Summer, June break.

Started off as a very warm and sunny summer, warm enough for us, we were able to stick to the UK. First stop was the Pembrokeshire coast, St Davids. The campsite was pretty good as a point for walking and cycling with a little geocaching off course.
This holliday turned out to be a bit of a twitching / boating break, with a visit to the Isle of Ramsay an RSPB reserve. On there we caught a fleeting glimpse of a Manx Shearwater and a pair of Choughs. We extended our visit with a boat trip around the Island which was quite exciting. We were quite taken aback by the attituded of the walkes we met whilst out and about, blanking you or not even relpying when greeted, guess they were just cold southerners.
Went fishing off a rocky point in Whitesands bay, no luck.

RSPB Ramsay

We left South Wales and headed for The Norfolk broads but not before calling of in that there London for a few nights, this was one of our better ideas and we will do it again when the opertunity arises. Visited the The Natural History Museum, mostly looking at the minerals collection, on to the Saatche Gallery and took an open top bus tour, again an aquatic flavour as we took a boat trip down the Thames to Grenwich where we has a pub lunch before heading back to the campsite. Managed a geocaching walk along the river taking in The Tower of London & Tower bridge.

Saatchi Gallery

Another day visit and we did the tourist thing, Trafalar Square, Buchingham Palace and the Houses of Parliment.After trying to muscle in on the TV interview with Michael Fallon outside the Houses of Parliment, I spotted John Prescott, I did ask him if it was ok for the photo but he got a little upset when I complemented his work on ‪#‎HIGNFY‬. After that I went around seeing how many tourist photos I could photobomb until Di told me off !

John at the Houses of Parliment.

Then off again and on to the Norfolk Broads, somewhere we had both always fancied visiting, a bit flat and boring for my tastes but we hired a boat for the day and had lots of fun with that.

Diane driving the boat.

 
It was all pretty enough, great for walking and the bikes but dont think I would go again. Had a day out at Great Yarmouth, fishing off the pier and caught 3 whiting, a first for me.

The Norfolk Broads

 
The long hot spell was broken by thunder and lightning storms but only at night, never spoiling our days. We returned home calling in to see the kids on the way, I went to the South Gare off Redcar and caught a couple of good sized Mackerel. Di was eager to get back and pick up Princess ?

End of an era.

Schiehallion (3553ft) in Perthshire

Towards the end of the Summer vacation period, I took advantage of the last few days and went off to Killin. Got there early enough to bag Schiehallion before the sun set, that late in the day had it almost to myself. This was going to be the last camp in this van as well, at least for us. The motorhome floor is dropping out, not going to go into a rant about who's fault that might be, they'll get no business from me if I can help it.
I had a cycle along Loch Tay, 16 miles and around 28 geocaches, this included one at the disused gold and copper mine used in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Had wanted to visit this for years and it did not disappoint. I was very grateful for being able to get a bus back to the other end of the loch. Very knackered after that so had a couple of days just chillin as weather was good.

So have managed to sell the van on ebay, got a decent price for it I think, we are now looking for another camper. Have a couple of options and still thinking about which way to go with it. Will keep you apprised.

Spring has sprung.

Cairnbulg point.

May 8th to June 5th
Our favorite campsite has gone over to the dark side, Cullen holiday park no longer takes tourers, just interested in statics, so we are looking for a new favorite place on the Moray coast. We tried Findochy which wasnt bad, fine for a weekend but limited facilities, We did spot another whilst out geocaching nr Inverboyndie so will give that a try at some point, need a nice weekend get away, a couple of hours from Aberdeen and overlooking the sea.
Did a high grade geocache D3.5/T5 called The Smugglers, I have a list of the 25 toughest caches in the area so thats one more ticked off and a bit of adventure, walking in forrest, moor and rocky scree.
As Carlotta now gets every second weekend off we can really get about, Braemar and Loch Callater, a very chilly weekend followed by low impact chilled out time at Forfar.
Now planning for the summer break, Springwatch  has started a sign the end is in sight, we have a weekend at Findhorn to come and I am taking a sea kayaking course, which could be the start of something. Also need to put a new radiator on the van, try a bit of DIY.