Eriba Man

This is night No.62/2018 living in my caravan. It's my second night at Silverbank C&MC Site in Banchory. Woke around 0615 to some lovely sunny weather. I didn't have any heating on at all yesterday, even overnight, and it was pleasantly mild even this early. Took the dogs down to the path which follows the River Dee. Didn't see anyone at that time in the morning. After breakfast and showering, I decided on a long walk from the site into the grounds of Crathes Castle, and returning via the Deeside Way. After following one of the routes around the forest of Crathes, I headed to a path which led to the main A93 at Milton of Crathes. This is where the Deeside Railway is housed. A rather pleasant old station. And a wee locomotive named 'Salmon'. Spotted this interesting 'British Railways' vehicle. I'll bet that is a butchered Land Rover. Their yard had an assortment of interesting machinery, including this railway crane. ...

This is night No 61/2018 living in my caravan. Now at Silverbank C&MC Site in Banchory. I was last here on the 2nd of April 2018, then for a 2 night stay. Now... Then... I was last out on the 29th June. I'd been staying at a CL near Tayport and whilst driving to the next CL in Blairgowrie, some old 'goat' drove into the back of the caravan. That put a stop to all travelling until today. The van was repaired under insurance by Barry Cooper Automotive in Fordoun, and and excellent repair it is too. I'd emptied the van before it went in for repair, and I mean empty. Everything which could be removed was taken out, even the gas bottle and water tank. Amazing the amount of equipment I carry in the van. There's not a lot of weight in the kit, but there is a lot of it! To make sure everything worked and that I hadn't forgot anything, I reckoned it would be a good idea to stay fairly close to home on the first trip, just in case I needed to n...

Day 4 of the year in the Eriba. Staying another night at Silverbank in Banchory. Slept well, this van has a really comfy bed, but as usual got up about 0600. The forecast was correct, sleet and snow showers with a biting cold wind. I just heard on the radio that the Cairn O Mount road was again shut because of the snow. Thats the road from Fettercairn to here. Around 0630, took the dogs down and walked a stretch along the River Dee on the great riverside tracks. Returned to the site, had some breakfast, using the time to dry my jacket. The tiny toilet room is a brilliant drying room. Simply turn up the heating and open the blown air vent and stuff dries fairly quickly. Presently has my towel, the dogs towel, an umbrella and my jacket in there! Despite the weather, I packed the dogs into the car and we headed up to Crathes Castle, around 3 miles from here. Still wet, showery weather but a great dog walking area. The daffys are out in force. Returned...