Stirling Castle, Loch Awe and a few places inbetween

So first week with the GTC.
I kept it local for the first few days, up to Stirling Castle and The Wallace Monument - I've not been there since I was 8!



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On Friday 03/03/12 we went up to the Portsonachan Hotel & Lodges in Dalmally, Argyll. First thing I noticed about the car was how smooth it is to drive, it's the perfect road trip car. In my own car you feel every lump and bump in the road but you don't feel a thing in the Astra GTC. Even though it's a 1.4 Turbo, the car has the 'Eco' button on the inside which is great. The 2 things I noticed that make this car eco friendly is the dashboard lights up and tells you when it's most eco friendly to change gear. I like this because I tend to change gear too early so it's quite handy. The second thing is if you're stuck in traffic or sitting at at traffic lights, if the car is in neutral and the handbrake is up, the car turns itself off to 'autostop' which you can see on the dashboard. The minute you put your foot on the clutch the car starts again and there's no hesitation, you just put it in first gear and drive away. That way you're saving fuel and cutting down on emissions.

At Stirling Castle

The GTC is a really spacious car too. Me, My boyfriend Adrian, my friend Stacey and her boyfriend Ross were going up to Argyll and it sits 4 people (and a crate of beer in the back) comfortably. Also managed 4 suitcases and another crate of beer in the boot.

Beautiful Loch Awe

On the shores of Loch Awe!

"The prefect roadtrip car!"

We've never been to the Portsonachan before but really enjoyed it. It's right on the bank of Loch Awe, you could throw yourself off the balcony and land in the water! 
On Saturday we took a drive up to Inverary, which is only about 9 miles from the Portsonachan. We stopped off at the famous Inverary Jail then the boys decided to go to the local George Hotel to watch the Arsenal vs. Liverpool game! I always whinge about Scotland is but it's really nice up in the Highlands - Amazing views, Amazing food and the people are so friendly!

Inveraray Jail

This coming weekend we're going up to St. Andrews for a day at the beach (weather it's raining or not!) Going down to Newcastle at the end of the month and down to Stoke-On-Trent on 29th of April for the Stoke vs. Arsenal game (not by choice!) and then Alton Towers the day after! 


Lot's of exciting trip's coming up!