Tag Archives: Aire

NE250 2023 Day 6 – Port Errol Harbour

https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/marker.php?id=22137

We headed over to Bullers of Buchan to try and spot some puffins, sadly there were none but its a truly beautiful place with hundreds of sea birds in and around a collapsed cave.

We then headed to Slains Castle , an amazing derelict castle that you can walk in and around for free, its a 15 minute walk from the car park down a fairly flat track but well worth visiting.

We ended up and stayed the night at Port Errol Harbour, a community run motorhome stop with a suggested donation of £10 a night, toilets and fresh water are there, also the signage says you can dispose of liquid waste into the toilets.

We sat watching seals in the water and hundreds of seabirds diving and fishing.

Parked right on the waterfront.

Glencaple Pier, Glencaple

Although this was our destined stop we went a bit further down the road to empty and refill at Caerlaverock Castle Corner Campsite, its a community run site that allows the use of CDP, fresh and waste water and overnight stop all for a donation.

We then headed back to the Pier and were lucky enough to get the left most pitch facing the water looking down the inlet, a fantastic view.

Whilst we were there we were lucky enough to experience the tidal bore, an event that happens when the difference between high and low tide is more than 6 meters, the rush as the waters surges up is worth a visit in itself, there is a pub and cafe at the pier and public toilets open all night, at the end of the pier are dedicated motorhome bays, you may park in them overnight night between 9pm and 9am, out of those hours they request you do not park your motorhomes in the car parking spaces, the marked car parking spaces are needed by The Nith Hotel and The Boathouse Cafe.

Kilmelford Yacht Haven

A short drive from Oban, we arrived to be greeted with a smiling face by David the owner, the site is on the Hardstanding yard of the Yacht Haven with all the facilities you could need, the views are amazing.

Free consistent WiFi was available at all times from all pitches.

Picnic tables and benches are available for use, Free CDP, fresh water and grey waste emptying, Showers, washing machine and tumble dryers are all £1.

There is even the option of fishing from the pontoons

Great place to stay and would definitely recommend to others

£20 pn or £24 with EHU

Strone Hill, Forestry Commission CP

We left Lochore and headed across to Oban, we found Loch Earn on route with a great parking place situated just by St Fillans, right by the edge that we were lucky enough to find a space to stop and have lunch

We then headed on to Strone Hill, Forestry Commission Scotland, Car Park operating the “Stay the Night” initiative.

Space for 3 Motorhome’s with no current charge ( possibly to come later on ) no facilities except a lovely short walk to a waterfall

Max 1 night with no return within 48 hours.

Lochore Meadows Country Park Aire – Lochgelly

We left the Harbour and headed over to Lochore, it was around 20 mins drive and an easy route.

The Country Park is focused around a large open water with all manner of water sports, the Aire is set back a little and has EHU and non EHU pitches, Hard gravel standing and grass.

At £12 per night for non EHU and £18 with we decided on NON, the services are situated just a way from where you park where CDP and fresh water ( very low pressure ) is available, there is no drive over grey waste so needs to be transported to the CDP area.

There are also good hot showers available for £2 between the hours of 8:30 – 9:30 & 4:30 – 5:30 from the education centre.

Lovely walks around the lake ( 2.5 hours ) or Castle ( 30 mins ) and plenty of areas to sit and watch the water sports ( or indulge )

Carillon-sur-Sambre, France 2022

We stopped on route to refill the LPG (GPL in France) and then headed here, the first place we stopped right by the canal is no longer an Aire, they have moved the official place to 50m down the road.

It’s now a gravel car park for Camping-Cars with rubbish bins, grey waste, chemical toilet waste and fresh water ( when working, currently not ) also EHU for 4hours is available for a charge ( also currently not working ).

There is a €5 charge per night but nobody appears to take the money nor was there anywhere indicated to go pay.

There is also a pharmacy and farm shop 200-300m from the Aire, the farm shop stocks all essentials as well.

Picnic tables and lovely fruit trees
The canal is just in front of the van but not overly visible
Lovely long walks along the canal bank

Montherme, France 2022, At Last!

We finally managed to get over to France again, its been 3 years and we have missed it dearly

We stayed at a Lovell CL called Page Farm about 10 mins from the tunnel, so came up Thursday night, an early start Friday morning meant being at the tunnel for around 7am ( our crossing was for 9:20) and was put on the next crossing (7:20) for no additional charge, very quick boarding and in France within 30 mins.

Lovely view from the town back across the Aire

We had a long drive down to Montherme, but it was worth it, just south of the Belgium border the town sits on the river Meuse, room for around 22 vans with fresh water but no Chemical Waste Disposal.

At a cost of €4 a night + 40c per person tax it was well worth it, EHU is available for €2.80 but the points are quite away from where you park on the waters edge so you will need a long lead.

The view along the water in front of the van going left
The view along the water in front of the van going right

The town has plenty of shops and of course the obligatory Patisserie, plenty of walks up and down the river and even some bike hire if you desire.

Lovely views and walks along the river

All in all a fantastic Aire and one we will definitely visit again if out this way.