

we then drove over the bridge at Dundee and visited the Wemyss pottery where we bought a very fine cat!

We then stopped at a local farm shop just up the road from the Camp site where we bought fresh raspberries and strawberries, scotch eggs and fresh vegetables ... supper taken outside, our new hire car is on the left!

5th August - moving on to Scone Palace

Today we moved from St Andrews to near Perth and Scone Palace Caravan and Camping Club.

We got into position and our hire car from Enterprise was ordered and picked up at just after 4PM, so we are now a bit more mobile until Friday to go and see some of the sights around the area. We went to Tesco to pick up some shopping, and B&Q to get a wrench that was required for the gas bottle!!

Nicely in position for the evening:

4th August - Final day at Ladies Open

Not a bad day for the weather, sunshine and a little wind. Started early as some of the players were having to do 36 holes from yesterday.

The view from the stand on 18th hole was good -

At the end we had a Pipe Band and the Parachute Regiment 'Red Devils' jumped on the fairway-

Followed by a presentation to the winner - Stacy Lewis from the USA:

We then went for dinner in St Andrews for an Italian meal at Bella Italia, and then a taxi back to the van.

3rd August - strong winds!

Golf ended at 1233PM due to high winds. Went into St Andrews to have a (small?!) pizza each at Pizza Express, then the bus back where strong winds buffeted the van for an afternoon snooze!

Golf starts again tomorrow ...............

St Andrews - 2nd August

It rained until about 11AM, when we  caught the X27 to the Bus station and walked the short distance to the old course.

Sat on the stand by the 17th hole for a while, then moved (after a coffee!) to the spectator area whilst Helen watched in the stand on the 18th hole, which was carefully positioned so that you could not see the Pin!

Swilcan Burn Bridge

Left at about 4PM to walk to Tesco to do some shopping, followed by a taxi home. It turned into a sunny day, but quite windy (35 mph the BBC claimed) and our washing had fallen over when we arrived back home, sat out in the evening.

31st July St Andrews for the Golf

We arrived at St Andrews for the Ladies Open which starts tomorow.

From Edinburgh we went over the Forth Bridge (which was being painted!)

Then from dual carriageway to the small main road to St Andrews which is the A915 - some tight turns in villages on the way!

Finally arrived at Cairnsmill Camp site. Quite pleasant overlooking St Andrews in the distance. Shower and toilet block was very clean and new, and had water and drainage as well as electric to each pitch.

Tried the hourly X27 Bus, but that was full, so we took a taxi into town for only £5. Took the £8 open top bus tour for an hour, lunch at Nando's, some shopping, and a taxi back. Started raining when we got back at about 5 PM.

27th to 29th July Suffolk to Edinburgh

Started off from Home to Clumber Park, a journey of 149 miles for the first day. Sunny day, stopped off at service station and bought food at M&S. Very busy including the caravan and motor home parking.

This time got a picture of the entrance as we approached! Bikes have to be locked away here in sheds, as they have a theft problem. Was interesting to see a security guard every so often doing his rounds.

Next day we set off on the long 200 mile journey to Berwick. Our favourite trruck stop at J52 on the A1 was closed on a Sunday, but we did refuel at the petrol station and got some coffee. Stopped off in a lay by on the A1. Passed Ferry bridge Power Station and Newcastle and the Angel of the North.

Crossing the border on the A1.

Arrived at Berwick Caravan Club - lovely view from above the Harbour and Town.

The fimal trip was 65 miles to Edinburgh Caravan Club on Marine Parade. Small detour around some roads, but arrived safely. We then had Thunder and Lightning and floods of rain! No chance of doing anything at night!

A view from the van of the outside:

Edinburgh CC in the rain!

Kessingland Beach Caravan Club 8-12th June 2013 (again)!

Here again! The Sailor's Home for the first night for a pie and pint, and the Waterfront Cafe (Booking required!) for Sunday lunch.

Took the 601 hourly bus to Lowestoft that leaves opposite the Sailor's Home.

Bus Stop opposite the Sailor's Home Pub

Then a bit of shopping and a visit to Cafe and RNLI Life Boat Station along the Sea Front.

Lowestoft Sea Front

The 601 carries on to Great Yarmouth. Only £4.00 return for the 30 minute trip to Lowestoft.

Musical Fountain outside South Pier

On Tuesday we took the 601 to Southwold and Th Pier where we had a really good breakfast (at 1045!). Had a look at the Tim Hunkin show and looked at the water clock .........

Southwold Pier Water Clock- strikes on the hour and every half ...

Some technical notes

Our existing set up of the Oyster 50 ST dome connected to the Avtex 164DRS TV which includes a Freesat satellite receiver does not give us a Programme Guide on normal Freesat. So I connected in a DRX595 HD mini Sky receiver (cheap from EBay) to give us 'Freesat from Sky' using an old Sky card - and the Programme for 7 days!

This should allow for better (I hope!) Continental coverage as well on 28.2. The Sky box is very low consumption so will easily run off our 150W Sterling inverter if required (everything else is 12V). So we can get Freeview, Freesat and Sky .... with Freesat and Sky through a simple manual switch.

Motorhome Fun Meeting - 24-26 May 2013

Went to the Motorhome Fun meeting at Thetford Rugby Club. Our first visit to such an event.

Our wipers failed on the way, but we got in, after that the weather was lovely and sunny. Lots of events, bike racing, ping-pong catching, and a cooked breakfast every day! Had to leave early to get home.

A line of Funsters
 

Bike racing

Kessingland 5th to 8th April 2013

The motorhome is ready, habitation checked and an MOT with no advisories. The windscreen wiper motor was replaced with one from a Citreon XM (!!), as the original Bosch no longer exists, and a quick trip to White House Caravan Club site at Kessingland. All seems to be working so far - just the satellite dome to be realigned by Oyster next week.

We got a space on the beach front parking, second row.

Not too wind swept! The sun even shone, although the wind was still strong and it was still cold. Still, the heating is working well! Went to the Sailor Home pub for pasties, mash and peas and a pint or two  of mole catcher.

Saturday went for a morning coffee at the Sweet Retreat, and then back to the pub for another pint and baps (one cheese, one sausage). Also signed up to the Grand National sweep which we did not win .....

Sunday lunch was lovely at the Waterfront Restaurant - though maybe the bottle of wine was a bit of a mistake as slept all afternoon! Though made it back to the pub for more beer in the evening ....

Weymouth to see the Olympic Sailing 26 July to 2 August 2012

We went to the Crossways Caravan Club near Weymouth via Alderstead Heath CC site stopping off overnight for both the outward and return trips (convenient near to J8 of the M25, just outside the London Emission Zone).

Over the Queen Elizabeth Bridge on the M25

Crossways is right next to Moreton Railway Station which is on the main London Waterloo to Weymouth line. Also the Frampton Arms (where we had Ciders and a meal). It also the burial place of TE Lawrence.

On the first day we went shopping by train to Dorchester, which was market day. A lovely market town.

On the second day we took the train to Weymouth, and were lucky enough to get on the Balmoral and watch the sailing close up, since we had the Volvo Family Day out in the front half of the boat.

The Balmoral (Finns racing in the distance!)

The Nothe at Weymouth, where you had to have tickets (not us!)

Day three we had a quiet day at the site, with deer wandering around.

Day 4 was a long trip, train to Wareham, 40 Bus to Swanage.There we took the steam train past Corfe Castle.

Corfe Castle from the Train

Swanage pier

Then we took the number 50 bus to Bournemouth, which went over the Chain Ferry at Sandbanks, followed by the train back to Moreton.

and finally home!

Flat battery at the final stop for fuel, so jump started from the leisure battery .....