Melrose

-

 


This is night No 31/2020 living in the caravan. We're now pitched at the Melrose Gibson Park C&MC Site in Melrose. 

Been here many times before, and it's a place I'm really fond of. Melrose is a lovely town and everything is literally on the doorstep. A Co-op, shops, great walking, all from the site.

The only thing that spooked me a bit was a bit of 'Nemesis' moment. I have only ever left one negative review of  site, that being Lower Wensleydale in Yorkshire. I then encountered the same warden in Old Hartley near Blyth, and you'll never guess who the warden is here!

The rain yesterday was quite unreal. It battered on the van roof all night, but when I got up around 0630, it was a dry, clearing morning. After breakfast, we headed out to Berwick Pier and the beach north of there. What a difference from yesterday. 





The drive to Melrose from Berwick took around an hour. Got a nice 'hedged in' pitch.



After setting up, it was off to Galashiels to use one of the excellent Revolution Laundrettes. These facilities are a godsend to folk touring. Washing detergent is included, which smells really good, and the whole thing from start to dry clothes takes 50mins.


After our return, took the dogs down by the Tweed. It was definitely in spate.


After a dinner, took the dogs on a circular walk around Melrose. The butcher shop window has a display showing how it features in a JK Rowling book, shortly to be turned into a movie.


The same butcher had a visit from no other than the Big Yin and George Best!


Melrose is certainly a fine wee town.


A shot of the site from our walk near the old railway line.


Some nice pictures for sale in one of the many small shops in town.


And a look up the main street. How a high street should look in any town.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

50 Nights in my Troll.

-
Image
I thought that after having spent 50 nights this year in my Troll, this would be a good opportunity to offer my views and opinions on this caravan. Overall, I'm very impressed and there are some features which I really like, and others not so much. I've only ever owned Eriba's, having switched from campervans a few years ago. The switch was really an attempt to minimise the ongoing costs associated with a 'leisure vehicle'. I've had a Puck (a 120), a Familia (a 320GT), and now own this Troll (a 530GT). The Troll was a substantial investment for me, it's a (used) 2017 fixed bed model with a number of extras fitted, such as awning, high back seats, 3 ring hob, etc. I first started touring in the Troll back in April of this year and have covered a good part of Scotland and North England in my travels. The Troll is actually probably a bit 'overkill' for my needs. I normally tour alone with my 2 spaniels, and rarely have guests. However, I do sp
Read more

Solar Power in my Eriba Puck

-
Image
  I'm often asked what arrangements I have for generating power when I'm touring 'off-grid' in order to keep the 12v electrics operating. This equipment needing 12v includes the lights (all bulbs changed to LED), my 12V TV, and inverter (which powers my MacBook), and also for charging of phones and speakers etc.  I have a 100W folding panel which even over a good few days, I find this works fine with my fairly small leisure battery and I've never ran out of power yet. I've used this panel for years which is an advantage of a portable panel. I've used it on 4 different Eriba's I've owned, and a camper van before that. Importantly, it has a solar charge controller mounted on the rear of the panel. This is essential for any solar panel. I do move the panel during the day to get optimum light and try to avoid shadows from the van or trees and buildings. It fits behind the cars front seat when travelling. I didn't want to have an arrangement where I r
Read more

Replacing the Door Shelves

-
Image
  With the weather being really nice today, and with the prospect of touring again in the next wee while, I took the caravan out of the garage where it was being stored and returned it to my drive. I really didn't have any projects for the van over the winter, unlike last year when I completely re-upholstered and redone the internal decor like curtains, carpet, door facia's and the likes. Like my 3 previous Eriba Caravans, I've had trouble with the original plastic door shelves and decided to order an improved aluminium set from Darren at Eribastuff. I've ordered other odds and ends from Darren over the years and everything has always been top quality. He's an enthusiastic Eriba Puck owner himself, a Scot based in France. The original door configuration above, plastic shelves (or rather shelf fronts?) which turn the Eriba door into effectively a very useful storage area, just like a fridge door! I purchased the van 'set' which comprises one with an 'Erib
Read more