Team Muz 2011 finale
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 5:13 pm
We took delivery of our Bongo in December 2007 and, as it had a three month warranty, were keen to break it if it were to be broken. So we went on our inaugural camp to the Lakes and gave it a pasting up & down the Hardknott and Wrynose passes. The following year we went off into Scotland at the same time of year, haggis-hunting, then Wales the third year. Last year we were a little stumped, we’d done England, Scotland and Wales but decided on camping in the no-mans-land between England & Scotland in the Kielder Forest.
So, could we think of anywhere crazy to go this year? – I’ve longed to camp on Lindisfarne but it’s not allowed, so you can imagine my dismay when Martin Dorey did exactly that in his “One Man and his Campervan” series on the BBC. So I thought – if he can do it, so can I!!. I did a bit of research on possible spots to camp, with the ultimate defence that once the tide is in, you’re stuck anyway.
As is typical of Muz Tours these days, we needed an early start. We were on the road for 3.20am
First stop Durham cathedral, although we did attract immediate attention for apparently being on private ground and quizzed as to what were we doing. I should have said we were going to strip the lead off the roof, but having got some photos we retreated graciously.
Next stop Lumley castle in Chester-le-Street, always tempting from the A1(M) but never before we miss the junction
We did a mad Northumberland castles tour in 2008 (details HERE for anyone who missed it) and failed to get into Chillingham castle, the best we got was a long-range shot from the top of Ros castle, so we decided to be a little more aggressive this time. We just drove into the site and asked the owner if we could take some pictures – Simples!!
“The Castle” at Castlelaw, Scottish Borders
A target for next year, Thirlestane castle, Scottish Borders
Ditto, Oxenfoord castle, Midlothian
On our mid-winter tour in 2008 we were about a mile from Pencaitland when we found The Yew Tree immortalised in the traditional song of the same name. In three years, it hasn’t changed much
We meandered around to Eyemouth and Giacopazzi’s, purveyor of fine quality fish & chips and ice-creams. I’m not sure their ‘Kids eat free’ promotion was a good idea on their part
Hmmm, haggis & chips, you know it makes sense. I won’t repeat how Mrs Muz described it
Xmas Pudding flavoured ice-cream
With Force 11 violent storms forecast and rain to go with it, it’s never too cold for ice-cream
On to the tidal causeway linking Lindisfarne with the mainland. Looks ok....
....even a rainbow to welcome us
We hadn’t been in our well-researched position more than a couple of minutes when we were ejected
with only moments to spare. This isn’t good for those already dodgy wheelarches
So we wild-camped at the other end of the causeway....
....to be greeted with fabulous views once the winds had died down
Bamburgh castle from a long way away
Only half an hour or so before it’s safe to cross
Remind me never to buy a car that was once registered here
Lindisfarne castle from the harbour
Lindisfarne Priory
Lindisfarne Priory
Recycled boats
Inside Lindisfarne castle, perhaps the most ridiculous holiday home of them all
It seems the Health & Safety brigade were at it long ago
The magnificent Ship Room
The East Bedroom, Hannah just checking she’s still beautiful
The Upper Gallery
In the Entrance Hall
The harbour from the Upper Battery – the castle was originally built to defend the last deep-water harbour before Scotland
A stunning piece of work
Guess who?!!? – Geezer approaches, asks if that’s our Bongo in the carpark, and announces that we’re on Bongo Fury and take loads of photos – with a camera around my neck, it was a fair cop
At our previous night’s camp there was a Natural England warden floating about. I enquired about camping on the island and he wasn’t surprised that we had been ejected from where we were. But he did say that, at this time of year, there are plenty of places where we wouldn’t be bothered. A bit of a look around, a quick check on the tide times (and tide height) and how about this for a place to get marooned?
....with a view of any hardy souls trekking across the perilous sands....
....and a sunset to bring the curtain down on another year of Bongotastic adventures!!
We wish everyone all good wishes for the New Year and we hope to bump into you in a field somewhere soon
Team Muz
So, could we think of anywhere crazy to go this year? – I’ve longed to camp on Lindisfarne but it’s not allowed, so you can imagine my dismay when Martin Dorey did exactly that in his “One Man and his Campervan” series on the BBC. So I thought – if he can do it, so can I!!. I did a bit of research on possible spots to camp, with the ultimate defence that once the tide is in, you’re stuck anyway.
As is typical of Muz Tours these days, we needed an early start. We were on the road for 3.20am
First stop Durham cathedral, although we did attract immediate attention for apparently being on private ground and quizzed as to what were we doing. I should have said we were going to strip the lead off the roof, but having got some photos we retreated graciously.
Next stop Lumley castle in Chester-le-Street, always tempting from the A1(M) but never before we miss the junction
We did a mad Northumberland castles tour in 2008 (details HERE for anyone who missed it) and failed to get into Chillingham castle, the best we got was a long-range shot from the top of Ros castle, so we decided to be a little more aggressive this time. We just drove into the site and asked the owner if we could take some pictures – Simples!!
“The Castle” at Castlelaw, Scottish Borders
A target for next year, Thirlestane castle, Scottish Borders
Ditto, Oxenfoord castle, Midlothian
On our mid-winter tour in 2008 we were about a mile from Pencaitland when we found The Yew Tree immortalised in the traditional song of the same name. In three years, it hasn’t changed much
We meandered around to Eyemouth and Giacopazzi’s, purveyor of fine quality fish & chips and ice-creams. I’m not sure their ‘Kids eat free’ promotion was a good idea on their part
Hmmm, haggis & chips, you know it makes sense. I won’t repeat how Mrs Muz described it
Xmas Pudding flavoured ice-cream
With Force 11 violent storms forecast and rain to go with it, it’s never too cold for ice-cream
On to the tidal causeway linking Lindisfarne with the mainland. Looks ok....
....even a rainbow to welcome us
We hadn’t been in our well-researched position more than a couple of minutes when we were ejected
with only moments to spare. This isn’t good for those already dodgy wheelarches So we wild-camped at the other end of the causeway....
....to be greeted with fabulous views once the winds had died down
Bamburgh castle from a long way away
Only half an hour or so before it’s safe to cross
Remind me never to buy a car that was once registered here
Lindisfarne castle from the harbour
Lindisfarne Priory
Lindisfarne Priory
Recycled boats
Inside Lindisfarne castle, perhaps the most ridiculous holiday home of them all
It seems the Health & Safety brigade were at it long ago
The magnificent Ship Room
The East Bedroom, Hannah just checking she’s still beautiful
The Upper Gallery
In the Entrance Hall
The harbour from the Upper Battery – the castle was originally built to defend the last deep-water harbour before Scotland
A stunning piece of work
Guess who?!!? – Geezer approaches, asks if that’s our Bongo in the carpark, and announces that we’re on Bongo Fury and take loads of photos
– with a camera around my neck, it was a fair cop At our previous night’s camp there was a Natural England warden floating about. I enquired about camping on the island and he wasn’t surprised that we had been ejected from where we were. But he did say that, at this time of year, there are plenty of places where we wouldn’t be bothered. A bit of a look around, a quick check on the tide times (and tide height) and how about this for a place to get marooned?
....with a view of any hardy souls trekking across the perilous sands....
....and a sunset to bring the curtain down on another year of Bongotastic adventures!!
We wish everyone all good wishes for the New Year and we hope to bump into you in a field somewhere soon
Team Muz
