Eriba Man

  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...

  This post is a record of my most recent trip, a three night trip to the Nairn C&CC Site which is located at Delnies Wood, just outside Nairn itself. The site itself a bit shabby, but it's cheap, normally has some availability and is an excellent spot for exploring the surrounding area. I stayed here from Monday, the 19th September until Thursday the 22nd. I've been to this site dozens of times over the years in both camper vans and caravans. A few years ago, the site facility block suffered what I think was a collapsed roof and as a 'temporary' measure, a pair of Portakabin toilet units were placed on the site. These units are still there and the original facility block is virtually derelict. It is an eyesore, and the remainder of the site really is poorly maintained. The pitches are rough dirt/stones and worn out grass and the service points look like they have never been even brushed out.  What annoyed me most about this visit, though, was the staff member who g...

  This is a post about my recent trip to the Nairn C&CC Site, just outside the Town of Nairn at Delnies Wood. It was the second and probably first 'proper' trip in my Eriba Triton. My last trip had been a bit of a test of the new van, but I had discovered that the battery wasn't charging correctly and the waste tank flap valve on the toilet tank broke. I repaired both these faults; the van charger had been installed before I got the van and was wired wrong, and I managed to pick up the toilet part from Perthshire Caravans on my return from Melrose. This trip was from the 19th 'til the 25th of April, and took me to a total of 18 nights living in the van so far this year. The weather in Nairn was generally dry although a couple of days the coast was plagued by sea haar. However, when it was clear it was lovely. The six nights are a good break at Nairn. There are plenty of walks from and around the site, and some outstanding beach walking just minutes away in the car. ...

  This is night No.8/2021 and our final night at the Nairn C&CC Site, just outside Nairn.  Got a nice nights sleep (solid!) and woke around 0600 to, finally, some fine and dry weather. A perfect day to get down to what was once known as 'The Secret Beach'. It's certainly no secret with the locals and it stretches for miles along the Moray Firth from Nairn all the way to the old oil rig yard at Ardesier. I really enjoy visiting this beach as it is a right old mix of beach, scrub, and carse, and the dogs love it.  So, after a nice breakfast bagel with egg, I packed my stuff, including the drone, and drove the 5 mins to Hilton of Delnies. I could have walked it in 15mins, but crossing the A96 outside this site is deadly at times! The weather was perfect. I only saw one couple, out walking there dogs. There was 2 cars in the carpark, and we literally had miles and miles to ourselves. The broom was in full bloom, and the air had that familiar coconut scent. Absolutely grea...

  This is night No.7/2021 living in my caravan. This is our second night at Nairn C&CC Site, on the outskirts of Nairn at Delnies Wood. Before breakfast, I gave the dogs a run around the adjacent woods. It was very grey and wet, and although it improved a little as the day wore on, it was still showery and some were very heavy. First big walk of the day was the riverside walk from Howford Bridge to Nairn along the River Nairn. I've walked this fine trail many times. There is a slightly longer walk from here, where taking the same trail westward leads to Cawdor. The path leads into the town where there is a circular route on both sides of the river. It was a wet walk! After lunch, we headed in the direction of Ardesier and parked up at Carse Wood. Even though its a 5 min drive from the site, I have never walked here. A very large forest, with very dark barked Pine Trees. Almost like trees around whisky bonds. There were lots of crossing tracks and paths, and I followed the OS Ma...