63. A quick blast up to Scotland in the campervan

[@tinkeringwithmark1186]

The wheel is truly a work of art!

[@theonlywoody2shoes]

The Pennine Tower at the services was built as a posh restaurant back in the mid 1960’s. It had a view over Morecambe Bay (west) and the Trough of Bowland (east) for those dining there. It was closed in the late 1980’s due to fire regulations (only one way in and out). These days it’s a listed building, but with no public access.

[@AmsNl2BcnEs]

From wiki: The services is notable for an unusual hexagonal concrete tower on the northbound side, named The Pennine Tower, which originally housed an up-market restaurant and a sun deck.[5] The tower was designed to resemble an Air Traffic Control Tower and is a prominent local landmark. The tower is 74 ft across.

[@stevesmithson]

There are some videos on KZbin where some have accessed the tower.

[@broadsword6650]

... and like most listed buildings seems to be being left to crumble. Looks very tatty these days. Sad that the powers wot be are able to list things but can't provide any funding to look after them.

[@Lego6980]

Interesting

[@sharpbends]

Wow this had everything vans, buses, canals, narrow boats, a lift, a drone and a train, simply amazing :-)

[@carrot1151]

The platform at Lancaster and the other motorway service stations that have not been rebuilt were viewing platforms/restaurants. They were built with the motorways when there were a lot less cars on the road and it was thought entertaining to watch the cars pass along the futuristic new road.

[@brianthomsen1163]

Sort of reminds me of the great movie, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" except "Vans, Buses and Narrow Boats"

[@paulashton5990]

Re services on M6. That was on the "Preston Bypass" which was the first stretch of Motorway in the UK So the service centre was designed as a destination. The tower had a full service retaurant on top. I recall that shortly after it opened, I went on a sightseeing coach trip with that service centre as the destination,

[@smilysun8358]

Really enjoyed this episode, and I appreciate all those little shots where you detail the trip and narrate. Just love the way you always take us with you.

[@peterhadfield873]

I cant believe you drove past Tebay services without stopping at the farm shop. Worth a trip in itself! Cheers

[@stevebrown1974]

Run by the same people as Gloucester Services on the M5, which regularly wins awards for the best motorway services in the country!

[@garethlewis3647]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. A real mix of camping, sight seeing and interesting history on the maritime canal Wheel etc.

[@Fludded]

Interesting aside: At 09:59 theres a shot of a post box. Notice on it it has a crown but no ER or GR. The ER stands for Elizabeth Rex (or Regina, which is Queen in Latin) and the GR stands for George Rex. All English postboxes hadve thee initials on them. However, In scotland all refrences to the English King and Queen wwre banned on post boxes... so they just have the crown of Scotland. If a ER box is placed in Scotland is is usuallly immediately vandalised. This was known as The Pillar Box War of the 1950's.

[@presspound7358]

Tapping that tin to make sure it had properly emptied into the pot gave your adventure a “down home” feeling as we say here across the Pond. Have to say that this video is among your more serendipitous posts as everything seemed to unfold uneventfully…. which is always appreciated especially when the “Check Engine” light mercifully doesn’t come back on. Always fascinating to behold the Falkirk Wheel with its graceful unique design…. and powerful mechanical abilities…. achieving aesthetic balance. I like that one. Thanks for taking us along. Vicariously satisfying for us subscribers. 👍 Cheers 🥂 🇨🇦

[@jennifermoody487]

Thank you, David. Love seeing the various treasures you have shared with us. Great fun! Many thanks!! I had not heard how awful the gasoline prices had gotten. And thanks too for translating pounds per liter into dollars per gallon. Major help! But, ouch! We're in the low $4s for regular unleaded and mid $5s for diesel here in Alabama. But, as I said, wonderful seeing this bit of Scotland. Had to laugh when you mentioned Buck Rogers! I always loved that show!

[@Debba521]

Enjoyed the van portion of your Scotland trip! That funny looking building you were asking about at the end reminded me of a similar shaped building at LAX (Los Angeles Airport, CA USA). I used to fly into and out of that airport for years when I was young. There used to be a restaurant at the top of the building that slowly rotated. You could enjoy dinner and an ever changing view of one of the world's busiest airports.

[@stephenhayes6133]

Great views on the motorway, and the swing canal lock looked fab, i also seen your other video Cruising the cut. Thank you David, for showing us two great videos, cant wait for part 2

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

What a lovely start to a double header. Van and “cut” in perfect harmony. Thank you David. 👏👏👍😀

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Thank you David for the view of the hills of Scotland and northern England. Yes we citizens of the US complain horribly when we have to actually suffer the same as those in less entitled countries. However, we also soon get over it and carry on as our ancestors from all other places on this planet did before us when they arrived. Take care and have a good week ahead.

[@kerriirvin5206]

US resident here when you turned into rest area my heart sank. Thought you got hit. It’s unnerving watching the driving video being on the other side of the road. 🙃. Love your videos always

[@oldsteam3618]

Man, if you only could have got a job greasing the big wheel. Thanks, David, for the two Vlogs. Day tripping at its Finest.

[@benanderson8169]

Great to see you up in Scotland David!

[@fenrichlee2867]

One of your better videos methinks, full of variety and well narrated - as usual.

[@Vandemonium]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rogermac358]

I've been told I'm quite a good cook and love to do so. There are definitely times however, especially when camping that something simple from a tin is just the ticket! Another lovely video David. Cheerio.

[@grampabill]

That tower was designed to look like a control tower. The tower used to have a restaurant and sundeck , but that was closed due because it did not meet the fire code. It is used for storage now.

[@rickkearn7100]

The Falkirk Wheel is a fantastic bit of engineering. Great bit regarding that, love the drone aspect you've introduced into your channels. And you, sir, are truly Spartan in regards to your cuisine! :) Cheers.

[@lawrenberghanson4401]

The mechanism at the Union Canal is super cool. Love the engineering thinking behind it.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Your video is a fine way to visit this road trip and appreciate the various modes of transportation that are available!

[@thejerseylady1]

I like it that in your videos you show nice scenery, but also the practical side of travel like what the facilities are like as well as what you eat and how you cook. Well done Gloria

[@lastschicker]

Top tip - store your tins upside down so when you open them the bits that are normally stuck in the bottom are stuck on the lid and can be scraped easliy.

[@neilbland1701]

Amazing footage of "The Wheel" what a fete of engineering, impressive and thank you for showing. Forton services always reminded me when I was a child, of Moonbase Alpha on Space:1999 lol.

[@Vandemonium]

I love Space: 1999!

[@neilbland1701]

@@Vandemonium class hehe.

[@johnshaw4140]

Nice little jaunt David , thanks for bringing us along

[@davidhornbek3356]

Wonderful vlogs, David (camper van and narrowboat)! And thank you for sharing your gas prices there in your country. I shall refrain from complaining-much-about ours, currently about $5.50 for diesel here in Northern Viginia, USA. Watching your vlog in Northern England and Scotland I am suprized to see some of the countryside is familiar to the state I grew up in, California (I'm sure it's just my imagination wanting to find similarity). Cheers!

[@grendel_nz]

There is a village, not far from where David was in Scotland, called California. Wonder which came first.... ;)

[@ianharrop6580]

Great video. I like to see how you live in the van and eat. Not sure why the fascination 😮 but keep them coming thanks

[@greentravels2850]

I've been following this channel and your 'Cruising the Cut' channel for quite a while now. Very interesting to see both sides of the same trip! As always: such a beautiful country with beautiful views! I've been to the UK only once, I can't wait to see more of it.

[@marien4639]

I always enjoy your vlog. Thank you

[@0HARE]

This would be a dream trip for me. As a red-headed Scotts Irish descendant, I’d be soaking all this up with gusto. I really appreciate your casual, humorous commentary, and the more intimate look around. Go Far, Have Fun

[@SirPrancelot1]

I have just watched all of a video of a man driving up a motorway........and thoroughly enjoyed it. David, you are a very talented vlogger.

[@Vandemonium]

🤣👍

[@almaclaren4080]

the tower is a throw back to years ago when it was used as a roads control center , they thought it was like a thunderbirds set lol. i lived 500 mtrs from the wheel when it was being constructed and for a few years after, fasinating to watch it from the start to completion

[@okcantbelieveit294]

As my wife and I have found out over the years, is that getting lost often means finding some lovely places! 👍

[@LisaMarli]

Looks like a lovely trip. And KZbin is suggesting your Cruising the Cut adventures. They are cleaver. Glad someone explained the tower. Bummer it's been closed. The view must have been nice.

[@AndyCutright]

I enjoy this channel quite a bit. Lately though I am often reminded of the Monty Python bicycle sketch when I watch your vlogs 😀

[@Vandemonium]

Sounds about right!!

[@ChaimU1]

Great video as usual David! Just a suggestion for next time you are on the northern end of the M6. You should pay a visit to Tebay services. It is a completely different experience to any of the chain motorway service stations. It is run by the family that own the field next to it and the shop inside is basically a large farm shop selling all kinds of local produce. There is a lovely outdoor seating area that you can enjoy views of the amazing Lake District.

[@Vandemonium]

Yeah, I've been into the Gloucester one which is the same sort of thing and while it looks pretty, it was even more horrendously expensive than a normal service station!!

[@charlesjordan8364]

Sir, thank you for another informative and entertaining video. I appreciate all of them.

[@68albwilson]

Ah. That answers my question on Cruising the Cut. It was you. Sorry I missed you. Next time perhaps 👍

[@curtbonnell4308]

Scotland is still on my bucket list. I have been to England 3 times but never Scotland. I always enjoy your vlogs David, whether it be Cruising the Cut or Vandemonium, keep them coming.

[@daviemaclean61]

Years ago we did a sponsored cycle from Clydebank (also on the canal) to the Falkirk Wheel, and back. Because of the trees, coming from that direction, you don't get to see the wheel until you're almost upon it. It's a magnificent sight and feat of engineering.

[@carolleenkelmann4751]

Supplies means cheese and fresh bread. You do get about, don't you, David? More than before. Superb views is right. That Wheel is exemplary of the Scottish inclination for all things of an Engineering nature to be unique and revolutionary.

[@JohannaJones-dl9nb]

The logistics involved in planning this trip must have been pretty tricky. I'm rather envious of Scotland's buses though.🤔Thanks for giving us an insight into the efforts you go to in creating a vlog 👍

[@2LaneTraveler]

OBD-II code readers are relatively compact, and have gotten quite inexpensive. Since you're something of a DIYer, it's probably not a bad piece of kit to add to your equipage. They do help with peace-of-mind when that pesky light comes on, and you can easily look up codes on the internet. Having driven commercial trucks in the United States, I get the sense that whoever invented the speed bump must have hated lorry drivers, and by extension, van drivers as well. 14:27, Ooh, an Airstream! Converted into a concession stand, obviously, but that's a well-known American caravan, made in Ohio since the 1930s. That particular example appears to be of mid-1970s vintage. A grand couple of days out, indeed!

[@thecastbulletkid]

I used to like Buck Rogers also. Actually it was really Erin Grey but that's another story. Another fine piece of work there Daivd.

[@toddogre2491]

Ah another wonderful video!! Thankyou david.

[@wrinklyrider]

David, your culinary skills are beyond compare!

[@Vandemonium]

Haha but which way is the comparison?!!

[@Waiheke-Transcend]

Simply bloody AMAZING i reckon!!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@rexavgvsta5671]

And here we go again! Was waiting for your videos ☺️6:00 Steven Seagal trust 😁

[@familyw5661]

We are always so excited to see you have a new video out. I have tried to fix warning lights the same way too no success lol. Thanks david great job!

[@ganlin1]

the tower at lancaster services there used to be a fine dining restuarant at the top with waitress service, is known as the pennine tower and closed in 1989

[@firefly24601]

Car, bus, narrowboat, train... so many types of transportation is such a small amount of time! About to click on your Cruising the Cut vlog... see you again in a few!

[@Simon_Nonymous]

This is the first Vandemonium video I have watched since you sold your boat, and I am happy to say it is just more of the same good stuff. Lovely to see the Howgill Fells on your M6 north journey, they are beautiful and very quiet compared to the Dales or the Lakeland Fells. I also appreciate your manly catering!

[@CanuckJim]

We visited Falkirk and "the Wheel" one sunny mid-week morning while vacationing in Edinburgh. They have a tour that loads you into a canal boat, takes you on the wheel and up to other other canal, cruises forward for 15min or so and then returns to the visitor centre. It's a really neat experience.

[@meanqueensuperscrimper8908]

Thank you David. That was fantastic. I was at the Falkirk Wheel in September last year. It is an amazing place. I wish I had made time to go and see The Kelpies, which are a few miles away on the side of the canal. I was on my way to catch a boat so I didn't want to be late. ilona

[@stephenr99]

Courtesy of Wiki... The Pennine Tower originally housed an up-market restaurant and a sun deck. The tower was designed to resemble an Air Traffic Control Tower and is a prominent local landmark. The tower closed to the public in 1989 due to current fire regulations (there is no means of providing an alternative exit from the restaurant deck in an emergency), and is only used for storage and occasional staff training. The tower was built to give views over Morecambe Bay to the west and the Trough of Bowland to the east. The Tower was listed Grade II on 15 October 2012.

[@stevebrown1974]

Have a look at this video, pt 1 of 2 where they explore the Hilton Park services tower (presumably with permission). I believe it was built for all the same reasons as the Lancaster one kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4nSgHabZbechac

[@bennysh]

Wonderful video! First time I see that wheel from a "walker" point of view.. and it's amazing how advanced and available the public transport system looks for a non-British viewer.. almost no need for a car! :)

[@andyrbush]

As always just delightful to follow you around on your trips.

[@markattardo]

Nice trip! The only part of those lids I don't like is when they snap off at the end and send gravy on the wall...or me😂

[@sylviapage8572]

That was a great day out on the canals but that drive was too much for me! I would have had an overnight stop on the way. Thanks for sharing.

[@Vandemonium]

I did consider it but as the weather forecast was fine, decided just to go for it

[@interdiction2]

"I used to like Buck Rogers" you mean Colonel Deering! 🤪❤️👍

[@TheShootist]

beeba beeba

[@CastleKnight7]

“Bidi bidi hubba hubba.”

[@shirleylynch7529]

Fabulous trip up to my country. Been to Ratho a few times. Even had a meal on the Ratho hotel barge. Beautiful footage and excellent commentary. Looking forward to your canal trip video now. Thank you. Brilliant vlog.

[@jamessmith6402]

Absolutely excellent video 👍 thanks

[@greghilton7797]

That was wheelie good.

[@robertoler3795]

good show and happy jubalee. my oldest daughter (the F35 driver on loan to the RN ) is enjoying it. fly safe

[@grayeagleswolves]

Hello David Sir that was amazing I'll be watching the other channel to see the rest here in the USA we don't have that But Sure wish one day I can travel over seas

[@gafrers]

Lovely vlog of a lovely trip

[@Ryan_D1994]

Oh watch this brings back memories, I had a family member who lived in Ratho, in fact you passed their house just before you turned into the car park, used to visit them every week and get a Caramel Wafer 😋 they had a birthday party on one of the Canal boats but that was before I was born

[@jayjay8116]

Lovely to join you on a trip again David, you make everything sound interesting even a trip to the shower. Hope to see you again soon. Cheerio🥰

[@zapfanzapfan]

Off course you ended up next to a canal, they try to draw you back in 🙂 Yes, the wheel looks very space age, like some sort of rail gun for launching space ships or maybe a portal like Stargate at the end in the air going into a worm hole or another dimension.

[@grandmasmagic3858]

out of my four trips to the UK the last three were driving holidays going from south to north and the last two in small hired campers like your own...I especially loved driving around Scotland...the beauty of these types of holidays is that you can take yourself off the beaten track to see places you would never visit via guided tours...I've been as far north as the Orkney Isles, as far west as the Isle of Harris and down the east coast...I've stayed overnight in caravan parks and motorway service centres but the best places have been the out-of-the-way parking spots..I spent a night with Northumbrian wild ponies amoungst the dunes..I've seen some glorious sunsets though have always managed to sleep through the sunrises, chuckle..doing a driving holiday means not having to be at a set destination by a set time to check in and check out...deciding that you've had enough of driving for the day and finding a spot to tuck in for the night..I miss the UK..this little aussie misses being able to travel..I've driven the M6 the last couple of trips..

[@Vandemonium]

😀

[@SaulTPokit]

Welcome tae Scotland - the missus and I are currently shopping for a VW camper, just back fae Fort William where we went to see Neptune's Staircase. Now that's a canal!

[@kuukeli]

thank you for the video

[@leedavies3629]

Nice one Dave that wheel is one hell of a peace of engineering Top stuff Dave luv ya vlogs dude 🙂🦢🚐✌️

[@adamrichardson6821]

Great drone shots. Very enjoyable video; well done, sir.

[@Vandemonium]

Many thanks!

[@andrewmullen4003]

The concrete mushroom at Forton, was indeed designed to look like a control tower, and was built to afford views of Morecambe bay to the West and the Trough of Bowland to the East, from the restaurant at the top(closed due to fire regs) sorry I was beaten to this answer, my apologies.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

But you beat me to giving the answer, enjoy a silver medal. It was alwasy great to see it come into view when driving back to Burnley from the Highlands!

[@for.tax.reasons]

Always lovely to see a bit of canal!

[@WillN2Go1]

Good video! I loved that they did something so modern for the canals. When my son and I visited the Falkirk Wheel I couldn't wait to see what it looked like a hundred years ago. Oh. My travel food includes no cans! The Franklin Expedition had canned food and look how that turned out! I've driven back and forth across the US twice now in the past 8 months. Each 2400 mile leg is two dozen hard boiled eggs, whole milk mozzarella sticks, spoonfuls of almond butter (crunchy salted), dark chocolate and.... a few, but very few snacks. I'm keto. And some cheating isn't cheating at all. I'll stay in a hotel when I want a shower but often as not I stealth camp, my current favorite trick is after I charge up my Tesla at the end of the day - if there's lots of space at the Supercharger - I just remove the charge cable, set to Camp Mode, climb in the back on my memory foam mattress, black t-shirt over the eyes (Teslas have a glass roof). No one wonders about a Tesla parked at a Supercharger. And I'm pleased to share that since COVID public facilities in America are much cleaner. You haven't lived until you've sat down on a pit toilet (clean!) in Rocky Mountain National Park at 12000' The air movement is.... unforgettable.

[@gillianc6514]

Ahh Forton Services. I think my love of brutalist architecture started with this building. As a kid in the 1970s, driving up to Scotland I always wanted to stop there, but dad would push on to Tebay before taking a break. Then Tebay was a dump, now it is the place to stop, if a little smug and self-righteous. In those days the Rank organisation owned Forton and it just seemed glitzy and futuristic, as a herald to a future that never came. They built it like that because they could, because they were proud of the motorway, it really is a bygone era. I never did get into the upper restaurant as it was closed before I learned to drive. Thanks for bringing back all the memories.

[@Tex1947]

Ever the optimist, keep on truckin'

[@kenlynch6332]

very interesting with enjoyable commentary Thank you for sharing 🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗

[@moosabones]

Grants also make excellent tinned haggis!

[@thejamesieboy]

Good to see you up here in bonnie Scotland David, hope you enjoyed it. Would be nice to see you do a vlog about going from Bowling basin where the Fourth and Clyde canal starts, or stops depending where you come from, and joining the Union canal and going to it's end in Edinburgh. Then of course there is Neptune's Staircase on the Caledonian canal, the longest staircase lock in Britain. It has eight locks and luckily I believe they are hydraulically operated now instead of hand. Now to watch the CTC video, think I have managed to guess the correct order for viewing the two videos.

[@Vandemonium]

One day...

[@debpartin8737]

I love watching you cook.

[@El-Tel63-Terry.]

Cook ? ... open tins and heat things up you mean ! 😂🤣

[@dugclrk]

The chicken an rice did look good.

[@Temptation666]

@@El-Tel63-Terry. yes i think that was exactly what she meant 🤣🤣

[@jeffmorris739]

I watched the first cruising the cut video then I saw this one posted on vandemonium. So I watched you cruise, then drive to where you cruised the fist day and then watched you cruise the second day. I am so confused. Just kidding, I can't wait to see the second day on cruising the cut! Cheers.

[@lancecluster]

I did the same thing, I feel like a stalker

[@2LaneTraveler]

Same here.

[@patricksmodels]

I enjoyed this video, I have only just discovered your boating channel and this camper van one must be as interesting. I used to have a camper van myself, but I sold it due to health issues, it was just too much work. Greetings from Padua, Italy...but I was born in Scotland.

[@Vandemonium]

Welcome along!

[@O_Dingo77]

A quick blast up to Scotland is going to be a long trip on a glorious day.

[@cresshead]

I was thinking more 'Dan Dare' than buck rogers but yeh... futuristic! superb episode btw.

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

I delivered campervans (relocated them) driving 1200km (745 miles) in 24 hours..(including a 3.5 hour ferry) and I always noticed the banging and crashing associated with the lightweight cabinetry and the "hollow" interior....which was very fatiguing. I then changed that by driving them for 10 miles or so after pickup with ears pricked to catch any obvious mechanical possible failure points before I got too far away from the base mechanics... Then I would don Grade 5 Peltor industrial ear defenders for the rest of the journey... I could recognise trouble from the vibrations etc. and doff the defenders to pinpoint the problem if necessary. Much more enjoyable journeys with minimal fatigue..... Bombing up the UK motorways with wind noise, engine drone, and crash rattle bang inside I am sure would give me a headache as well....

[@patricksmodels]

I remember some very nice toilets in that motorway service station, with an octagonal sink with taps in the middle. The chips from the café were good too

[@hazelpurls]

Hills shrouded in low cloud/rain always make me want to be there (instead of the rather dry East of England where I currently live). Lovely trip - will enjoy watching your CtC videos. Thank you for sharing.

[@jasonw6640]

great video, love how you tied it to the canal video...going to watch that next!

[@danielmorris6523]

If you are ever around the Exmoor area and those faults come back on I'd be happy to meet you and take a look (I'm a technician at a Fiat & Alfa Romeo specialist and have all my own tools at home). That's only if the EML comes back on though of course. I love your videos.

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you! Very much appreciated.

[@cheryljunkins6935]

David, the trip and all in this video was amazing, makes me want to come out that way. Love bags pipes!!!

[@dennisporter753]

Wow... the Wheel in Scotland is awesome! Thanks for sharing the video David!

[@cinccave5459]

That was a fun video to watch.

[@Morrow420]

absolutely loved the video! the tinned food looked rather dog food-like though. cheerio!

[@fredmahar5431]

Great video David.....thank you and now on to watch the Cruising the Cut vlog....( I really like the old Buck Rogers series...been watching Camando Cody series on KZbin lately....always thought it was Commander Cody...oh well )...cheers !