Some normality this summer, at last, when Lorraine and I travelled to Dingwall in July, although not completely without a speed bump or two – just two weeks before our trip, I received an email from the Club to the effect that due to staff shortages around Covid, they were unfortunately having to close a number of campsites around the UK, and one of our bookings was affected! I had planned around our holiday dates, and booked months in advance to avoid the Stay-cation rush. I had booked for two campsites, one being Dingwall, the other at Aberlour in Speyside, which are about 80 miles or so apart. And now, the Aberlour campsite was closing! I frantically searched for the dates we had booked anywhere else in Scotland or the North of England – and wound up booking three nights at Moffat. Unfortunately, this isn’t 80 miles away…. more like 230! Still, we know the site, and we’ve been lucky with pitches the last few times we have stayed, so we were quite content under the circumstances.

We set off on a Saturday morning from home, around 11am, filled up Ali Bongo locally, and headed off. Through Glasgow, and north toward Stirling and the A9, stopping as has become a bit of a tradition at the Subway just after Dunblane. Easy parking, spotless clean toilets and cheery staff have made this the first choice, a good distance on the road to make a stop. We bought fresh sandwiches and hot drinks, and sat in the hazy sunshine at a picnic table. A quick trip to the loos, and off we go again! None of the drama we had experienced the last time we stopped here – power steering fluid spraying everywhere from a pinhole in a pipe – the van was driving perfectly. We were making good time, despite the seemingly-perpetual roadworks north of Perth, and the occasional slow vehicle creating queues, and I didn’t stop again until the Ralia Cafe, near Newtonmore. Another check round the van – all good! – and off we set for Dingwall.

We arrived around 4pm, found the campsite right where it was supposed to be, and checked in. We decided to set up the awning, have a brew, then go for a walk around the area. The Obelink Trinity awning went up fairly easily, now we’ve pitched it a few times we know the best order of events for fitting to the van. All looking good, drinks consumed, we headed off for a bit of a walk. Dingwall is a lovely town, and boasts a huge Tesco with a filling station(fuel ceaper than back home!), as well as every shop you could wish for and plenty of choice for food too. We wandered over to Tesco, bought some fresh bits and pieces for dinner, then headed back for food and a movie. The weather was glorious now, the evening skies clear, and surprisingly very few midges. We ate a blend of fresh salad and a dehydrated meal, which I washed down with a few cold ciders! We watched a movie on my tablet, then turned in.

We woke, ate, showered and decided on a walk again. This time we wandered along the river mouth where it meets the estuary which becomes the Cromarty Firth further out to sea. There are large expanses of mudflats here in the shallow delta, and wild birds were feeding along the shore. We watched them for a while, then almost at the same time, suggested we might go into town for some lunch!! Great minds think alike! We had seen a little cafe last night, and headed to it. Batty’s Baps said the sign above the door, so we ordered some sandwiches and drinks and sat at a table outdoors.

The food was wonderful – so fresh, full of flavour, and all prepared in-house by the friendly staff. Both Lorraine and I really enjoy sampling the local eateries, and it’s great to find such good quality fresh food, what a treat! We decided that we might just sample the local chippy later on , too! We wandered around the shops, taking it in turns to mask up and browse. There is an Original factory Shop in town too, and I bought a large plastic box with a lid here, for the purpose of transporting the awning should we have to pack it up wet. There’s no point in rolling a soaking wet awning up to pack in it’s bag, when it will have to be dried anyway, and even less point when moving to another site the same day. Plus, the box will come in handy on longer trips for keeping the inevitable odds and ends in something dry in the awning off the ground. I soon found it doubles already as a handy side table, and even a foot stool!

I had intended for us to do a bit of exploring the surrounding area by Bongo, but as the days flew by we found ourselves very content to just take long walks along the lanes and into the town. Sometimes, just doing almost nothing is the order of the day, and we were very comfortable at the quiet campsite, within easy reach of everything we needed for a few days. So, there is plenty to do around Dingwall and Cromarty for our next visit! On our last eveing, we went to the nearby railway station to The Mallard pub. Yet another tasty meal, in a lovely welcoming pub, and reasonably priced, too. A perfect finale for our visit….which we just couldn’t end the next day after we packed up without a sandwich to take away from Batty’s Baps! Delicious!!

I filled up at the Tesco filling station, and we headed south for Moffat.

We set off around 1130 southbound, and although the traffic was heavy, we negotiated Inverness without misshap, and continued on the A9, stopping for a well earned pit stop at House of Bruar to use the loos and eat our delicious sandwiches. We headed off again, but the traffic was terrible for the next part of the journey, and we stopped again just north of Perth at the services, parking next to another Bongo. We only waited a few minutes, and we never did meet the owner. Maybe catch up again another day!

We had a long way still to travel, and after reaching Glasgow, we picked up the M74 and headed south. The weather was clearing up again ( we had indeed packed up wet in Dingwall) and it was looking promising as we finally approached Moffat around 6pm. We booked into the reception, and were taken to a brilliant pitch, on the end of a row, with plenty of room all round, and views over into the neighbouring sheep field. Perfect!

We settled in after pitching the awning and walking to the nearby Co-op for fresh supplies. An early night was in order. The long journey had been far from ideal, but under the circumstances unavoidable without shortening our holiday, and we were here now, settled in and very comfortable. A full day’s travel due to roadworks and the distances involved, but Ali Bongo had handled it like a champ, and the miles had passed without any incident. We had a lazy morning next day, then a wander into Moffat for brunch. The little market town was bustling with locals and tourists alike. We found Randall’s restaurant, and got seated quickly. A lovely breakfast roll and coffee, followed by a home baked cake. We wandered some more round town, ending up back at the van, and had another movie night and turned in early.

We had arranged to meet friends from Ecclefechan the next day, and they drove up to meet us at the Mill car park. We wound up at the Green Frog Tearoom for breakfast, enjoying yet more home cooking and good company. We chatted and wandered for a pleasant few hours before saying our goodbyes (campsite policy was for no visitors to site, otherwise we would of course been far more hospitable!) before heading back to the site, passing the kayaking school shack at the site entrance to be met by the most incredible smells coming from their wood-fired pizza oven. Well – that was dinner sorted out! A very reasonably priced and tasty fresh pizza (around £6 each) for each of us, and of course it would be rude not to have a cider or two! Another evening stroll, and a chat to other campers, it was a really relaxing few days.

All too soon it was the day we were going home, and although we didn’t move the Bongo once pitched up at either site, there is so much to do nearby that we really didn’t feel the need to move. We had enjoyed miles of walking, and other than a bit of drizzle the morning we were moving from Dingwall to Moffat (there had been torrential thunder storms the night previous!) the weather had been very kind to us. We packed up that last morning, working well together now as a team – we’re seasoned campervanners now! – and elected to use the box again for the awning as it had a bit of condensation in from the cold night just gone. All squared away, we walked to the Green Frog for one last breakfast, before heading the long way home via Dumfries and the beautiful Nith Valley, on to Kilmarnock and from there a short trip on the A71 and A78 takes us home. We covered over 650 miles this trip, Ali Bongo performing faultlessly. The awning was proving very popular with Lorraine, providing a space outside of the van to sit, and shade from the sun. It doubles the space we have with the van, and although we didn’t move once pitched it is easily possible, thanks to the driveaway strip connecting awning to van.

It hadn’t been the holiday I had planned – exploring Speyside and the surrounding area from Aberlour – but we both felt genuinely relaxed and recharged, and it had felt like a longer holiday than it actually was with the two destinations. Lorraine, I think, prefers this to touring where you are on the move every day. Especially when you are near amenities like in both towns we stayed at. I probably prefer the touring aspects of Bongo Life more, cramming as much into a trip as possible. But, I must admit to really enjoying this trip, and it just feels wonderful to be able to get out and visit these places. We live in a wonderfully varied country, and there really is something for everyone. Our choices of destination may not be everyones’ cup of tea, and walking and eating out are not exactly the most exciting passtimes! But as a form of relaxation, this break was exactly what we both needed, and proved stress free.

Now, after unpacking, the van gets it’s obligatory wash and polish, replenishing the supplies and airing the bedding, preparing for our next Bongo Adventure!

With a week-long trip planned for October, and the much-anticipated Scottish Bongo Weekend coming in September, there are still loads of adventures to be had this year!

Happy trails, folks!!

Being from the West of Scotland, trips north tend to be either of two routes – the beautiful West Coast via Loch Lomond, Tyndrum and beyond, or more likely if heading further north the A9 route past Stirling, Perth and onward to Inverness and beyond. This holiday weekend in May would take us via Dundee on the road toward Aberdeen (a road I know well, but normally only travelled for work), then off into Aberdeenshire and Royal Deeside. I booked us in at a Caravan Club site new to us, at Tarland, near Aboyne and Braemar. The weather was perfect, Ali Bongo was loaded up, and we were off!!

On the way we would have…traffic chaos, Subway lunch, and experience what was very nearly a catastrophic breakdown!! Much more exciting than I had planned, for sure!!

We didn’t get very far from home before coming to a halt again, either! We joined the A78 heading south, my preferred route out of town which takes you via dual carriageway and motorway from the end of our street, practically. Normally on a Saturday morning, we can be in Glasgow in 45 minutes…..not today! Not 2 miles from the end of the road, halfway down a stretch of the carriageway with no option…..we stop! And, we don’t move for nearly an hour!! It turns out some poor soul’s car had gone on fire, surely terrifying for the driver and any passengers. It was about 3 miles further up the road, and still smouldering when we resumed our journey. We exchanged relieved looks as we passed the carnage. Nobody had been hurt, thankfully.

We were now much later on the road than planned, and the traffic was subsequently heavier. Add to that it was a Bank Holiday weekend, with sunny skies, and it was a recipe for slow progress through Glasgow, past Cumbernauld too. Eventually we started to make good time, and as we approached the roundabout onto the A9 past Dunblane, we discussed a stop at the Subway just a bit further on. And then it got exciting again, but for different, more personal reasons! As we turned onto the roundabout, a terrible gurgling, grinding, and not-quite-right noise came from below my feet, This did NOT sound good at all! We pulled into the Subway to investigate, and get some food, we had been on the road a long time already.

Everything seemed to be covered in a fine spray of oil – tailgate, rear wheels, sides of the van, and it was still dripping below! I found the cause. One of the pipes to the power steering rack was spraying a fine mist of fluid, which was also dripping beneath the leak. a pinhole in the high pressure pipe was emptying the system, and the pump was making a racket running almost dry. I had a decision to make. Carry on, buy some fluid and keep topping up until it really gives out? Cancel the weekend and call RAC? The leak might not be that bad…. it might get much worse….but we have breakdown cover….

I decided to press on. After all, what’s a little more stress in your life?!

I pulled into the next service station, bought a bottle of power steering fluid, and topped up the system. This involves tipping the driver’s seat on a Bongo, and the reservoir is right there. It was below the “min” mark. I poured in the little bottle of fluid, which brought it up to the maximum mark. I started the engine – it was dripping about once a second. Let’s go for it!! We pressed on, passed Perth without incident, and onto Dundee, where I remembered a Halfords store. I could buy more fluid there. This we duly did, topped up again(only halfway to “min” this time) and headed off toward Aberdeen. Other than the leak, Ali Bongo was running like a dream. The engine pulled smoothly, and hadn’t overheated despite the heavy traffic at times. We pulled off the main road and headed for Tarland. This narrow twisting route headed upward to summit Cairn ‘O Mount, and off into Royal Deeside we went.

We arrived at the village, located the campsite, and checked in. As always with Caravan Club campsites, we were greeted by a cheery and enthusiastic warden who showed us to our allocated pitch – perfect location.

After a quick exploration of the campsite, we walked into the village to get an idea what was there. It was so peaceful, a sharp contrast to the hectic traffic through the bigger towns en route, and the beautiful wooded campsite and spotless facilities quickly put us in a more relaxed state of mind – leaking power steering fluids could wait until Monday morning! The village too was peaceful, not “touristy” at all, but an honest farming hub, with a conveniance store, a tearoom, and a pub / hotel – what more do you need!? We bought a few odds and ends for breakfast and headed back for dinner at the van. It had been a very long and overly exciting day! A few whiskies and a tasty ready meal, and we were soon sound asleep.

We woke early, the sun was shining, birds singing, and campsite visitors were starting their day. I lazily got up, and it took several coffees to get me going. What a glorious morning! We headed off after a shower for a walk in the woods on one of the Forest Trails we had seen last night. What a well organised setup, biking trails marked out, plus walks with coloured way marker posts made it easy to follow which path. We headed through the woods, passing several families with everyone on their bikes, and found peace and quiet once more further up the hillside. We reached a few houses and some open ground, where the path was still boggy from the torrential rain of the previous weeks, so we turned back the way we had come.

We had worked up an appetite by now, so we headed into the village and had a very nice filled roll and a coffee in the tearoom. We then explored the village boundaries, before returning to the van in the late afternoon. We both agreed we felt much more relaxed, the peaceful campsite and town was working it’s magic. It had a really nice “feel”, not touristy at all, but not a ghost town either, as folk were going about their business, meeting friends, shopping, mowing lawns. We were developing a real fondness for Tarland, and we agreed we would be back. We booked a table at The Commercial Hotel for a meal later on, and treated ourselves to a lovely posh fish and chips, chunky skin-on fries and a side salad, with a huge portion of fish overhanging the sides of the plate – perfect!

And so, we headed back, feeling much more at ease, almost forgetting the fluid leak ( I hadn’t, of course, but I was glad I had pressed on with the trip) and decided to head out for an evening walk – the weather was just perfect, and it was too good to miss. We headed past the woods this time, and toward a stone circle near the village. It was very atmospheric, as the dusk settled and the sun set, and the path was well marked and off the road, fenced off and well trimmed. We explored the stones, pondering their purpose. It was getting darker now, time to head back.

Monday morning saw another sunny start to the day, and we packed at a leisurely pace, showered, then walked to town and had another breakfast in the tea room. I topped up the power steering, and we headed further into Deeside, toward the Snow Roads, past Braemar, Glenshee, and south to Perth and the A9 once more. We stopped a couple of times to top up the fluid – it was leaking all over the place, making a right mess under the van. We arrived home without major incident, without traffic holdups, and I parked Ali Bongo before quickly spreading a tarpaulin underneath to protect the driveway. It had been a decent trip, apart from the obvious drama, and the weather had been glorious, the scenery amazing, good food, great facilities at Tarland campsite too.

Plus, I knew what my next Bongo project would be!!

My eldest son James has spoken often about me supporting a long distance mountain bike trail attempt, really since I got the Bongo. Even with the seats up in the back, and the kitchen pod still in there, it is possible to get the bike loaded diagonally, after removing the front wheel. With my help, he could then tackle a whole range of trails in a single day, provided I drop him off at the start, relay the route for support, and meet him at the end to bring him home. We settled on the Rob Roy Way as a first attempt – 78 miles or so, from Drymen to Pitlochry across minor roads, trails, sheep tracks and paths.

This was why on a sunny Sunday morning in May 2021 we set off from home at 6am for Pitlochry ( the prevailing wind and any weather forecast was from north to south, hence cycling technically from finish to start!) to start the trail. We arrived without issues around 08:15, refitted the front wheel on the bike, double checked everything and agreed a place and time for a first rendezvous. The weather was perfect as we walked to the official start / finish from the little car park in the west side of the village, sunny but not too warm, a very gentle breeze blew to keep James cool as he rode. He set off at about 08:30. Next stop, Acharn, along Loch Tay, in around 2 and a half hours.

I returned to the van after a leisurely stroll around the village, up the length of the main street and back. I drove the short distance to the garage and bought a coffee, intending to use the cup for the rest of the day (saves washing up!), and drove gently toward our first meeting place. The roads were quiet still, and as I left the main A9 again at Balinluig, joining the A827 heading for Grand Tully and Aberfeldy, I kept the window open, enjoying the crisp spring weather. I unexpectedly caught up with the cyclist approaching Grand Tully, as the cycle path here was parallel to the road, and he gave me a hearty wave and a thumbs-up. All was well.

I reached and drove through Grand Tully, then on to Aberfeldy. This last town was really busy, people bustling around the shops and cafes, and the car parks full. It was a pity, as I would have stopped for a look around. It’s been a long time since I explored this part of the world. I pressed on, leaving Aberfeldy behind and reaching Kenmore, where I would leave the main A-road for the winding minor road to Acharn, some 5 or 6 miles along the lochside. Everywhere was busy now, as folk bustled about enjoying their new-found freedom to roam. It was only to be expected, and as I reached the village of Acharn and found a spot to park up and wait, a few cars arrived and their occupants set off to walk the trail to the Falls of Acharn above the hamlet. I was quite content to listen to the radio, eat a few bagels, and brew another coffee as I sat. I stretched my legs and snapped a few photos nearby.

James arrived down the steep gravel trail at a fair lick, a plume of dust behind his tyres, pretty much on time. There had apparently been a large number of gates to negotiate, which had slowed progress, but he was feeling fit enough, and after refueling with snacks and Isotonics, he refilled his pockets with gels, I topped up his water bottle, and he was off just a few minutes after arriving.

His next stop would be a few miles beyond Killin, after the road from here meets the A85 and beyond, at a small car park where the trail re emerges for a short spell to mirror the road again. I had plenty of time, so again I meandered slowly along the route, stopping about halfway along Loch Tay at a little layby and had a brew and another bite to eat. It was around mid day now, with a couple of hours before I had to be at the next stop. I walked down the trail toward the loch a ways, taking in the views over the hills on the far bank.

I day dreamed of camping trips in the area, of upcoming trips in the Bongo, and thought back on past adventures in this area as far back as the 90s when I reguraly rode around here on my 1200 Yamaha with friends on a Sunday. This was probably triggered by the large number of bikes passing my spot, enjoying the challenge of the twisty roads in the surrounding area. Presently, I packed up again and headed to see if I might find my meet spot. Killin was absolutely bursting with people! I drove straight through, wishing it wasn’t quite so busy, but it was entirely understandable that folk were out and about, we have all been locked up stuck at home for such a long time.

I found the spot, managed to get the last parking spot in the cramped car park, and settled in to wait. About half an hour later – bang on schedule! – the explorer arrived, still grinning, and jumped off the bike for a cold drink and some food, in the form of a baguette and some granola squares. He really only stopped for around 15 minutes before climbing aboard the bike again, and rejoining the trail as it headed off downhill from the car park.

I pulled out onto the A85 again, heading south and west always as it winds along the gorge of Glen Ogle toward Lochearnhead. I caught up with the cyclist, on the disused railway trail on the opposite side of the narrow valley. He waved across at me, travelling at a fair pace as the trail headed downhill here. I lost sight of him in the trees as I drove, the road winding sharply in places to folow the contours down the glen. Leaving Lochearnhead the road south becomes the A84, heading for Callander and Stirling, but I was turning off before reaching those towns, onto the A821 past Loch Venachar. I stopped a few times along this scenic road to drink in the views of the hills and beyond.

I set off on my last leg to the next meeting place, a short distance past the turning for A821 and Brig ‘o Turk at a newly constructed forest car park. There is a height barrier guarding the entrance here, with no notice of the maximum height! It looked like the Bongo would clear it, so I approached the barrier slowly, craning my neck out the window to see how much space I had. I needn’t have worried, and this one is totally Bongo friendly! At least 15 cms to spare!! There was ample space, and the trees provided some welcome shade and shelter from the breeze that was gradually growing as the day went on.

The intrepid cyclist arraived, but around 30 minutes later than expected. He had experienced his only mechanical issue of the day, his chain snapping on a steep uphill bumpy section of the trail. Luckily he had a spare link to repair it and carry on, however if it happened again, it would scupper the rest of the trip. He was feeling the pressure of being a bit behind schedule too, although I assured him we were in no rush to get home, it would take the time it takes. He cleaned up a bit, as he was covered in oil, relubricated the chain, refueled and set off on the final leg to Drymen, over 20 miles away still. I admired his fitness, as he appeared neither up nor down over the entire trip, relishing the challenge and pushing his speed for the whole journey.

I drove off, feeling very tired now myself. It had been a long old day, and it was now 6pm, with a fair way to go, and we had been up since before 5am! The winding road demanded close attention, but I enjoyed my Bongo journey on the famous Duke’s Pass road to Aberfoyle and beyond. I drove slowly, stopping a couple of times to take photos.

I drove on downhill to Aberfeldy, choosing yet again to avoid the crowds and carried on toward my final destination, the trail end in Drymen. I found a car park on the edge of the village in due course, and sat a while. I was very tired now. A walk was needed to clear the head! I wandere the length of the village, thinking back to our West Highl;and Way trip when we were last here in 2017, and a superb breakfast roll in a roadside cafe. Everything was closed now apart from the pubs, but I returned to the van to sit until nearer the estimated arrival time of 7:15pm. I walked back to the grassy area in the centre of the village, and didn’t have long to wait before James came bombing into view and stopped triumphantly before me! Smashed it!!

He had completed 78 miles in a total time of just over 10 hours, but a moving total of just over 8 and a half hours, total ascent of nearly 2500 metres too. An amazing feat of fitness and mental toughness. We packed the bike back in the van and headed gratefully home, just as the rain came on. It had stayed dry the entire day, and now the clouds burst just a few short minutes after packing up. We arrived home around 9pm, leaving the unpacking until the following day, as we headed for a hot shower and some very nice chicken pakora from the loacal takeaway!

A brilliant achievement, and another excellent use of a Mazda Bongo as a support vehicle for a long distance cycle. More plans are afoot, watch this space!