In an earlier article I discussed Derbyshire Peak District camping. Here is another campground review from a nearby area – Ashbourne in Derbyshire. If you like the peace and olde world charm of the English countryside then this could be for you. … read more … »

Filed under: Destinations, General News, UK | No Comments »

There can be few more suitable destinations for a romantic getaway than the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Geographically close to Glasgow, yet a world away from hectic city life, it’s the perfect getaway for the young urban couple. Whether it’s cycling through the heathered glens, or towing your caravan to a secluded bank of the loch, you won’t see a more beautiful slice of rural Scotland so close to a major city. Here is a guide to some of the more romantic things to see and do in and around this most famous of lakes.

Mugdock Country Park, near Milngavie and Stirling, is a beautiful country park and historical site. It includes the ruins of Mugdock Castle, which was home to the Grahams of Montrose, and was built in the 1300s. It is also home to the ruins of Craigend Castle, a stunning gothic revival mansion from the 1800s, which features a walled garden and a café and visitor centre built into the former castle stables. It is also home to many beautiful natural features, such as Mugdock Loch, Drumclog Muir, and the Allander river.

Hillwalking is a great way to get away from it all on a tight budget. To the East of Loch Lomond, you will find Ben Lomond. It is part of the Munro mountain range, and is the most southerly mountain in the range. Due to the fact that it is the nearest decent-sized mountain to Glasgow, it is often referred to by the nickname of ‘Glasgow’s Hill’. If the skies are clear enough, you can see the peak of the mountain from some of the higher points in Glasgow, and also at a distance of over 40 miles away from Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Scotland. There is a well-trodden path that leads right from Rowardennan to the summit, which makes it a comparatively easy mountain to access and to ascend. The path takes you up the gentle Sron Aonich ridge, which is a nice walk in its own right, but if you want a truly majestic view you will have to ascend the somewhat steeper rocky terrain nearer the summit.

Less adventurous couples might want to head over to the Falls of Dochart, a waterfall situated on the River Dochart near Loch Lomond. There is a bridge that crosses over the river on the way into the town of Killin that gives you a fantastic view of the water as it splashes over the rocks and around the island of Inchbuie. There are plenty of caravan spots around this area if that’s your thing (check out the Park Resorts website to find more suggestions for romantic UK caravan holidays and caravan sales).

Loch Lomond is the central belt’s gateway to Real Scotland. Dramatic, romantic, and easily reached by car or train from Glasgow, it’s the ideal setting for a long weekend or short break.  For more information on Loch Lomond take a look at visitscotland.com, the website of Scotland’s national tourism organisation.

Filed under: Destinations, General News, UK | No Comments »

I reckon members of the camping community must be one of the most innovative groups on the planet. Give them a problem and they will come up with a multitude of ideas to fix it. Whether it be removing tent pegs easily, or keeping the fridge cool and operating at its best; the ideas are out there and in day to day use. … read more … »

Filed under: Smart Ideas, Towing/Reversing | No Comments »

Let’s face it, most times when you are camping without mains power you have to forgo some of the little luxuries of home like that freshly brewed coffee or a toasted cheese melt. Well not any more. An innovative company has produced a line of high power 12 volt PowerHunt® appliances that includes a microwave, sandwich maker, griddle – to name just three. So how is this possible? … read more … »

Filed under: General News, Smart Ideas | No Comments »

Another review by Lynn and Baz – our touring tornado team.

 
Though this is a Caravan Club park, it’s worth mentioning that it is open to non-members as well as members, and it is a fantastic park. On our travels up to North Wales we decided to stop a couple of nights to break the journey, so we booked in. WOW were we impressed! This is a must stay at site if you’re touring this area. … read more … »

Filed under: Destinations, UK | No Comments »

A Review by Lynn and Baz – Easter 2011.

In 2011 we decided to take an Easter week break at this award winning holiday park. It’s a great little site about half a mile walk from the centre of Skegness with shops, buses, railway station and the usual seaside town attractions. An ASDA supermarket is only ten minutes away. Having said that, the park is nicely nestled in the beautiful Lincolnshire country side. It has everything you need for a great stay with all the amenities you could wish for yet it is peaceful and very quiet. … read more … »

Filed under: Destinations, UK | No Comments »

If you camp your caravan or RV away from mains power, for example wilderness camping, or free camping, then you know the importance of having batteries in good condition. Problem is, batteries are often neglected and the rough and tumble of off-roading doesn’t help matters. This articles provides some pointers for keeping your batteries in top condition for that outback camping trip. … read more … »

Filed under: General Tips | 1 Comment »

In many parts of the world if you want to camp away from ‘civilization’, you will have to endure driving on dirt or gravel roads, and they present a real safety challenge with the issue of traction. The following article addresses some contributors to this safety issue and hopefully provides some tips to minimize the issue. … read more … »

Filed under: General News, General Tips | No Comments »

OK. So you have decided where you want to camp; the weather is fine and warm; and you are looking forward to a relaxing and interesting time at your chosen spot. However, … read more … »

Filed under: Camp Site Tips | No Comments »

If you are towing a caravan or trailer, you immediately come to realise that this is a different beast to just driving a single vehicle. Driving your 4WD or towing vehicle on its own comes naturally after a while – you get to know how it handles. But hitch up something on the rear end and … read more … »

Filed under: Towing/Reversing | No Comments »