Oban, Parkrun and Repairs, Scotland by Motorhome

We last visited Oban back in September 2008, long before OurTour was a twinkle in our eyes. We were touring Scotland in the mighty ‘Harvey the RV‘ and had underestimated the Scottish weather. The night before we’d gone to bed and all was calm and lovely, only to be woken in the early hours by a howling wind that had lifted our wind-out awning onto Harvey’s roof.

The awning buckled and didn’t survive, and after driving around with it filling the inside of the van, we had to get rid. I’m ashamed to say the awning ended up in a skip on the quayside here in Oban while we waited for the ferry to Mull. Oban, I can only apologise for our previous selves behaviour, and hang my head in shame.

Oban has once again been our saviour on this trip, as we ‘think’ we’ve managed to solve the problem with our water heater. Back in Ellnabeich our taps decided they’d only dispense cold water. Turn them to hot and there was nothing, no air, no cold water, just nothing.

During the diagnosis Jay (my hero) had replaced the pump (always carry a spare folks), glued together a cracked bit that was letting water into the system (technical terms there) and deduced some gunk in our 24 year old boiler had blocked a pipe. Hitting the fantastic resource that is the Hymer Owners Group on Facebook, we got reassurance from other Hymerists that this probably was the issue, and also full instructions on how to sort it.

But that would all have to wait. First things first, A BIG SHOP!! For the last month or so we’ve only really had small co-ops or little post offices selling groceries. It’s been lovely and cute, but our cupboards were looking very sparse and food combinations were getting, interesting. We’d already decided to stop at Oban for the Parkrun, but I was so happy to discover it has a big Tesco, a Lidl, an Aldi and even and M&S!!! I hardly knew what to do with myself.

Our shop around Aldi was like a ‘Supermarket Sweep Trolley Dash’. Our shopping list had been growing for weeks, and while we’d bought food in the local shops, it was so great to see a bigger choice and full shelves again (the co-ops still seem to be struggling after the cyber attack).

Zagan’s cupboards were once again brimming, so it was time to tackle the boiler issue. Aldi didn’t have citric acid or white vinegar, so we headed over to Tesco across the road. They only had white wine vinegar, so Zagan was about to get the poshest boiler clean of his life.

Arriving at Roseview Campsite, which is a couple of miles outside of Oban, we booked in for a couple of nights. You can’t pre-book the site, if there’s space when you arrive you’re in. We’d phoned ahead to check there would be room, we needn’t have bothered. There must be room for about 50 vans here and there are only four, including us. Maybe not being able to book has put some folks off.

We emptied our water tank, boiler and taps into the site’s grey waste drain, then put the white wine vinegar and 10 litres of water into the system. With all the bungs and taps closed again, we ran through the vinegar mix until it started to come through the taps – you could smell it. Then we had to wait.

While we waited we both went out for runs into Oban. On my sightseeing jogs, I like to stop and look at stuff, take photos and generally work out where stuff is for a proper look around later. The tower overlooking the town is on my list to go back to when not running.

Back at the campsite we used their showers while ours was out of action and in the early evening, we emptied the vinegar water from our system into buckets and into the site grey waste. We flushed it through several times with fresh water until there was no longer a smell or taste of vinegar. With the new pump, repaired crack and clean pipes the hot water flowed once more, and Zagan now feels like he has a power shower.

This morning we drove the five miles over to Ganavan Sands to join their local Parkrun. It was a cheeky number with lots of ‘undulations’, but everyone was really welcoming and once again Jay bagged first place.

After the run we watched as several of the runners changed into swimwear to take a dip, or at least wade up to their shorts, in the loch. I was sooo tempted, but it looked a tad chilly, so we retreated back to the campsite after a warm brew watching them all.

This afternoon, armed with umbrellas, we walked back into Oban from the campsite for a bite to eat and a proper look around. Just as we reached the town the heavens opened causing us to retreat into a souvenir shop. When we could pretend to shop no more, we moved on to the ferry terminal while the worst passed.

The highly rated outside seafood shack on the front was crossed off our dining potential list due to the weather, although it was doing a roaring trade. The three tables in the ferry terminals cafe were full, as was a posher looking restaurant on the seafront.

Both of these had great reviews on the internet but there was a cruise ship in the bay. With all its passengers on shore the best reviewed places would be packed, so we decided to change tactic.

On our way back from Parkrun I’d spotted a chippy which claimed to be the third best in the UK. Now we’ve seen lots claiming to be the best in the UK, Scotland, Ireland etc, but third best? That sounded like it might actually be true – or some very clever marketing.

We grabbed a table and as I looked up there was a photo of none other than Mr Seafood himself, Rick Stein, with the owner. Rick had filmed in the kitchens and claimed it to be some of the best fish and chips he’d ever tasted.

Tempted by the battered haggis, we managed to decline. Jay opted for the creamy fish chowder while I satisfied my craving for chips – it’s been weeks – with the traditional fish and chips. And I have to say, I think I agree with Rick, they were very tasty.

With full tummies we set off to walk up to McCaig’s Tower, a folly that overlooks the town and has the look of a Roman collosseum. But we’d barely gone 100 metres up the road when the heavens opened again. The rain ran down the road towards us and we took it as a sign, heading back around the bay to the train station, we hopped in a taxi back to the campsite.

Two hours later the rain finally stopped and the sun has made an appearance. None of this sun was forecast, so maybe the never ending rain we’re seeing lined up for the next week won’t be as bad as expected. Our damp stuff is drying out as we plan our next few days.

We’re booking stops in advance now, as they seem to be fewer and farther apart. We’ve just over a week left of this trip before we need to be home. But we’re already thinking about our next trip as this has just been fantastic – and we now have hot water!

Ju x