Third time lucky…..things happen in threes….you’re only as old as you feel….,nothing ventured, nothing new……..I could go on with sayings that defined our last few days as we headed out to pitch our tent for a third time.
We set off to a well-known site with our friends Alex and Anne and their wee dog Bobby to Cobbleland near Aberfoyle. This would be their first time camping in years and so we wanted to be close enough to make it easier to get home if any disaster was to befall, although we were pretty sure that our camping buddies are made of the same stuff as ourselves-daft, crayzy and nuts!!!
Loaded to the sink level, the cars made it over the first humps to get out of Rosneath without incident and we were off. First stop was at Aberfoyle to sample a nice filled roll and coffee at a marvellous butcher’s deli. The dogs came too and were attached to table legs on an outside seat since our car didn’t like being left unlocked with a heavy load and a wandering dog inside. And yes they did manage a small sample of the excellent sausage, bacon and black pudding fillings!
Fully fuelled, we headed for Cobbleland, the sun had decided to make an appearance and a very helpful fellow camper was there to offer assistance as we set about pitching our twice-used tent and AandA’s brand new one. An hour and a half later, without divorce proceedings underway, our double unit was established on the banks of the river, and all the trappings were installed under awning. It was time for a walk. Three buddies accompanied twa dugs while the other buddy checked the bed springs. The sun was very hot, and the mist covered glasses of one buddy ‘missed’ seeing a hole in the ground, requiring a change of position to view the obstacle at close range. One skint knee under trouser leg later, we turned back to uncover the first aid kit, having initially re-captured ‘Bobby’ who likes to do his own thing when off the lead and had to be shepherded back to the fold by all hands and paws!
Knee treated, it was time for a well-earned cup of tea. Who was it said things come in threes? A skint knee, a runaway dog, and what? The youngest buddy prepared the new gas cooker, hit a snag with the mechanics and accidentally cut a slash in her hand. The oldest buddy immediately became first aid guider again and applied a pressure bandage with instructions that a visit to A and E would be required for a bit of stitching. Well rested from testing the bed springs, the 2nd oldest buddy set off with the baby buddy to Stirling. Four and a half hours later with eight butterflies and some glue, the group were re-united and enjoyed a belated meal of delicious chicken, new tatties and salad washed down with what was left of the wine! Well the two buddies left on their lonesome had to do something to while away the time!!
No more walking. No more wrestling with cookers. After he whose hands that do dishes will be soft as his face returned from sink duty, all buddies settled down to wash away the woes of the day and head for an early night under canvas. Yes it had to be early, since the plague of Scottish campsites was already making its presence felt. The midges were oot in their droves!!
Tomorrow was hours away. The joys of the day would be dreamed of as we settled into bags, and snored into the night!

More to come tomorrow………