Desperate to cram as much into our new-found return to freedom, my eldest son and I made a foray into the Galloway Forest Park back in mid-July, and over the weekend got some wild camping in the Bongo and a cracking hillwalk too. The Park was really busy, alive with campers and campervanners, motorhomes and even folk camping in cars! Driving up past Loch Doon proved that pretty much anywhere that a van would fit, already had one parked up! This would call for some exploring – something the Bongo is ideal for.
So, we retraced our steps back to the main road, then headed in the direction of Straiton, a little village nestled in the hills between Dalmellington and Maybole. Arriving at the village, we headed inot the dark Sky Park in the direction of Newton Stewart. I had been this way before exploring, you might remember, and I knew there were bound to be possibilities down some of the forestry roads. We turned off into the forest, and after a half hour or so came upon a spot I had made mental note of previously. Ideal! A wee turnaround for the forestry trucks, made for a perfect spot, and utilising the newly purchased levelling ramps got the van sitting nicely. I stuck the roof up, and we explored on foot around the tracks.
We ate dinner, watched a movie on the DVD player, and turned in, as we had a busy day planned tomorrow! The intention was to climb Corserine and the Rhinns of Kells, a hike of over 11 miles and 900 metres of ascent.
We woke early enough, breakfasted on a couple of Summit to Eat ready meals, packed up and headed to the car park in the Fred Olsen estate where the route up the ridge starts from.
The weather was fair, and starting to heat up a bit, at least at low level. We packed our bags and set off, keen to gain some height and escape the midges that were starting to prowl. There were also swarms of flies, which didn’t seem to bite, but bumped into you repeatedly, and sought out ears, noses, necks and anywhere they could really irritate!! The walk through the forest was otherwise stunning, but we couldn’t bear to slow to admire the views too much. We started up out of the forest, following the path which became fainter as we ascended, and made good progress despite it being a long time since anything this strenuous had been tackled. The views back were amazing, and well worth the climb.
We summited Corserine in good time, and although the cloud was around us to begin with, this cleared to allow some tremendous views back over the lochs, hills and forestry all around. We continued along the ridge, more a grassy mound, to complete the Rhinns of Kells, down into a bealach, past the lochans there, and climbing back to the summit of Meikle Millyea, before descending wearily down the steep slopes, picking our way down rocky steps to regain the forest trails and back to the van. 6 hours after we set out, we regained the car park, stripped off the boots, had a drink and a salty snack, before starting out along the road to Glen Trool, and Bruce’s Stone above Loch Trool. The viewpoint car park was busy, but I found a spot to park, and we walked the short distance to where the stone is set, with a panorama of the loch behind.
We got back in Ali Bongo, and headed further south until we reached a junction in the road where we turned for Girvan, down the scenic A714. I really enjoy this road, and as always the Bongo just feels in it’s element along twisty A roads, so relaxing to drive the auto box and the van was pulling well. We reached the main A77 at Girvan, turned for Ayr and the road home. We had crammed an overnight, and a hillwalk into just 24 hours, and the Bongo showed it’s versatility yet again, a perfect vehicle for adventures, a superb base for exploring the hills and forest trails, a comfy camper and capable vehicle too.
Can’t wait for more Bongo adventures!
Ali Bongo's adventures 