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First night away in 2025

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  Thursday, the 20th of March 2025 was the first day of touring for the 2025 Season. I originally planned to start on the 21st, but with the great weather (and the prospect of a longer drive with no stop), I booked a night at a CL just outside Nairn in the Highlands. I've stayed here a few times before, Allanaha Farm . I'm lucky enough to own two caravans. In addition to my regular Eriba Triton, I also bought a Hymer Nova 390 SL which I bought last August mainly for using on Seasonal Pitches. I used it on a Seasonal Pitch last winter in Melrose, and I am planning an autumn pitch this year in Fife. Unlike the Eriba, it is more suited to longer stays with it's headroom, heating system and hot water. The pop top design of the Eriba would also not be ideal for wet winter use. In order to keep the van in good running order and to make sure everything functions I decided that for stays of seven nights or longer in one place, I'd take the Hymer, and for Touring, I'd take t...

400 miles around Scotland

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  This trip was planned to be my last 'touring' trip in my Triton for 2024, although not the last of living in the caravan as a autumn/winter seasonal pitch awaits just shortly. So, it was myself, my Triton, and my two Spaniels, Bonnie and Hamish. The weather was forecast to be pretty dry and I couldn't really make up my mind as to which site or sites I should stay at. I therefore simply planned a circuit around some areas I really enjoy visiting. I would probably have stayed in Nairn, but unfortunately I read reports that the floor had collapsed in on one of the 'portacabin' style toilet blocks which had been introduced a few years (yes, years) ago when the existing toilet block suffered a fallen roof! So, Craigellachie by Speyside was my chosen substitute. The site is actually nearer Archiestown than Craigellachie, but it's a nice location. The facilities are a bit dated, but interesting as it's on the site of a former POW camp and the toilet block is a bu...

A set of Sun Shades for my Triton

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  The Eriba is a quirky caravan, very well designed, and pretty nice looking too. If adding an accessory or changing something around the van, it's worth giving a little throught to the classic, 'retro' character of these vans. I think I achieved this with my new home-made sun shades for the windows. I had a set of shades for the windows on my previous van, a 'blind' Puck. They are really great for keeping the van cool when there's direct sun on the windows. OK, I could use the black out blinds, but the retro looking sun shades look a lot better! When I sold the Puck, I gave the shades with the van. They didn't fit any of the Triton windows. In fact, I was given two plain grey shades with the van, but I really wanted something a bit more chirpy looking. I measured the windows on the Triton. My plan is to use the plain grey one I already have on the side windows if needed, and I'd make one for the rear windows and one for each of the two front windows. In...