Grumpy Old Man and a Campervan...: Day 4 (Christmas Eve) Invercoe

Jim's territory

Clear territory boundaries have been marked out by day 4. Jim occupies the rear half of the van from the kitchen backwards. My domain is the table area and front seats. I suppose it was always going to be the natural progression of things, Jim leaning back on what he knows (being a chef) and me, well, needing the desk for my Internet addiction and duty driver allocation.

Ben Nevis Range Gondola

Speaking of my Internet addiction, I really didn't know how bad it was until we started this trip. It's pretty much the first thing I get set up when we arrive at a new site - a connection with the outside world. So day 4 saw us leaving North Ledaig and making our way up to Glen Coe Village and our next campsite destination. We didn't stop there however as I wanted to take the Ben Nevis Range Gondola up Aonach Mor, Britain's only mountain Gondola, or so I'm told. Finding activities to do with the dogs has been challenging - I absolutely don't want to leave them locked up in the Motorhome for hours on end since it's their holiday too, so I was pleased and quite surprised I might add, to learn that dogs could ride on the Gondola. How they would react was another thing entirely!

Very cold view point

Closing in on this part of the world it was clear that it was choice destination for other Motorhomer and Caravan tuggers. Having only seen one other Motorhome on the entire trip, we began to pass them more frequently and I got my first wave, which as Jim will testify to, resulted in far more excitement than was actually warranted. I turned the flashing snowman on as I sign that we were Christmas Motorhomers - like anyone cares!

Nevis Range Centre

During our journey to Fort William things got a bit weird. After Gangnam Style had been played on the radio Jim proceeded to give me a lesson in pop culture - explaining what exactly 'Gangnam Style' was. I must admit I didn't know prior to this and he then started telling me about a fish song that was going to be a Christmas hit and asking if I had heard it? Has the earth come off it's axis? Am I being lectured in pop culture by a 51 year old grumpy Geordie fella? When did I stop knowing these things? Am I now the Gran that smiles and nods like I know what people are talking about at group gatherings until some kind soul pipes up in a loud voice 'WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A NEW SONG IN THE CHARTS LOVE, DON'T WORRY YOURSELF, IT'S A BIT LIKE THAT MACARENA ONE, YOU REMEMBER THAT DON'T YOU?' Complete with reassuring pat on the knee.

Fort William Whisky Shop

FML.

After the new resolution was made in my head to watch more MTV, we arrived at the Ben Nevis Range. A lot busier on Christmas Eve than I had anticipated, pockets of foreigners on a Christmas tour, but a few die hard skiers and snowboards heading up. Even the Ski-school were getting some hours in, on what in my eyes was pretty poor skiing conditions. I keep on top of the Cairngorms, Lecht and Glencoe resort updates and I think the Nevis range were really making good of a bad situation! We've had some snow on higher ground since so hopefully it has improved.

To my Surprise the dogs jumped straight in the Gondola, onto the seats and looked out of the windows all the way up. I'm sure Molly would have made a good Mountain rescue dog, somewhere to release all that daily energy, I don't think she would ever give up looking for someone in distress! At the top we took the path to the viewpoint, which I'm sure in clear conditions is breath taking - the driving rain and melting snow with added fog whilst on the path sodden with a steady trickle of melt water made things pretty boggy and horrible underfoot. It was to be honest a chore. Jim's complete lack of technical ability when it comes to my android phones meant that the photo took five attempts and was ultimately abandoned. I may yet get proof I was on this trip - not guaranteeing it though.

Too cool for School!

On the way back the dogs left their special 'deposit' as they have in so many of the wonderful places in Scotland and there was a two minute debate about whose turn it was to carry the wee treasure back to base camp. Jim immediately told me he couldn't take his hands out of his gloves as the medication he is on affects his circulation and continued straight past it, very quickly. My last memory of the Nevis range is carrying two small bags of warm steaming poo in the driving sleet whilst they all left me at least 100 metres behind. Dog owners need never waste money on hand warmers that's all I can say.

Ben Nevis Range Mountain Bike championship start point.

After a few photos at the Mountain Bike Championship start point it was back to the van for soup and a sandwich before we hit Fort William for some shopping. I must admit, it was nice not to be part of the crazy panic buying brigade and we just strolled around in no hurry at all. Jim's NO Christmas rule was about to be tested however.

Since I was little we have always had roast beef sandwiches on crusty bread on Xmas Eve. When Mum died it has become a ritual for me that I don't think I'll ever break, but it went against my promise to Jim that we would have an anti-Christmas Christmas. After a little pouting the beef joint went in the trolly, along with lots of booze and a few hidden things for Santa and Rudolph (like anyone is going to make a scene at the checkout!)

Roast beef sarnies - love you Jim!

I bought Jim the best T-shirt ever and then we headed back for roast beef sarnies and cosy Motorhome (with one or two gasses, sorry, litres of Baileys). I honestly am having the best time, love stepping outside and seeing the dramatic surroundings with no pressure to be having fun because it's Christmas. What would we be doing otherwise? Sat at home watching Xmas telly. No matter what Jim says, the memories that we have made in 5 days (good, bad and hilarious) we will both always remember - that's what matters at the end of the day.

Jim went to bed fairly early and I put the dogs stockings up for Santa. Really pleased with how well they have taken to this trip. I love Dawgs I do!!