Dave Pippa & Chester Dog Travels

Been a year since we last stood that side of a shop counter. Can’t say we miss it. Bet most of you have forgotten us.

2023 was a great year for us. We sold our business and house, traveled through 9 countries, drove over 10000 miles and made great memories, saw some great sites. We end the year near another beach and look forward to more exciting times in 2024. Happy New Year everyone.

Quick update as we’ve been off radar for the last couple of days. Bit of a change of plan for us, we’ve cut our Scotland trip short for now and will update when we’re back on the road.

Last 48 hours have basically been about the weather and Storm Agnes. Last night we hid up in the hills in a sheltered position after a day of great scenery, lunch alongside the ruins of Ardvreck castle. Today we went into Ullapool, enjoyed a Scottish local lunch of seared local scallops with black pudding from Stornoway, Cullen Skink a local haddock, potato and leek soup washed down with a local IPA. (They didn’t do cocktails .elliott61)Tonight the winds are coming back in force so we’ve pitched hopefully on the non windy side on a site that was recommended by .mcbean as it was from here that he wed the wee lassie pip and sent us a picture of the event today. Coincidentally it appears that we may have the same view from our pitch. 💒 🔔 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Haven’t posted for a couple of days because all we can say is - it’s isolated up here, it’s remote, there’s not much around and the weathers poor. BUT it’s stunning, the beaches are unbelievable, today we were on one with probably only 10 other people, the open views go for ever. Yes it rains a fair bit, and yes we keep getting hit with gale force winds at night which make for a disturbed night. Tonight we’re parked up alongside a lovely little harbour with a few other vans ready for whatever arrives tonight! 💨 🌧️

Today we popped into Castle Mey the Scottish home of the Queen Mum. What a great spot overlooking the Orkney Islands. Whilst John O Groats is the furthest place away from Lands End in the UK our next stop was the most northerly point on mainland uk Dunnet Head. So we’ve now done top of Europe and now top of the uk. Onward to a site only a short stroll from Melvich beach, and what a beach. Massive dunes that the dog got lost in and then the sandy bit. Massive beach that we had to ourselves. Tonight wind - not us. Onward tomorrow if we’re still upright!

So we made it. We’re at the top of the uk overlooking the Orkney Isles. The day started at Hill O’ Many Stanes an area of over 200 standing stones that the clever people believe may be upto 4000 years old. Onto John O Groats on what has been a lovely day of blue skies sunshine and less wind than of late. What a place, amazing views and scenery. Great walk along the beach, one of which is called Shell Beach for obvious reasons, it was covered. Sampled the local breweries brew which was pretty good (it’s not all old buildings .elliott61 and now we’re off to the nightclub!)

So we started the NC 500 proper today, that picturesque coastal route around the beauty of Scotland. Pippa tells me that the place coming up is where they repair oil rigs so having never seen one we detoured off, quite a site. Lunch was next to a beach and then onto Dunrobin Castle, now that’s an impressive building although it’s not that old late 1870’s. We came across a statue commemorating the 10’s of 1000’s people who were displaced from the highlands in the 1800’s who went overseas to a new life in Australia and many far flung corners of the world. Now parked up next to a quaint old harbour for free. Treated ourselves to fish and chips from what is an award winning chippy. Very good but far too many chips. They do like there tatties up here!

So we thought we’d start the nc500 today and went to the start point of Inverness castle that is closed and you can’t get close to! So we off we went and immediately turned off the route to divert to Fortrose and are pitched up literally on the beach. High tide and we could flood. A blustery walk up the beach to Chanonry Point is the best place in the uk apparently to view bottlenose dolphins. Today they didn’t come out to play, they did send their mates the seals instead.

Tonight we are in Stonehaven on the East coast catching up with good friends who now live up here. Stonehaven is famous for two things, Robert Thomson who invented the pneumatic tyre was born here and one of Scotland’s most famous food exports originates from here and was tried this afternoon and I can confirm is lovely “the deep fried Mars Bar”

Today we’ve gone all royal and are staying in the royal town of Ballater on the banks of the river Dee just down the road from Balmoral. The former railway station has the carriage that Queen Victoria used when travelling up here. Surprisingly the line didn’t escape the cull of Beeching in the late 60’s and was closed. I believe they arrive on the number 12 bus from Aberdeen now! As you’d expect the town is very proud of its royal connections and tonight we are dining on pork chops bought from the butcher that supplies the royals. Perhaps Charles is having chops tonight to? Apparently they are up here at the moment. Suns come out after this mornings rain so all is good.

Today we went back up in the mountains through the Cairngorms National Park climbing upto over 2000ft big like Norway all over again. Impressive views and far reaching scenes. Went past Balmoral Castle, sadly we didn’t get an invite in. Now pitched near the shore of Loch Aboyne. Happy Sunday everyone.

Och aye the noo we made it! We’re in Scotland. Went to see the Falkirk wheel which is an awesome feat of engineering and onto to the Kelpies to see the horse structures. Now pitched up in the middle of nowhere with some rather big hills in the distance.

Today started with a mooch round a 1000 year old Finchale abbey ruins on the site we were staying. Slow drive up the coast through Sunderland past the stadium of light (Michael Sim!) and under the Tyne via the tunnel in Newcastle. Continued up the coast passing Warkworth castle which as we’re not Harry Potter fans we thought was Alnwick 😂 stop off at sea houses for a walk on the Northumberland beach that stretched for as far as the eye could see. Now we’re parked up in the visitors car park in a dedicated motorhome slot in the shadow of Bambrough Castle - Wow! What a castle. Have just braved the Northumberland wind and rain to take dog out for a walk through the dunes doing a complete lap of this amazing building. We started the day with a 1000 year old abbey and we end it with an equally as old castle and a custard slice! Yum xx

So what happened today? We went to Seaham, why? During our family tree research Pippa found she had lots of relatives from this area so we came to have a look. Seaham was famous for 2 things, coal and bottles. There were 3 major coal mines some of her ancestors worked in and we established today they worked below the sea bed, 2.5 miles out at sea, imagine! The second industry Seaham was famous for was glass bottles. A massive factory was in the town. The spoils were just thrown into the sea and today over 100 years later there are fragments of now polished glass washing up. Today along with many others we went searching and found many pieces. Let’s talk lunch now, again I’m full northern and tucked into corned beef pie, mushy peas and chips! Tonight we are pitched up at Finchale abbey, quite a site literally.

eh up chucks we’ve gone all northern. Flat caps and dog is being traded in for a whippet! Ok so lets talk Lincoln, or maybe we won’t. It rained, very hard, site we were on was adjacent to the cycle path into the city centre they said and maybe it was but it was 7 miles down a dual carriageway in the pouring rain so no thank you. So we took a drive instead, that didn’t go too well either. Saw the cathedral which was when built the highest building in the world, yesterday it was shrouded in mist. Let’s go to the city centre motorhome parking spot we decided, Closed! We drove past the castle, bought lunch and went back to a DVD afternoon! This morning dawned bright and sunny so off we trot up the coast towards Bridlington, we didn’t know why either! It’s not just the Scandinavians that can build a decent bridge over the water, que The Humber Bridge, impressive and only £1.50. Pitched up and quick turn around, bikes off and a sunny ride ride down to sea front. We saw two bikes and that was us, how different to the rest of Europe. What we did see was mobility scooters, fat dogs being pushed in prams and tack! Sorry if any of you are from Bridlington but hey no wonder your not there now! As I said we went all northern and had a pint of John Smiths and fish and chips. Went back to the bikes and they were still where we left them (phew!) and left town, up on the cliffs enjoying the sea view. Dog sniffed out a ball, something he’s very good at and was well pleased with himself. Tomorrow Durham and more living the dream!

You’ve probably forgotten us but after 9 days in Sussex catching up with family and friends we’re back on the road for a northern adventure. Today we sat on the M25 in more traffic than we saw in Europe in 3 months. No particular route but any town with a cathedral and a castle appeals so here we are pitched up on a farm just outside Lincoln. It’s as flat as Holland without the canals. First meal we’ve cooked for ourselves since coming back to uk tonight - spatchcock chicken. Back to being tourist’s tomorrow in the rain it looks like! Umbrella ☔️

After 90 days we’re back in Calais in the queue for the tunnel. Should we drive round the car park a few times to round it up?
What a trip!

Well this is it, after 89 days, nearly 7000 miles this is our last night before the tunnel back to blighty tomorrow. Today we had a short hop towards the coast and find ourselves at Bredene, a coastal resort that has a million mobile homes! As we are apparently now “out of season” it’s quiet which is great. Site is 1km from the beach which is a massive sandy one except today it looked like home, blowing a gale, dingy sea and few on it. Big plus today was the cheap washing machine so we’re up to date so Pippa’s happy! Last supper was a very tasty steak eaten just before the heavens opened and we had a big storm blow through . So the future - we are going to be back in Sussex for about 10 days catching up with family and friends before we head off up the East coast to do some family tree history before we get to Scotland. How long we’re away for depends upon the weather, so probably not long!! Thanks to all that have followed our trip and commented on our many posts, sorry if we’ve bored you pictures of the dog or of another view. We’ve had a great time and if anyone of you has even the remotest interest in our Scottish travels we might just post an update or two. Much love to all Dave, Pippa and Chester dog

It’s our 2nd to last day and we’re in Belgium. Dog has been to the vets and given a pill that cost far more than it should so he’s allowed to come home. We’re in Gent, a city full of fantastic old buildings and churches. The city provide a free shuttle bus service from near the campsite entrance so we took advantage of that. We’re camping in the sport district, there is a complex, stadium, hall, pool, lake for every sport you can think of here. Anyway back to the bus, crazy woman driver who kept laughing at the radio that she had blaring. Apparently according to another passenger it wasn’t funny, she’s just nuts! The city is full of old buildings, churches, beer shops and of course chocolate shops (darth vader won an award at the Belgium chocolate awards 2023, no less) Naturally lunch involved Moules Frites and a very pleasant local beer. The restaurant brewed their own and even the urinals are interesting. We have returned to the van now with a large box of chocolates to help us through the evening.

In our we don’t want to leave Holland we have eventually today arrived at Sint Annaland a lovely little town on the coast just a short distance to the Belgian border. I say eventually, after 6500 miles today we got lost, in Rotterdam, not our fault, yet again we came across a motorway junction closed and no diversion signs. 30 mins later and we drive by the entrance to the site we’d just left! However, we’ve stumbled across a little gem, we’re on a 14 pitch site situated amongst the flowers of a working nursery within walking distance to the town with a little marina, quaint old buildings and of course a windmill. Bit of thunder storm this afternoon and pretty black sky. Hopefully better tomorrow.

So we finally left the canal and the tranquil leisure crafts to drive the total distance of 40 miles, passing Schiphol airport and Rottterdam port to end up on the banks of the Oude Maas, a major tributary of the Rhine. When does a boat become a ship? Anyway they’re massive and passing quite close. Only 7 days left 😢

Think we are now Dutch! The weather is good, we like where we’re pitched so we stayed and have paid for another night. anything to avoid getting closer to Calais! So today we had a lazy day, cycled to a supermarket and bought too many treats. Cycled to a local park and came across the Dutch mountain rescue training facility! Dog swam as he does. Tonight a real treat we cycled to IKEA for meatballs and to buy some things we didn’t know we needed!

Haarlem, a great city, massive canal with loads of boats on it, old buildings with big front doors! We are practically Dutch now, rode in today and went back tonight for a treat of dinner out.

So we are only the third motorhome to ever stay on this newly opened marina site next to a busy canal that has kept us entertained all afternoon with the comings and goings. There’s a 500 year old working windmill merrily spinning in front of us. Tomorrow is a short ride into Haarlem town and an even shorter ride to an IKEA, sure we must need some serviettes!

Didn’t start too well today, had to move on, no room on site for a 2nd night. 2 miles up the road and we’re sorted, and still able to ride into town. Leeuwarden full of canals and lovely old buildings. Had a treat after lunch on an old Dutch clipper that serves pretty tasty pancakes! Suns out now and so is the beer! Cheers

We’re getting closer to the uk - left Germany today and now in Holland 🇳🇱. Got held up on main A road today by a lifting bridge to allow a boat under. Went upto north coast and came across a power station and port with big cranes. Oops wrong way, quick U turn and we headed to Leeuwarden, a quaint town with yep you guessed it, a canal running through with old buildings to explore tomorrow. Pitched up on a little quiet site 1.5km from the centre. Decent forecast, could end up a 2 nighter x