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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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 … »

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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 … »

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Camping is a great outdoor activity, and it seems most times there is always plenty to do. Well how about adding another activity to the list? It can be relaxing; exciting; educational; and could even make you some cash on the side. I’m talking about treasure hunting with a metal detector. … read more … »

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I think it is safe to assume that the majority of people who engage in the camping experience do so because they have a desire to get back to basics and mix it with the magnificence of nature and the outdoors. Whether you are a well seasoned camper or just a novice, camping remains an amazing adventure with nature, sharing and exploring a world so far apart from the busy hustle of the modern life we have become accustomed to. We can all do our bit to ensure that this world remains intact for us (and many others) to enjoy again and again by doing our best to ‘leave no trace’ when we decamp. … read more … »

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The most common type of refrigerator found in caravans and RVs is the absorption type, and in many cases they will be three way, meaning that they can be powered from mains electricity, 12 DC power, or propane gas. Absorption refrigerators work by … read more … »

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So you want to go out there and experience the thrill and isolation of travelling and camping in remote areas. Well you won’t find too many sealed roads out there, and there won’t be too many bridges over creeks and rivers. Also, if you break down you won’t find the experienced help and supply you find in the cities and bigger towns. So you need to be well prepared and you need to be sensible about your approach to travel in remote areas. The following is a list of suggestions for your preparation. … 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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If you haven’t done it yet, then perhaps now is the time to start preparing for the camping season ahead. In our case the overbearing heat and tropical rains have kept us away from the campground. Others will likely have been interred by colder and wetter climes. But on the bright side, the weather is improving and pretty soon we’ll be out there with nature again. But first, what check s and preparations do we need to be put in place? … read more … »

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