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 … »

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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.

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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 … »

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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 … »

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Along with some friends, we recently spent an over-nighter in the Australian outback at Tyrconnell historic gold mine. We have stayed there before in our camper but this time decided to try out one of the heritage cottages. Sitting there on the veranda at sunset, glass of wine in hand, it was a perfect thing to do. … read more … »

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If you drove from Cairns(Queensland Australia), to Port Douglas you might well miss it. Well not any more. When you first hear the name you might think of a Scotch malt whisky resting in the oak for ten years or more. Well not quite, but this place boasts a similar pedigree. … read more … »

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I’m sitting outside our pop-top camper under a clear blue sky in the Whitsundays, Queensland Australia. This is the place Oprah Winfrey visited a short time ago for one of her popular TV shows. We are located at the Adventure Whitsunday Resort – a caravan park that is just unbelievable. … read more … »

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If you didn’t know it was there you could easily miss it! Cobbold Gorge is hidden away in the rugged sandstone of central north Queensland with history dating back to gold rush days. Follow the dirt road from Forsayth for 40 odd kms and you will finish up at Cobbold Gorge camping village on Robin Hood cattle station – home to 10,00 head of Brahman cattle. But it doesn’t stop there for the camping and 4WD enthusiast. … read more … »

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Oh those halcyon days of yesteryear! Camping in the Peak District of Derbyshire is something not to be missed. The views, the history, the feeling of belonging. If you have never experienced this, you have to give it a go, even if you are a tourist from overseas, drop the five star hotel attitude, get hold of some camping gear and experience the real English countryside. … read more … »

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The Grand Canyon is of course one of those iconic places that we would all like to see before we go to the grand canyon in the sky. It is not the deepest canyon in the world, neither is it the longest nor widest, but many agree it is the most compelling for its impact and natural beauty. … read more … »

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