walking

More photos from my recent trip – Part One

Newcastle

Newcastle Central Arcade

Camping at Lauder Campsite

Camping two lightweight tents

Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Ross Fountain
Edinburgh, Ross Fountain
Royal Scots Greys
Royal Scots Greys on Princes Street

Culzean Castle

Culzean Castle
Culzean Castle

At the campsite…

Orange and black beetle

Near the campsite

Sphere at Culzean Castle

Isle of Arran and Holy Island in the mist

Isle of Arran and Holy Island in the mist
from the campsite

The Coast and Turnberry Castle

The Coast and Turnberry Castle

Dunure

Dunure Harbour
Dunure Harbour
Dunure Castle
Dunure Castle

The Electric Brae

We stopped here but did not try rolling the car up or down the hill!

The Electric Brae
Click on the image for a larger version

Sunset at the campsite

Sunset at Culzeana Castle Campsite

Culzean Castle and Country Park

Culzean Castle and Country Park green house
Culzean Castle and Country Park
Culzean Castle and Country Park meadow flowers
Meadow flowers
Culzean Castle and Country Park
Culzean Castle and Country Park hidden grotto
Hidden grotto
Culzean Castle and Country Park
No swans on the Swanpool

Coast Path

Culzean Castle and Country Park coast path
Culzean Castle and Country Park coast path
Culzean Castle and Country Park coast path
Culzean Castle and Country Park coast path
Culzean Castle and Country Park coast path
Culzean Castle and Country Park coast path

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Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack

I have a new Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack, primarily for using as hiking day pack. I chose this pack as it could also be used for travelling and work.

Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack

Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack

It is a Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack in dark butterscotch. It has a good sized pocket for a water bottle and another for small gear. There is an external rear laptop pocket and an external front slip pocket which can be fastened with a small carabiner for security. Inside there is a long slip pocket with a key keeper and a small zippered pocket for valuables.

The main pack has a roll top lid with a hook fastening – the strap is long enough to use the whole of the bag with a small roll over. This could prove useful when hiking for carrying a jacket when not in use or extra gear when going away. One of the shoulder straps has a security buckle so it can be fastened to a chair when you are having a coffee, so the pack cannot be stolen. There is a gear rack under the front zipper rain flap and other sturdy loops that gear could be fastened to.

The material looks hard wearing, that includes the straps and buckles.

I went for a walk

The woods near Branston monochrome

I slung my 1.1l titanium canteen in its Molle carrier onto the righthand shoulder strap, where it was not in my way. I put another 500ml water bottle in the water bottle pouch. I then packed gear for a day’s walk including a picnic stool.

I did not go far and then stopped for tea – see the photo above. The rucksack carried well, the inside is really just a long tube so the equipment had to be packed carefully. Even so the padding on the back stopped any bits sticking in my back. The back ventilation worked OK. The shoulder straps were comfortable with enough adjustment and a chest strap to keep them in place.

A success as a day pack.

Work though…

There is a problem, My Dell XPS 15 laptop, probably one of the smallest 15inch laptops on the market, will no way fit in the laptop sleeve. The laptop sleeve is advertised to hold a 16inch laptop. So May be not so useful for work if I need my laptop.

Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack does not fit a Dell XPS 15 laptop

I am a bit annoyed the laptop does not fit but for everything else I wanted it for I am pleased.

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