Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk

A forestry stop is normally a guaranteed peaceful stop. Not last night. The Dutch next to us, a very nice family took until half past midnight to organize themselves in a hire van they'd only picked up hours before. This morning at six, vans began to leave, and just after six thirty a group of women arrived to hill run. From that time until just after seven thirty they talked, loudly, cackled, shrieked and were generally very annoying! The Forestry park up was not free. A donation from each van of seven pounds which we don't mind. What Angela minds, is hearing one of the women say, 'we should have woken them all up by now'. Carry on like this ladies and no one will stay, and no money will be available on maintaining this lovely area. Also last night youngsters in cars. A couple who parked in with us watching something on an iPad for hours, leaving before eleven, and a few others driving normally up to the higher car park. No noise or trouble there. So, ladies you let yourselves down.

We are slowing things down now, so before taking the short drive to Falkirk we stopped at the cottage where John's mother was brought up. Known as the pink house to the locals, it sadly is in a bad state now. A lady walked by, stopped to chat for quite a while. We told her about the badly behaved woman and she was horrified.

We have spent the afternoon at the Falkirk wheel, and will stay overnight. It costs fifteen pounds but you have access to the toilets and showers at the marina. Later, after England have won the euros. We hope, we will be able to watch the spectacular light display on the wheel. Marge has been attracting attention all day. We always take the time to talk about her. Lots of people want to know about her fuel consumption. We don't know. All Angela can say is, 'she's muddy and she's a heavy drinker!'

One of Margery's favourite flowers, a shocking pink Dog Rose.

Pendreich Forestry Site, Bridge of Allan

The Scottish family parked next to us last night were fascinated by us and Marge. Every time we look out towards them they were watching us. We felt like goldfish in a bowl. Today was shower day, so we drove seven miles to nearby Aberfeldey to the Beyond Adventure outdoor activity centre.

A donation of three pounds is well worth it to use their excellent facilities. After eight weeks away we are starting to find hand washing tiring, and Angela has discovered her natural hair colour is grey! Another week and all that will be rectified.

We then had a walk around the Lower Birks of Aberfeldy.

Marge is also flagged a little. As we drove south through the lowlands we encountered a very long steep incline which John couldn't give Marge a good run at, thanks to the selfish driver of an oncoming car. Part way up she coughed a little, so we stopped. Come on Marge, you've carried us over three thousand miles don't give up now! We waited a while, John opening her bonnet and checking the coolant etc. Then turned the ignition key, and we were off once again. With twenty miles to our destination, as each mile ticked by we prayed all would be O.K. Clever Angela had found another forestry stop for tonight. What she didn't do was read the access details. Steep single track road. Great! We were worried now! But Marge is a strong old girl and we made it. Her wobble earlier a hot flush. Let's hope it's a one off Marge.

Tonight's stop overlooks the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle. It feels very emotional to be here as this is where John's mother was born and raised, she even helped the waitress at the monument check visitors hadn't been left inside when the cafe closed. There are three other vans here with us, two are hire vans. A man from one asked us how to find drinking water to fill the water tank. We were shocked the hire company hadn't filled the tank for them. They also seemed to think a family of four could make the capacity of the chemical toilet stretch over three days until they booked on a campsite. We know it won't. If it was down to Angela they'd all be fitted with 'Boxio's. Can't keep her off it!

Drummond Hill, Kenmore

A beautiful start to the day today, the early morning sun showcasing the beautiful green palette of the mountains. Despite the beautiful view, the noise of traffic spoilt the moment. Would we ever become used to so much noise again? Probably. This trip we have tried to slow the pace, driving less and spending time taking in an area and the views, and talking to many people. Tonight is our sixtieth blog, and as we always say, it's not so much the places you see, but the people you meet along the way that you associate with those places. We love this travelling life, ( except when it's wet and cold). We love the fact it is so sociable.

Today we drove towards Aberfeldey, stopping for lunch in the pretty village of Killin.

(Mountain Rescue team on the wall above the village shop in Killin)

 The scenery was stunning. The traffic fast moving. The driving of some of the vehicles very dangerous. Why are people in such a hurry? We can't say it enough. Oh, how we miss the islands! We were going to stay in Aberfeldey, but seven miles before was another Forestry Commission stopover at Kenmore. So here we are.

A walk in the woods, then afternoon coffee down in the village. John happy to be able to pick wild strawberries and raspberries. We are loving being so in touch with nature, and marvelled at the beautiful purple flowers of the spiky thistles now starting to reveal themselves. 

The village of Kenmore is very beautiful, though it is almost entirely a holiday resort with a single owner.

We are about to begin the last week of this trip. So we need to make the next week count and choose wisely where we visit. We are not looking forward to returning home, but knowing we'll be off again in Marge at the end of August makes it not feel so bad.

Strome Hill, near Inverlochy

We were up at seven this morning. All was quiet at the loch, the other campers still asleep, the sheep absent and the oyster catchers not yet in full voice. We were going to miss Lochbuie. The calmness, beautiful views, the sheep baaing loudly right next to Marge whilst we tried to sleep and particularly the oyster catchers, whose screeching is much amplified now they have young to control. The early morning sunlight picked out the detail on the headland, and with one last look we were away. Angela sad as she always is when she leaves here. Yesterday John bought a small print of Lochbuie for Angela, so when she's back at home she'll be able to look at it with fondness. Our early start meant Marge was at the front of the queue for the ferry. It felt strange to be leaving Mull, but we can't stay away from home for ever, so now we must begin our slow journey home.

Back in Oban, we were launched into chaos and noise. We'd become islanders over the past few weeks, used to calm, tranquil slow living. Shopping in Tesco Angela's head ached. Too many people. Too much noise. Too much choice. We exited as quickly as possible.

A band of fine weather is supposed to be hanging about over central Scotland, so we're going to be heading east. After an early start this morning, we only wanted to drive a short way today, so we decided to stop at one of the Forestry and land sites. Strome Hill is set amongst beautiful woodland with a circular walk to the waterfall and back.

(tasty wild Blueberries)

John spotted a few bright yellow funnel shaped Chanterelle mushrooms which he brought back for tomorrow's breakfast omelette. It feels strange now not to be by the water. Knowing we won't be lulled to sleep by lapping water and unruly wildlife. Instead we are in the mountains, road noise in the background. After returning from our walk we realised the other van here belongs to a couple we met at Ardtoe at the end of May. What were the chances? They're on their way to Oban, we're heading east from where they've come. We talked for a very long time until the lure of the venison and bacon burgers from Lochbuie tempted us. It was great to be able to cook and eat outside. Just a shame we couldn't share the evening with the oyster catchers.

Peppery Milk Caps, don't try eating these.