Who regrets their decision?

[DCPU]

I know Scotland pretty well and rather than the prescribed NC500 as created by someone in the Scottish government in order to increase tourism but without first ensuring that the route could cope with the traffic...

I'm glad you said that.

NC500 is picking up a certain reputation and I've read a few articles about the locals on parts not taking kindly to some of the traffic types it seems to attract.

If you've the time, pouring over a few paper maps (best accompanied with a glass of your favourite tipple) and looking for the small roads that take you in the general direction you want to travel can be part of the adventure as well.

I can't recall the exact name of the vehicle ferry ticket we bought - I want to say an island hopper - but it allows an excellent tour up the Western isles.

Edit: It may have been one of these 'Hopscotch tickets' - which don't exist anymore apparently.

But plenty of ideas here

Island Hopping - CalMac Ferries

CalMac suggest a range of island hopping itineraries , to let you plan your trip to your pace. CalMac sail to 30 destinations across the west coast of Scotland.

www.calmac.co.uk

 

[bigleonski]

I'm glad you said that.
If you've the time, pouring over a few paper maps (best accompanied with a glass of your favourite tipple) and looking for the small roads that take you in the general direction you want to travel can be part of the adventure as well.

funny you say that. That’s exactly what we do when planning our remote Outback trips, and it’s led us to some amazing places and landscapes.

 

[DCPU]

And it gets you through the dark winter nights planning the next summer's trip.

 

[bigleonski]

And it gets you through the dark winter nights planning the next summer's trip.

See, we plan autumn through to spring trips. Too bloody hot in the summer.

 

[DCPU]

It won't be in Scotland.

 

[Mussels]

Living on the NC500 I can confirm that DCPU is correct, as usual! People don’t fully realise that part of the route is single track with passing places. Lots of folk hire camper vans and motor homes without any particular experience of driving them. Others hire sports cars and there is either a convoy of slow motor homes or (old) boy racers driving poorly. Timber and fish lorries coming towards you can be a problem - they won’t be backing up!

There is not really the infrastructure to accommodate this visitor influx during the summer months. Pulling off the road to take photos isn’t an option on most of the route and accommodation and eating outlets are limited. Finding a public convenience on the route is one of the main problems, don’t ask me to explain ‘dirty camping’.

Cheshire Cat‘s suggestion of being based near Inverness is good. Allow 30 miles per hour progress over the day. The most scenic coast is the West Coast but beware that midges can be a nightmare.

 

[Mussels]

Do we think that DCPU stands for Double Cab Pick Up?

 

[Davman]

Living on the NC500 I can confirm that DCPU is correct, as usual! People don’t fully realise that part of the route is single track with passing places. Lots of folk hire camper vans and motor homes without any particular experience of driving them. Others hire sports cars and there is either a convoy of slow motor homes or (old) boy racers driving poorly. Timber and fish lorries coming towards you can be a problem - they won’t be backing up!

There is not really the infrastructure to accommodate this visitor influx during the summer months. Pulling off the road to take photos isn’t an option on most of the route and accommodation and eating outlets are limited. Finding a public convenience on the route is one of the main problems, don’t ask me to explain ‘dirty camping’.

Cheshire Cat‘s suggestion of being based near Inverness is good. Allow 30 miles per hour progress over the day. The most scenic coast is the West Coast but beware that midges can be a nightmare.

What time of the year do the Midgies stop..... or dont they?

 

[bigleonski]

What time of the year do the Midgies stop..... or dont they?

Just go up and visit @DaveB during the summer mate - you'll get used to midges, mozzies and sandflies real quick.

 

[Eric]

Do we think that DCPU stands for Double Cab Pick Up?

That's what I'd always assumed

 

[Cheshire cat]

What time of the year do the Midgies stop..... or dont they?

Mid May to September are the worst time for midges. Virtually none existent on the east coast.

 

[Trialmaster]

Even has it's own website for some XTRA marketing: https://www.northcoast500.com/

 

[trobex]

Just go up and visit @DaveB during the summer mate - you'll get used to midges, mozzies and sandflies real quick.

You can never get used to them up there - it is like a locust plague; you can see them and breathe them in they are that thick! My local area is just as bad - but chemicals fight them off!!!

 

[DaveB]

You can never get used to them up there - it is like a locust plague; you can see them and breathe them in they are that thick! My local area is just as bad - but chemicals fight them off!!!

We spray Bushman's or our friend Mitchy's Itchys when outside.
Means we don't have to worry about sunscreen.
Plus Mitchy's is based on coconut oil so my skin is so soft and smooth.
Ceiling fans or windy days drive them away, as do citronella candles.
They also can't fly up to higher levels so no issue on the second floor
Honestly the small issues don't even come close to negating the positives of living here.
Same as when we lived in Tasmania and the cold winters were ok because the island was just so fantastic.

 

[Tazzieman]

Holy heck the preceding - if this isn't all a thread derail , what is?!

 

[Davman]

Holy heck the preceding - if this isn't all a thread derail , what is?!

No - it’s obvious that @DaveB doesn’t REGRET HIS DECISION AT ALL

 

[Tazzieman]

No - it’s obvious that @DaveB doesn’t REGRET HIS DECISION AT ALL

Which decision are we onto now?
I would like to chime in but need to know which one to decide upon.

 

[DaveB]

No - it’s obvious that @DaveB doesn’t REGRET HIS DECISION AT ALL

Exactly

 

[DaveB]

Which decision are we onto now?
I would like to chime in but need to know which one to decide upon.

Just go to bed you old fool.
Or put another log on the fire
pour a scotch or port.
put the feet up and enjoy the beautiful place you live while you wait for your Grenadier to arrive.

 

[Tazzieman]

Just go to bed you old fool.
Or put another log on the fire
pour a scotch or port.
put the feet up and enjoy the beautiful place you live while you wait for your Grenadier to arrive.

Well I've decided it's not cold enough for a fire...and I'm not an early to bed type. And port is for old men. And I don't drink scotch.
But I do have the option of putting my feet up , even though I don't have swollen legs.
And another day of waiting to add to the 670+ so far won't kill me
In the meantime I can waste my life here like the rest of you old fools