Sunday 11^th October 2009

A relaxed day, reading, listening to music, editing my photographs.

Monday 12^th October 2009

Glencoe C & CC, Glencoe, 56 40 39 N, 05 05 09 W, (29 Mile).  Hadn’t gone 5 minutes when we stopped at the side of Loch Linnhe to take some photographs of the reflections in the flat calm loch, the first time we have not had a wind for a few days, however the storms and gales we were promised for the week end never materialised, although it was quite wet. We also decided to visit Port Appin which overlooks the Lynn of Lorne, strangely the waterway and the island just off shore being the same name, evidently the island is a great place for walking, the amount of vehicles near the ferry terminal (passenger only) bearing evidence of the fact, there was certainly not room for a 7 metre plus, motorhome.  We returned along the single-track road, managing to stop in a “passing place” to take a photograph of Castle Stalker sitting remotely on an island in a bay near Appin village, before once again joining the main road.  We reached Glencoe  lunch time, it would have been sooner if we had not been stuck at the front of the queue at road works, which were right outside the entrance to the camp site, having to wait for an escort vehicle to take us through as a convoy.  As soon as we “set up” I disappeared to take the opportunity of some photographs of the “Pap of Glencoe” or “Sgort na Ciche” (742 metres), whichever you prefer (or can say), knowing that the visibility today will be better than in the next couple of days.  After lunch we decided to walk down to Glencoe village, a very pleasant walk of about 30 minutes (one way) through mixed woodland, the path also crossing a bridge with very attractive waterfalls.  A visit to the village would not have been complete without a cup of tea and a slice of cake at the “Craft and Things” coffee shop, a place we have been to on other occasions when passing through Glencoe, we weren’t disappointed!

Tuesday 13^th October 2009

Great lying in bed this morning listening to the Red Deer stags “roaring” in the hills surrounding us, it is of course the “rutting” season, time for those mature males to impress the ladies.  The “Met Office” were correct, low cloud, the hills have disappeared in a white gloom, however it is surprisingly mild.  After breakfast we once again walked down to the village,  for a newspaper and of course a coffee and a piece of Carrot Cake, we shared yesterday, we didn’t today!  On our return we continued to the Glencoe Visitor Centre, which is adjacent to the campsite (in fact they use the same entrance).  We didn’t bother to go to the exhibition depicting the “Glencoe Massacre” (look it up on the internet) as we had seen it before, we did however look around the impressive gift shop, purchasing a map of the area, having a great chat to Matt, who was very helpful with walks, etc in the vicinity.  We did ask him about the RSPB site at Loch Leven, to which he looked puzzled, we had seen on the Scottish television news a feature on the many thousands of Pink-legged Geese that had arrived from the artic to feed there for the winter.  He then explained there are TWO Loch Leven’s the one with the RSPB site (and Geese) being near Kinross on the East coast, perhaps we will visit there on the way back!

Wednesday 14^th October 2009

Can’t believe this weather, yes, we do still have low cloud all around us, but it is ridiculously warm, not just mild but warm.  Again we walked to the village and before we had gone 100 metres we took our coats off and we are just wearing our T shirts and jumpers, (yes and trousers etc) in fact it’s warmer than it was in  May down in Cornwall.  We were both good today only having a pot of tea at “Craft and Things”, (if you visit Glencoe it is about 100 yards past the Glencoe Hotel on the left-hand side, as you enter the village from the Glasgow end , we recommend it).  We also walked into the village “proper” to buy some carrots, Jenny has found a “Kenyan Pan-cooked Mince” dish she wants to “inflict” on me for dinner to-night.  This afternoon I decided to walk along the edge of the burn in the woods, taking (hopefully) some decent photographs of the waterfalls, Jenny meanwhile stayed at the camp site, relaxing and preparing to-nights dinner. . . . . . . it was delicious!

Thursday 15^th October 2009

Bunree Caravan Club Site, 56 42 52 N, 05 13 56 W, (28 mile).  A pleasant morning and the clouds had lifted, enough to be able to see the summit of the “Pap of Glencoe”.  We decided therefore rather than drive directly to Bunree (just 7 mile), we would drive up Glencoe as far as the Ski Centre at the top and then make our way back, stopping in the many lay-byes on the return and then staying in the larger parking area overlooking “The Three Sisters” the prominent 3 mountains in Glencoe for our “elevenses”  We did however also stop for a “photo stop” at the picturesque waterfall on the way up.  It used to be rather difficult to photograph here, as there was only a small “pull in” right on a sharp bend, but they have now put lay-byes on each side of the road, plus a pavement and viewing platform making a halt much easier and safer.  We eventually stopped at the plateau at the top looking over the great expanse of Rannoch Moor and the unmistakable much photographed shape of “Ben Etive” (Buach Etive Mor, 958 metres), before returning back down and along the Glen.  As planned we had a “cuppa” at the parking area in the glen, amid the many people who had also stopped at such a great location, including 3 coach loads of  tourists, with the inevitable Japanese who insist in being in every photograph, making obscure facial impressions and performing uncomfortable contortions to impress their relatives back home, pictures that could have easily been photographed in downtown Tokyo, rather than the stunning settings of the highlands of Scotland.  After a very pleasant morning (despite a bit of rain) we drove the short distance to Bunree, negotiating the very narrow road to the camp site, complete with traffic lights which are unusually controlled not by cameras or magnetic strips, but on a 2 minute timer.  We were given the choice of pitches, we drove down the road to the first available space and didn’t need to go any further, we are facing down Loch Linnhe (a sea loch), 5 metres from the rocky shore with the hills and mountains on the peninsula opposite about a mile away across the loch, we had only been here 20 minutes when I spotted a seal, location, location, location!

Friday 16^th October 2009

Having run out completely of fresh fruit we travelled the 9 mile to Fort William to visit the Morrison’s Supermarket deciding to park in the large “all day” car park on the South side of the town a car park we have used many times on our visits here,  Then we walked the length of the “traffic free” high street window shopping until reaching the Nevis Centre (outdoor equipment, clothes, books, etc) and their fine little café for a mug of tea. because we know parking is a bit tight at Morrison’s Jenny went shopping, in the meantime, I walked back the length of the high street back to the car park on the loch side and waited for Jenny to phone me to pick her up.  After a  “top up” with diesel and gas we continued to Glen Nevis the narrow road which affords great views of Ben Nevis and other high peaks in the Nevis range, plenty of places off the road (although no overnight camping) to park to have lunch, choosing a place in sight of the walking trail of Ben Nevis, the first time incidentally we have not seen the summit with a layer of snow, it didn’t look so spectacular somehow.  We wondered if we could still climb it like in June 2000, when we had a snow-ball fight on the top (how childish) and got sun-burnt walking back down, if we return this way we may give it a try! We continued up the glen as far as the waterfall car park, the furthest we can reach in the motorhome as there is a 3.5 ton weight limit on the bridge (well it is wooden) at the far end of the road, the road ending a further 100 yards anyway.  Photographed a nice sunset tonight and the weather is forecast to be pleasant for tomorrow as well.

Saturday 17^th October 2009

Our usual Saturday, we walked to the village store in Onich for the daily newspapers, supposedly 1½  mile from the camp site, never it was at least a 5 mile round trip. I went on a “photography expedition” along the river which skirts the camp site, again a camp site with waterfalls next to it, someone might have thought I planned it!  No sunset tonight, just as well I was watching the grand prix practice (extended because of the wet conditions) from Brazil, although I did dash outside to take a photo of the atmospheric clouds and sun beams over the mountains and reflections on the loch.

Sunday 18^th October 2009

Caught up with  yesterday’s paper’s didn’t have time to read them yesterday, it’s a hard life.  Then watched the Brazilian Grand Prix, another British F1 World Champion, well done Jenson Button and the Brawn GP team.

Monday 19^th October 2009

Ariundle National Nature Reserve Car Park, Near Strontian, 56 42 64 N, 05 33 23 W, (54 Mile).  Just a stone’s throw along the main road to the Corran Ferry slipway and we were over to the other side of Loch Linnhe within 20 minutes, stopping at the small village store at Ardgour for a newspaper (had to read the reports on the Brazilian Grand Prix).  I also spotted a beef pie, which looked very appetising so we bought that as well for our meal tonight.  We decided to “risk” the very narrow B8043 road “dotted in yellow” along Loch Linnhe and drive to Lochaline, a road we had wanted to drive for many years but never seeming to get the opportunity, it was very narrow in places, especially where the road was between the hillside and sea, along a sea wall, however we enjoyed the drive, eventually joining the “A 884 main road”, main road?  It was still single track for most of the way, with passing places, just a bit wider! After lunch sitting in the car park overlooking the ferry terminal to Mull, we made our way back towards Strontian.  Having rented a crofters cottage in Strontian for 3 holidays, we knew that close to the  really nice walk along the River Strontain there was a nature reserve car park which would suite perfectly an overnight “freecamp”, we are therefore in a wonderful spot for a good nights sleep.

Tuesday 20^th October 2009

Sumwairnere, Loch Mudle  56 42 87 N, 06 00 85 W, (25 Mile). Looked out this morning, when I got up to make a cup of tea, , grabbed the camera pulling on clothes on the way as I  rushed outside to photograph a wonderful sunrise, reminiscent of the sunrise at Lake Pukaki in New Zealand with fantastic shades of red, I did eventually make the tea, some 30 minutes later.  After breakfast we decided to walk the Ariundle National Nature Reserve trail, a walk we have done several times before but one we never get tired of, so much so we didn’t get back to the motorhome until almost lunch time so we eat a early lunch before starting off, stopping at “Bay of Thor’s River” picnic area for a coffee before continuing along the single track road towards Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan  Peninsula.  Not a long drive, but with the many twists and turns it was not a quick drive. I remembered a “pull off” the road near a loch (Loch Mudle) where we had watched some Sand Martin’s nesting in the embankment some years ago, although not far off the road, it was flat and with so little traffic we knew we would not be unduly disturbed.

Wednesday 21^st October 2009

Resipole Farm Caravan Park, 56 42 69 N, 05 43 36 W, (41 mile).  We had heard on the radio that there would be gales tonight, however with the shelter of the embankment we did not even notice the wind and had a very good night, the first vehicle we heard passing was not until about 7:30am.  After our customary breakfast of fresh fruit and toast, we continued along the single track “A” road ????? to Kilchoan, we had remembered stopping there when we disembarked from the Mull ferry in 2006 and again stopped at the Visitor Centre which is part of the village community centre where everything seemed to be happening, we had a cup of tea and cake here and had a nice chat to the lady who ran the visitors centre. I couldn’t remember what the road to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse was like, as the map shows (bearing in mind that the “A” road was single track) the last 2 mile is un-classified.  She assured us that it was OK and apart from the actual drive up to the lighthouse car park, where we had to pull the door mirrors in because of the protruding gate posts (no gates, only old posts) we arrived at the lighthouse.  The weather again was kind to us here and we stayed a couple of hours enjoying the outstanding views, Mull to the South, Coll and Tiree, out  10 kilometres West and the isles of Egg, Muck and Rum in the North, we could also see “The Cullins” on The Isle of Skye which is about 55 kilometres away. After calling in at the small village shop in Kilchoan for a newspaper (they hadn’t arrived earlier, however it was only about 11:30 am !!!!) we returned along the peninsula, having lunch at the picnic area overlooking Camas Nan Geall (which is either the name of the small bay or beach),  this is a view I have photographed more than once, the hill opposite the beach, which I think is called Torr na Moine has fantastic colours and shapes on it.  After a coffee at the “Bay of Thor’s River” picnic area (again) we reached our planned (yes, really) stopover at Resipole Farm Caravan Park, with just the road separating us from the shores of Loch Sunart, a man I chatted to had seen both Dolphins and an Otter close by last week, so we will keep a lookout, we may be lucky.  Fantastic sunset tonight, I feel a bit of photography coming on!

Thursday 22^nd October 2009

When the radio talks about many areas of Scotland being flooded, we have had the most fantastic weather today, warm and sunny, with little wind.  I took the opportunity to give the outside of the motorhome a really good clean, while Jenny cleaned the inside, this occupied all of the morning, Jenny also did the washing.  We relaxed in the afternoon, I took some photographs of a flock of Redwings feasting on the berries on a tree close by, hungry I suppose after their flight from Scandinavia.  I also sat on the rocks for a bit hoping to see some wildlife but nothing showed, Jenny did some reading and knitting.  We have also decided to stay an extra couple of days, we like it here!

Friday 23^rd October 2009

Just spent the day, doing nothing!!!!

Saturday 24^th October 2009

At least we could get the daily newspapers ordered from the reception office, so as usual for our Saturdays, spent the day reading and relaxing, especially as the weather got worse as the day moved on.

Sunday 25^th October 2009

Yes we remembered to put the clocks back and with the weather not improving we just spent the day relaxing, reading listening to music and I studied the manual on the Nikon D300, using the internet Nikon forums at the same time helped with some of the more complicated jargon.  Feel as though I am getting to grips with it now and using more of the features, hopefully this will further improve my photography.  We also spent some time trying to extricate the lady and gentleman who were camped close to us in their caravan, they got “bogged down” on the wet grass as they moved off, even with a bit of pushing and the loan of our “grips” we could not move it, eventually with the help of another gentleman we unhitched the caravan and managed to get the car on the hard standing. we were then able to re-connect the caravan and they were on their way. Just as the caravan site owners turned up to offer the help of  a tractor, they were not happy at the “furrows” that had been made in the grass as they had suggested to them to site the caravan on a hard standing pitch!

Monday 26^th October 2009

Sumwairnere, Castle Tioram, 56 46 87 N, 05 49 50 W (12 mile).  After a nice chat with a lady who was in a caravan nearby, (I had explained to her husband what we were up to) and she wanted to know more on what made us decide on our particular motorhome.  We replenished the fresh water, emptied both the grey waste and loo and were once more on our way, nothing changes we intended stopping 2 nights and stayed 5, in part this was due to the weather which was quite poor and I wanted better weather for today’s destination.  We stopped after just 2 mile, at the parking area for “The Bay of Flies” and decided to “stretch our legs” by walking down to the shore of Loch Sunart, a nice walk through “proper trees” down to the picturesque bay, being rewarded by a decent photograph of the reflections in the bay.  A short stop at the small village store in Acharacle for a newspaper, bread and milk (we were down to powdered milk) before we continued to the narrow road down to Dorlin and what we think is one of the most beautiful places in Scotland.  The small car park was surprisingly full (for us to park) so we parked just outside by the side of the shore wall and after a “cuppa”we once again walked the short distance to the ruined Castle Tioram (pronounced Cheerum) which is sited on the rocky tidal island Eilean Tioram (the Dry Island) where the waters of Loch Moidart and the river Shiel meet. More notices up now to warn people of the unstable walls and forbidding anybody to go inside. not surprised really as it was built by Persimmon, George Wimpey or Barratts in the 13^th  century!  We obviously “took heed” and only walked around the outside walls, gazed out across  Shiel estuary to the islands and took photographs before returning to the motorhome for lunch.  We had seen information on the “Silver Walk” a walk along the loch before it climbs over the hills to Loch Moidart, too long at 11 mile return, but we did decide to walk a short stretch.  It was fantastic and we had a wonderful walk along the loch ,we then spotted 2 seals playing in the water below us so we walked a bit further to find a better vantage point, no success we only saw them surface again for a few seconds before they disappeared for good.  We did though find a great place to sit and admire the views, that is to say I found a great place, Jenny insisted that the smooth rock that she sat on was big enough for her bum, I commented that it looked too small, but no she disagreed, unfortunately there was an “overhang” and the “overhang” was in contact with some moss, now as you may know (or not) moss has a very high absorption rate for water and she didn’t realise (until she stood up some 30 minutes later)  how much water there would be in a small patch of moss, well she does now, as her trousers (and panties) were soaking wet, I had to laugh, in fact I laughed so much I nearly had wet trousers as well!  What a fantastic place to relax though, we vow to will return here someday, bring a picnic and sit and relax for a day, we may even complete the walk.  By the time we had got back to the motorhome (and Jenny had changed into dry cloths) the car park was almost empty so we found a place to park and spend the night.

Monday 27^th October 2009

Bunree Caravan Club Site, 56 42 80 N, 05 14 18 W  (56 mile).  Didn’t put the heating on for the shower correctly this morning therefore no hot water, so we are going to have both a shower and breakfast a bit later. The “Met’ office were correct, (I am using the Met’ office internet site now instead of the BBC 5 day weather web site).  Yesterday appears to be the only decent day we are going to have for a few day, during the night it rained heavily and we were also underneath some trees so every time the wind blew we were “peppered” by large drops of water being shaken from the branches, we can now sleep through the rhythm of rain on the roof (we got used to it on the metal roof of the motorthome in Aus’) but the irratic  noise of the wind blown rain was not conducive to a peaceful sleep.  We stopped at the layby near the “Seven Men of Moidart” (originaaly 7 Beech trees, alas now only 3 left standing, why not “Google them”, quite an interesting history) and showered and had breakfast, we also had a “board meeting”, our next destination was going to be a camp site which was recommended in one of the motorhome magazines, however, one of it’s “selling points” is the white sands and blue seas, as the weather isnot going to be great, we have decided to “save it” for another time and instead return once again to Bunree near Fort William until next Monday, so after a “re-provision at Morrison’s and purchasing some monthly magazines in Fort William we arrived at Bunree mid-afternoon.

Tuesday 28^th October 2009

A relaxing day, reading and listening to music, I did photograph the waterfall, just 100 yards from our pitch, a lot more water coming over it than last time we were here, I also spotted a Dipper on the rocks, so hopefully I may get a decent photograph of it in the next few days.  Other than being “buzzed” by a fast jet low flying along the loch tonight, a quiet day, fancy getting “paid” for flying one of those, I’d do it for nothing! Talking about fast jets this was in the Scottish Daily Mail, don’t know whether it was in the English one 

Two British traffic patrol officers from North Berwick were involved in an unusual incident while checking for speeding motorists on the A1 Great North Road. One of the officers used a hand-held radar device to check the speed of a vehicle approaching over the crest of a hill, and was surprised when the speed was recorded at over 300 mph. Their radar suddenly stopped working and the officers were not able to reset it.

Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact latched on to a NATO Tornado fighter jet which was engaged in a low-flying exercise over the Border district, approaching from the North Sea.

Back at police headquarters the chief constable fired off a stiff complaint to the RAF Liaison office.

Back came the reply in true laconic RAF style:

"Thank you for your message, which allows us to complete the file on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Tornado had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked onto, your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it.
Furthermore, an air-to-ground missile aboard the fully-armed aircraft had also automatically locked onto your equipment. Fortunately the pilot flying the Tornado recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile systems alert status, and was able to override the automated defence system before the missile was launched and your hostile radar installation was destroyed.

Good Day..."