October 22nd - Hydraulic failure!

Tried to move the Hymer - and the clutch did not work.

It has a hydraulic clutch, so it went off to Orwell Trucks today with a huge tow truck - courtesy of our Green Flag with the Caravan Club. Glad we didn't have to pay for this!

17th August - Back home!

Here we are back at home at home - 1003.5 miles for the journey to and from Scotland.

We stopped off at Cambridge Services for lunch, and arrived home at 2 PM. The Tesco order of food (ordered whilst at Newcastle) arrives this evening so we don't have to do anything else today!

It's been a lovely break!

15th August - To Clumber Park, near Worksop

We drove down to the Caravan Club site at Clumber Park today, stopping off at a very new looking Wetherby Services for coffee and shopping at M&S for some food.

We passed our favourite Breakfast Truck stop at Junction 52 but did not stop:

We went through the A19 Tyne Tunnel which as a class 3 vehicle cost us £2.50.

We are here for a couple of days, Clumber Park has a rock concert on tomorrow nught - we'll see, but it is £ 50 each!

14th August - Still in Old Hartley

Quiet day today, and a mixture of sun, clouds and rain.

Apart from a cycle ride to get a newspaper from a local shop, and a round of golf on the municipal pitch and putt not much was done!

This is a panoramic shot from the facilities block with the sea in the distance. We are down on the right. It is distorted to show some detail!

13th August - visit to Newcastle on Tyne

Today we took the 309 Bus from near us to the Haymarket Bus stop in the centre of Newcastle. It was very cheap, using an off peak adult return

After a coffee in Starbucks and a new toothbrush at Boots we took the Metro to Wallsend to see the remains of the Roman Fort Segedunum.

There is a near perfect remains of the fort there, at the end of Hadrian's Wall. Swan Hunters shipyard is just to the left where Cunard liners such as the Maurentania were built.

We then returned by the same Metro and Bus route to home. Here is the Pub we ate at last night:

Just as we got back St Mary's Lighthouse was lit up by sunshine.

We ate outside, with Helen dining on M&S Cauliflower Cheese cooked in our portable Halogen Oven.

12th August - Old Hartley near Whitley Bay

Today we pootled down the A1 to the Caravan Club site. Raining most of the afternoon.

It's a lovely site right on the cliff to overlooking St Mary's Island with a lighthouse on it.

You can just see the lighthouse in the distance. We had supper at the Delaval Arms which was good value.

11th August - Seaview Caravan Club at Berwick on Tweed

Yesterday we drove down to Berwick from Edinburgh, stopped of at Marshall's to get some bits and a coffee and lunch. In the evening Helen cycled into town to get a Chinese meal

Today we got up late and sat outside, and then went down to the sea front where the Spittal Festival was in full swing along the Promenade!

9th August - Back to Edinburgh

Here we are back in Edinburgh, just an overnight stop, setting off from Perth just before 11 AM. Quite sunny, Helen played Golf at Silverknowes Golf Course, carrying her clubs on her bike! I dozed back in the motorhome.....

We are very close, less than 100 yards from the Firth of Forth here. Here is one of Helen's pictures:

We went to see the little shop at the entrance for some ice cream for tea. The site is full as the Edinburgh Festival is on at the moment, lots of people who have not booked are outside parked on the entrance.

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