Hiya! It is I, Bruce. Today I am pleased, because, after a long break for the Winter, the walking and camping times have begun again! This particular walking and camping time was a surprise, because the weather is good, and Tom has not yet begun New Job. We packed up the van, and set off…
Read MoreAll articles filed in Camping
humans and other creatures
Hiya! It is I, Bruce. I have just returned from a F-U-N time on the island of Islay. This time was particularly fun as I have spent the past few weeks having no fun at all (going back and forth to the place where they put you on a table and poke at you, and…
Read MoreStuc a’Chroin
We’ve spent the weekend in the Highlands, where Tom has been running a race – the Stuc a’Chroin 5000 While he was away up the hill, Bruce and I went for a walk. . . We were lucky with the weather (later we saw hail and snow!) Bruce was very suspicious of this wee suspension…
Read Moreholiday snaps
I rather enjoyed being a tourist in Ireland. Here are some of the touristy highlights . . . and a few lowlights of our trip. Best local produce Without a doubt, the culinary highlight was the wild smoked salmon at the Connemara smokehouse. The lowlight was Irish beer, or rather, the singular lack thereof. As…
Read Morenew beginnings
I have been very excited for about a week or so. Why? Because we have just acquired this dream machine . . . You may remember the insane enthusiasm such vehicles inspired in me when we went away in one last year. The comfort! The convenience! The ability to drink tea from a teapot! When…
Read Morevancation
It was probably inevitable that I would return wanting a campervan. . . (yes, I am the blurry gnome in the tartan blanket) . . . unfortunately, my only prospect of owning one right now is winning the one currently on offer over at Dorset Cereals. But who can argue with the luxury and convenience…
Read More2010
Here is the first thing I saw in 2010 . . . . . . and here is the second . . . Tom preparing the first cup of tea of the decade — a welcome sight on an incredibly chilly morning. We saw in 2010 in a tent by the edge of Crummock Water.…
Read MoreAn Cliseam
One of the highlights of our Hebridean camping trip was a walk on An Cliseam (Clisham), and the tops that make up the Clisham ridge. This ridge, connecting the highest hills in the outer Hebrides, crowns the wild and beautiful landscape of North Harris. Our route was circular, and you can trace it on the…
Read Morefrom the Uists
creatures in the landscape. places that suffered brutal clearance . . . . . . neolithic tombs recall these islands’ human losses . . . Barpa Langass. darkness in the place of bones. But outside, a living landscape full of light and colour. . . yoke-yellow lichen on a fence post. stuff of the shoreline…
Read MoreVatersay – Barra
The islands of Vatersay and Barra are beautiful and arresting. Camping on the Vatersay machair, there are beaches to the East: and to the West. The East beach is good for swimming and strolling. The West beach is more exposed, and a little more compelling: all pounding waves and gneiss boulders with fabulous ice-cream swirls.…
Read Morecamping: a short, personal history
Phase 1. Here are myself, and my sister (Helen), circa 1979. Back then, family tents were gigantic bungalow-ranch-style constructions, with separate sleeping pods, living/ kitchen areas, faux glazing, and obligatory orange curtains. Putting up one of these babies was a process quite close to building an actual bungalow. To expedite matters, my mother devised a…
Read MoreEgads!
Can it be? No, really? Yes, indeed it is the Dorset Cereals eggcup of dreams! Cheers, everyone — your votes were really very much appreciated. A big bloggy thanks to you all! In proper award-receiving manner, I must also thank my postie (who kindly leaves parcels for me on the mat rather than returning them…
Read MoreView from the tent
A wee postcard from Berneray. We are enjoying ourselves immensely.
Read Morerepair
A few weeks ago, something rather unpleasant happened while we were camping on Islay. I’ve not talked about this much. I found it quite disturbing at the time, and — because it happened in a place I am very fond of, while engaged in an activity that I love — I’ve not really wanted to…
Read Morefriday!
We’re off to one of my favourite places. Whatever you are doing, enjoy your weekend!
Read MoreB of O
Tom and I have been together for ten years. We don’t really do anniversaries, but this one seemed worth celebrating. We spent the weekend camping, walking, and eating at the Bridge of Orchy (B of O), one of my favourite places. It is hard to explain quite why I love the B of O so…
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KDD & Co 