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Post by Alec on May 19, 2014 22:04:21 GMT
Took a trip to Portnahaven today :-......... moved on to Port Charlotte for a bar break!..:- then onto a distrillary for tour ..... with tasting and free whiskey glass all for six squid....value BBQ prep by Ladies Loo....:- Night halt in Port Ellen.... ...Alec..
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Post by Alec on May 19, 2014 23:10:36 GMT
As it was Tom's turn to do breakfast, he thought he would be one up and order music.......Vid..... ....Alec...
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Post by Firefox on May 20, 2014 16:47:36 GMT
After the Bowmore car park, some of us went down to Portnahaven on the SW tip of Islay. No hotel or pub there, but had a quick beer at Port Charlotte, before tackling the distillery tour at Laphroaig! It was £6.00 for the tour including some drams at the end and also a free glass. Fascinating tour and most of us bought some whiskey and merchandise from the shop which was good value. Had a lovely BBQ on Port Ellen sea front thanks to Mr onion in a rare couple of hours of sunshine. Then the heavens opened for a big thunderstorm coming over from Ireland and I got soaked helping Tom put in the awning. Due to inclement weather we spent the evening up to 1 am in the local hotel bar which was only across the road. Breakfast this morning again thanks to Mr onion ! Islay was very nice - would like to go back and maybe do Jura too, but this year, it was the Island of rain for us. Got the ferry today and as soon as we got back to Kintyre, the weather was much better. Parked up in Tarbert now, and have had a walk round the town which features very picturesque harbour and castle.
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Post by stonedaddy on May 20, 2014 19:23:40 GMT
Sunshine at last. Just been round the town and up to the castle with Kaiser. Its a good job there is a bench at the top of the climb to the castle as I needed 17 hours to recuperate. Rick I think your ambition to climb Ben-Nevice will be a solo effort unless we can start at the top and work downwards. Sandie we are still on track to meet up at Anderosan on the evening of the 24th. See you and Rick then. .... Tom ....
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Post by onion on May 20, 2014 19:26:56 GMT
Sunshine at last. Just been round the town and up to the castle with Kaiser. Its a good job there is a bench at the top of the climb to the castle as I needed 17 hours to recuperate. Rick I think your ambition to climb Ben-Nevice will be a solo effort unless we can start at the top and work downwards. Sandie we are still on track to meet up at Anderosan on the evening of the 24th. See you and Rick then. .... Tom .... You coming out that bloody van to go for drink or u going to waffle all bloody night hahahahahahha
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Post by kangooroo on May 20, 2014 19:56:10 GMT
Parked up in Tarbert now, and have had a walk round the town which features very picturesque harbour and castle. Tarbert was my first port of call in Scotland. I hope you fared better than I did on arriving with an almost empty diesel tank to find one garage demolished and the second up for sale!
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Post by X on May 20, 2014 20:21:23 GMT
Sunshine at last. Just been round the town and up to the castle with Kaiser. Its a good job there is a bench at the top of the climb to the castle as I needed 17 hours to recuperate. Rick I think your ambition to climb Ben-Nevice will be a solo effort unless we can start at the top and work downwards. Sandie we are still on track to meet up at Anderosan on the evening of the 24th. See you and Rick then. .... Tom .... You coming out that bloody van to go for drink or u going to waffle all bloody night hahahahahahha At least he can hold his liquor
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Post by Firefox on May 20, 2014 20:29:38 GMT
Parked up in Tarbert now, and have had a walk round the town which features very picturesque harbour and castle. Tarbert was my first port of call in Scotland. I hope you fared better than I did on arriving with an almost empty diesel tank to find one garage demolished and the second up for sale! Not much better. 1 bar left on the tank; about 70 miles. Haven't filled up since Penrith 600 miles ago, so looking for some. Expected to find it in Tarbert but there is some in Arran or Portachoillan 10 miles down the A83.
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Post by kangooroo on May 20, 2014 20:57:37 GMT
None at all in Tarbert and I had just enough to do about 10-12 miles. The blokes in the Royal Mail sorting office directed me to the nearest, 8 miles south towards Campbeltown. I was able to free-wheel much of the way there!
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Post by sandie on May 20, 2014 21:21:08 GMT
Watching your progress with interest and champing at the bit to start on convoy 2 - see you at Ardrossan on the 24th. Packing everything from factor 50 suncream to waterproofs and jumpers based on your experience with the weather. I hope I need more of the former!
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Post by onion on May 22, 2014 8:23:22 GMT
::motorhome::Hi troops hope yr doing ok without me hahah & it is verns turn for breaky , had a lovely run home yesterday through Inveraray stunning had a really good time & I'm watching conv2 may catch u up Tom at applecross & hope the weather is better than it was on islay but still didn't stop us having a BQ hahah, have a good 1 on Arran & stay safe Ching Ching
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Post by Alec on May 22, 2014 21:34:24 GMT
Hi Captain, missing you already !!!!!! Have some pics :- (catch up after no connection for two days) Quiewing to leave Islay at Port Ellec :- Falling over at Tarbet Castle before the Guiness Injection :- One of the many great views from Tarbet Castle :- Do you think Tarbet wants 'Oh Danny Boy' at 1 o'clock in the morning :- Good weather next morning, over 50 per cent charge to the batteries, Kaiser knows how to keep cool :- Visited Skipness Castle yesterday, good views of Aran......Christine made the Castle visit too in her chair :- Found this delightfull spot next to the beach :- Whiled the evening away watching the nesting seabirds and the Heron fishing on the beach :- Leaving :- Took a short walk, one that Vern wanted to tick off :- Summit of Goat Fell :- Shan't tell how long it took us !!!!!!!!!!! ...Alec....
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Post by onion on May 22, 2014 22:27:32 GMT
Very good photos Alec & good to see ur all having a good time hope the weather stays ok for you all & have a safe journey,for the record I didn't fall I was pushed hahahahahahha Ching Ching campers
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Post by penny13 on May 23, 2014 7:59:18 GMT
Very good photos Alec & good to see ur all having a good time hope the weather stays ok for you all & have a safe journey,for the record I didn't fall I was pushed hahahahahahha Ching Ching campers Needed a woman hanging onto your trousers giving you a wedgey ! No falling over then
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Post by WindDancer on May 23, 2014 9:14:35 GMT
Great photos!
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Post by onion on May 23, 2014 10:44:45 GMT
Very good photos Alec & good to see ur all having a good time hope the weather stays ok for you all & have a safe journey,for the record I didn't fall I was pushed hahahahahahha Ching Ching campers Needed a woman hanging onto your trousers giving you a wedgey ! No falling over then Hahahahahahha u had to get me drunk first penny before u made yr move
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Post by penny13 on May 23, 2014 11:00:10 GMT
Needed a woman hanging onto your trousers giving you a wedgey ! No falling over then Hahahahahahha u had to get me drunk first penny before u made yr move Hahahahahahahahahaha do you even know if I did make a move ??
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Post by Alec on May 24, 2014 9:09:26 GMT
Woke up to this view of Brodick Bay with Brodick Castle and Goat Fell :- Took a southern loop of Arran and watered at Blackwaterfoot in Drunadoon Bay, Baz photographing the titchy harbour there :- Moved on to the many stone circles and standing stones at Machrie :- ....Alec....
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Post by onion on May 24, 2014 9:43:40 GMT
Good photos mate keep them coming weathers looking ok as well ,Ching Ching
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Post by Firefox on May 24, 2014 10:22:54 GMT
Great pics! I'll catch up with mine too, but been very busy the last couple of days and also had a charging problem on the notebook. Still having a good time, last night for me tonight.
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Post by stonedaddy on May 25, 2014 20:35:16 GMT
Well we lost Vern and Brian this morning but headed north as far as Glencoe via Luss. We on a camp-site off the beaten track that Alec knew about. I have had a shower which was well overdue. The midges now know what I really taste like without the pre shower added vitamins. Kaiser has had loads of sheep ticks which we keep taking them off him, but he must like them has he keeps collecting more of them. This camp-site is amazing for its views. We are at the bottom of a valley with mountains towering over us from all sides by the side of a loch. I don't know the name of it but I am sure you will be stunned by the photos when some arrive. We are getting nearer the dreaded Ben Nevis day and I can see a day in the pub looming up at a rapid rate of knots but we shall see after I have looked it over. It took us over seven hours to do Goat-fell and that is a lot smaller. Little old ladies were passing us carrying there shopping while we stopped for orange juice breaks. Then as we started the decent the heavens opened up and we ended up drowned. All my clothes are still wet, every bit of me was soaked including my trolleys but they was overdue for a wash anyway. Perhaps TMI but Alec, Sandie, Rick, Baz, Christine, me and Kaiser move on again tomorrow to who knows where. .... Tom ....
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Post by onion on May 25, 2014 22:10:46 GMT
Hi Tom good good to know yr still doing ok, I can't move till 3rd June a wk on Tuesday but will still phone & see where ys are , have fun Ching Ching
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Post by Alec on May 26, 2014 11:30:41 GMT
Pics of last day (friday) on Arran, circular tour of north of island, including another stone circle +:- Thats all for convoy one, next pic edition to follow on Convoy 2 thread. .....Alec....
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Post by robmac on May 27, 2014 17:01:40 GMT
Well we lost Vern and Brian this morning but headed north as far as Glencoe via Luss. We on a camp-site off the beaten track that Alec knew about. I have had a shower which was well overdue. The midges now know what I really taste like without the pre shower added vitamins. Kaiser has had loads of sheep ticks which we keep taking them off him, but he must like them has he keeps collecting more of them. This camp-site is amazing for its views. We are at the bottom of a valley with mountains towering over us from all sides by the side of a loch. I don't know the name of it but I am sure you will be stunned by the photos when some arrive. We are getting nearer the dreaded Ben Nevis day and I can see a day in the pub looming up at a rapid rate of knots but we shall see after I have looked it over. It took us over seven hours to do Goat-fell and that is a lot smaller. Little old ladies were passing us carrying there shopping while we stopped for orange juice breaks. Then as we started the decent the heavens opened up and we ended up drowned. All my clothes are still wet, every bit of me was soaked including my trolleys but they was overdue for a wash anyway. Perhaps TMI but Alec, Sandie, Rick, Baz, Christine, me and Kaiser move on again tomorrow to who knows where. .... Tom .... Is that the Red Squirrel campsite Tom? I have stayed there before and it's a great little site, and the Clachaig Inn just up the road is great. They will let you overnight at the pub sometimes if the car park isn't too busy.
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Post by WindDancer on May 27, 2014 19:55:20 GMT
Hi Captain, missing you already !!!!!! Have some pics :- (catch up after no connection for two days) Quiewing to leave Islay at Port Ellec :- Falling over at Tarbet Castle before the Guiness Injection :- I've just noticed that onion is in the same position (exactly!) in these two photos! Except of course that one is the lying down version
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Post by Firefox on May 27, 2014 22:42:55 GMT
Ascent of Goat Fell 2866 feet, 22 May 2014 Three intrepid explorers and one mountain dog/goat set off from Brodick Bay, Arran. Goatfell from our camping spot in Brodick Bay It doesn't look big from here but 1500 feet to go... Come on you lot! Are we nearly there yet, Dad? Dog that thinks it's a mountain goat The summit... it took us nearly 4 hours with breaks... note dog
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Post by Firefox on May 27, 2014 23:29:13 GMT
Convoy 1 update. So where did we stay? Sat 10th May Pitlochry Car Park near Railway Station (Free Sat night/Sunday)* Sun 11th May Shieldaig Free Campsite (Above the harbour, Loch Torridon, Honesty box, water, toilets in harbour)* Mon 12th May Applecross Bay Inn (On carpark/common land just to north of Inn on the sea front)* Tue 13th May Applecross Bay Inn (On carpark/common land just to north of Inn on the sea front)* Wed 14th May Broadford Skye (Just by the recycling near the main Cooperative store on the harbour front)* Thurs 15th May Tarskavaig Skye (SW of Skye on the bay front with views of the Cuillins) Friday 16th May Arisag Campsite ( www.sunnysidetouringsite.co.uk/ £15 (1 person)...has everything & more!) Saturday 17th May Port Ascaig Islay (Car park just behind the Ferry terminal)* Sunday 18th May Bowmoor Islay (Car park near school/recycling bin car park to the West of the village)* Monday 19th May Port Ellen Islay (Car park on front near toilets and www.whiteharthotelislay.com/ )* Tuesday 20th May Tarbert, Kyntyre (Car park opposite the Church... more recycling bins!)* Wednesday 21st May Sannox North. (Picnic/Forest car park Arran) Thursday 22nd May Behind the Cooperative on the North of Brodick Harbour(near more recycling bins!)* Friday 23rd May Behind the Cooperative on the North of Brodick Harbour(near more recycling bins!* Sat 24th May Just 2 miles North of Ardrossan (Picnic area car park on the front on the A78. Convoy1/Convoy2) Cost of car parks/picnic areas £0 Cost of campsites: £3 Sheidaig honesty box, £15 Arisaig + £5 Extra person + £1 Electric token = £24 Total If you're thinking of going that way, there's some suggestions, but it's quite easy to find your own places. Locations marked with a * were within easy walking of a bar/hotel.
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Post by Firefox on May 28, 2014 13:12:18 GMT
Fuel consumption update for my trip (convoy 1): (2.5L TDi common rail, 6 forward gears, Manual box)
1565 miles (from Essex)
49 gallons 224 litres £310 on diesel
32 mpg
It would have been more but had to drive at 70mph to get to Penrith on time and also back down to Stockport.
On a typical trip to Scotland you can budget at about 1500 miles, £300(33mpg)- £450(22mpg) of diesel at average £1.38 a litre at the moment.
That's a major cost, but it is a very cheap holiday for £200 fuel a week, as we saved £300 on campsites through wilding.
On this trip we also spent out on ferries (£272) Shared between two people this is not too bad, but we probably wouldn't do so many ferries in the future. Maybe just one island or Skye which has a free bridge now.
The only other costs are food and drink which can be what you normally spend, or a bit extra for eating out and drinks as you are on holiday.
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Post by kangooroo on May 28, 2014 16:48:07 GMT
My trip costs:
15 days up west coast, along northern coast, return via east coast to Inverness then visited Dores, Loch Ness, Cairngorms and Spey Bay areas. 2.0l HDi engine, 5 forward gears, manual.
Mileage: 2334 miles (from Herefordshire)
Fuel: 42.29 gallons, 192.26 litres @ £263.87 (ouch!)
Economy: 55.19mpg
Also drove at 70mph up M6 to Penrith and beyond
Camp sites: £17, 2 nights
Attraction admissions: £15
Food: £17.41
Total: £313.28
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Post by Firefox on May 28, 2014 18:07:30 GMT
Cheap trip... 55 mpg is exceptional though. I think in our group, Alec will be similar to me, Bazz about 37, and Tom in the low 20s... be interesting to see More pictures: Grey skies of Islay, Bowmoor Beach Billy's Bench, Bowmoor beach Bluebells near Bowmoor beach Plants on Bowmoor beach. Islay has many species unique to the island Laphroaig distillery tour, aging barrels Stills at Laphroaig distillery, Islay
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