Bellingham to Yellowcraig
This is night No.99/2018 living in my caravan. Now pitched at Yellowcraig C&MC Site in Dirleston, just along the coast from North Berwick. Taking advantage of the midweek offer of half price pitch fees, 3 nights (2 of which were discounted) totalled £40.10.
I was glad to leave Bellingham in Northumberland. It was simply too restrictive for dog walking. Even a short dog walk involved a short drive. The site was also a bit shabby for my liking. What cheeses me off with these sites is that in each one I've visited over the years, the wardens tailor everything to make their work easier at the expense of hassle for paying customers. For example, the service point next to me had the waste water dump removed and a sign posted saying you have to use the only other service point across the site. Another example, at Dunbar, they've removed all the bins throughout the site so you have to traipse across the site to the entrance where the skips are located, and it's a big site. When you tour as much as I do, you notice these things!
Took the short drive into Bellingham after I got up at 0700 to walk the dogs along the riverside.
The nice bridge into Bellingham.
This time I went west from the bridge, but after around 100m, a gate took the path into a field of sheep. Typical in this area.
Got back to the van, had some breakfast, packed up, walked to the other end of the site to dump waste, then left around 0930. The drive to Yellowcraig would take me north on the A68 into Scotland.
The Border at Carter Bar.
It's a really nice viewpoint. You climb up the A68 then the road drops back down into Scotland.
Unbelievable, a German tourist was pitched (as in on holiday) in the layby on the Border! In my travels, the Germans are terrible for this. Normally, its a thicket of motorhomes, but a caravan version is new to me. Overnighting in a caravan on a public road in Scotland is definitely not permitted.
Arrived at Yellowcraig around 1220. Got a nice sideways pitch. Nice quiet feel here, the area beside the van is out of action for reseeding, there's nobody behind me, and the van in front (20' away) is on an empty seasonal pitch.
After setting up, we went for a good walk, avoiding the beach which was really busy. There's lots of paths, and we took one through the dunes. The island of Fidra, with it's lighthouse, just offshore from Yellowcraig Beach.
Berwick Law in the distance.
The weather really improved, could see the Lomond Hills in Fife across the Forth.
Great to finally see an end to the rain. The forecast also looks good for the next few days, and long may it continue!
I was glad to leave Bellingham in Northumberland. It was simply too restrictive for dog walking. Even a short dog walk involved a short drive. The site was also a bit shabby for my liking. What cheeses me off with these sites is that in each one I've visited over the years, the wardens tailor everything to make their work easier at the expense of hassle for paying customers. For example, the service point next to me had the waste water dump removed and a sign posted saying you have to use the only other service point across the site. Another example, at Dunbar, they've removed all the bins throughout the site so you have to traipse across the site to the entrance where the skips are located, and it's a big site. When you tour as much as I do, you notice these things!
Took the short drive into Bellingham after I got up at 0700 to walk the dogs along the riverside.
The nice bridge into Bellingham.
This time I went west from the bridge, but after around 100m, a gate took the path into a field of sheep. Typical in this area.
Got back to the van, had some breakfast, packed up, walked to the other end of the site to dump waste, then left around 0930. The drive to Yellowcraig would take me north on the A68 into Scotland.
The Border at Carter Bar.
It's a really nice viewpoint. You climb up the A68 then the road drops back down into Scotland.
Unbelievable, a German tourist was pitched (as in on holiday) in the layby on the Border! In my travels, the Germans are terrible for this. Normally, its a thicket of motorhomes, but a caravan version is new to me. Overnighting in a caravan on a public road in Scotland is definitely not permitted.
Arrived at Yellowcraig around 1220. Got a nice sideways pitch. Nice quiet feel here, the area beside the van is out of action for reseeding, there's nobody behind me, and the van in front (20' away) is on an empty seasonal pitch.
After setting up, we went for a good walk, avoiding the beach which was really busy. There's lots of paths, and we took one through the dunes. The island of Fidra, with it's lighthouse, just offshore from Yellowcraig Beach.
Berwick Law in the distance.
The weather really improved, could see the Lomond Hills in Fife across the Forth.
Great to finally see an end to the rain. The forecast also looks good for the next few days, and long may it continue!
Good to read you are chasing the sun ... in Scotland, in October. Reaching the century of nights away tomorrow is a significant achievement too, Iain. I hope you celebrate with haggis for the dogs and maybe a dram for you. I wonder if that will become the new annual target? Go easy on the boxheads. I bet they are still spending a lot of money and, knowing (like the Dutch) their love for rules and compliance, it could be that they are not aware of the lay-by rules. Personally, I would tolerate these well behaved caravanners than the local scum that line the banks of Loch Lomond, Earn, Tay, etc.. Dirleton (I think there is no "s") looks a fascinating wee place with some fascinating WWII radar-related history to support some serious (and scary) night-time air engagements with German bombers. Knowing you, I expect expert status on its role by the time you return. Safe travels.
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