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Post by onion on Jun 3, 2014 11:38:55 GMT
Go for it John you are a star! Best thing is to get a message to Alec, but limited phone signal up there and no mobile internet too apart from hotel wifi (Although I did get a signal at Lochinver last year I think). I'd imagine they will be at Lochinver or Kylesku Bridge area. I'll text as well and ask him to update. Hopefully one of us will get through. Hi vern ill set of & catch them somewhere , I got a MIFI HUAWEI e5332 unlocked so hope to try it out Ching Ching
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Post by Firefox on Jun 3, 2014 11:41:42 GMT
You stand a good chance of seeing them once past Lochinver, as only really one main road. Last year both Jen and Kevin caught up with us on that loop without prior arrangement, only knowing we were roughly in that area
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Post by onion on Jun 3, 2014 11:50:33 GMT
You stand a good chance of seeing them once past Lochinver, as only really one main road. Last year both Jen and Kevin caught up with us on that loop without prior arrangement, only knowing we were roughly in that area Cheers mate ill head up that way
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Post by Alec on Jun 3, 2014 20:31:06 GMT
Hi folks,
Yes Vern is close Ricky and I are at Beach near Clashnessie - 2 mile NE of Stoer, will be inn area another day. Unless of course get moved on, sign reads - No Overnight Parking. Convoy split this morningn with Tom and Sandie .taking leisurely drive home. Ricky leaves for Preston tommmorrow or next day. Only fair BT Fon at mo, but will try pics later
.........Alec.............
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Post by onion on Jun 3, 2014 22:15:15 GMT
Hi folks, Yes Vern is close Ricky and I are at Beach near Clashnessie - 2 mile NE of Stoer, will be inn area another day. Unless of course get moved on, sign reads - No Overnight Parking. Convoy split this morningn with Tom and Sandie .taking leisurely drive home. Ricky leaves for Preston tommmorrow or next day. Only fair BT Fon at mo, but will try pics later .........Alec............. Hi Alec if u get this I'm heading up early Thursday morning if u keep in touch we can catch a night somewhere Ching Ching
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Post by Alec on Jun 3, 2014 23:02:53 GMT
Leaving wildcamp at Rhue we moved to Campsite on beach in Ullapool for some much needed laundry band showering...............:- Later that evening we attended another session, this time at the Argyll Hotel in Ullapool....:- Many tunes, songs, etc. ..some in Gaelic.....instruments included drums, fiddles, guitars, mandolins, harp and of course...Maureens Kazoo..... Maureen :- When most had left, a few of us stayed on , and were rewareded with borrowed mandolinn played by father christmas on left and entertained by singing drunk on right. Who guided us to the campsite with songs through the streets (Onion like) at 1.00 o'clock in the morning....:- Tuesday, the group split, with Tom and Sandie heading slowly home , with Ricky and I searching out the silver beaches of Sutherland.......Achmelvich....:- Before deciding to wildcamp next to the beach at Clashnessie....:- As the weather had improved, Sargeant Major Ricky Goldfish forced me on a 4 mile route march to take in a couple of cliff arches...:- During the walk we had noticed in the distance a waterfall.....more walking...:- ....Alec....
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Post by Firefox on Jun 4, 2014 0:49:19 GMT
Clashnessie looks lovely, reminiscent of Sandwood Bay higher up. We missed out Clashnessie last year, there's so much more to see in Assynt that we missed. We did make one trip to the coast in that corner, I think it was Achnacarnin Rubbertramp will know ... but we didn't stop the night and only had time to spend half an hour, where one irate woman in a burger van wanted to order us where to park further down the road... we were taking up potential burger buyers space apparently, even thought it was a public car park. Plus it was drizzling, I don't think she was getting too much custom that day! Thing was, she shouldn't have been so quick to judge motorhomers. It was lunchtime and I would have bought a burger if she hadn't been such a bolsh.
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Post by Rubbertramp on Jun 4, 2014 19:05:53 GMT
That was Stoer Point Vern, near the lighthouse....and she was such a bolsh because she was English!
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Post by Firefox on Jun 4, 2014 19:41:32 GMT
Of course! Stoer Point. I knew you'd know... did we really get up there! Worth another visit at some stage: 100's of parking spaces and next time I'll buy a gourmet burger!
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Post by Alec on Jun 4, 2014 20:05:55 GMT
Vern/Mark, Can confirm that o' feisty one is still there, today told Ricky and I where to park, but no matter, up by Lighthouse was better, as the area was plagued by twitchers and whale watchers. Minke have been seen today, sadly not by us. When taking a drink at her stall, she was using any oppertunity to sell cooked foods etc.
....Alec....
ps : pics to follow if I can keep this poor connection.
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Post by Firefox on Jun 4, 2014 20:10:44 GMT
I think in the past she may have been troubled by motorhomers spending the day/night and eating non of her wares. But last year since 3 of my mates had already parked on the left near green shorts lad (and there were about 5 other cars only in total), and we were only staying 30 mins, I wasn't about to be antisocial and park up near the lighthouse as directed
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Post by Alec on Jun 4, 2014 23:03:34 GMT
After a night at Clashnessie my van had grown a sign on the roof....:- Ricky and I parked uo at Stoer Point Lighthouse....:- and took a cliff edge walk....:- to The Old Man of Stoer.....:- before long it was time for Ricky to leave the group.....:- sadly its no longer a convoy..............................unless ? .........Alec............
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Post by Firefox on Jun 5, 2014 10:11:31 GMT
Well done Alec, you've been the main man for updates, and the only constant link throughout the two convoys. Hopefully Mr John Onion can get up to Assynt and the convoy can continue!
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Post by kangooroo on Jun 5, 2014 11:37:29 GMT
I'm enjoying these later pics. I took exactly the same route and even parked in the same spots!
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Post by Firefox on Jun 5, 2014 12:35:40 GMT
Next year you can join the convoy Karen and give us your expertise on the best places Next year I am hoping to do (Isle of )Mull and Kilchoan, Loch Sheil, Skye, Applecross, Torridon, Midtown/Cove, Ullapool, Polglass area, and more of Assynt.
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Post by onion on Jun 5, 2014 12:36:04 GMT
I'm in contact with Alec & hopeful leaving tomorrow vern , I have a leak in a skylight but will have it fixed ltr today Ching Ching
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Post by stonedaddy on Jun 5, 2014 16:15:03 GMT
Well finally got a connection. Me and Sandy left Alec and Ricky at Ullapool and headed for home hoping to stop the night at Fort Agustus. It was that crowded that we went past and ended up for the night at Inveruglas on loch Lomand. Next day we headed north to Silloth but ended up having the night in Maryport. The weather was atrocious on this leg of the journey. We was going to call at Johns pub on the way past Glasgow but decided to get as far as we could. When we parked up at Maryport it was sheeting rain down so we got some fish and chips and turned in for the night. The next day Sandy decided to head for home has she had had enough of the weather but I went on to Haverigg in Cumbria where I am now. Tomorrow I head for the Isle of Walney for one night, then on to Ulverston where my van has an appointment with my mates garage for new timing belts and other jobs that need doing. That will be the end of convoy 2 for me has I am borrowing a car off him to go back to Manchester. I have to drive back for it when it is all done. Ricky is still in touch by text and he is still up in Scotland somewhere, Aviemore was his last message. Alec is our soul survivor, still chomping at the bit heading north and I should imagine he will be glad of Johns company when he catches up. Well that's me done and dusted, had a great couple of convoys, lots of fun and adventures. Its been a great few weeks tinged with a drop of sadness of the very worse kind, but that's life and it happens. Many thanks to all my travelling companions on both convoys.
.... Tom ....
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Post by goldfish on Jun 5, 2014 17:27:58 GMT
This is my thank you post for all folks I met convoy 1 & 2 ( not mentioning names in case I miss out someone) and all the caravaners and motorhomer met on the way, for all your companies and memories. It is the longest continuous travel in my camper, and enjoy every minute of it. Sadly, all good things come to an end and we all have to go to our separately ways, but I am sure we will gather again another sunny day. After leaving Alec yesterday I headed westward and wc in a forest car park off the A837 4' 34' 19.9"w 57'. 58' 48.7" N lovely. Location but nearly got murdered by the native inhabitants. weather awful raining throughout the night and most of to day. Decided to go high and open to avoid these blood sucking creatures, now in a honesty car park by the lift station in the Craingorn National Park surrounded by mountain tops, contrast to the cliff top and beach views the past couple of weeks. If I do not get hassles from the rangers . I shall just stay here and explore the area by foot till it is time to return South next week. Another campervan just rolled up. That makes two of us in this car park of at least 200.
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Post by kangooroo on Jun 5, 2014 20:25:01 GMT
Decided to go high and open to avoid these blood sucking creatures, now in a honesty car park by the lift station in the Cairngorm National Park surrounded by mountain tops, contrast to the cliff top and beach views the past couple of weeks. If I do not get hassles from the rangers . I shall just stay here and explore the area by foot till it is time to return South next week. Another campervan just rolled up. That makes two of us in this car park of at least 200. This was part of my route. There should be no problem at all staying there overnight. I've camped there several times on the lower level. It can be a bit noisy on Friday/Saturday nights though when more campers gather but at other times is very quiet.
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Post by Alec on Jun 5, 2014 23:55:39 GMT
Upon leaving Clashnessie...... it rainded most of the day.............. Very overcast at Drumbeg........... Onto Kylesku....this was a ferry crossing last time I passed this way.... Ending the day on the bay at Scourie..... ......Alec..........
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Post by Alec on Jun 6, 2014 15:31:41 GMT
'D' Day...............Remember. At first a dull day on way to Durness... Fellow traveller..........................One for N B....... Wild Sutherland........... That would be the three o'clock ferry to Cape Wrath then.... J O is in the area, last seen in Ullapool.............Look out Durness.. .........Alec.....
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Post by robmac on Jun 6, 2014 15:59:47 GMT
Have a look at the Smoo caves whilst you're there Alec.
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Post by Firefox on Jun 6, 2014 16:13:22 GMT
Nice hotel at Kyle of Tongue as I remember... and clam hunt at low tide next to the causeway! You can get razors and the round variety.
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Post by Neva Aglenn on Jun 6, 2014 17:02:32 GMT
Great photos (as ever!) Alec.....'cept the Black Range Rover....I live in Essex & if You threw a Brick in the Air, You'd get Evens about it landing on one of those Bloody things!!! Cool Caravan tho'!!
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Post by Firefox on Jun 6, 2014 19:05:32 GMT
Great photos (as ever!) Alec.....'cept the Black Range Rover....I live in Essex & if You threw a Brick in the Air, You'd get Evens about it landing on one of those Bloody things!!! Cool Caravan tho'!! Have you seen the trend for dark blue 4wd and BMWs espec among the rastas and gangstas. I never get tired of these pics and they will form a great resource for future trips. Well done Alec
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Post by onion on Jun 6, 2014 19:53:12 GMT
Hi vern the onion has landed hahah I'm at Durness with Alec he was standing waiting on me at the corner of the street haha, had a few pints & just had dinner & going back over for a few more so the convoy is still going Ching Ching
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Post by Firefox on Jun 6, 2014 21:44:59 GMT
Hi vern the onion has landed hahah I'm at Durness with Alec he was standing waiting on me at the corner of the street haha, had a few pints & just had dinner & going back over for a few more so the convoy is still going Ching Ching Great stuff. It's four weeks since tomorrow morning I met up with Alec, Bazz, and Tom at Penrith. Could this be the longest convoy ever from the WC forums ?! A shame we can't have a convoy going all year round travelling GB
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Post by Alec on Jun 6, 2014 23:11:38 GMT
Hi Rob, Smoo caves on the agenda tommorrow. Hi Glen, moat popular vehicle up is a motor caravan, the pic of RR and old caravan was rushed as was drinking coffee when noticed it coming, J Onion noticed it further south as he travelled north. Talking of J O, five minutes in Durness and he's forced me into a pub.........haha Beach at Durness just before the fog blew in........ ....Alec....
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Post by Neva Aglenn on Jun 7, 2014 5:48:18 GMT
Why did I come on here & look at more of Your photos before going to work?!
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Post by Alec on Jun 7, 2014 19:57:34 GMT
After a thick head from night before (too much wine,spirit and beer)...awoke to a bright sunny day..on the way to Smoo Cave we visited the John Lennon Memorial Gardens at Durness Village Hall ..... Smoo cave.... With underground waterfall..... Still on foot we took in coffee and chocolates at the craft village housed in a cold war military installation at Bainakeil, then onto the most beautiful beeches at Faraid Head..... Nearly warm enough for a bit of skinny dipping? ?... Finnishing the day with a well earnt BBQ........ ....Alec....
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