____twoism

Mexicola wrote:(no)

We are the secret-keepers.

I still say a prayer and chant "Hexagon sun, shine your turquoise light on us forever" before bed.

Mexicola wrote:Mr Messiah - oh yes. Yes indeed

Arvy - that would be telling.....










(no)

alright

I have an army sleepingbag now, probably british, its a bit big. Got it from my sisterinlaw. Looks like its made for heavy duty surviving. Its GREAT if I don't need to bring a tent, otherwise its to heavy.

So my question, can I sleep in someones tent and can snuggle up with me at night (I dont bite unless you want to)? Preferably someone that's going with us on the pilgrimage.

I will definitely be fishing if possible.

*bring huge tent for Hendrik

If you're doing Scotland, you want a tent. Cant emphasise this enough. Dorset, you can probably get away without as we can use the caves if it turns stormy. Those midges are famous, and for good reason. They'll eat you alive in a Scottish Highland summer. Not joking.

EDIT: ...and my tent is a one-man job I'm afraid.

I know mexi, I can do without midges but I seem trust mark's scottishness on the matter.



BRING EM ON



but guess I should be looking out for a lighter sleepingbag then.

They are little bastards!!

You never forget your first time. I was touring Scotland in the late 90s. Rocked up at a hostel early evening and asked if we could camp in the grounds instead. The guy running it looked at us funny, bemused and said 'Errrrr. Yeah. If....you like...' That was the first clue we missed. Everyone else heading inside on a gorgeous summers evening was the second one. As the sun dipped and naively set up our tent and camping stove, it started. A few at first. We laughed in a 'Is that it?!?' Kinda way. 3 mins later I'd, literally thrown myself head first into the tent, zipped it behind me and was fighting the Invisible Man as swarms of them got up my nose, in my mouth, my hair, my clothes. We spent all night killing the little sods and woke up covered in itchy red bites.

The Mrs didn't fair any better years later with her first experience. I'd warned her. Didn't listen. We were camping by Loch Lomond. She decided to wander off in the night to find the toilet. I sniggered. I heard her upzip the tent, climb out, zip it up and walk away. 20 seconds later, I hear more footsteps, sprinting back to the tent, zip, SMACK! (lands in the tent), zip. 'ARGH!!!! LITTLE BASTARDS!!!'

Heed the warning...

Yeah dude you absolutely should be in a tent. It wasn't bad last year but still got a couple of bites myself hah. Then again, we did attempt a hillwalk in the rain. ... Anyway, yes, you should definitely share a tent with Rod if he can do that.

I won't take Mexi's word as hyperbole. No underestimating here. Long pants, long sleeve shirt, hoodie, maybe gloves. Not much of a deviation from what I'd wear anyways except for gloves. Anything else recommended to keep the uber midges off the skin?

They're attracted to dark clothing but regardless, they home in on CO2. Wake up the next morning and they'll be gathered en masse around the air vents in your tent, it amazing! I'll be taking a brimmed hat and mesh cover just in case they attack. They prefer still conditions and dusky light. A sunny, windy day and you'll barely notice them. A still summer evening however..... (shudder).

Some people think Avon Skinsosoft keeps them at bay. I tried it and it does seems to help a little, but no 'product' puts them off entirely, even DEET.

Scuse dumbass here but... Dorsets still happening too right?

Correct. Dorset is the weekend before, ie. 4th July. Fear not. ROADTRIP!!!

Mexicola wrote:They're attracted to dark clothing but regardless, they home in on CO2. Wake up the next morning and they'll be gathered en masse around the air vents in your tent, it amazing! I'll be taking a brimmed hat and mesh cover just in case they attack. They prefer still conditions and dusky light. A sunny, windy day and you'll barely notice them. A still summer evening however..... (shudder).

Some people think Avon Skinsosoft keeps them at bay. I tried it and it does seems to help a little, but no 'product' puts them off entirely, even DEET.

Damn, my attire is almost entirely black or dark red.

I'll have to acquire some white duds.

Thanks for the info. Gonna hope for some wind.

No problem. Don't let them put you off, just be aware and prepared.

Look up a website called The Midge Forecast nearer the time to see how bad they are as it varies year to year. The site usually hibernates over the winter and goes live again in spring.

Some advice on how to avoid the blighters...

Speaking of road trip, can I blag a place off someone? I love Scotland and I would hate to miss this trip. Obviously cash for petrol etc..

Last I heard Twoist and Vballs were both looking at the train. I'd love to do that, but I think it might prove too costly. Flights up to Glasgow seem cheaper, then hire a car from there. Novayshun and bkillsb (who's over in Dorset at the moment!) both driving, but I think they're stopping to visit relatives en route.

I'll ping you a text at some point.

Alright mate, I am open to suggestions! Flying would be cool and cut the time down considerably, though I do quite like the idea of driving all the way up.

I think vballs is going up the day before, I might meet him on the train and spend an extra night in Mallaig. Honestly guys don't panic too much over the midges, yer a bunch of big lads, they're not gonnae eat you

Techboy wrote:I think vballs is going up the day before, I might meet him on the train and spend an extra night in Mallaig. Honestly guys don't panic too much over the midges, yer a bunch of big lads, they're not gonnae eat you

Yeah I am definitely heading up the day before, still not 100% sure about the train though.

Is this the beach / camping area toward the left? ( You can just about see 'The Fank' through a gap in the tree on the right hand side)