Eriba Man

This is night No.7/2020 living in the caravan. It's our second night at Nairn C&CC Site, on the outskirts of the town of Nairn. Woke up to fine weather, and after breakfast and a walk around the adjacent wood, we took the short drive to Hilton of Delnies, a farm on the other side of the A96 from where we are. Its a short journey ending on a dirt track down to near the beach. It's become known as 'The Secret Beach' in recent years, but it's certainly no secret to the locals! Took a wander through the shoreside gorse and scrub. And arrived at the beach. Absolutely spotless and miles and miles of pure sand, stretching all the way from beyond Nairn to Ardeseir. Like a spring day. We set of west to follow the beach to the Whiteness Head, a spit of ground jutting out into the Moray Firth. The odd boat out to the north. Seashell. Came across a huge expanse of grass moorland just by the shore. The old fishing bothy near Whitene...

This is night 33/2108 staying in my caravan. I'm now back on the mainland and staying overnight at the Brora C&MC Site at Dalchalm, near Brora Village. For the night for my van, me, and the mutts (free) was a reasonable £13. Got up around 0600 to foggy and breezy weather. Took the dogs for a wander around the park opposite, then returned for some breakfast. It is a 'pack up' day, so I started to pack away the various clutter in the van. I'd taken down the TV aerial etc. last night, so it was just a case of putting heavier stuff in the car and emptying tanks, and the toilet chemicals. I had planned to leave around 1000 to be in plenty of time for the ferry, so took the dogs around the 'Peedie Sea' and into Kirkwall for the last time. I wanted to see the 'Big Tree' which is the current 'Tree of the Year' in the annual Woodland Trust award. Impressive tree, and not that big. It's a 200yr old Sycamore which has had a bit of a ...

Night 31/2018 staying in my Caravan. This is the 4th night at Pickaquoy Caravan Site in Kirkwall, Orkney. Got up around 0600 to really quite nice weather. Light winds and blue skies, but as can be read, it started blowing a hoolie later in the morning. Took the dogs round the 'Peerie Sea' and after some breakfast, headed west to Finstown. I'd read about the Binscarth Wood. Woods are a rare thing in Orkney, but this was a great lush small wood. Ideal for a blast with the dogs. Continued west along the coast to the Sands of Evie. Nice beach for a dog walk. The erosion protection has been formed by 'recycling' anti-submarine nets, probably from Scapa Flow. In seriously good nick for metal almost 80yrs old. Looking closer, it is galvanised. Sneaked a picture when I returned to the car. 2 motorhomes parked up. I don't like this practice in public areas, and these folk are here for a long time, external water tanks etc. None of your arrive and ...

Night No.30/2018 staying in my caravan. This is my third night at Pickaquoy Caravan Site in Kirkwall, Orkney. Got up at 0600 and took the dogs around the park opposite the site. It has what's known as the 'Peerie Sea', which is across the road from the harbour. After some breakfast, left the site around 0900 and headed west towards Waulkmill Bay. Beautiful bay, but the tide was in. I'd passed a sign for RSPB Hobbister about 1/2 mile back on the road so headed there and walked an excellent circular walk. Didn't see many birds (!), but got some great views of Scapa Flow. From here, we headed up past Nisthouse towards Finstown. On the way here spotted some interesting stones on a hill across the glen. Headed down into Finstown, a lovely little village, found the road near the hill and headed up on foot to have a better look. They are actually stacks of flat stones. Interesting, there on the 'St Magnus Way' long distance walk. Fi...