Wet, wet, and wet!

-

 


This is night No.26/2021 living in the caravan. Now pitched at Clachan C&MC Site, near Killin.

Clachan is a special C&MC Site. What sets it apart from the other sites in the area is that it doesn't have a toilet block, so folk staying here have to use their own facilities. It's a setup I really like! I have my own hot water setup for doing the dishes or having a shower, and I have a chemical toilet which I paid good money for, so, why not?

The only struggle today has been the rain. It has been unrelenting, and has been a constant feature all day. July in Scotland? It is has been a constant battle between wet dogs, wet jackets, and wet towels!

We arrived here around 1330 after a miserable trip across country with a 30min delay at roadworks in the centre of Blairgowrie, then tailing a lorry at 20mph all the way from Blair to Dunkeld. Probably added around an hour to the journey.

Checked in at the nearby Maragowan site in Killin (Clachan is staffed be a volunteer), and headed up to Clachan, where I was met by a really cheery volunteer despite it absolutely pishing down. Picked a pitch, waited an hour for the rain to ease up, pitched the awning, and finally unpacked the car.

One huge plus is that there is a great dog walk just next door. Head up past some holiday chalets and a gate takes you up to a high hill path, following a burn. Fantastic.



The path leads to a forestry track, which climbs giving fine views towards Killin.


And returned to the site entrance.


Just hoping we get a bit of a break in the weather. Tomorrow, and Wednesday look a bit iffy, but certainly improving towards the end of the week.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

50 Nights in my Troll.

-
Image
I thought that after having spent 50 nights this year in my Troll, this would be a good opportunity to offer my views and opinions on this caravan. Overall, I'm very impressed and there are some features which I really like, and others not so much. I've only ever owned Eriba's, having switched from campervans a few years ago. The switch was really an attempt to minimise the ongoing costs associated with a 'leisure vehicle'. I've had a Puck (a 120), a Familia (a 320GT), and now own this Troll (a 530GT). The Troll was a substantial investment for me, it's a (used) 2017 fixed bed model with a number of extras fitted, such as awning, high back seats, 3 ring hob, etc. I first started touring in the Troll back in April of this year and have covered a good part of Scotland and North England in my travels. The Troll is actually probably a bit 'overkill' for my needs. I normally tour alone with my 2 spaniels, and rarely have guests. However, I do sp...
Read more

Solar Power in my Eriba Puck

-
Image
  I'm often asked what arrangements I have for generating power when I'm touring 'off-grid' in order to keep the 12v electrics operating. This equipment needing 12v includes the lights (all bulbs changed to LED), my 12V TV, and inverter (which powers my MacBook), and also for charging of phones and speakers etc.  I have a 100W folding panel which even over a good few days, I find this works fine with my fairly small leisure battery and I've never ran out of power yet. I've used this panel for years which is an advantage of a portable panel. I've used it on 4 different Eriba's I've owned, and a camper van before that. Importantly, it has a solar charge controller mounted on the rear of the panel. This is essential for any solar panel. I do move the panel during the day to get optimum light and try to avoid shadows from the van or trees and buildings. It fits behind the cars front seat when travelling. I didn't want to have an arrangement where I r...
Read more

Replacing the Door Shelves

-
Image
  With the weather being really nice today, and with the prospect of touring again in the next wee while, I took the caravan out of the garage where it was being stored and returned it to my drive. I really didn't have any projects for the van over the winter, unlike last year when I completely re-upholstered and redone the internal decor like curtains, carpet, door facia's and the likes. Like my 3 previous Eriba Caravans, I've had trouble with the original plastic door shelves and decided to order an improved aluminium set from Darren at Eribastuff. I've ordered other odds and ends from Darren over the years and everything has always been top quality. He's an enthusiastic Eriba Puck owner himself, a Scot based in France. The original door configuration above, plastic shelves (or rather shelf fronts?) which turn the Eriba door into effectively a very useful storage area, just like a fridge door! I purchased the van 'set' which comprises one with an 'Erib...
Read more