Happy new year to you all.

I needed to take Bertie the camper out from his compound. Xmas Eve was a nice day so I went to visit him. Just as I thought the battery was flat. Luckily I had a jumpstart pack so connected up and he fired into life. A drive out for 45 minutes to get everything warmed up and turning as it should and back in the compound.

I knew the battery would go flat again and especially with this cold spell we’re having and no sun for the solar panels. So I looked through his history folder and found out the last time he had a new battery was in 2016 so that battery has done very well. He will have a new one when he goes off to a new owner.

The Xmas BBQ never happened. The weather was dry but the north wind was cold so Nikki decided to cook inside. which was nice as we had roast beef, roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings washed down with some Guinness and wine it all went down very nicely.

No photos last time I checked in so this time you’re getting a good number of photos. Starting with a walk along the canal on a frosty morning with no wind. That’s the weather not me. The canal was so still and the reflections were great.

Our neighbours invited us around for a Xmas drink. I did point out we don’t do Xmas but we do drinks so that would be nice. We went there after Xmas day and in before New Year’s Day. She had done some nibbles also so that was nice. Nice to talk to them for a while rather than a passing moment. They are a nice couple which is good when you live in such a small place.

New Year’s Eve came around and did we party……NO. If I am up and hearing the Big Ben chimes it’s because I have got up for my second wee. I went to bed early as normal but Nikki set her alarm for 11.15 so we could get up and watch Jools Holland Hootenanny which I do like and he had some good guests on this year.

So we got up and it was good but I only managed to watch half of it and then went off back to bed. Watched the rest the next morning on catch up or You Tube. And also watched the fireworks in You Tube. So that was 2025 gone.

A couple of days ago we had snow forecast and they were right. Not as much as they said but a good covering, enough to close the schools and stop people getting to work.

When the snow started we walked up to the local shop at the end of the village. Just to get some fresh air and some eggs for our tea. We didn’t get the fresh air in the shop just the eggs. It’s a proper little village shop that’s open every day for those things that you have run out of at the most important time. You pay a bit more for stuff but it supports them and it’s cheaper than taking the car out and going into town.

The snow kept coming and going and it was forecast for more overnight. So when I woke the next morning we had a good covering of snow. So the car was staying where it was and I was off out for a walk and photo time.

The walk was just under five miles but got some nice photos as the conditions were just right. Sunny, and the canal was still and some snow to top it off. Not many people about so that was nice but the ones that were around were very polite with a happy new year.

On my walk I stopped off at the campsite in Chirk where we worked a while ago and said happy new year to the staff there as I knew them. They were out clearing snow from the reception area. I then walked on to the local shops in Chirk to get a couple of bits.

I came back a different way across the fields which was nice and only saw one person walking his dog. And some sheep and two pigs all of which had escaped Xmas dinner. So that was good for them. I saved my two favourite photos of the day to last. It was so picture perfect and I spent ages just staring at the reflections. Hope you like them.

So that’s us up to speed and I wish you a happy new year for 2026 and let’s see what this year brings. I hope Bertie goes off to a nice couple who can enjoy him as much as we have. And when he has gone I will be on the look out for a small VW camper so watch this space. I already have my wish list for it just not the bank balance so it will be a compromise. Enjoy.

We have now been living in the house for a month. How quickly that has gone. We are still finding our feet in the house with trying to get the heating right so we are comfortable and it’s not costing us a fortune.

Nikki has had two interviews already but sadly didn’t get the jobs, she has also applied for others but not heard anything from them. It’s their loss.

We went to visit friends near Dudley. We normally catch up with them once a year but it’s only for a couple of hours but now we’re about an hour and a half away we could spend the night at their place and they can do the same when they come over this way. That way we get longer for a proper catch up.

About four doors down the road from them is a nice ol pub, proper local pub. Just does drinks and crisps and peanuts, no food. But out the back of the pub is a Thai restaurant which we had booked.

I needed to move my car from where it was parked and Tony said put it in the pub carpark. Good plan and of course he had to come with me and of course while putting the car in the pub carpark we had to nip in for a pint and then another. You have to have a balanced diet.

Tony gets a call from his wife about coming back to take his tablet. I asked him what’s the point in us walking back to the house just for him to take a tablet when Nikki and Jo are coming down the pub anyway. So he called back and put the suggestion across. Sorted. We stayed in the pub and Nikki and Jo walked down to meet us.

As I said it’s a real ol proper pub with log fire and locals coming and going and the beer is only £4 a pint and wine is only £4 a glass. I don’t know if it’s this price because the staff can only count in fours so makes it easy for adding up the bill or it’s just great value. The pub nearest to us is £7.50 a pint. If one pub can do it and survive why can’t the others?

After having a few drinks we went out the back of the pub into the Thai restaurant and had a lovely meal. I must say it’s one of the best Thai meals I have had apart from when we were in Thailand.

My garage was looking a mess with stuff from the camper in it but not sorted so I bought some racking and started sorting it out ready for the next lot of stuff to come onto the garage which was down in Devon in a store. I love having a garage and have probably spent more time in the garage than in the house.

A trip to Devon was needed to empty our store there which we have had since selling our cottage 16 years ago. We hired a van for two days as it was too much to do in a day being a 500 mile round trip plus loading the van up and emptying it to get the van back.

A brand new VW Crafter fitted the bill perfectly. We picked it up at 4pm just as it was getting dark. It has one of these touch screens with all the controls on for the heating etc. what’s wrong with dials on the dash. They tell you to keep your eyes on the road and then put these touch screens in modern vehicles.

We were going to leave the next morning at 7am. I will add at this point I hate driving in the dark and if it’s raining and dark I struggle because of the lights coming the other way etc. so what was it doing at 7am that morning. Yes it was dark which we knew but I thought it will only be an hour then it will be light but it was also raining. But needs must we have things to do.

The journey was ok only hitting traffic on the M6 which was expected and having a couple of stops. We got to the store at 12.45pm nearly five hours after leaving home and started loading up the van straight away. Nikki had strict instructions to just put stuff in the van and not keep looking and saying oh do you remember this and that. Van loaded up in just over an hour. The first time that store had been empty in 16 years and the first time we had seen some of the stuff in there.

An hours drive back to the motorway where we stopping for the night in a travel lodge. All booked in and Burger King next door provided us with our tea. Needs must. We planned to get up again the next morning and get on the road for 7am and stop at the service area just north of Bristol for breakfast.

Now I get up early so my body clock was awake at just after 5am so I was wriggling and wanted to get going. I asked Nikki if she was awake, the reply was I am now. Come on then let’s go now, are you serious, yes, so we got on the road for 6 am. Got to the services, had a bacon roll and got back on the road.

Got back to the house at 10.30am unloaded the van into the garage and took the van back. Job done. Another pile to sort out in garage.

I had a plan for my sorting.

Pile one….into house

Pile two….to the tip

Pile three….boot sale

Pile four….stay in garage

Hour after hour, day after day I sorted all the stuff out. But to be honest I enjoyed it although it would have been nice to have some heating in the garage as it was only 7. 5 degrees in there with a high of 9 degrees.

Nikki went away for four days to see her sister and boys so I was left alone to feed myself so it was basic food and more garage time. But it’s all done now, well it will never be done because there is always something to tinker with in the garage. We went to the tip with a car full yesterday, I have a boot sale pile, some stuff has come in the house and the rest is put away so my plan worked out ok.

The guy who lives next door on his own and runs his own business said about going for a pint to a pub he uses. Of course I said yes. Nikki was away so it saved me cooking. A real nice old pub with good beer at very good prices and good food. Guinness was only £4.20 a pint. So I had a chicken curry with a pint of Guinness for £10. Bargain.

He has apple trees in his garden and has said if we want any apples just help ourselves. There are some on the floor so Nikki sorted a few out and made a crumble. The other neighbour has given us some damsons from her trees and apples so it looks like next year we will be eating a lot of crumbles and pies.

I have also set my new BBQ up on the patio so it’s all ready to go on a nice day. And that means not just summer but anytime of year if the weather is kind to us. Maybe Xmas day?

So that is us up to speed with house living, or garage living depending which one of us you speak to. No pictures this time, I don’t want to bore you with pictures of a full garage and then a sorted garage.

After a couple of days at Cirencester I came down with a bug. Nikki already had a cold so the clues are there who I got it from. Apart from mine was worse, it was man flu.

I very rarely get ill but this bug really knocked me for six. So the two weeks we were at Cirencester I was really ill and then we left there and went to Devon where I continued to be ill for another week.

Bertie the camper had its MOT while we were down in Devon and it passed so that was good. We cancelled plans to see people because of not feeling good. Nikki was a lot better so she went to see her mum along with her sister who was down for a couple of days.

Our next port of call from Devon was to a campsite on the edge of Shrewsbury which we had booked a long time ago and brought the stay earlier so we could use it before moving into the house and putting Bertie into storage.

The day we left Devon the weather was horrible, rain and wind and so much surface water on the motorway I was down to 40 mph in a lot of places so it took a lot longer than it should have. Got to the campsite which was number 102 in Bertie, not bad for 12 years ownership.

A couple of days at that site and then less than an hour to Chirk which is where we would stay until we move into our house.

So while at Chirk we started to pack up the contents of Bertie. We have moved house a few times in our life and even moved from one camper van to the next but I was so surprised how much stuff we had in Bertie. The suspension has lifted since emptying the camper.

Living in a small space is great but when you try and pack everything up and get it all out the cupboards etc and then have to put it somewhere ready to take out of the small space you were living in suddenly gets a lot smaller.

So with the contracts signed and money paid for the house on the 17th we moved. We have an estate car which has a very good load space with the back seats down but it still took four very well packed loads to get all the stuff from Bertie to the house.

We were in by lunchtime on the 17th November 2025. Back into a property after 16 years on the road. Nikki had a big grin on her face, I was happy but a little bit bemused by it all. I have a garage to hide in though and that will be sorted as and when.

All our stuff unloaded and spread around the house and the garage all ready to sort out. There was also a lot of stuff in the house because it was an air B&B before so was set up with everything so all that stuff had to be sorted into what we were going to keep and what we were going to put away.

By yesterday it was mostly all sorted but ongoing. At least we can enjoy the space and I can wander around the house asking myself. How did I get here what’s happened. I almost feel like a grown up living in a house.

We have a huge big bedroom. Bertie’s bedroom you could lay in bed and touch every side of the bed without moving and that included the roof. In the house we have to walk from the bed to the sofa at the other end of the room and we have cupboards and drawers to put stuff in. For once I can spread all my mountain bike and hiking clothes out instead of having to get a storage box out and find the stuff I want.

I have to go to bed earlier now because from the dining room, sitting room or kitchen I have to walk and then climb up twelve stairs and that’s just to get on the landing then I have to choose between three bedrooms. Two have Juliet balconies .We will certainly be getting our daily steps in.

When the nice weather comes around we have three seating areas to enjoy, two which overlook the canal so we are looking forward to having a beer in the garden and having a cheers to the canal boats as they go by.

The house in the last photo is our neighbours, not too close. The other side of the canal is where the footpath is and where we have walked along in the past and said how nice would it be to live there. It’s a ten minute walk from the house to the nearest pub on the canal which is nice for a change. We don’t go out much really and now we have this space we will probably stay at home for a beer.

And of course we have bills to pay so both need jobs. Nikki has already applied for three jobs and has an interview next week. I also have to hire a van and go down to Barnstaple to empty our store down there. A store which we had for 16 years after moving from our cottage. So that will be interesting because we can’t remember everything that’s in there. When I bring that back to the cottage it will go in four piles. Garage, house, tip, and for sale.

Bertie is in storage now which was really weird taking him to a storage compound and leaving him there all in the cold. It was like putting him in jail as we walked away and locked the gates after 12 year of living in him and him being warm and cozy etc. I know most people just treat cars etc as objects but with my love for vehicles I do get attached to them and I was really sad leaving him there and it will be another sad day when I actually sell him. At least then he will be out of jail and back on the road with someone.

I will go down to the storage and make sure he is ok and take him out for a drive now and then.

So that’s us up to date. This blog will slow down now as we’re not on the road and I don’t want to bore you with our everyday living. But I will keep it going because we’re not just going to sit in the house and stare out the windows. When Bertie goes the plan is to buy a small VW camper so we can get away for weekends etc. Having owned camper vans since 1977 I am not likely to stop now. I am just off to wander around the house to find Nikki.

A quick update on our life after leaving Scotland. At the moment we have both got a bad bug. Now I normally like bugs and will often sit and watch them, take photos etc.

But this bug/ virus is one we don’t want. Nikki has been ill for over a week and I got the bug on Friday. Of course I got it worse. Aching body, even my bones ache, shivers even though my skin feels hot, feeling sick and can’t stay awake. I know I am ill because I am not eating like normal and don’t fancy a beer at all.

We have had to cancel seeing people and luckily we are here in Cirencester for another week so hopefully will be well enough to drive off then.

After we left our friends in Settle we went to Chirk. An area we know and the area we want to settle down in. Nikki has been looking at houses for weeks, even months now, well before we got to Chirk. The plan was to chill out at Chirk then head to Cirencester and then to Devon and then back to Chirk and start to look for a house.

I love the site we stay at because from there I can walk in the fields or along the canal so off I went on a six mile hike talking to the trees and waving to the people on the canal boats. They always seem a happy bunch. Such a slow pace of life.

When I got back from my hike Nikki showed me a house. It ticked a lot of boxes, not all of them but a lot. So she rang up and we had a viewing booked. So much for waiting until we got back from Devon .

The house was nice but the viewing was so rushed with only a 15 minute slot which we were rushed around by the tenant in the house now opening every door for us and almost pushing us along. We also looked at anther house, a new build but it was so small with nowhere to put anything like my bike so we ruled that one out.

We had a email to say we didn’t get the other one anyway. Oh well more will turn up. But I must say this house hunting is a nightmare. Because we are relocating and don’t have jobs I feel we are on the bottom of the list from a landlords view.

Storm Amy came and went and was not as bad as we thought it was going to be. The day of the storm Nikki found another house to view. Now this one ticked all the boxes apart from being free.

We went along to view it only ten minutes drive from where we were staying and right on the canal side. We met the landlady there who was so nice and within ten minutes of being there she said it’s yours if you want it. She had a lot of viewings but it was furnished and people wanted it unfurnished because they had furniture etc already to put in it.

We on the other hand have nothing to go in a house apart from our toothbrushes and clothes. She was so pleased that we were willing to take on the house with everything in it. And when I say everything I mean everything. It used to be run as an air b& b so is fully equipped for six people. She is even leaving the bedding.

So we can just walk in with our tootbrushes put the kettle on and chill out watching the canal boats go by. We have accepted it and it’s all going through the procedure as I type this. We move in on 17th November. After sixteen years on the road we will be back in a house.

Bertie the camper will be sold at some stage and I will buy a smaller camper so we can still get away. And the best thing I left to last, is it’s got a garage. I will have a garage again to potter about in. We have had stuff in storage for sixteen years like my record collection photos etc so it will be great to sort all that stuff out. To be honest I can’t even remember half the stuff that’s in the storage.

The next challenge was getting rid of some Scottish money I had in my wallet. The shops in England won’t take it so I went to a post office and they said no you have to go to a bank. You try finding a bank that’s still on the high street. Nikki was going into Oswestry so she took it and deposited it into my account there. I checked.

After viewing the house we walked along the canal the next day from Chirk to view the house from from the other side of the canal. We had to pass a pub on the canal side to get there so on the way back we stopped in the pub garden for a drink or two, thinking it was only a ten minute walk from the house. Very convenient.

The next day I went for a short walk in the mist but the aqueduct looked just as nice but in a different way. The mist soon cleared and once again the aqueduct looked stunning.

We left Chirk and headed for Cirencester. I took a scenic route as the road I normally travel on was closed according to my sat nav so I ended going through Stroud. That’s not a problem but then there was a road closed in Stroud and I went off down a road thinking I was going the right way. I was and I wasn’t so after going up and down some narrow roads and big hills in the torrential rain I finally got back on track. Not a lot of fun in a five ton 9 metre long camper. I could tell by the peoples faces in the cars coming the other way.

Finally we got to Cirencester, another site we have stayed on before once or twice. I did manage to get out for a nice walk before getting this bug, which was nice and the colours of the trees in their autumnal state look stunning.

After walking through the Bathurst estate I went via the Abbey grounds on the way back and spotted a heron checking himself out in the lake. He was just so motionless waiting for a fish to swim by and was not bothered by me at all. Thank you Mr Heron for standing still while I took your picture.

Further along a swan was trying to get some sleep without people poking a camera towards it. And even a camel although he was not real or he was lost.

With Halloween soon there was also a pumpkin trail, pay your money and choose your pumpkin. They were also doing tractor rides for the kids. I walked on by because I didn’t want a pumpkin and the tractor ride was closed.

So that’s us up to date as I sit here shivering and aching. I have been up since 4 am because although the clocks changed my body still thinks it was about five o’clock when I would normally get up. It will sort itself out soon. The last photo is an air ballon going over campsite at Chirk. Again something I would love to do.

I started Bertie up and drove out the entrance and we closed and locked the gates behind us. This was the start of our new adventure.

First destination one mile down the road to the other site where our friends are, no need to set the sat nav, no need for travel sweets. we were going to be here for nearly a week just to say goodby to our friends and Killin itself.

I went off for a walk one day towards the Loch, the sun was out and no wind, although the river was high because of all the rain we had for the last few days. It was peaceful.

Down by the loch edge were a couple of fishermen that looked like they had been there all night. Obviously very keen with about eight different rods out between them. The loch looked so peaceful with the water being still. The normal path I would walk was flooded in parts because the water levels were high but I managed to get around.

Another day another walk with Nikki. Through the village and up to the Dochart falls which were in full flow and looking stunning. We decided to have a drink in the pub by the falls and sat outside watching the world go by and it started to rain, luckily we were under a huge umbrella. My last sip of beer and a big ouch!!! A wasp was in my beer and as I had that last sip it stung me on my top lip. It started to swell up straight away and really hurt. Within minutes I had a trout pout and looked like Mick jagger on steroids.

We walked back to the campsite in a brisk way and got some anti histamines into me. After three days I was back to normal and not afraid to look out a window without thinking I might stick to it like a sucker.

Another afternoon we decided to have one last drink in the Killin hotel which was our favourite go to pub/ restaurant. We sat in the sun in the same place as the year before almost to the day. Our friends joined us also.

And so it was time to leave Killin and head to another campsite. I have to admit as I was driving out of Killin I had a tear in my eye. I had fallen in love with the area and we will return some time.

The next campsite was called the Woods in a place called Fishcross near Alloa. The name Alloa summons up visions of Hawaii for me, but in reality the town was a complete dump in our opinion. We drove there to have a look around but soon returned. Very run down not inviting at all.

The pitch we had on the campsite was faultless. A nice big pitch with a stunning view of the mountains. Nothing in front of us other than fields and cows which were interesting to watch.

There was a pub at the entrance to the site so we decided to treat ourselves to a meal and a drink, without the wasp. Not a great selection of beers but I found a nice real ale which went down very nicely. The food was superb and a good evening was had.

The next day was a lovely sunny day and we chilled out and then as the sun started to go down there was an amazing sunset. With the mountains shadowed it looked like you could have been anywhere in the world.

The next destination was to Carluke where Bertie was booked in for a service and a new throttle body. We arrived there at 12.30 ish, met Graham the mechanic and left Bertie in his capable hands and we drove off to Lanark about twenty minutes away to check out our parking spot for that night. The carpark where we were going to spend the night was in the New Lanark area down by the Heritage centre with the old cotton mills.

We paid our fees to go in as we had plenty of time to spare while Bertie was being done. I even got a concession on my ticket price being an ol boy now.

The old cotton mill was really interesting and as you walk around some of the machines are clattering away and you can imagine what it must have been like to work in them all those years ago. Very noisy and dark I should think and as a child you would be working in there from the age of 12 because the families needed the money. Kids today do not realise how lucky they are.

After looking around the mill we headed back to pick up Bertie and pay the bill. Then we headed back to the carpark to spend the night there as it was 5.30 and I don’t like big drives at that time. And it was Nikki’s birthday and her salad was getting cold. A nice peaceful full night was had in the carpark.

Our next destination was Troutbeck in the Lake District. This would mean we would cross the border into England. As I crossed the border I looked at the time and it was exactly midday. I was back in England and Nikki was still in Scotland.

Troutbeck head is the name of the site we were heading for and it was so peaceful and again with a great view. I would have liked to stay for longer but we will return. We were only there for two nights so it was just a chill out couple of days. Sat outside in the sun with a drink without wasps and a nice view. And once again a lovely sunset.

I have a book and every site we go on I make notes about it etc. This was site number 100 we have stayed on in Bertie since owning it. That’s 100 different sites. We have stayed in other places like aires in France, Spain and Portugal, show fields at the Hot rod and VW events we go to, car parks and some of the sites we have been on we have returned to.

So leaving Troutbeck and heading for site number 101 which is in a small village called Langcliffe near Settle in the Yorkshire dales. The reason for going here was to catch up with our friends Tony and Anita who we met 23 years ago on a beach in Thailand and have remained great friends ever since.

They have a lovely cottage in the village and only a ten minute walk from the campsite. They also have a canal boat which Tony built himself. We were busting to see the cottage and when we went to see it we were so impressed. It’s just a great little cottage in a lovely old village and only a stones throw from great walks, mountain bike trails and nice pubs in the small town of settle which was only a fifteen minute walk away.

Of course we sampled the pubs because Anita was working Thursday and Friday so we had to go and meet her in Settle. While she was working me Tony and Nikki went for a walk Tony does. It was a lovely walk, maybe a bit far for Nikki but she did well and then after getting back and having a shower it was time to walk into Settle to meet Anita to have a beer and some food. That day we walked a total of about 8 miles so slept well that night.

On the walk we went past a huge old lime kiln which we actually went in and me and Tony walked the length of it. And then onto a river with a lovely old bridge and waterfalls. Tony has seen salmon leaping up the falls before.

Yesterday we went out to their boat just so we could see it again. Many years ago we went down the canal with them in it and moored outside a pub for the night then turned around and went back to where they kept it before. I do like seeing the canal boats and all the people on the boats always seem really nice. A really slow chilled way of life.

So that’s us up to date. We still have two more days here before setting of for Chirk on the north wales England border. A site we have worked on and spent a lot of time in that area which we love. The last photo is the only nice thing I found in Alloa.

Last month we had a drive out on a single track road between Kenmore and the A822 which goes from Aberfeldy to Crieff. It’s a very scenic road with passing places but we only met one other car so no problems. Problems only happen when you meet someone else and they can’t drive on these sort of roads.

We squeezed one last BBQ in before the weather changed which was nice. It’s been a good season for the BBQ. I have lost Count but I think about 20+ so we are happy with that. The BBQ lives on as I have passed it on so hopefully someone else will enjoy it next year.

The site is still flowering with different colours, the leaves are changing colour and the bracken is going a lovely rusty colour which looks so nice with the green and blue skies when we get those of course. And of course the leaves are starting to fall.

The fungi on site are not as good as last year for some reason, I expect the different weather conditions but every now and then one shows up which is spectacular in colour and shape. And a very big one I found so had to put my size 8 foot next to it for comparison.

I was chatting to a couple down the far end of the site when I heard the sound of bagpipes. We all looked at each other and enjoyed the sound as I knew where it was coming from.

We had a couple on the top of the site who I had chatted to a couple of days before. I had said how peaceful the site was and you will hear owls at night. He said I will have to get my bagpipes out and I laughed thinking he was joking. He wasn’t. But it sounded great and another couple commented on the sound as they had heard the pipes while they were walking in the woods behind the site.

We had a walk in the village to pick up my prescription and then walked to the falls of Dochart. I scrabbled across the rocks to get some photos while Nikki who is not good at scrabbling across rocks just sat on a rock taking it all in.

The road outside the site is not a huge road so you have to take care when going up and down it. It does however get some big traffic on it including tour coaches, logging lorry’s and of course the local farmers with big bales of hay on at this time of year and then you get the big Lorry’s with the statics on. These have an escort vehicle with them to warn oncoming traffic to get out the way. One came up the road the other day with the police warning other road users.

As the final curtain closes. It’s the end of the season for us and the end of our career with the business we work for. We closed the site last Monday the 8th at midday as the last person left and had the site all to ourselves. All we had to do was pack it all away, so a quick sandwich and get started. Over the next three days we got it all ready to finally put the gates on and lock them.

It’s been a great two seasons at the site and I loved the site with all its wildlife etc. I would have loved to do more at the site but I didn’t have the hours or budget. We are proud of what we achieved while being there and the lovely comments from the guests proved we had got things right.

We are leaving the business we work for now for various reasons which I won’t bore you with here.

So from today Friday 12 September 2025 we are unemployed and living in a tin can. But we are happy. The next chapter is about to start.

My last photos of the site in all its peacefulness two mornings ago at 7am as the sun was coming up through the trees. Happy memories.

Having one red squirrel about is great, having two about is better still. But then there was a third one about. WOW. I managed to get a photo of two of them together but so much wanted to get a photo with all three in the photo. Squirrels are not the sort of animal you can ask to pose for the camera.

When all three are about they chase each other around, up the trees, down the trees, across the grass until they settle on a feeder and the others go to a different feeder. But luck was on my side and I managed to open the window of the camper and get a shot of all three in the same photo. Not a great photo but it’s there. All three tuftys, Tufty, Scrufty and blondie due to the blonde tail, on three different feeders.

Do you remember when we went for a breakfast and I was telling you how I had been short changed with my breakfast. After emailing them they said they would sort something out next time we were in the cafe. We went back and as we were seated asked to see the manager about my email from them.

We ordered our breakfasts and ate them and no manager came to see us. It was busy in there. So we got up to pay and saw the manager who was very busy, I showed her my email which said to see her and she discounted our breakfasts and said sorry. I pointed out I was not expecting two free meals but she said no problem Enjoy. The reason it was busy was a coach load of tourists were in for breakfast. The coach being one of many we see on the roads around here.

Nikki’s youngest boy was going to come to Scotland to see us with his family. They had booked a lodge for three nights next to the campsite. A road trip of nine hours for them. They were with us by 2 pm. We had a rough plan of things to do while they were here but allowing plenty of chill time also.

A trip across the Ben Lawers road, a picnic by the loch and a BBQ. The drive over the Ben Lawers road was great and they loved it. I drove and we went to a small carpark we know and had a walk through the wood to get to the tea room and had lunch. They loved it, it’s so different to where they live.

The next day we made up a picnic and drove down into Killin and walked to the loch and a sandy beach area and had our picnic. I had said to Rory I would go in the Loch for a paddle with her so I had to keep my promise. She was so happy standing in the loch with little fish swimming over her feet.

After having a paddle, talking to the sheep and a walk back to the car the Killin hotel was calling for a couple of pints. Nikki drove home.

The plan was to have the BBQ that evening as it was their last night but the weather turned colder and windy so Jon cooked all the food in the lodge, washed down with a beer or two. The next morning they left about 9.30 on the long trip back. They enjoyed their holiday and it was great seeing them.

Storm Floris was due in Scotland. Not good to have a storm when your on a very wooded site and all the trees are in leaf. The wind blew, the rain hammered down but we survived. The site was ok with only one rotten tree down which I managed to move myself. I think we were very lucky compared to some other parts of Scotland.

The Highland Games were in Killin two weeks ago and the weather was looking good so we planned to go. It’s only a small show but nice to support it. The sound of bagpipes can be heard all day and the cheers as big grown men throw hammers about and toss the caber. We ended the afternoon in the Killin hotel. Well it was thirsty work watching all those Highland Games.

Today we should have been going to another site for our days off and to give Bertie a run. We changed our plan at the last minute and went last week because the weather was so good.

Bunree site is one of our favourites and sits on the loch edge. It’s just had a refurb so only opened again on August 1st. We got here at 1pm and got a lochside pitch. Within 15 minutes we were parked up and chairs out just looking at the stunning view.

Apart from walking over to the shower block I finally put my chair away at about 8.30 after watching the sun go down. We caught the corran ferry the next day and had lunch at the airstream caravan beside the pub. Last year the lady running it had a fifty’s caravan and now has a airstream caravan. After walking back the chairs were out again and it was chill time with a glass of cheers. I will let the photos do the talking.

We were sad to leave to go back to work. The morning we left was a bit overcast so we struck lucky and got the best of it. And talking of work we only have three weeks left before we close up and start our winter trip and the next chapter in our lives. Changing times. Don’t forget to check in and follow the adventures.

Loch Loop is not an actual Loch but a cycle loop I did and named it that. Loch Tay is 15 miles long and you can drive all the way around it. We are on the north side which is the main road and the south side is a single track road with passing places.

Last year I wanted to bike all the way around it but didn’t get round to it so this year I was determined to do it. It’s not really my kind of biking being on the road, I don’t mind the single lane quiet back roads but main roads are not my cup of tea.

So I left early one morning when the traffic is less to do the full loop. I only saw about a dozen cars while doing the north side so I knew the south side would be quiet. You see the Loch from all different points and I realised how big it is and how far you have to go.

At the east end of the Loch I stopped for a photo and then carried on around to the south side. The road goes up and down so one minute you are at water level the next you are way above looking down with great views.

The whole bike ride was 34 miles with the last mile being up hill back to base. Maybe I should have done that bit first by going the other way round.

Tufty and Scrufty are the two red squirrels who are eating the food I put out for them like it’s going out of fashion. But it’s great to see them both out on the feeders just metres away from the camper. There is even a third one about sometimes.

I put peanuts in the feeders for them and also treat them to hazel nuts in their shells. They are clever because they take the hazelnuts and run off and bury them because they have shells on them they know they are safe buried. Then they go back for the peanuts and just eat them at the feeder. I did manage to get a photo of two of them but not got all three yet.

The other day Tufty was sharing with the woodpecker and luckily there is enough food for them both to enjoy.

On the Ben Lawers road they have built some walking paths and put in picnic benches so we decided to go and have a look. It’s not complete yet but there are still plenty of walks to do. We started to walk one ( red route) and It was too much for Nikki so she turned back while I went further on. I will go back another day and do a bigger walk.

I could see a bench in the distance so decided that was my return point and then I could meet back up with Nikki. I got to the bench, sat down taking in the view and then went back down to the car and phoned Nikki to see where she was. She was sat at another bench after her flat walk and took up the offer of me picking her up in the car as I passed by.

After picking Nikki up I suggested we carry on down the valley which was where I had been on my bike before and seen a herd of Highland coo’s. The valley drive is stunning and as we rounded a bend I could see the coo’s up ahead. I love these coo’s. There were some calves and also a bloody great big bull. As they were causing a road block, it was approach gently but I wanted to get some photos.

I put the car window down and had my camera ready as I drove past very close and got a photo, the coo just staring at me. I really wanted a photo of the Big bad bull so as we drove past he was wandering up the road with one of his wives so I stopped a short distance from him and her and got out the car, but left the door open in case I had to jump back in quickly and drive off. And got the photo I wanted. I was so happy with the photo and to me it was one of the best photos I have ever taken. And the big bad bull was not bothered with me at all.

We have had a hot spell, not as hot as down south but very nice and as we are under trees it’s been a really nice temperature so the bbq has been on overtime and a cold beer has been taken.

And on the subject of food I had a lovely pie for my tea the other day. A couple who are seasonals on site were telling me about this butchers shop where they live that does pound pies. I did them a favour the other day over and above my duty. I was just being helpful but they were really grateful and said they would get me one of these pound pies from their butcher’s.

Now excuse my ignorance but I started thinking about this pound pie. I was thinking it’s not going to be very big and what’s going to be in it for a pound. Maybe all the bits that fall on the floor and are swept up at the end of the day etc.

So I did some research and found out a pound pie is actually a Scottish pie that weighs a pound not costs a pound. I did laugh and yes it was big and yes I ate it all for my tea and yes it was a very nice steak and gravy pound pie.

After my Loch loop bike ride my bike speedo was on 1993 miles which is how many miles I have done on this bike since owning it. I wanted to get a photo of it saying 2000 so had to go out and do a short ride just so I could get that photo. And to make it extra nice I got the photo outside the Killin hotel which is a great place to eat and drink but it was too early this morning.

Another walk was called for followed by lunch. So we drove to Tay forest park and started our walk up hill. Nikki was having second thoughts but I persuaded her to carry on and I would buy her lunch. The walk was a loop and only about three and half miles but did include some uphills. But she was glad she did it.

The lunch stop was a knitting and craft shop with a cafe which Nikki wanted to have a look at. I just wanted the food part of it. We sat out side with a great view of fields and mountains which made the walk seem so much nicer. After lunch Nikki had a look around the shop while I waited outside.

The wild flowers on site are still popping up all over the site and in a tub by our compound are wild strawberries which Nikki keeps eating before the birds get them. We also have raspberry bushes which again Nikki goes and picks.

As I sit here typing this blog it is raining again heavily and is set for the next couple of days. I checked the weather this morning and it said yellow rain warning. Now I have been warned about eating yellow snow but never heard about yellow rain. I just imagine it means it will be pissing down.

Tomorrow marks the 7 weeks until we shut the site. We are starting to plan our winter trip and a big change is on the cards for us. Will tell you more as the weeks go by.

We have two days off a week and look forward to them, but it’s never enough because we have so much we want to do and see and also sometimes we just want to do nothing and potter about at home.

I also check the weather for our our days off which makes a decision on what we will do. With the weather looking bad for our first day off we decided to take a drive out to a national trust property called Hill House at Helensburgh.

The house was built in 1902/1904 , designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife. It’s very art nouveau inside. The outside was clad in Portland cement which was a flawed material choice so the house was crumbling away over the years with the wind and rain.

The house was donated to the national trust in 1982 and in 2019 they clad the house in a transparent chain mail and put a huge roof over the whole house. This lets the house breathe and dry out over time so they can renovate the outside.

The structure is also a good way of viewing the outside because you can walk all around it at different levels including a Birds Eye view from above it. Nikki stayed on ground level and of course I had to do the whole experience. To get photos.

With the structure surrounding the house it meant that this was a good choice of things to do on a rain forecast day. But it didn’t rain.

The inside was very art nouveau with some great features. This made a change from a lot national trust properties which are much older.

To get to the house we drove along side Loch Lomond. A very popular place for people coming to Scotland but not the best of roads for so much traffic being narrow in a lot of places. This is fine but you get a lot of hired motorhomes with people driving them who have never driven anything bigger than a car before. And then they meet a caravan or lorry coming the other way and go into panic mode.

As we drove along the edge of the loch we saw a place called Firkin Point and it just made me laugh so much. I decided that was where we’re going to have to stop on the way back. So we did. It’s a small picnic area with an old tree on the edge of the Loch and a small beach area. Some girls were swimming in the loch.

The next day I went out on my bike. I had wanted to do a big loop for ages but my fitness was not good last year so had planned to do it this year. Again my fitness is not good, it’s a bit better than last year. I didn’t plan on doing it that day because I had not been on my bike for six weeks because we were doing other stuff.

As I went off down the hill I thought I would go towards the loop and yes you guessed I ended up doing the big loop I wanted to do. 35 miles and 3195 ft of elevation. Taking in great views and three dams and a bit of Scottish traffic ( Highland cows)

The route was 95% on single track roads of which the most was a very old road which is all broken up in places so is not used, only by farmers and mad bikers.

After getting back and having some lunch I chilled for the rest of the day but felt good and then went to work the next day for a rest. Talking of work, we only have ten weeks to go before our season is over and we shut the site up. But that’s enough talk of work, let’s talk about the last two days which we had off.

Another thing on our list of things to do on our days off was to see the Kelpies and the Falkirk wheel. We didn’t get round to seeing them last year, yesterday we went out to put this right.

The Kelpies are two giant horses heads set in the Helix visitor centre. They stand 30 metres tall and are made from stainless steal. Crafted by artist Andy Scott they pay homage to the horses that once powered scotlands industry. They are very impressive. You get a glimpse of them if you’re driving up on the M9 motorway but they are worth going to see up close. I took so many photos of them but will not bore you with all of them just a couple and an arty farty shot.

A short drive from the Kelpies is the Falkirk wheel which is a rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and Clyde canal with the Union canal. Opened in 2002 this fantastic 1800 tonne boat lift structure rotates to transport canal boats/ barges 35 metres up or down to join the canals. To do a complete circle it uses the same power as eight domestic kettles. It didn’t say how many cups of tea that is.

To stand there and watch it revolve is amazing and they don’t spill any water. We were lucky that not many people were about.

And no the boats don’t go upside down as it turns, the designers thought of that luckily. The marina at the lower level had a couple of nice old barges on.

From the Falkirk wheel we went into Stirling to do some food shopping to include some BBQ food for today because the weather people said it was going to be nice today. They lied. The weather people are the only people that constantly get their job wrong and don’t get the sack. we will see what it’s like later but I am not holding my breath. I know the rest of the U.K. is basking in higher temperatures and we are about ten degrees cooler up here in Scotland but to be honest I am happy with that as long as it’s not raining.

The river Dochart was really low in the dry spell we had making the falls of Dochart no more than a stream. Not good for the tourists who flock to see them. Now they are getting their moneys worth because of all the rain the river is flowing and the falls are looking as good as they get. Happy tourists although they moan about the rain.

We took Bertie out for a run again at the start of June and then stopped on the site down in Killin so we could go out for a few beers and a bite to eat with the crew down there. A great night was had by all. And then the next morning as I looked out the window there on top of the mountains was snow. It was the fourth of June.

Scrufty has continued to visit the feeders and he looks more normal now his winter coat has gone and the other day there was a friend of his on the feeders also so we had two red squirrels around. One seemed to think he was an Australian though and got in the most weird position just to get some food.

About twenty minutes drive from here is a cafe called Mhor 84. It’s a cafe, bar, restaurant, motel. We were going out for the day so decided the first stop would be there for breakfast. I had already looked at the menu on line so knew what I was having. It’s a really nice place and the staff are very nice also.

After eating our breakfast Nikki noticed some nice cakes so we just had to have a cake each to take away. We were going to be out for a while so we had to have something in reserve. Our next destination was to see Rob Roy’s grave at Balquhidder.

Rob Roy was an outlaw and a hero, not very famous unless you live in Scotland. His grave is in the Balquhidder church grounds with his wife and two sons.

It’s a lovely old church and as we pulled into the parking spot a guy who looks after it said it was open if we wanted to look inside. I love old churches and the thought of all the people that have passed through the doors over the years.

After leaving the church we headed out to Loch Katrina where a steam powered boat does tours on the loch. There is another boat that does a shorter tour. It’s a nice scenic drive to get there and then when you get there you wonder how the coaches etc get there but they have come the same way, just lucky we didn’t meet any on route.

Some great photo opportunities so I was happy. Nikki had a slow walk around and a sit on a bench with a view while I opted to go up to the scenic watchtower. A few steep steps and some boardwalk and you get to the tower and look out over the loch.

Sir Walter Scott was using rowing boats on the loch and then a steamer. The steamer is called Sir Walter Scott and does the two hour tour. I was lucky to get photos as it came into view coming back from its tour.

After a stroll around and a sit down we headed off to a parking spot overlooking another loch to eat our cakes and very nice they were too. I won’t show you photos of them because I don’t want you dribbling on your laptop.

Yesterday we went for a walk from the site. Across the field avoiding the cows and a big bull, and around the golf course and around the edge of Loch Tay, along the old railway line, past the falls of Dochart and back through Killin and then up the hill back to site. We don’t normally use the road to get back but we thought we would give it a go. Not much traffic and Nikki found it easier than coming back up the hill via the golf course and field. She just doesn’t like hills full stop.

The field on the way down was covered in meadow buttercups and other wild flowers and looked fantastic and we also saw some other nice purple flowers.

So that’s us up to date. I am off out on my bike soon. The weather is set to cheer up from tomorrow but not as hot as the rest of the country but will still be nice. And Saturday is the longest day so the nights will start to draw in. And we only have about 12 weeks work left.