Scottish Lochs

The first two days of this trip has reminded me how much I love travelling in the motorhome - although I wish it looked less like a white box! Our three weeks had been due to start today but as the solar panel fitting was cancelled we decided to leave on Tuesday.

So we left early and drove to Cumbria to a small site just off the M6. We had booked with Mrs Clarke - this had to be done over the phone and a cheque had to posted as a deposit so I had realised that she was from an older generation. We arrived at Mrs Clarke's farm to a very warm welcome. She was very chatty and explained that we could park next to the barn over the road - with two others. She was an amazing lady and made a big point of calling Michael 'Dr Naylor' - well that is what is printed on the cheque. We looked her up - Olive is 98 and has received an OBE and MBE. She moved into her house during the queens coronation year and hopes to never live anywhere else. I got the impression that she likes the campers - lots of different people to talk to. Olive was a great character and quite inspirational.  After we had parked and had a cup of coffee we went for a lovely walk and enjoyed the countryside and great views. We did not quite manage to get back before it rained so had to get the doggy towelling bags out.

On Wednesday we had another chat with Olive before driving to our spot for the night. We had paid £5 for an overnight licence to wild camp (i.e. permission to park at the side of the road - with no facilities) in the Loch Lomand & The Trossachs National Park. Our permit area site was actually within the Three Lochs Forest Drive - an area that sits off the Dukes Pass above Aberfoyle to the East of Loch Lomand. The forest drive is a relatively narrow one way track that winds its way past a number of lochs. We found area K and hopped out of Vincent to decide where we wanted to park. We chose the final spot so Michael ran back to get Vincent whilst the dogs and I stood keeping our spot (as my mother taught me!). Not that it was really necessary as there was not another sole around!

After settling in we headed off for a lovely walk along the shores of Loch Achray and Loch Drunkie. We got slightly lost so it ended up being 9k which Mitzi just coped with. We then enjoyed a very quiet night.

Today we drove and parked in a pub car park (The Byre Inn), arranged last night, before heading out for a great cycle. The cycle started with quite a challenge up - luckily we only had to push our bikes a couple of times before we enjoyed some magnificant scenery. We cycled all the way around Loch Venachar and Loch Achray and also managed a small detour to Loch Katrine - somewhere Michael has always wanted to go as Granny Goldie's middle name was Katrine as apparently she was conceived there!

After putting out bikes back on Vincent and letting the dogs out we enjoyed a fantastic lunch in The Byre Inn - homemade marrow, potato and sage soup followed by sandwiches made from lovely bread from the local bakery.

We are now installed at our stop for the next two nights. A farm on the edge of Loch Lomand - with lovely views.

Before settling in for the night we had a walk to the nearest village - Balmara - and found the route up to the viewpoint for a lovely view of Loch Lomand which apparently is the largest lake in GB - if you are comparing surface area. The rain is on its way tomorrow so a quiet day I think.