19 November 2023

Last June we decided to dip our toe into the world of Campervanning. This is always something we’ve wanted to try. The freedom of the open road, the world really is you’re oyster. We only had a few days, so we took a flight to Glasgow and arranged to pick up our campervan just on the perimeter road. Within about forty minutes we were out of the bustle of Glasgow and heading towards Loch Lomond National Park and onto Oban to catch our ferry to the Isle of Mull. We had a rough itinerary planned and our first night campsite booked, being beginners at this we were still not brave enough for the whole wild camping thing. The Scottish Islands have always been on my wish list, and we picked Mull as the first choice for three reasons; It was the closest and therefore with only three nights to spend the obvious choice; it looked from the pictures that we had hastily researched very beautiful, and finally ,(most excitingly for me ) it was the location of Tobermory, or more commonly know by any mother who have kids over the age of 16 Ballamory! The Isle of Mull is only 30 miles long, but because of its amazing nooks and crannies, some of which nearly cut the island in two, the coastline in 300 miles around! Day One, we had a road trip planned to explore some of the bays and beaches, before heading to Tobermory for lunch. From there we planned to hit the most direct road to Fionnport the most Westerly point of the Island which was to be our camping spot for the next two nights. For our final day we were planning to take another ferry, this time on foot, to the mystical island of Iona. Despite the research we had done of Mull, nothing could prepare you for the beauty of the place. It really was a sensory overload. The roads around the island our small and predominantly single track. (The only dual carriage way we came across was about 100 meters long as you come into Tobermory.) The most striking for me is the colour of the sea and the sand, white sandy beaches, and turquoise clear water. If you could imagine it 10 or 15 degrees hotter, we could have been in the Maldives. It was not however just the coast that is beautiful, as you drive through the interior down to the Western coast, the road carves its way through the mountain range of the Muro and Ben More. I can honestly say my neck was aching form looking up in awe. Left, right it was really hard to know which way to look as the beauty of the place surrounded us. Our camping spot in Fionnport was exactly as you image the idyllic campervan photo. Parked up on a beach with a beautiful view of the Isle of Iona a few miles away. Fish and Chips delivered to the beach, a glass of something chilled and White and the most amazing sunsets. If the trip had ended there, I would have been happy, but the trip on the final day to The Isle of Iona, really put the icing on the cake. Iona is practically car free, so having spent most the previous day in a van we were happy to be foot passengers on the ferry to Iona. Iona is only 1.5 miles wide and 3 miles long. Amazing to think it has a golf course! If you’re happy to walk beyond the first half mile in either direction from the little port, beyond the tourist area, then you are rewarded once again the most stunning coastline. Thank goodness for the lovely locals. We nearly stopped as we approached a golf course but were encouraged to walk up the path towards the golf course as we would be in for “a very nice surprise”. How right she was, as the view opened out before us, we were both left speechless by the beauty and magnificence before us. If I could sum up my memories of that trip to the Scottish isles, I would say, big landscapes, huge skies, turquoise waters, unspoilt beauty, Nature at its finest. It’s left me with a thirst to explore more and definitely in a Campervan.

02 November 2020

In February 2015 we were lucky enough to travel to the beautiful province of Quebec, staying just outside Quebec City. We were there to watch my son play for the England U13's ice hockey team in a tournament. None of us had ever been to Canada before and were really looking forward to our two and a half week stay. Where we Stayed We stayed just outside of the City of Quebec in L'Quebec Hotel. Although not as "pretty" as some of the more traditional buildings. once inside it was like a tropical wonderland complete with indoor pool , gym, games room for the kids, a self service laundry restaurant and bar and was all we would need to keep everyone happy for the 19 day stay. We had a family room with a separate double bedroom off of it . A lounge with a kitchenette , table, sofa and another double bed that pulled down from the wall ! As we were travelling as part of a group, we had our own authentic "yellow School Bus" and driver to take us out and about to all our trips. What we did Obviously we were there to watch some Hockey and even non Hockey fans we be impressed with The Pepsi Collisee, where most of the tournament games took place. Along with the many Junior games we got chance to watch, we also got the chance to watch Quebec's National League team play. Such and experience watching a professional hockey game in Canada. The 16000 seated stadium filled to capacity with screaming Hockey Fans ! The Old Town is beautiful especially this time of year when the Winter Festival was in full flow. It was like a big Christmas Fair complete with an Ice Castle for the kids and my girls made Maple Syrup lollies whilst I drunk Mulled Wine and kept warm by the many fire pits. Quebec is very French and it is is very evident in the old town which has a real European feel with quaint cobblestone lanes and pretty painted stone houses. The Food offering was also very French with some expensive restaurants offering finest French cuisine along side the alpine offering of Fondue and Raclette. A trip to the old town would not be complete without a ride down the famous 135year old wooden Toboggan ride on the Duffin Terrace facing the Fairmont Le Chateau on the banks of the Frozen St. Lawrence River. It may be old but you still go "crazy" fast !