Waiting to re tyre!
This time last week we headed down to Ullapool to have a good wander around and be tourists for the day. We also managed to take a trip down to Corrieshalloch Gorge. The recent rains had swollen the falls and made it even more spectacular.
Overnighting in the area, we found a large lay-by with stunning views down towards Loch Broom (57.7590410, -5.0342840) No service just a peaceful night under the stars with a full moon keeping us company.
Sunday came and for a change so did the sunshine. We took a leisurely trundle down towards Fort William with numerous stops for the customary ooo’s and ah’s as the scenery unveiled itself as we headed down the road. It’s amazing just how many cups,of tea you can drink in a day travelling and gazing and the wonderful scenery.
We decide to stop at the snack bar on the banks of Loch Lochy (57.7590410, -5.0342840) for the night. Again the views are stunning.
The following morning we headed down to Fort William and decided to visit Neptune’s Staircase. (56.8458056, -5.0969722)
This amazing feat of engineering raises the canal by 19m (62ft) over a quarter of a mile of continuous masonry and takes around 90 minutes for a boat to travel up or down the locks. Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, it is the longest staircase lock in Scotland. An ideal location for enjoy watching the boats as they travel up and down the lock flight! Today the lock gates are completely hydraulic, it’s still an amazing spectacle and well worth the visit.
Into Fort William and a spot of shopping before we took to the road again and ventured towards Glencoe CCC Site. We needed some washing done and it was easier to use the facilities rather than struggle with our own machine after the recent appalling weather.
Tuesday came and so did the long drive down to Girvan. We had checked the forecast and it showed yet another band of rain so the relative safety of the swimming pool carpark looked like a good call. (55.2439558, -4.8619793)
As we settled in for the night and waited for the rain so did about 20 wagons, not seen so many park up here for years, at least they provided an amount of shelter from the wind and rain.
Wednesday saw us head down to Dumfries for the weekly shop, the fridge had suddenly decided it was going to disguise itself as an empty space.
With vitals replaced, we decided to head round to Caerlaverock Castle Camping Corner (54.9722773, -3.5333276) from the opposite direction in order to miss the damaged bridge. Later learnt from a local the road from the Bankend (B725) direction is regularly flooded in the winter months and the weak bridge had collapsed under the pressure of the recent rains and floodwater. Back down the road, we had already passed the spot on the way to the Camping Corner, we headed for the village of Glencaple and a parking spot next to the river Nith (55.0027043, -3.5744348) another spot being run by the community and all they ask for is a donation either via the honesty box on site or through their website.
From there we headed up to Hawick (54.9806743, -3.6196370) for a peaceful evening and a wander around town. Something we didn’t manage to do on our last visit. Even managed to locate the elusive water point (55.4225440, -2.7902720).
Friday came and saw us venture southbound on the M6 towards Stoke on Trent. We had decided that a spot of social camping with friends was in order for the weekend.
Sunday will see us returning to Lyndon Top for a couple of days while we have new tyres fitted in preparation for the winter.
