Christmassy break in Grassington

 

Boxing day for 3 nights.

Tapas lunch, river walk - egret etc

Broken bathroom door.

The Trees - but no Rush

A terrible link I know, but I had a lovely autumnal weekend looking for birds (not many) and trees (blummin' loads).

 

First stop was a Saturday meeting with the RSPB group at Nosterfield, which was very empty, both of water and birds. But a nice time with chums and a sunny walk round the lakes. In the end I did see two new spots for 2025 - Golden Plover and Widgeon. Only one more to hit 100!

I was booked in for 2 nights at a stopover at the Castle Arms in a village called Snape - which I'd never heard of but was a revelation! A pretty village, with castle ruins, an interesting chapel and links to Katherine Parr. I had tea in the van, and the next day wandered round the village before a huge Sunday lunch at the pub and then some lolling around doing nothing listening to the rain.

On the Monday it was bright blue skies again, so perfect for Thorp Perrow arboretum and wildlife centre (mainly raptors and meercats). I'd stupidly decided to visit at half-term, during their Halloween trail. But thanks to some advice from the lady at the entrance it was easy enough to avoid the little horrors darlings and do some peaceful wandering. 

The bird centre was slightly depressing, seeing massive birds from hot countries in chilly cages looking glum. I could have cheated and added vultures, kookaburras, eagle owls and more to my bird tally for 2025, but not even I would cheat that badly. 

Isle of Mull - week 2

Monday 8th September

Hopped on the bus to Tobermory and joined Nature Scotland for a minibus trip wildlife spotting. There were seven of us on the bus, with leader Jack. He really knew his stuff, and within the hour we were looking at two white-tailed eagles. Then we were lucky enough to see a female otter with her pups. 

Watching the otters

Golden eagle

The roads were small and high, so again I was glad I wasn't driving! Some beautiful views. And we saw a golden eagle right overhead, very close. Towards the end of the trip we saw another golden eagle. 

We also saw an Irish hare, which was a gorgeous deep copper colour, hooded crows, linnet, fallow and roe deer, yellowhammer, pink footed goose.

The rain came in just as we were driving back to base, and we'd had a fabulous day.

Tuesday 9th

Left the island back to mainland Oban, and filled up with fuel and food. Then I took the back road route through logging territory, down the Kintyre peninsula to Tarbert. I did stop briefly at the Kilmartin museum but they wanted £16!! Too much for a quick visit. The Tarbert site is built in to the side of the hill, and mainly lodges. The cafe wasn't open but had great facilities otherwise. I was hoping for a quiet rest, as I was shattered, but it was like a flippin' racetrack! Vans, lorries and cars zooming up and down past me until 8pm. 

Wednesday 10th

Well the jackhammers started at 7.49. What the chuff? So I very grumpily threw my cable in the van and headed down to Tarbert for my next ferry hop. Excellent cooked breakfast at the Cafe Ca'Dora - beans and haggis on toast. I peered up at the castle briefly but it was cold and rainy so didn't clamber up - Robert the Bruce had stayed there (they think). 

I disembarked from the ferry at Portavadie, and drove through the lovely Kyles of Bute to Dunoon. 

Dunoon is a seaside resort on the Cowal peninsular, overlooking the Firth of Clyde, a bit faded now, but a long and complicated history - visit the Castle House Museum, which has the world's keenest guide, she was lovely. 

Highland Mary (the love of Robert Burns) and Holy Loch submarines are points of interest.

I carried on to Benmore Botanic Gardens, with a fern house and steep hillside planting from Japan, Tibet and Nepal. Also a cafe thank goodness. A red squirrel ran across the road as I left. 

After a tiring day I went off to my final campsite on this trip. It was called Secret Glen, and I approached it with some cynicism I have to say. it was AMAZING! They recommended a pitch near the feeding boxes, and I could park side-on, to watch the red squirrels flitting around for hours. At one point there were 6 of them gambolling about. What a finale to the tour.

Thursday 11th

A lazy day in the van, listening to the rain, doing chores, sewing my cross-stitch, and watching the reds. 

Friday 12th

In to Dunoon for the last ferry - this time a 'turn up and go' run by Western Ferries, a small vessel and a 20 minute hop to Gourlock, near Glasgow. Bought my ticket in the Co-op to save 50%. The Calmac alternative is out of order so there was a hefty queue but they fitted so many on I waited less than an hour. My last view of the holiday was the arse-end of a road truck.

Back in time for tea! 800 miles covered. Celebrated with the traditional pizza and bottle of red. Home is the traveller.