A mini-tour

Scotland has been blessed with some spectacular weather this week. With temperatures reaching 27°C it's been warm and dry. So with two and a half days off work in a row only a fool wouldn't make the most of it. The plan was to get the train to Dundee, ride to a campsite at St Cyrus and then onto Stonehaven the next day to get the train back.

Starting off in Dundee

The trip was to be a short trial-run of touring. Things didn't get off to a good start. After a few minutes of riding to the train station I had realised I had forgotten to pack my bib shorts, so I sprinted back to get them in fear of missing the train to Dundee. Like a shot I picked up my bib shorts - still hanging in the wardrobe - put them in a pannier and pedalled like mad to the station. Once on the train I realised I had forgotten the meths for the Trangia stove. Thankfully Dundee's Tiso store had plenty bottles of meths in all shades of purple for sale. By this time we were getting a bit peckish so decided it was time for elevenses before eventually setting off. Two words on the menu jumped out at me - Scooby snack. Everything you could ever want in a roll, and a big roll at that. Sorted!

Following Sustrans' Route 1, we were taken out of Dundee (easily done as Dundee is pretty small) through Dundee's port where photo ID is required. If you don't have any there is an alternative route but it wasn't obviously signposted. The route then goes on to Carnoustie and Arbroath whilst making it's way to the very top of Scotland.

Carnoustie

There are certain things that bike tourists cannot say no to. And one of them is a sign promising tasty strawberries. Diving off the road to indulge in some of the farm's red beauties we purchased a punnet and sooner than you could say anything at all they were gone!

Thumbs up!

Suitably fuelled, we carried on and made it to the campsite some 50 miles after leaving Dundee. It has to be said the campsite was pretty luxurious as far as campsites go. Each tent pitch had it's own picnic bench and BBQ and the grass was just the right length. Unfortunately we weren't equipped to test out the showers at the campsite as they only accepted 50p coins. I had read on their website the showers were £1 for 8 minutes and coin operated so we turned up to the campsite with enough £1 coins for everyone to have a shower! Of course they were no use so we had to make do with a quick wash from the basin. 

The campsite guard

After a very comfortable night's sleep we packed up and set off for the train station in Stonehaven to take us back for work the next day - boo! Learning lessons from the day before we covered ourselves in sun cream and covered up just to be sure. The sea breeze may cool you down but the sun will still burn. Day 2 would only be around 20 miles, less than half the previous day, so we had plenty time to get ice-cream in Stonehaven and catch the train home.