tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41213378637376047302024-03-13T19:32:05.242+00:00CampervicCamping Blog and Road Trip stories mostly from Northern Ireland and Ireland. Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-86768686330606084192020-07-24T17:32:00.001+01:002020-07-24T17:38:52.563+01:00First time GLAMPING (covid-19 edition 2020)<div style="text-align: justify;">As the world watched in dismay as the pandemic swept the globe one thing I knew for sure was I would not be doing any camping this year. Facebook camping groups were posting great photos about garden camps and expressing dismay about their favourite campsite not opening, limiting numbers or excluding certain types of units, such as tents. In the bigger scheme of things, the camping holiday is not that important. The camping holiday will be there for the future. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The holiday industry reeled from cancelled holidays abroad and the general population appeared to consider holidaying at home as flights were cancelled and holiday destinations deemed not safe. It would appear that the camping gear retailers have mopped up on a lot of extra trade as this is the year of the 'staycation'. I worry that this 'new breed' of camper will not have picked up on all the well known, unwritten guidance about noise, consideration, and thoughtfulness towards others and so that is another good reason to skip the camping this year. The new campers will be the ones to provide the campsites with a living and it would appear that many of the campsites have put their prices up to make up for the lost income earlier in the year. I appreciate they have faced many challenges this season. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Personally, I did not feel comfortable spending time in a campsite this year because of the shared amenities. I do not think it's possible or practical for staff to deeply sanitize a toilet between every single use and the showers are a problem as well. I decided therefore to go self catering, knowing that any respecting accommodation provider will deep clean before my arrival and I can clean door handles, toilets etc myself when I arrive. I also know it will be deep cleaned once I leave in anticipation of the next holiday makers who arrive.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The accommodation I went with was Seal Cabin which is approximately 1.5 miles south of Strangford village at Strangford lough. I spent 6 nights in mid july and although it was more expensive than camping, I felt it was worth it to get a break away from pressures at work. Seal Cabin is a log chalet in the grounds of a dwelling that is lived in by a young family. It is the only holiday accommodation on their grounds. It is quite separate, the holiday chalet has it's own parking space and there is a patio with table and chairs outside. The family have an extensive garden elsewhere in the grounds for playtime and I did not even see the children or their Mum once the whole time I was there. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8u_32IKMNw/XxsIzGFTY9I/AAAAAAAAIcc/yxdm5rxM8loEat-Kw4R_-YqRaqkTmcyjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4000/P1100012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="340" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8u_32IKMNw/XxsIzGFTY9I/AAAAAAAAIcc/yxdm5rxM8loEat-Kw4R_-YqRaqkTmcyjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1100012.JPG" width="454" /><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8u_32IKMNw/XxsIzGFTY9I/AAAAAAAAIcc/yxdm5rxM8loEat-Kw4R_-YqRaqkTmcyjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4000/P1100012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLghCRiuh2A/XxsI-gm7LAI/AAAAAAAAIco/SX7xG_4oJEw6aVrnr-F1mtWxmLEsq08tACLcBGAsYHQ/s4000/P1100017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLghCRiuh2A/XxsI-gm7LAI/AAAAAAAAIco/SX7xG_4oJEw6aVrnr-F1mtWxmLEsq08tACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1100017.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The view from both the house and the chalet is over Strangford Lough and in particular, this part of the lough has islands only exposed at low tide. The seals from the Lough pull themselves up on to the islands for a bit of sunbathing and that is why the chalet has been named Seal Cabin.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fkmx2w2ApJY/XxsJxzvWLwI/AAAAAAAAIc8/aCVMF5zpOso5Zc59u6IMjrf2B5PLLIPOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4000/P1100015.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="view from Seal Cabin" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fkmx2w2ApJY/XxsJxzvWLwI/AAAAAAAAIc8/aCVMF5zpOso5Zc59u6IMjrf2B5PLLIPOwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/P1100015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The accommodation was all one room with a partitioned off corner to accommodate a bathroom. The narrow part of the space beside the bathroom has a fitted kitchenette and then the other end of the space is taken up with a double bed. In between the two 'zones' is a sofa, likely a sofa bed for extra sleeping arrangements if a family were staying. It was decorated in a coastal theme, with beautiful fabrics, decor and all the crockery in the kitchen matching their chosen theme. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NvNiKuhFzSc/XxsI2B5DOBI/AAAAAAAAIcg/u_BHg75D05o6CQyWT0fP8BrmrP55xvJwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4000/P1100014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="339" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NvNiKuhFzSc/XxsI2B5DOBI/AAAAAAAAIcg/u_BHg75D05o6CQyWT0fP8BrmrP55xvJwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1100014.JPG" width="452" /><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NvNiKuhFzSc/XxsI2B5DOBI/AAAAAAAAIcg/u_BHg75D05o6CQyWT0fP8BrmrP55xvJwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4000/P1100014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQejf7wQ-rU/XxsI43eQ1cI/AAAAAAAAIck/JNNF542yf8gkXwrT-9kBMBdN3Z63gnMjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4000/P1100013.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="332" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQejf7wQ-rU/XxsI43eQ1cI/AAAAAAAAIck/JNNF542yf8gkXwrT-9kBMBdN3Z63gnMjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1100013.JPG" width="443" /></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I used the cabin in the same way I use a tent, it was a base to see whatever there was to see in the area. In this case I enjoyed seeing the abbeys of Grey Abbey and Inch Abbey, both very famous landmarks in their own right. I also spent a wonderful afternoon at Ballyhornan beach and although it never got warm enough for a dip in the sea I did go for some paddles. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgEmZL5DKMg/XxsMxpG9RzI/AAAAAAAAIdI/jD7h57AVBqMtTQVYXYtnz5YD2MnK7-8CwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4000/P1100028.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgEmZL5DKMg/XxsMxpG9RzI/AAAAAAAAIdI/jD7h57AVBqMtTQVYXYtnz5YD2MnK7-8CwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1100028.JPG" width="394" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I very much enjoyed socially distanced dining, I actually prefer the extra space in restaurants as some of the tables have been removed and also the privacy of having screens between tables. I was also able to dine outside in the sunshine depending on the weather at the time. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Lobster Pot in Strangford has indoor and outdoor eating areas, and the indoor eating area had some of their tables removed so that there was more space between tables. The food was excellent and the price fairly standard for what you would expect. The Artisan Cafe is very good too, they have screens between tables and also less tables in the indoor area. They are particularly good for breakfasts with an extensive menu including granola, porridge, pancakes and a 'wee fry' and a 'big fry'. I stopped in a couple of late mornings in order to have brunch, which kept me going all day. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I visited the gardens of Mount Stewart on the Ards Penninsula. Due to the global pandemic, the house itself is closed. There is a new protocol in place for entry, it is not possible to just turn up at the moment. I had pre-booked the friday before and got a timed entry which was Wednesday at 2.30. The gardens were great but it will also be nice when all the restrictions are eased and we can do normal stuff again, whatever that will come to mean! <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you have an interest in staying in Seal Cabin visit either <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/9474837?source_impression_id=p3_1594597025_s3PuevzJm2aiQXV5&guests=1&adults=1" target="_blank">Seal Cabin Airbnb </a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">or <a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/seal-cabin.en-gb.html">Seal Cabin Booking.com</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-45941900754244427682019-08-10T23:54:00.001+01:002019-08-11T00:02:52.789+01:00First time Caravanning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yes siree I did the unthinkable, I stayed in a caravan. Not mine, my parents who went away in it for a fortnight but couldn't stay the weekend in between so I got the use of it. It was in a new site to us, called Causeway Coast and it is right beside Juniper Hill about halfway between Portrush and Portstewart on the North Coast of Northern Ireland. </div>
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No photos of the caravan but I can say that it was a bit weird. I arrived about 8pm on Friday past, and I sat on my own in the caravan and thought 'what now?'. When I'm camping I have a tent to set up, water to fetch, bed to blow up, and a sleeping bag to fluff. So I got back in the car and went for a drive around Portstewart which was a big mistake because Portstewart has got crazy traffic. </div>
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The following day my good friend Violet came to stay and that kept us occupied, walking into Portrush, walking around the shops and going for a meal in an Indian Restaurant. Back at the caravan I introduced her to Scrabble, I find it hard to believe that there are people in this world who have never played scrabble. We do try and live the Rock 'n' roll life! I brought three bottles of beer and forgot to drink it. </div>
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Late afternoon the next day I'd found my groove - I also found a good book and a comfy Moon Chair that I took into the harbour in Portstewart and did a combination of reading and people watching. At tea time Mum and Dad arrived to take over at the caravan and we all went out for a meal to Amicis which is in the old Golf Club in Portstewart. It was one of the best meals I've had in years, very tasty, fresh ingredients and really well presented. Not a bad quick weekend away and very civilized in a caravan and I could get spoilt with it.</div>
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<b>Causeway Coast Caravan Park</b></div>
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A nice little park with a railway line running behind. I actually quite enjoyed the train going past, it was not noisy or invasive. It has views over the sea and is very handy to both Portrush and Portstewart. Into Portrush it is around about a two mile walk and it is all downhill. The problem is it's all uphill on the way back!<br />
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The touring park allows tents as well as caravans and motorhomes. There is quite a steep slope on the site and so if in a campervan or motorhome levellers are definitely required. The caravan stays have some adjustment but some wood was still needed to make the caravan level. At the bottom of the grass area in the middle of the looped road it would be flat enough to pitch a tent. </div>
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The campsite toilets are spotless and the owners have put a little information table with local leaflets etc just inside the door of the ladies, and I'm guessing the same in the guys loos as well. The only negative is that there is no dishwashing area which is a real pity because that's where you meet other people. I didn't really get chatting to anyone and when Mum and Dad arrived we also got told off for having two cars at the caravan temporarily while we were swapping over residency. I'm guessing you don't mess with the lady who runs the site but then again there's probably never any issue with night time noise. </div>
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I would go again though, it's a good base for the area. </div>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-39597083857960540812019-08-10T23:22:00.000+01:002019-08-10T23:28:33.301+01:00Co Mayo Annual Hols <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It was the main holiday, the 'big' trip which is a fortnight in mid-July when the camping planets align and I can take up to two weeks away. </div>
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This year it was decided that it would be a family trip, that is myself in my Bell Tent and my parents in their touring Caravan. It was the first time I went on holiday with my parents since I was a teenager. </div>
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Mum and Dad had always fancied going to Belleek Campsite in Ballina, Co Mayo, they had heard great things about the campsite and so about two weeks before hand we booked and paid a deposit. It turned out that the town festival was on and they needed a bigger deposit than they usually require, €25 each on a credit card, which was fine we didn't mind.</div>
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We arrived separately, I was working that day mopping up last minute jobs and so didn't get to leave home until lunchtime. They had already left their home first thing. I drove down Glencar Valley to Sligo then down the main road that would eventually take you to Galway. I missed a turn off and the sat nav brought me past Lough Talt which although probably wasn't as good a road, it was very scenic.</div>
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When I got to Ballina I was surprised at how big it is. It is a large town with a one way system and I had been primed in advance by parents not to go through it (they learnt the hard way). The best way to the campsite is when you get to a sign saying 'Belleek Castle and Woods' follow that, which will take you through a large stone arch and then go past the Castle entrance as the campsite is only half a mile or so onwards. </div>
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My first impression of the campsite as I drove in is that it is really well laid out, you drive through an avenue with a row of statics on the left, go straight on and then roads branch off disappearing behind mature trees and hedges. The campsite road is a loop with offshoots, and it gives the site a very non linear feel with lots of privacy between parts of the site. The pitches are generous, and there were units of all types mixed in with each other which I like to see. Nothing worse in my view than a row of regimented white boxes, I'd far rather see campervans mixed with caravans, tents and motorhomes.</div>
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Our pitch (our caravan and tent were put together) was on the edge of a tent area that appeared to be used for family tents. I was on the outer edge of it beside Mum and Dads caravan which was on a hard standing. It was right beside the water supply which was handy for them as they could stretch the hose across every morning for a fill. It was also a 30 second dander though the trees to the amenity block. </div>
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The loos were a bit dated but very clean, and three showers in the ladies and presumably in the mens too. I found two extra showers around the corner which had external doors and were unisex. I actually preferred them as there was a bit more room. The tokens for the showers are €1 from reception. In my time there (we stayed a week) I used the laundry and it cost €4 for a wash and I think it was another €2 for a certain length of drying. There was a choice of short amount of drying or long amount but I decided to use the shorter time and then put everything over the back of chairs at the tent. The amenity block has a washing line round the back too but no pegs are supplied so bring your own.</div>
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The campsite has a great campers kitchen with two sets of dining tables and chairs and two washing up sinks inside. Then just outside there are another two washing up sinks under a shelter. Beside this is some picnic tables under a large shelter and then a recycling zone enclosed inside a fenced off area. I found that this area was the best area to meet new people and find out about where people were from etc. I really enjoy the social side of camping and this is were the craic is - bonding over dishes. </div>
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In our first few days there as previously mentioned the town festival was on. The first night we went for a walk in the town centre and it was really atmospheric with music on stage in the main street and lots of people watching to do. </div>
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The second evening there was a fantastic fireworks over the river. One of the biggest employers in the area is the Coca Cola factory and I was told that they sponsored the fireworks. The certainly splashed the cash for the display. It was very late because being summer it gets truly dark quite late. So it was 11.30pm before they started but it was such a busy crowd that we got our spot on the bridge at 10pm and waited an hour and a half. It really was worth it.</div>
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We enjoyed going to Belleek Castle which was near the campsite and is a hotel. The castle has a lovely little lunch spot which is quite trendy with live edge wood tables, bean bags in the courtyard and a menu which is quite reasonable. A filling, thick vegetable soup with really good heavy brown bread, a bit like wheaten bread, was €5.90. </div>
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Belleek Castle also has a tour of some of the rooms which are non accommodation rooms. This includes the areas where the weddings are held and also some rooms which collections of various objects like armour and fossils and furniture and maps. The castle was owned most recently by a great collector of things, and so the house which is warren of interesting things to look at. </div>
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The other thing we spent our week doing was going to nearby Enniscrone which has a really good beach for swimming. It was very hot weather during our week away and so a dip was called for and very welcome. Mum and I went for a swim while Dad rested his eyes in the car. </div>
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We also visited the nearby Rosserk Abbey and also the little fishing village of Killala. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enniscrone Beach with Nephin Mountain in the distance </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosserk Abbey </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosserk Abbey </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killala, Co Mayo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killala village </td></tr>
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At the end of the week Mum and Dad left for home and I went on to Cong which is south of Ballina. I stayed at 'The Quiet Man' campsite but ended up with a rowdy crowd in three large tents beside me. I explored the area on foot, walking to Cong and around the golf club area of Ashford Castle. I would have gone into the grounds of Ashford Castle but it was €15 per person and all I wanted to do was walk beside the river back to Cong in a circular route. I decided to go the long way instead. I did get a good picture of Ashford Castle across the river. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashford Castle, Cong, Co Mayo</td></tr>
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I could have stayed away longer but between the neighbours and incoming bad weather I decided to go home, calling into Drumcliff to look at Yeats grave and the round tower, and having lunch at the nearby Yeats Country Inn. I spent the next week chilling out at home and enjoying having time to cook proper meals and sleep in and watch Homes under the Hammer before going back to work well rested and glad of a break. </div>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-2211553623961523352019-08-10T22:13:00.003+01:002019-08-10T22:15:58.987+01:00Knockalla Campsite Fanad Donegal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A bit late posting my summer adventures, this camping trip was from June and the first of the 2019 season.<br />
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It was a 'chuck it in the car' thing and head off into the wild blue yonder with not a whole lot of forward planning. I wanted remote, time out, space, peace and so it was I headed to Fanad in Donegal. I haven't been in years plus I'm a sucker for a campsite with a view and since it was a bank holiday the previous weekend, I reckoned I'd have the place to myself. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the view points from Knockalla Mountain</td></tr>
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I headed to Knockalla Campsite, ringing ahead to make sure there were some tent spaces (there was) and stopping off for some cash on the way. I went via the coastal route which takes you over the top of Knockalla Mountain. I wouldn't go any other way and if you try this you'll see why. </div>
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The campsite was completely deserted, I was the only person there camping. I was solo this time and I brought a poly tent because it was easy to put up alone, I can stand up in it and the weather forecast could be described as 'iffy' and so therefore I wouldn't have too much trouble drying the thing again once I got home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking back towards the rest of the campsite (must wash the car) </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view from the tent</td></tr>
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Once the tent was up, the airbed blown up, the chair put out front with a Knockalla Campsite brochure marking page 3 of a book, I got the Trangia fired up for a well deserved cup of coffee. </div>
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I had brought a skandika sleeping bag which is rated to roughly +5 degrees but I woke about 2am with teeth chattering feeling very, very cold. A silk sleeping bag liner I found in my camping kit did the trick and I slept very well after that until the bloody birds woke me up before 6am. </div>
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The following day I found that the local eatery at the Pier in Portsalon did soup and a cheese toasty for €7.90 and that did for lunch. I drove up to Fanad Head where there is a lighthouse. Things are changed a bit since I was last there, I found a new car park with a ticket office selling tours of the light house but I had no interest in a tour, I wanted to walk part of the headland instead. So I parked my car at the layby in front of the lighthouse gates and hitched the leg over the fence as others were doing and hoped that nobody would shout at me for leaving the car there or going onto (presumably) private ground. There is a former barracks beside the layby and by heading towards shore you can see a concrete lookout. Once out there it is actually the best place to photograph the lighthouse across a deep ravine with the torrid sea far below.<br />
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There is a wall between the barracks compound and a different beach over to the left of the shore. There used to be a gap in the wall but it's blocked up now. I wanted to go to this beach because I knew that there were very colourful stones. I had a bowl of these beautiful stones in a previous house which I varnished and I don't know what happened them (lost them when moving house) but I still have one green one left. It was actually one of the reasons I went to Portsalon and it was very frustrating to be prevented from going on the beach. </div>
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I headed out for tea again and got a medium cooked steak and chips along with a weird desert made from moss which was a bit like a milky jelly only it was pale green. <br />
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In the evening I was truly knackered, I don't know if it was the bit of walking or the sea air but I was zonked and it was lights out at 9pm! Unfortunately my airbed decided to be an ex-airbed and I spent the night very uncomfortably and wishing I'd packed a spare. </div>
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I woke up to a glorious morning and all was forgiven. I knew that it was to rain, and in fact I could see the black clouds rolling towards me. There's nothing like an imminent rain cloud to make striking camp quick and efficient and it was literally half an hour between waking and getting into the car with the first fat raindrops hitting the windscreen as I exited the campsite. </div>
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I went home a slightly different route through Kerrykeel. I could see a little restaurant called The Narrow Quarter was open and so I used the tenner from the key deposit to treat myself to an Irish Breakfast of a sausage, bacon, white pudding, soda bread, egg and a pot of tea. It was a great wee restaurant and I would think it would be lovely for an evening meal. </div>
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<b>Knockalla Campsite </b><br />
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Knockalla Campsite has somewhat changed since I was last there, the touring caravan and motorhome area is very smart with brand new tarmac and neatly mown grass. It looks quite polished and has great views. A couple of weeks after my visit my parents went in their touring caravan and really enjoyed their stay. <br />
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The campsite facilities are great, the amenities were very clean and you need a token for the shower costing €1.50 which is bought at reception. The staff member who dealt with me was very friendly and there is a lot going on at main reception I didn't take time to explore. It looks like there is a games room and maybe a takeaway too.<br />
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There are quite a few statics but I wasn't overlooked. In the screenshot below the camping symbol is more or less beside where I pitched my tent. <br />
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The camping area I used is on a headland with an amazing view over the beach at Ballymastocker Bay and it is about a 2 minute walk to the loo. There is a water supply right beside the camping area. There are no marked out pitches so even if there were other campers there I'm sure there's enough room for privacy. There is another camping area beside a large football pitch in a valley, I saw bigger tents so it is possibly reserved for larger units. It would not have the same great view but then it would likewise be more sheltered in bad weather.<br />
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I wouldn't hesitate to go back and I hope to do so soon. </div>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-86215976074691361182019-04-22T17:53:00.002+01:002019-04-22T17:53:39.459+01:00Our first proper walk 'The Bluestacks Way' or part thereof <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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No camping this time, we stayed in a Guesthouse so that my son and I could undertake the last section of the Bluestacks Way.</div>
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The Bluestacks Way is a two and a half day walk starting in Donegal and going past Lough Eske towards Cloghmeen Hill and on through the mountains to Glenties. We decided I'd do the last section, which was the half day river walk following the Owenroe River to Ardara which is about 12km. </div>
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It is also a part of the international walk 'The Appalachian Trail' the 'IAT'.</div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">"The IAT.....is a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Hiking">hiking</a> trail which runs from the northern terminus of the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Appalachian Trail">Appalachian Trail</a> at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Mount Katahdin">Mount Katahdin</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Maine">Maine</a>......after which it follows a ferry route to <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Newfoundland (island)">Newfoundland and Labrador.</a>
As of July 2015, there were IAT walking trails in Greenland, Iceland,
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Isle of
Man, Wales, England, France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco" from Wikipedia </span></div>
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Leaving Glenties the first couple of kilometers is on quiet country road, and very well marked with posts. Then you take a left into a field where a grassy path directs the walker over a bridge to the far side of the river. The grass was worn into a path and easy to follow. The field divisions were over a stile and the first few were fine, but after the first two or three the big space between the steps, which are probably better suited to male legs, were getting tough for me. </div>
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A low point came when we reached 'Numpties Corner'. This is a section of river with a bridge and is obviously accessible by road (from the other side of the bridge) and there was a lot of rubbish and a picnic bench had been vandalised. Elsewhere on the walk it had been pristine with no litter. 'Numpties Corner' is about halfway through the walk but after a short while we had got into proper wilderness again with no roads or houses in sight.We started to follow a railway line that is still intact but hasn't been in use for years. Then at last we left the river bank at a fishing spot which was a small car park, picnic bench and a locked up shed. </div>
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Unfortunately once back on the road we had two tough hills to get up and it was with relief that we finally reached a shop halfway up a steep hill on the edge of town at Ardara. </div>
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A full sugar ultra cold soft drink was amazingly good at that moment and gave us enough energy to get to the top of the hill and down the other side to Nancys Bar, where we ordered food and took a welcome seat. The downside to stopping walking is that every muscle started to seize up and it was very gingerly that we vacated our seats and hobbled out to the front where it turned out we missed our bus back to Glenties because we didn't know that it stopped outside the hotel up the road. Luckily the Taxi was reasonably priced at €12 and so that's how we made it back to the Guesthouse in one piece. </div>
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Back at the Guesthouse our intention was to shower, change and go to the Highland Hotel bar for a wind down drink. What actually happened was we promptly fell asleep. So there we were, on our holidays, and sleeping fast by 8.30pm. </div>
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The following morning went back to Ardara in the car this time and drove out past the village to Maghery Beach. There is a short walk, about a half a km, between the car park and the beach itself. The legs were wobbly, but we made it to the end of the boardwalk we were happy to find there. We found a convenient sand dune to sit on and relaxed. We did not make it further down the beach to the caves, that was asking too much of our groaning joints and so we will have to go back again. We watched other people dander over that way and decided that it wasn't for us. We then drove the Glengesh Valley which is a glacial valley. Lastly we went back to Ardara and went for a Sunday Lunch to a place aptly called 'The Ramblers Inn'. From there we drove straight home, about an hour and a half through Donegal Town.</div>
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<b>Lessons</b></div>
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1) Fitness : this walk was beyond my current fitness level and I will need to work on that. </div>
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2) Water : would need double the amount of water as we took 1 litre each and we both ran out. </div>
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3) Map : I wish I'd printed off a bit of map to take with me as it would have been easier than using my phone which I couldn't see in the bright sunshine. </div>
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4) Google Maps : just because it looks flat on Google maps, that doesn't mean it is. The hills at the end of the walk into Ardara completely took me by surprise. </div>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-70317344548948467542019-02-27T14:44:00.003+00:002019-02-27T14:48:59.601+00:00A nostalgic look back to a road trip to France Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My first ever major road trip adventure was life as a newly single Mum with two kids, then aged 6 and 7, was when I packed the car with new camping gear and drove to France from Northern Ireland, via Rosslare on the overnight ferry. The year was 2005.</div>
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I faced a lot of criticism, people thought I was mad. But for me it was a declaration of strength, independence and reaping big rewards through rich life experiences, for the children and for myself. The planning and preparation was a big part of the excitement, as I went tent shopping for the first time, booked the ferry, figured out how to get hooked up to electricity on french campsites, and picking out destinations. The first destination was pretty easy, I wanted to revisit a much loved campsite in the grounds of a Chateau I had already been to when I was a child. Those brilliant memories was something I wanted to share with my boys and also for them to have their own cool memories too. </div>
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I decided to go in mid August and booked an overnight ferry with cabin. This in itself was a big adventure as we undertook a long drive down to Rosslare in the Republic of Ireland and boarded a big boat. The cabin was a two berth, there were three of us so the kids shared the lower bunk and I took the top. It wasn't the most comfortable journey as the cabin was dusty and my elder son is asthmatic. I didn't particularly enjoy trying to sleep on rolling seas either. </div>
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Once in France we started the 6 hour drive to the Vendee. Our destination was a place called 'Domaine de la Foret' which is now a 'Yelloh!' site. It wasn't then, although it did appear to have a tie up with Eurocamp who used to provide fully furnished tents. The previous time we visited, in 1988 when I was 14 years old, it was a fully independent site. </div>
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The experience of driving into the Chateaus courtyard, with its beautiful L shaped series of buildings housing the bar, games room, bakery and shop, was very strange. It had been such an a mythical place of my early teenager hood. To drive in and see nothing changed in the courtyard was bizarre. At the time I drove a french car and the first three letters on the registration place were OUI, which caused a chuckle with the staff (why do you have yes written on your number plate) and also the steering wheel was, as they regarded it, on the wrong side. </div>
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The car had been giving me some trouble on the way to the campsite, it later turned out that a fill of fuel in Ireland was probably illegal diesel, and it damaged the filter causing the car to do into economy mode and then it would barely go. It was a pretty major disaster and this issue dogged the whole of our two and a half week trip. </div>
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The funny thing was that the pitch we were directed to was right beside the pitch I'd camped on when I was younger, and it was a short walk through the trees to the courtyard and also the two swimming pools, one in front of the Chateau and one behind. The first thing I did was put the electric in and turn on the slow cooker. I used to have a slow cooker by Tefal that I got for a wedding present. It had a separate hot plate and then a non stick pot on top. The idea is that you can brown your meat and veg on the ordinary hob before putting it on the hot plate and leaving it all day. I loved it, but unfortunately the non stick coating of the pot broke down and although I got many years out of it, I no longer have it. I had brought a pork and green bean cassoulet I'd made from home which I'd frozen into a block and let it defrost in a cool box throughout our journey. I put it into the slow cooker on the ground and let it heat through while I carried out the next step, setting up camp. </div>
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After a short while the tent was up and we were eating french bread torn up and dipped into the sauce of the stew. The boys set about meeting all the other children at the campsite and in a very short time a new crew was formed. </div>
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Further exploring around the site and found not a whole lot had changed since my 1988 visit. The only difference were fences were put up around the two swimming pools which spoiled the look a bit. Looking at the current photos on their website, this pool now has an overhead canopy. I remember what it was like to have just a pool sunk into the earth with only a tiled surround and no hedge between that and the Chateau. </div>
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Some more pictures from around the campsite</div>
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We settled into daily camp life. It was very important to me that the boys get the experience of buying fresh croissants from the campsite bakery every morning so that they could learn about money and a bit of independence and it was with great excitement that they carried out this task every morning. We explored the region every day too. One day we went on a boat trip around the nearest bay, another we went to a very exciting beach that had an island off shore where there was a secret underwater path that led out to it. </div>
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A real highlight and one of the best experiences was going to a french theme park called Puy du Fou. It's very hard to describe what Puy du Fou is, there are various different zones with periods of history represented. There was a viking section, where you watched a show of a scene with actors, carried out completely in french. There is clearly a bit of a love story going on, but the Cheiftan clearly does not approve of his daughters choice of lover. So a battle ensues and a viking ship pops up out of the water, with actors already on board. The battle concludes with the good guys winning and everybody lives happily ever after. </div>
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Next was a Roman Colusseum complete with Christians being threatened with Lions, Chariot Races and a parade showing all the animals the Romans would have boasted about having.</div>
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Puy du Fou Medieval Section </div>
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We also visited a nearby castle which used to be occupied by Richard the Lionheart </div>
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One of the great joys of taking a road trip is trying local restaurants, buying food from a supermarket, and finding a filling station with my sons name on it. We even found an Irish Pub! </div>
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We stayed in the Vendee for about a week and then moved on to another two sites, the first of which we didn't like so we only stayed one night. The car continued to give trouble and I could only drive it a short time before I had to stop at the side of the road. I decided to go further north so that we would be closer to the ferry home. In the end the car was transported all the way home on a low loader. I will reveal all in Part 2. </div>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-55315265380326414542019-01-02T12:01:00.003+00:002019-01-02T12:08:34.978+00:00Review of 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Considering I moved house, again (about 16 months after my previous house move), in August I actually managed to get quite a lot of camping done in 2018. I also had a busy year this being my second year of freelance and so the pressure is on and work comes first. The upside of self employment is that I can sometimes skip off early on a Friday and as long as I have some of the camping gear already prepared I'm good to go. Self employment is great though, yes there is pressure but I do every day what I love, which is Land Surveying, making maps and exploring old buildings, measuring them for the customer to carry out their project be it development or for restoration.</div>
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2018 was the year I was asked to 'cut the ribbon' and open a campsite. I think I was asked to do this on the basis of a very large Facebook camping group I set up a few years ago and perhaps for my blogging. A lot of campers and caravanners do seem to know who I am, people come over when they see me setting up at a campsite to say hello and they often recognise the Bell Tent as much as they know me. I did not think that that anyone from the tourism industry would know who I was and so when I was asked to officially open the campsite I wondered if they'd got the right person and I was a little embarrassed but chuffed to bits.</div>
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In September I gathered a few of my camping friends and we went to Hillfoot Campsite near Limavady. I elected not to blog about it for once, I'd taken hardly any photos anyway and also when you are with other people they are not necessarily comfortable being mentioned on a blog. However it was a brilliant weekend camping and having a few glasses of wine and we even had a sing-a-long. I took the Quechua Base Seconds again which is the tent that looks like a large green egg. I took it because rain was forecast and it, being all polyester, is much easier to dry than the Bell Tent. </div>
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Looking forward to 2019, I bought this a few years ago from Ebay as a retro tent from the mid eighties I think. I have yet to use it. So my first plan is to use this tent and give a review on it. It is a officially a three person tent so it should be perfect for me and the dog. </div>
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My intention is to go to new places in Ireland. I am keen to go to the mid Ireland region and have singled out Battlebridge Campsite as a good base. I think the Wild Atlantic Way is getting a bit too popular and now suffering from overuse. The lakeland regions of Mid Ireland have a different type of experience to offer and may be the next 'big discovery' - I'll slip in before the hoards start going and have the place to myself. This might take place at Easter. </div>
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In July when I more or less have to take two weeks holiday in line with others in the construction industry, I am hoping to go further afield, while still staying somewhere in Ireland. I also hope to get lots of weekends in too.</div>
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In my new house (which is a permanent move THIS TIME) I have designated Bell Tent storage space and I hope it will be much more efficient to just pull out the camping gear and go on impromptu trips, which is my favourite type of travel as I do like to look at the weather forecast and it it is nice, just go. </div>
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I will go through my camping storage in a future blog post. </div>
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Happy 2019!</div>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-83463480968371558122018-07-14T21:31:00.001+01:002018-07-21T23:48:44.406+01:00Favourite Blogs and Channels Summer 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is a quick post about camping blogs I am enjoying right now. They are all travel blogs or vlogs of one kind or another.<br />
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I'm particularly enjoying the long distance walking that the young Irish couple from Tough Soles are doing, although I'm no long distance walker myself! However I can live through them. <a href="https://toughsoles.ie/blog" target="_blank">Tough Soles</a><br />
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Alex and Bobs Scottish wanderings take my fancy, loads of posts over many years if you only start reading now you'll have plenty to digest.<a href="http://blueskyscotland.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Blue Sky Scotland </a><br />
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Also known as Tigermouse, Eunice is a Lancashire Lass who travels town, country and coast with dogs. Great photos of amazing places too. <a href="http://tigermousetales.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Tent, A Caravan, 4 Wheels and Me</a><br />
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Gerry McVeigh is a Northern Irish Walker with an eye for videography, the shots of remote coasts and hills are stunning. He has a particular penchant for knee high shot angles, which really bring you down to clover level. Good music choices too. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMhmcA3Bwe1X4niYiswhU0A" target="_blank">Gerry McVeigh Channel </a><br />
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Tristan from the Mid West America takes us on a tour of his homeland by camping in the back of his car. Subscribe to him for multi day vlogging. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC07IPCu6BQGWh0Fdk9Q2Z2w" target="_blank">SUV RVing</a><br />
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Ah the lovely Hiker in Estonia, this makes me want to go to Estonia, and apparently it's a little known, cheap holiday destination from the UK and everyone speaks English and people camp in little huts (put in place by their local authority) all over the many hiking trails, and nobody sets fire to the huts (the lack of vandalism is shocking) forget visiting, I might just live there! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC07IPCu6BQGWh0Fdk9Q2Z2w" target="_blank">Hiker in Estonia</a></div>
Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-44568256037902379212018-06-25T17:59:00.000+01:002019-01-03T22:46:47.460+00:00Waterfall Caves June 18<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's June 2018 in Northern Ireland. And we are having a heat wave. </div>
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We have had one hell of a May and now a whole of June, and a new week stretches ahead of us and there's warnings about leaving kids and dogs in cars (even with windows open) and a heat stroke warning out on the news and us poor pink Norn Irish people are struggling a bit with temperatures going on 30 degrees.</div>
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'Don't complain' people whisper, it's so rare that we get this kind of weather. 'It's a bit much for me' is a mumbled confession on a par with stealing sweets from the corner shop. Slap slap don't you dare complain.</div>
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Christmas seems like a decade ago.</div>
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So Friday afternoon, while at work, the notion takes me to throw the camping gear in the car and head off. I was keen to get back to Waterfall Caves as I had really enjoyed my previous trip there. </div>
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<a href="http://campingnut.blogspot.com/2018/05/waterfall-caves-new-campsite-near.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Previous blog post here of the 'opening weekend' at Waterfall Caves.</a></div>
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<b>An old favourite </b></div>
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I decided to take an old favourite tent which is the Quechua Base Seconds. This is a pop up tent (truly a pop up, with tensioned flexible poles folded into a circle) and the benefit of it is that it doesn't have plastic windows. The window apertures are a big half circle of mesh and all four sides can be opened giving a good flow of air. Two of the sides can be completely opened too, so you have shelter overhead but lots of cool air getting through.</div>
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The tent is just a good size for one person and a dog (Coco was camping too) and it has stand up height inside with straight walls so you can stand anywhere inside. I like the way it looks, a bit like a green egg. I have, somewhere, an inner for this tent but I could not find it and so I elected to take a groundsheet instead that was just about big enough to go under the bed. </div>
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This is the first time I have ever camped without a groundsheet that covered the entire floor. It was actually quite strange, waking up to little dew drops on top of each blade of grass. I always thought having an inner would be a deal breaker for me, given my aversion to spiders etc. Maybe I'm getting more tolerant but I really did not care. Having no inner meant I did have some condensation overnight but it stayed on the tent and didn't affect me. The next day the tent dried quickly in the heat anyway.</div>
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I took a cheap supermarket airbed and two sleeping bags. Even with the heat during the day I was glad of the second sleeping bag opened out on top of the first sleeping bag in the middle of the night. As always I took my pillows from home and Coco had her crate which helps her settle at night and kept her off the grass too. </div>
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I was completely alone on the campsite, although there were guests staying in the holiday accommodation which are on the other side of the hedge. Waterfall Caves is a fishing lakes business, with a campsite attached (brand new this year) and some <a href="http://campingnut.blogspot.com/2018/05/waterfall-caves-new-campsite-near.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">holiday accommodation</a> too. </div>
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On Saturday morning after a good nights rest I went for a walk to Magillian Point. There is a military compound further around the coast so the walk is not that long, but you do have wonderful views over to Ireland and on this occasion there was a cruise ship docked in Greencastle. It is possible to take a ferry to Greencastle from Magilligan Point which I have never taken. It is a treat to be taken the next time perhaps. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>Martello Tower at Magilligan</u></span></td></tr>
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The short walk comprised of seeing the Martello Tower, lots and lots of shells on the beach and what's left of a dead sheep which Coco was particularly interested in. I do not know why dogs like to roll in yucky things but for some reason Coco is attracted to dead animals and other animals poo. </div>
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We finished our walk with a pub meal in the 'Point Bar' right beside the beach. Luckily they have a outside seating area and I could sit with the dog out in the bright sunshine.</div>
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All other catering was done on the new Trangia which I got earlier this spring. I find it a really simple, clean and all in one no fuss cooking system. It is quick to boil water and on Saturday evening a heated up frozen curry and pre-cooked rice. On Sunday morning I fried a bit of potato bread that Paula from Waterfall Caves had kindly cooked the day before. </div>
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I left on Sunday at around about noon, and travelled the hour and a quarter that would take me home. I had a great time and thanks to Paula and George for accommodating me and for sharing a wee glass of wine. I look forward to the next time I'm up however I do like to tour around and see other places too. I don't know where the next trip will be although wanted to go to Mannix Point in Kerry again and also Maddybenny, Craig Hall Farm and a new campsite in Cavan called 'Row' which is on the shores of a lake. </div>
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UPDATE as of Jan 2019 Waterfall caves has electricity for Caravans and Motorhomes and now welcomes bookings from both.</div>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-407490209967463612018-06-22T14:30:00.000+01:002018-06-22T14:30:15.538+01:00Olpro Pop Review 2018 after two years of use<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Olpro Pop is an umbrella style tent which is advertised as a two berth tent, not to be confused with a 'pop up' style tent that explodes once you remove the strap from a circle of fabric. It has built in poles attached to the fabric which have 'elbows' incorporated into the design. These bend at the joint for packing away. </div>
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<span style="color: black;">Price as of June 2018 <b>£69.00 </b>(discounts frequently advertised, just ask)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Height (cm): <b>140cm</b></span><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">Length (cm): <b>210cm</b></span><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">Width (cm): <b>210cm</b></span><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">Packed dimensions (cm): 18cm x 18cm x 75cm</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">Weight (kg): <b>4.5kg</b></span><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">Hydrostatic Head: 3,000mm H/H</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">Material: 210 Oxford</span></div>
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<i><b>I bought TWO </b></i></div>
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I have bought not one but two of the Olpro Pop since they were first released in Spring of 2016. The first one I bought as a weekend and touring tent as a replacement to a Vango Halo which I never got the hang of pitching easily. The main reason why I'd bought the Halo in the first place was because of the two doors and not because of it's technical capabilities. As I am by choice a weekend fair weather camper, where if it is due to rain I simply don't go, then the flip side is that in a Polyester Mix fabric tent you can get put out of it when the sun comes up in the morning with the heat and stuffiness. One simple way to get a bit more of a lie in is two partially open both doors so that the breeze can get through. The Olpro Pop also has a silver reflective inside which is supposed to help with keeping the sun and light out. I think it is quite effective in this regard. </div>
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The Vango Halo is a great piece of kit, but I found that I lacked the strength to get the third pole in. The Halo has a Geodesic shape and so the third pole makes it very windproof. Where it wins over the Olpro Pop is in pack size, it is a tiny bag and great for cyclists, hikers and bikers. The Olpro Pop is unwieldy in comparison, the pack size is about the same as a cheap camping chair although it is great for car camping. I don't think it would do as well in the wind as the Halo. </div>
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The Vango Halo is a technical tent designed to withstand harsh conditions, and it is unfair to compare the two. The Olpro Pop has never claimed to be a 'mountain' tent or a 'lightweight' tent, or indeed is it's price point indicative of a technical tent - but as a car camping fair weather or festival tent it is excellent. </div>
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To make up for it's pack size, the stuff sack does come with two padded rucksack type straps. This makes it fantasic for carrying into a festival for example, and the fact that the pegs are in a zipped pocket on the side of the bag means you have everything you need in one package. </div>
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Initially I bought a green one, however it does come in green, orange and blue. When I bought a second one I fancied Orange. </div>
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I brought it to the Lake District where my nearly grown up son used it as a pup tent. He lived in it for two weeks and had no problem with the heat due to it's silver reflective interior. It also has two mesh windows which further helps to cool it down. I donated the green one to him as the start of his own camping kit and bought myself another one in Orange.</div>
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The Olpro Pop is meant to be a two berth but I think you could squeeze three roll mats in and so three young people, slim people or kids could sleep in this tent. I found that a single airbed of around about 70cm wide took up less than one half of the tent. </div>
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The only real issue I had with it was to do with the doors. Many small tents have the same problem, The door is a 'D' door which hinges along the bottom rather than the top or side. That means that unless you take the time to roll and tie up the door every time you want to go in or out, the door and the inner door (there is a fly mesh also) gets stepped on or pulled when crawling across it. This has led to some minor damage on the fly mesh, and is also a trip hazard when getting in and out of the tent. But then if the hinge point was along the top instead then you would lose the ability to partially open the door under the shelter of the rain fly. </div>
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The fly mesh is black and this means that if you want to zip up the fly mesh but not the door (when it is hot) there is still some privacy as long as you don't have the door open on the other side too.</div>
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I found a prefered way was to have the mesh closed on both sides but the outer door partially open at the top to let air through. The overhang of the outer part of the tent prevented rain from getting in through the top part of the door. </div>
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The inner can be removed leaving the outer on it's own which could be used as a beach shelter for sun protection. The inner is attached with sturdy clips as is the separate ground sheet. The inner 'pod' has it's own sewn in groundsheet so there is essentially two layers underneath you. Being able to separate the tent can help dry it out quickly if you are in a hurry to pack up. On a particularly sunny morning in Langdale, in the Lake District, and after a rain soaked night, the Olpro Pop was separated and took about five minutes to dry so we could get on with packing up and leaving. </div>
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On a holiday to Kinsale the year after going to the Lake District, I got caught in rain. Being away for a longer holiday where I had booked time off work and also considerably farther away from home, if it rained I was stuck with it. I found the tarp set up very useful for wetter weather and this also gave me somewhere to cook and read.</div>
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On this occasion I had my dog with me. She prefers to be in a crate when camping (it helps her settle at night). The tent successfully held my airbed, sleeping gear, the crate, my cooking gear and my chair folded up when my car broke down and I had to unpack my car completely to get the car to the garage. </div>
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All in all I would highly recommend this tent for car camping. I would recommend it for young people/children and couples and for solo travelers. It is very good for touring and changing camping spots frequently as it takes just two or three minutes to pitch and about five minutes to take down. <br />
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It is particularly suited to festival use. The orange colour in particular would stand out in a sea or green or blue tents at a festival.<br />
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Having two doors is a unique feature, and the only other tent that I have found that has this feature is the Vango Halo, which is a different league of tent altogether given that it is designed for adverse weather and lightweight travelling and has a price point a lot higher than the Olpro Pop. <br />
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Pros<br />
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Very easy to pitch and take down<br />
Surprisingly roomy inside<br />
Great ventilation makes it a cool tent<br />
Two doors opposite each other, can change which door you use as the 'main door' if the wind changes direction.<br />
Two doors eliminates build up of heat.<br />
Mesh inner door keeps the bugs out<br />
The website is very good and makes the buying process very quick and easy<br />
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The bag could do with being a little bit bigger, it can be a challenge to get the tent back in the bag<br />
The poles weakest point is the 'elbow' and looks like it could break - be careful!<br />
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-69862251297617313162018-06-17T22:02:00.001+01:002018-06-17T22:27:50.426+01:00Camping in Scotland <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sometimes its nice to travel light. What do you really need for camping? </div>
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1) A tent</div>
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2) A couple of airbeds</div>
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3) and a view</div>
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Camping, at it's simplest.</div>
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So it's pretty obvious that I didn't take the ferry to Scotland just to go camping for one night. I was actually in Carlisle to pick up my eldest son Elan who is at the end of his last term of Uni. As an Illustrator, he had an end of year show which is the culmination of his three years of work. </div>
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It was a multi day event so I went from a Wednesday to the Sunday. I stayed in his Student house in a room that is right beside a busy junction on a main road. We also had extremely good weather, with the temperatures hitting 30 degrees on one day. </div>
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The heat and the noise were a bit much for me, and coupled with the fact that my son has some of his own camping equipment that we had to take back to Northern Ireland anyway, it made sense to use it to get out of the city and closer to the ferry so that we would have a shorter journey to the ferry in Cairnryan.</div>
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I had a couple of days in Carlisle to hunt out the perfect campsite on the internet, since my son had lots of goodbyes to say to his friends and was busy most evenings and so I was on my own. The Galloway and Dumfries area has more campsites than you could shake a stick at, and most of them look fantastic. I would love a fortnight just to spend some quality time in this area.</div>
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I'm a sucker for a view though and so when I came across Castle Bay Holiday Park in Portpatrick my mind was immediately made up. It was only 25 minutes drive to the ferry at Cairnryan. </div>
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<b>Ruin One of the Day</b></div>
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On the Saturday morning we got all of Elans worldly possessions in the car, made sure the camping gear was on top and set off. On the way we stopped at a Cafe just outside Dumfries for a big breakfast to set us up for the day, and to buy supplies for dinner that night. Closer to our destination, we stopped off for a leg stretch at Glenluce Abbey which is not far off the main road on the way to Stranraer.</div>
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Next stop Portpatrick and Castle Bay Holiday Park which I navigated to with the Sat Nav. Having booked in at reception and paid our £18 we set up the tent. A couple of years ago I had bought the Olpro Pop which is an umbrella style pop up three berth tent. I liked it a lot but donated it to my son for his own camping kit. The tent is available in three colours and the one I had bought and donated was green. I then bought myself an orange one to replace the one I had given away. I had one airbed with me, which was for Elan to sleep on when we were in Carlisle (I took over his bed) and I'd also brought my own bedding for staying in Carlisle. So all I needed to do was buy one cheap airbed from a supermarket on the way to the campsite and he had a sleeping bag he had as part of his camping kit. We had no chairs, no cooking gear, nothing other than the tent and the beds. And you know what? That's all you need.</div>
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Our campsite was at the end of a drive through the Holiday Park, overlooking the sea and also a spectacular ruin called Dunskey Castle. The weather was beautiful, warm but the sea breeze left the temperatures comfortable unlike Carlisle where is was too hot. </div>
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<b>Ruin Two of the Day</b></div>
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There is a public right of way to the castle and apparently it takes you past the castle right into the fishing village of Portpatrick. We were not there long enough to go on that walk, but we did explore the ruins. It is possible to get right into the castle ruins, up a spiral staircase and into the upper floor. It was a second ruin of the day. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">zoomed in from the campsite</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the castle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spiral staircase</td></tr>
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Back at the campsite, I enjoyed a bit of rest time with a spectacular view overlooking the Irish Sea from which, according to David the warden, you can see Northern Ireland on a clear day. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at the campsite from Dunskey Castle ruin</td></tr>
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Our dinner was simple - a french stick, a packet of ham and a couple of beef tomatoes and crisps. Dessert was a punnet of fresh cherries. This was one of the best dinners we had in the whole trip. We each had our own swiss army knife, you'd nearly think we'd done this camping thing before.</div>
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About 8pm the scottish midge made an appearance. They were malicious and the only thing we could do was pile into the car and get out of the campsite. Everyone else in the campsite did exactly the same thing. Except these people who turned up in a campervan. </div>
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<b>Ruin Three of the Day </b></div>
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We decided to explore the village of Portpatrick, which is a small fishing village with a couple of hotels on the sea front. We also happened to be in town at the same time as a group who were obviously having a meet and were all Moped enthusiasts. We had come across them camping on a sports pitch on the same road as our campsite, and it seemed they were all from Northern Ireland too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just a few of the mopeds</td></tr>
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We explored the village and came across another ruin in an ancient graveyard. The photo below shows the dovecote which is inside the old graveyard.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Portpatrick Church of St Andrews - Dovecote</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The following day we packed up our tent and belongings and went back to Portpatrick in search of Sunday Lunch. We were a bit early and went for a walk along the seashore and visited a pottery and a couple of tourist type shops. We bought some locally made lemon and lime marmalade for bringing home. We saw the most enormous Jelly Fish along the shore. A woman was trying to take a closer look at it when her boyfriend tried to push her in! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday Lunch at The Crown</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Marina at Portpatrick</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RNLI lifeboat with Portpatrick in the background</td></tr>
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This last photo shows the path and steps that goes eventually to Dunskey Castle and the campsite as well as beyond (I believe it's a coastal walk). </div>
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I would recommend Castle Bay Holiday Park because of it's spectacular views, the easy walks to both Dunskey Castle and along the shore to Portpatrick. The village had plenty to offer too with a few hotels, a couple of arts and ceramics shops and a lovely marina to explore. Portpatrick is very convenient to the ferry but there is so much more to explore in this area and the next time I'm in the area I hope to find out more about the place. </div>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-9877522145364829922018-05-28T00:22:00.002+01:002018-05-28T00:51:11.931+01:00Waterfall Caves new campsite near Benone - opening weekend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I had the honour of being invited to open a new campsite this Bank Holiday weekend, May 2018. Paula and George Canning from Ballykelly area near Benone had already got a busy fishing lakes business when they decided to open up a campsite beside the lakes. I had been asked to give some ideas and feedback and then coming up to the big weekend I was asked to cut the ribbon and say a few words. It was combined with a fund raiser for a young relative of theirs, a little boy called Caden Jack Moore who has recently had a bone marrow transplant <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teamCaden2017/" target="_blank">The Adventures of Caden Jack Moore.</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>Caden Jack Moore</u></span></td></tr>
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It was to be a weekend of catching up with old friends, as friends old and new came to help celebrate this big opening. So it was a busy weekend in blistering hot weather and we all got very sunburned even with the factor 50. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R, David, Karen, Stephen, John and me</td></tr>
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The site itself is small in scale and is flat and dry with hardstandings for Motorhomes, Campervans and in the future, Caravans. At the moment there is no electricity so the site, although open, is still in development. There are a couple of fire pits sitting around and loads of picnic tables built by the local Mens Shed. There is one toilet and one shower for everyone in the rear of the main cabin with only a short one minute walk from the campsite along a pretty wooded path. </div>
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Access to the site is along the Duncrun Road. The turn in to the site from the main road is an acute angle, and because of this it is advisable for people towing caravans to approach from the East. The Sat Nav co-ordinates are <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">55°07'50.3"N 6°55'55.9"W. The access road is steep enough but quite wide and there are 10mph speed restrictions signs along it's length. Roadside signage is not in place for the campsite as of May 2018 however there are signs for Duncrun Fishing Lakes at the road side. The nearest village is Ballykelly and there are two shops. One of the shops will deliver for 50p with a minimum order of £30 and you just put in your order at the campsite (there are two times a day to do this). Just past Ballykelly is the turn off to Magilligan Point with the Point Bar that does food, a beach and the ferry to Donegal. Another couple of miles along the road is Benone Strand with caravan parks, the Tourist Complex and a cafe called 'Waves' who do a 'golfers fry' for £5.95 and open on a Saturday and Sunday morning from 9am. Incidentally a Restaurant called 'Coast' does a free pick up and drop off for campers at Waterfall Caves. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">short path to the cabin from the campsite</td></tr>
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The facilities for campers are mostly based in the cabin which already serves as an office and small snack shop for the fishing business. The new campers facilities are a kitchen dining area to the rear of the building with an open to the outside porch with seating. Directly behind the cabin is a play area with climbing frame, a see saw and soft surface.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">campers kitchen </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">campers kitchen with porch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playpark</td></tr>
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There are fishing lakes which are very pretty and there are rod hire and tickets are available in the office. Campers can walk around them but there are no dogs allowed and they must be quiet when fishing is in progress. There is a little bit of a Canadian flavour to the lower lakes landscape, and the upper lake is a turquoise pool with a backdrop of the famous cliff face of Benevenagh Mountain. The upper lake is also overlooked by the other type of accommodation available at this site, four 'caves' which are subterranean rooms with glass frontage. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper Lake</td></tr>
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There is another walk which is more dog friendly (because no dogs are allowed around the fishing areas). It is the 10 minute Viewpoint Walk which takes you on a circular route around the owners land, with a spectacular viewpoint stop off for photos and actually enough room to park about four motorhomes so it may even be a future motorhome park. Off this walk is another walking route which is the 'Game of Thrones' walk which takes a line up the hill side to the cliffs, taking in the areas that were used as filming locations for the TV series. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from part of the Viewpoint Walk</td></tr>
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On Saturday the main party and fundraiser took place. There was a barbecue, a bouncy castle and loads and loads of people turned up. They were a mixture of fishing people, friends and family of the Canning Family who were supporting the new business venture, family of young Caden who the day was in aid of, neighbours and people who just called in to support the event. To date the day raised £1400 with more due. Young Cadens father, Brian, provided the a Tepee for everyone to enjoy as a communal space and explained that he had to give up a job which he loved because of the care that Caden requires. His prior job was using the big Tepee as a classroom for teaching outdoor activities to children. </div>
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On the day of the big opening 'do' I had the honour of cutting the ribbon and a few words were appropriate. I started with a brief description of who I am and what I do, which is that I am a blogger and camping enthusiast. I then touched on the fundraising element of the fun day and then led everyone on a round of applause for the Canning Family who worked so hard on the site. There was quite a crowd and afterwards we all went through to look at the campsite and John and I hosted some tent and awning tours. In the meantime back in the cabin the barbecue and wine was in full flow.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of the crowd going for a campsite tour</td></tr>
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On Sunday it was pack up day. We started the day the only way we knew how. Bacon and coffee.</div>
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Then it was time for John to do his Yoga moves as he struggled to get the air out of the tent. He is available for weddings, parties and bar mitzvas anywhere in Northern Ireland. All in all a fantastic weekend and a rough idea has come together for a future meet up with many of the friends I met on this camping trip. </div>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-34500445963542699642017-10-09T23:13:00.000+01:002018-07-21T23:56:59.056+01:00Vlogging for the first time and a last minute camping trip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is my first attempt at 'Vlogging' as opposed to 'Blogging' and I have to say I really enjoyed it...however hearing my good ol' Northern Irish accent is a bit weird and I haven't picked up the courage to appear in person yet - so it's a running commentary style vlog. I do have more footage of this particular weekend coming. This particular video is a Tent Tour. The other footage I have is just out and about at the beach and out walking. </div>
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The weekend in question is from the very last weekend in September, and I went quite last minute without really planning it. Luckily most of my camping gear is within easy reach having not been properly packed away after a summer season (it is packed away now).</div>
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The location was the Wild Atlantic Campsite in Creeslough, Co Donegal and I
spent time in Ards Forest Park, Dunfanaghy village and also Marble Hill
Beach. It was a solo camping trip with Coco the dog. The weather was really bad, with the end of a Storm Irma battering the tent. The mud outside the tent was horrendous, the campsite was in a very bad state not that it's the owners fault it's just been so wet recently. The first night there was one other caravan and the second night there was only one campervan and me. I think they thought I was mad. The Glamping Pods were full, much to my disappointment as I was kind of planning to take one because of the weather report. However it all worked out ok in the end. </div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-30203141509155751622017-08-14T00:45:00.002+01:002017-10-09T23:38:40.802+01:00Choo Choo, the Toilet Train is leaving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Silver Bay Campsite, Ards Penninsula, Co Down was the venue for this latest camping trip, for just two nights over a weekend and not planned. I literally looked at the weather report, decided to go and just threw the contents of my hall (camping gear still there from my last trip) into the car in no particular order. I'd had an idea that I wanted to visit this campsite next because I saw a recommendation on Facebook and when I researched it the first thing that jumped out at me was it's coastal location. Bingo! You all know how I love a bit of deep blue sea.</div>
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It took me over two hours to get there on Friday afternoon, I managed to skip out of work a bit early and make it for about tea time. I met the warden, Stephen, who turns out lives in the static caravan opposite the amenity block and he drives a white van with 'warden' written on the number plate. He showed me to my pitch which was second from the end of a row of pitches which hugged the shore line of a field that was mostly steep, except for the shore. The top of the hill had a big ruined building which was accessible from the campsite. It is known locally as the 'White House' and is associated with the Savage Family who owned much of this area in days gone by. </div>
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The shore is stony, and when the tide goes out, it leaves the bay completely and leaves some great rock pools behind, mostly populated by hermit crabs. But when the tide comes in the water is lapping the rocks mere meters from the front of the tent. </div>
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The Campsite is organised with posts along the shore line, roughly 6m apart. They are supposedly numbered, the one I was at did not have a number but the the pitch to my right, which was empty, was No 14. The name of the person who had booked it (and failed to turn up) was written on a piece of cardboard and stapled to the post. </div>
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One issue for me is that 6m is not really enough for a pitch. This means that there wasn't a lot of privacy and the caravans in particular seemed squeezed in. When I put my tent up, I was touching guy ropes with the tent to my left. So much for a fire break! </div>
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That evening, for tea, I went to the mobile chippy beside the shop in Cloghey, Stephen the warden said it was good and he wasn't wrong, the chips were hand cut, fresh, hot and salty. The best I've tasted in a long time. </div>
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The Friday night was spoiled a bit by some camping neighbours who were playing club anthems on their car radio with the door open, and it was giving me a bad headache partly because the music was going thump thump thump and partly because I was annoyed at the selfishness of people. It was two Mums and a whole squad of kiddies. They were just as noisy the next day, radio on, car door open. I was so glad to see them packing up at lunchtime. It should be said the kids were great, it was the Mums that were the problem. From the point they left it was blissful, just the sound of the sea, the sqawking sea birds, the sound of chatter and kids playing, arguing and playing again.<br />
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(not that I'm nasty or anything, but I did set my phone alarm for 6am the next day which being about two metres from the back of their tent, I'm pretty sure did the trick of getting them up and about good and early....me - I just put the ear plugs in and slept on) </div>
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I had looked at some reviews and learnt was that the amenity block was some considerable distance away from where the touring caravans and tents were. The Amenity block was about halfway through a static mobile home section, and having measured this on google maps, I can now determine it is 0.2 miles away from the campsite. In campsite terms that is quite a trek - particularly if you are desperate! I noticed that a lot of my camping neighbours were driving to the amenity block and did have a chuckle on the Sunday morning when I overheard the Dad in the big blue tent (who had a people carrier) announce 'CHOO CHOO - ALL ABOARD THE TOILET TRAIN - LEAVING NOW' to his family who numbered a few children amongst them. I was very tempted to pop my head out of the tent and say 'can I come too please'. </div>
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I brought the Bell Tent this time and I did not bother going down the 'glamping' route at all. I've decided I'm not much of a glamper anyway. It's just a tent, I sleep in it and sit in it and make coffee in it, I can't be bothered with cushions and special furniture. The nearest I get to 'glamping' is throwing the blanket on the airbed at a jaunty angle so I can take a photo to put on this blog.<br />
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So I went out and about a good bit on this brief holiday. First of all I went to the Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry. I have recently got a fish tank with a few tropical fish in it, (Ziggy the Betta, one little Rummy nosed Tetra called Rudolf, he has a red nose. And a peppered Corey called Beyonce because he/she wiggles his/her bum). So now I've gone crazy for all things fish, and the Aquarium was a real treat. In fact I went to Maidenhead Aquatics in Dobbies, Lisburn on the way home to look at more Aquariums and bought two algae eaters who are now settling into my tank.<br />
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I particularly loved the really big tank they have, called the Pirate Tank. It has been designed to mislead the eye so you can't really tell how big it is, and the angles of the glass distort the surface of the water. There are sharks and rays in there, as well as schooling fish. I include this photo below which is credited to <a href="http://www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/things-to-do/aquarium-exploris" target="_blank">Ards Tourist Info</a> as I did not get a good enough photo.<br />
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These next photos are mine, just general shots of the Exploris Aquarium. </div>
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The first picture shows the touch tank which has a talk at 11am every morning. The second photo is from the big Pirate Tank. Then lastly I found a 'reptile terrarium' with snakes, chameleons and then this 'nile croc' which looked a bit on the mean side. </div>
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Exploris Aquarium has a seal hospital and rehabilitates abandoned or injured seals and releases them again. All the seals in the hospital when I visited were pups around 6 weeks old and they were so adorable, very lively and active and had faces like little puppy dogs. Each one has a name, and there's a list of names of past released seals displayed. There was a 'Ben Fogle', a 'Charlie' etc and the reasons for their names are given on the boards. </div>
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This little boy was called Hans (named after an underwater cameraman) and he was so cute I could have brought him home. </div>
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Next up, I went to a National Trust village called Kearney. I had heard about this place last year when it was used as the location for the TV series 'My Mother and Other Strangers' which was a series set in 1943 featuring a true story about temptation and romance with an American GI, set in Northern Ireland and shown Nationwide on the sunday evening 'costume drama' BBC slot. </div>
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I really enjoyed the TV show and really loved seeing it in real life. It looks like 'Coyne's' Pub was a completely new build on the set which would explain why I found the layout of the village not quite what I'd remembered from TV. </div>
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On the Saturday night my friend Violet landed with a bag full of groceries from Marks & Spencers. I had a small barbecue with me and so we made tea and had a really enjoyable evening sitting in the Bell Tent looking out at the view until the sun had long gone down and she left about 11pm. The following morning I got chatting to a Dutch couple who were staying in a campervan next to me and I was introduced to their family in Holland via facetime! A bit random but all part of the fun. </div>
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The last thing I did, which was on the way home, was to properly visit Portaferry and that is where you get the ferry to Strangford across the sea and then home. It is possible to drive to here to Portaferry going the long way round the coast but I think going by Ferry adds to the feeling that you are going on a holiday. </div>
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This is an area I would be happy to visit again, and I hope it won't be too long before that happens. The campsite has it's drawbacks, the pitches are just a little too squeezed together, and the loos are so far most people just drive. But the advantages are that it's an un-spoilt area, a real haven for wild life and particularly birds, butterflies and rock pool creatures. The view from the tent says it all for me!<br />
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-81443318502887012302017-08-07T20:00:00.000+01:002017-08-07T20:00:49.277+01:00Camping gear used on my road trip Summer 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This was my first long solo camping trip. The kids are no longer kids, in fact they are 19 and 20 years old and so therefore the only company I had was the dog, Coco. The plan was to travel light and move often, but car trouble meant I had a two destination trip in the end. </div>
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I've had many weekends and overnight solo camping trips, and am well used with travelling alone and so that was not a worry for me, although it was a worry for the rest of my family. My main concern was when the car started giving me trouble, I was concerned I would have to call upon family to come and get me and since I was 6 hours away from home that was a big ask! However I am with the AA and I would recommend that any solo campers would take out breakdown insurance with whichever company you prefer. </div>
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I brought a tent I had bought at the end of last year, which is in fact the same make and model as a tent I bought for my son to use as a 'Pup tent' when we went to England last year. I had bought the Olpro Pop which is a three person small dome tent, but I gave it to my son to use when he's at University. So I bought myself another one at £54.99 it is a relatively inexpensive tent, and I fancied a different colour so I bought the orange one. The choice is green, blue or orange. </div>
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So the plan was to keep the majority of my camping gear in the car, and just keep the tent out for sleeping in. That meant when I wanted or needed a chair, I'd just reach into the boot and retrieve it. I also kept a big rectangular bag with lots of external pockets that is permanently packed out with lightweight cooking equipment, and dry goods. This all worked really well in good weather. </div>
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In bad weather it was not so convenient. The tarp I had brought became really important in the rain, as I had a few rainy days in Garretstown House and to make it worse I was without a car so all that stuff I planned to keep in the car had to get crammed into a small tent along with me and the dog. One night there was thunderstorms, lighting and very heavy rain. In that small tent it was like the walls were closing in.</div>
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I pitched the tarp low over the tent with an overhang so I could get in and out of the tent without getting wet, as well as having a small porch to cook in. It wasn't much fun though and this was part of the reason I moved East. </div>
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Later in the holiday, when the sun was a bit too hot, the same tarp was invaluable for shade. It was also useful to have the longer guy ropes for hanging towels on. </div>
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Other camping equipment I used was a Vango camping chair, a three legged Decathlon Quechua stool, a Coleman Mini Table, a backpacker type stove and windshield and a Decathlon Quechua single airbed with foil backed foam mat underneath, Unfortunately the airbed had a slow leak which I repaired but that only meant it went down a bit more slowly again. I found that it was ok as long as I went to sleep straight away but in the morning I woke up on the floor. I tried to source a replacement but the shops in the holiday areas were so expensive for a single airbed I wouldn't buy it. So I just put up with blowing the airbed up every night and waking up on the floor every morning. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of my camping gear in one pic.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coco on a cooling gel pad, in her crate, with a blanket to keep her in the shade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olpro Pop tent at Garretstown House, Co Cork</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shade from the tarp, at Dunmore East, Co Waterford</td></tr>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-28793173704901124622017-08-06T23:05:00.001+01:002017-10-09T23:49:43.432+01:00Dunmore East Campsite, Co Waterford<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up at the cliffs in one of the many coves around Dunmore East</td></tr>
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For the second part of my holiday I went to Dunmore East. The reason was that I had been having intermittent car problems and although it had just been fixed, the issue was a 'trial and error' type fix and I wanted to be fairly close to a main route home. As Dunmore East is quite close to Waterford City, which itself is at the end of a motorway taking me to Dublin then home, then it made sense to go there. The area was also supposed to be warmer and drier with all the bad weather in the West. </div>
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I went to Dunmore East Campsite which is associated with Dunmore Golf Club. The campsite is on the edge of the golf club grounds, although I did not have a direct view of the course from my pitch but it was on the other side of the bank. I arrived about 4pm to reception and found that the friendly welcome I had in Garretstown House was not to be replicated here. I did find the facilities very good and spotless, however there is more of a corporate air here and the staff really aren't that interested in the people who were using the campsite. They were busy so I was put in an overflow area which I was more than happy with. I had a more private pitch as a result. If I was here again, I would quite probably request this area again. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little orange tent with a tarp pitched over the top to help with the shade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pic credit to the ASCII website, they do accept ASCII cards here. This is the reception and amenity block.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: Pitchup Website</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Clubhouse at Dunmore East Golf Club</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seen from the Golf Club, a ship presumably carrying wind turbines</td></tr>
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The village of Dunmore East is a historic port that is reminiscent of 'Doc Martin' which as you probably know, is a TV series filmed in Cornwall. It would be fair to say that this coast line has a Cornish feel, there's evidence of past copper mining and the coastline to the west of Dunmore is known as the Copper Coast. It's all very 'Poldark' with secret coves, towering cliffs and winding steps down to the shore. It is no surprise to find that geologically, this area shares much of it's mineral formations with the South West coast of England and therefore this is justifiably considered that this part of Ireland that is a bit like going to Cornwall, without all the Londoners. And to top it off, the weather here is so reliable that it is also known as the 'Sunny South East' of Ireland. </div>
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I certainly had a good number of hot, sunny days - in fact it was really too much for me to bear! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copper Mining Works near Annestown, Co Waterford</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Strand Inn which is walking distance from the campsite (down a steep hill)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many coves </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> This one is called the 'Mens Cove' </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's one way to get down! No thanks....</td></tr>
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The Strand Inn became a favourite place to hang out because of it's proximity to the campsite. There is a sort of unofficial route from the campsite that takes a shortcut to the road that leads down into the cove where the Strand Inn is situated. By going to the camping pitches that have the view across the bay, you'll find a gap in the fence. A well worn path across the field will lead to a gap in a hedge beside a gate. The campsite itself is at a much higher level than the village of Dunmore East, so therefore walking down is no problem...but walking back, well that's a different story! </div>
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The Strand Inn does good breakfasts, however there are plenty of other places in the village of Dunmore to eat including two shops that sell Croissants and hot food. I found that the best fish and chips were in a place called O'Sheas which is beside the Fire Station. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Strand Inn, Dunmore East<br />
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Elsewhere, I visited the nearby village of Passage East, which is literally the name of the place. From it, you can get 'passage' in the form of a ferry, Eastwards! It is the sleepiest wee village and I suspect most people drive straight onto the ferry and don't explore the town. It was so pretty and I was struck by all the washing lines on top of the town wall beside the shingle beach. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passage East, the village that time forgot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passage East, Washing lines beside the sea</td></tr>
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To wind up this trip, I went to Waterford City and found a place to park up so I could explore for an hour before continuing on my journey home (which took 5 hours) through Dublin.<br />
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This hotel (below) is under renovation and the owner has decorated the building with an image representing the struggle of mental health.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel across the River Suir, Waterford City</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christchurch Cathedral, Waterford City</td></tr>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-53077943625343360942017-08-06T21:54:00.001+01:002017-08-06T21:55:21.322+01:00Staying at Garretstown House, Co Cork<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I had a rough plan. Just as well it was flexible and I didn't book anywhere as the plan changed as the holiday went on. What should have happened was that I went to Kinsale, spent two days then went North along the Wild Atlantic Way, calling in to Mannix Point in Caherciveen, then Co Clare, Connemara, Achill Island and finally the south Sligo coastline. What happened was that my car played silly buggers on the 6 hour journey south from Northern Ireland to Cork, on day it 2 went into a garage, and for days 3, 4 and 5 stayed in the garage while a 'fuel pressure gauge' was ordered, delivered and fitted. In that time the weather went pear shaped too, and so when I got my car back I went East instead of</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> North. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Coach House in the background</td></tr>
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I stayed in a campsite called Garretstown House near the village of Ballinaspittle which is a few miles outside Kinsale. It is a holiday park with mobile homes, touring sites and facilities set amongst the remains of a beautiful and ruined Georgian House. There are two historic buildings, one facing the other and with identical facades. The one that was a residence, is ruined, missing it's roof and too dangerous to go into therefore it is closed off. The other is an old Coach House which has been partially restored and has a large useful space indoors for group activities. There is also an Orangery which is being utilised as a sitting room for adults only. The courtyard houses facilities such as a campers kitchen, playrooms for different age groups and a takeaway. The campsite is placed on what would have been a croquet lawn, and has a magnificent view of the sea in the distance from steps leading down to it. It is a fantastic place, I really would recommend it for a family friendly campsite. The youngsters will love it as there are kids discos and kids movies being shown in the coach house on alternate nights. There is quite a steep hill going up through the holiday park from the main road, which is worth noting for those towing a caravan. You can walk to the beach, which is a 15 to 20 minute walk away, and is downhill all the way but uphill all the way back. The campsite is run by a family, Dennis Mawe is the main person but in my time there I met his sister and his brother and they are all active in the running of the site. The family are really friendly, this is the second generation running the site. They were so helpful when my car broke down and helped me find someone to fix the car. When the car was ready they brought me to the mechanic to pick my car up. When I had no car they were concerned and asking about my welfare. I have to say I enjoyed my chats with the family and felt like I was being looked after very well. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">panoramic photograph</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ruinous main residence</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Courtyard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little Orange tent on the former Croquet Lawn </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the steps</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garretstown Beach </td></tr>
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Garretstown Beach is 0.8 miles from the campsites, although there is really two beaches side by side with a hill in between. I noticed plenty of icecream vans, food stalls and even a massage parlour! </div>
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On my visit to Garretstown House I visited the historic town of Kinsale, which is a harbour town flanked by two forts. One of the forts is in great condition and can be visited. Unfortunately, because I had a dog with me I wasn't allowed into the inner courtyard, however I could visit the perimeter. Luckily this included a coastal path that quite honestly I probably wouldn't have bothered looking for if I hadn't been turned away at the ticket booth. </div>
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In Kinsale I visited the harbour, the historic narrow streets, and some outlying areas such as 'Summer Cove'. I found Kinsale to be a really pretty place, however very busy and parking is a problem. There is mostly paid parking spaces however Dennis from the campsite told me where the few free parking spaces where and I got lucky both times I visited Kinsale and got a free parking space. Kinsale puts me in mind Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast where I visited last year. Lots of cobblestown streets, narrow and very old. There's plenty of notices around giving the various histories of places and people which is a great touch. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desmond Castle which houses a wine museum</td></tr>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-45366233590847575482017-07-25T13:56:00.000+01:002017-07-26T14:18:58.330+01:00Been a long time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Studying, a house move, and lots of other issues have prevented any camping from taking place this year. However I have just returned from my first trip and have lots of pics to show and thoughts on campsites, areas and weather to share! </div>
Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-13814777136121858112016-08-01T18:06:00.006+01:002016-08-01T18:06:52.202+01:00Maddybenny Meet Sept 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddybenny Camping and Caravan Park </td></tr>
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Maddybenny Meet Sept 2016</div>
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A meet is proposed for the weekend of the 2nd September which is a Friday, through to the Sunday. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is in Maddybenny Camping and Caravan Park, which is 1 mile outside Portrush. </div>
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It co-incides with the Airshow weekend and so spaces will be extremely limited. </div>
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The link including the booking details can be found on the Northern Ireland Campsite Forum Facebook page</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/913398358772376/" target="_blank">Link to details of Maddybenny Meet</a></div>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-58653812236869783402016-08-01T15:34:00.001+01:002018-07-21T23:39:45.547+01:00Solo Camping Safety<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial";"><span style="background-color: white;">Camping solo? Read on....</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial";">Safety in numbers, get to know your camping neighbours and they will keep an eye out for you and your stuff. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial";">Choose a family run campsite where the family lives nearby, rather than a big corporate campsite where there may be no night time presence.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial";">If you do go for a big campsite, insist on getting an out of hours number and save it on your phone.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial";">If you plan to go adventuring, i.e. scaling mountains or go out on the water please tell someone where you are going and roughly when you plan to be back on site. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial";">It is often a good idea to have two chairs sitting outside instead of one, then you are not advertising your 'soloness'. Then your 'other half' <i>could</i> be dozing inside while you sit outside happily reading your book. You can put your feet up on the second chair then.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial";">As with any camping, avoid having lots of expensive electronics and if you do have for example a laptop with you, lock it in the car overnight and don't flash it about the site. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial";">You can put your chairs etc away in the tent when you leave it during the day if you want, but I've camped many times just leaving them outside and never lost a chair yet.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial";"> </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial";">There is no point locking your tent. If someone wanted to get in it would be noisier opening the zip. They are more likely to slash the tent around the back. See earlier point about safety in numbers.</span></li>
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Have you any additional tips? Please comment below<br />
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-66483701726017037522016-07-27T22:00:00.000+01:002016-08-27T22:00:36.255+01:00July 2016 annual hols - The Lake District Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Baysbrown Farm Campsite, Chapel Stile, Great Langdale (photo taken from Baysbrown web page)</td></tr>
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For the second week of our holiday <a href="http://campingnut.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/july-2016-annual-hols-north-of-england.html" target="_blank">(Part 1 here)</a>, after consulting the weather report, we decided to move to the Lake District. We settled on a campsite deep in the Langdale Valley, partly because of the amazing views from the campsite, but also because it was close to Ambleside which in turn isn't too far away from Windermere and the central lakes area. What I couldn't know, until we got there, is that even though it is only 6 miles from Ambleside, the roads are quite narrow and so it takes quite a while to get there anyway.</div>
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The central Lake District is an area of two halves, divided by Lake Windermere. The Eastern side is easy to get around with roads wide and plenty of amenities. The Western side, where we were, is windy, narrow and steep roads and it is a lot more difficult to get around. However every corner travelled opens a new part of the amazing scenery up to you. The towns and villages are stuffed full of tourists and the car parks, urban or rural, are all very expensive.</div>
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I'd been quite shocked at the cost of parking a car in Whitby, but this was nothing compared to the cost of parking in the Lake District. The car parks all have card readers so you can pay by credit or debit card, and you can stay for either 1 hour, or 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours etc, but you cannot pay for 2 hours. I found myself paying for more hours than I needed because I couldn't be sure of getting back to the car in time. In other cases you have to go through a touch screen process at the pay and display because the registration number of your car has already been read and logged by a camera on the way in. Many attractions even have pay and display car parks, and the average car park cost I paid was between £5 and £6 for maybe 3 or 4 hours. I pay 30p an hour at home!</div>
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So after a rant about the cost of car parking I can still report that the Lake District is a wonderful place, well worth the visit. The campsite we stayed is on a working sheep farm and is spread over several fields in the valley between very dramatic and steep mountains.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Baysbrown Campsite</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Herdwick Sheep, particular to the Lake District</td></tr>
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The village of Chapel Stile is close by and walking distance. There is a very pretty walk all on one level to the village, with two routes, one taking a path beside a river down as far as the Wainwright Inn, crossing over the bridge to the village on the other side - or the other walking along the road for approximately the same distance. The village has a shop and a cafe called the Bramble Cafe and there are two pubs. The previously mentioned Wainwrights Inn and not too far further on the Britannia Inn. Both do bar food and evening menus.</div>
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We decided that for Elan, in the future, this would be a great stop for camping trips. As he would be using public transport, and the bus stop is immediately outside the campsite gate. The village is close enough to walk to and has enough amenities in it to keep him fed, watered and happy. Even better it is about an hour away from Carlisle where he is a University student.</div>
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We went out exploring the area every day except the first. We arrived late afternoon on the Thursday (after driving through that amazing scenery over the Penines again) and we knew the Friday would be a wet one. So we decided to have a 'Duvet Day' apart from a quick run to the shop for supplies.</div>
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Over the week we visited Hilltop which is the home of Beatrix Potter, author and illustrator. This was of particular interest to my son because he is studing a degree in Illustration in university.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hilltop, Beatrix Potters House</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Front room of Beatrix Potters House</td></tr>
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We also went for a boat trip on Coniston Water and spent a day at the Aquarium on the southern tip of Lake Windemere, as well as exploring the towns of Bowness and Windemere, and the villages of Coniston and Hawkeshead.</div>
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We set up my Bell Tent and Elans Olpro Pop along side the track that leads to the farm. The Campsite itself is spread over various fields but this means that some of them are quite a walk from the amenities. We wanted to be a bit closer (after a week of being far from them at Hooks House Farm) and we found a lovely spot to pitch in. The facilities are excellent but there are no plugs to charge anything. You can give your device (phone, tablet etc) to the owner for a charge of £2. We just did without, there was no phone reception anyway. Elan missed the use of his laptop to an extent, but made do with a newspaper everyday and we played Battleships, Cluedo and did the crossword in the paper most evenings.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bell tent layout</td></tr>
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Initially, because of that first wet day, we pitched a tarp over the front of the tent. I put it up in such a way that Elans 'pup' tent was under the cover so he could get in and out in the dry. This worked well but after the initial wet period we had no more rain so there was no point keeping it up. There were some windy spells and we had bother keeping the eyelet of the tarp attached the the spike on the door pole of the Bell Tent so because we didn't need the thing there was no point fighting with it.</div>
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No matter the weather, the campsite has a stunning outlook. The best view, which I don't have a photo of, was one evening we'd both been playing travel Cluedo in the tent. It was night and both of us left the tent to go up to the amenity block. We were slightly uphill from the Valley floor, which was completely filled up with a layer of mist and we were above it the layer looking down. There was also a full moon and because we were completely surrounded by dramatic mountain faces it was like stepping in to another world. Wonderful! But even in the rain, the mountains are stunning.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A view from the tent </td></tr>
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On the Tuesday we had a heat wave. The campsite prints out a weather report and it is stuck up on the door of the washing up area so we knew about it in advance. We'd decided to take a picnic blanket to the shore of the lake at Ambleside because we could find a spot under a tree in the shade and there would be a steady breeze from the lake itself. We brought a picnic and a couple of books. Elan mostly dozed but even with the breeze it was just too hot. Elan then started to overheat and had a severe headache. When we went back to the car the gauge said it was 39 degrees. We went for a drive because the air conditioning in the car was better than being outside. Eventually, we came across a bridge that was over a river with some woods. Elan took his shoes off and went for a paddle in the water under shade and started to feel a whole lot better. The following day is was more normal a temperature - at around 27 degrees. We ended up in the Britannia Inn, having sandwiches inside in the shade beside an open window with a steady breeze coming in. We Paddy's are not used with that sort of heat! I also realised that this is why I don't go to Spain.</div>
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This is my favourite picture of the whole holidays even though it is out of focus (sadly) because it shows Elan being relaxed and happy, which is the whole point of the holiday. </div>
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The Lake District is definitely a place I would visit again and Baysbrown Campsite is one of the best I've ever been on. Again, like Hooks House, it was very quiet late evenings probably because most of the other campers were walkers. We had lots of youth groups stay, from scout groups to school groups and they were often up and away by 6.30am in the morning, without so much as a loud cough! The campsite was so quiet at night that somebody opening a zip carried across the fields.<br />
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I found that English campsites don't really have much in the way of social spaces like we have in Ireland, and that I missed that element (in my more limited experience of English Campsites). As much as I enjoyed my holiday in the Northern areas of England, I'm looking foward to holidaying in the relatively unpopulated areas around the coast of my own Island next year. It's good to have an epic odyssey once in a while but Irish campers and Irish campsites will always be my first port of call. </div>
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-70178454079852474562016-07-24T18:48:00.002+01:002016-08-27T21:44:54.447+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-31370403414813655852016-07-24T16:28:00.002+01:002016-07-24T19:13:06.475+01:00July 2016 Annual Hols - North of England Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's the weekend after the fortnight before, and I am so happy that our holiday, the big annual camping trip, went so well. We were lucky with the weather, in fact too lucky as we had one day when the temperature in the car read 39 degrees which is just nuts in this country. We had one day of solid rain, one night of sheet rain and crazy wind, and another mad thunder and lightning storm go right over our heads for and hour in the Langdale Valley that, with mountains all around, was like something out of the 'Lord of the Rings'. These were all separate weather events with sunny days in between, some bright and some a bit cloudy. Cloudy was a relief in some ways. </div>
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My eldest son Elan and I were together on this trip, he is a student now in a university in Carlisle and at that stage where he has moved out of halls and into a private let with 5 other students, and part of our trip meant calling in to the new house to meet the landlord and for me to sign a document. </div>
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We bit off more than we could chew with this outward journey. Our plans had been flexible, the only thing that was booked was the ferry and I had it in mind to spend two weeks in the Lake District, which is only an hour or so south of Carlisle. However in the lead up to the holiday the weather forecasts gave it to be bad in the Lake District and better over in the East and so it was last minute that it was decided that we'd go over to the North Yorkshire coastline. According to Google directions this was only a couple of hours more in the car. </div>
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The boat from Belfast was mid-morning and so we left the house at 9. Boat was uneventful and we'd brought a picnic as I wasn't impressed with the food the last time we were on a ferry. We weren't to know that there was to be two major roadworks projects in Dumfries, one going in and one going out. I knew about some roadworks going in to Carlisle and so we slipped off the main road at Gretna Green and went on the minor road parallel to the motorway, which took us nicely in to the Scotland Road and the right side of the city for Elans new house. It was late afternoon by this time. The stop with the landlord took the most of an hour and we were keen to get on to the campsite before it started to get dark and knowing we had maybe two hours travelling ahead of us. </div>
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Taking the road over the Penines, which is just stunning scenery the whole way, Elan started to take unwell with stomach cramps. Thinking it may be the result of something he ate he fished some tablets out of my medicine kit and pressed on. He got much worse and with him in agony, we stopped at Barnard Castle for some more of our picnic. But by this time the bread was stale and the insides were mush and neither of us could eat it. At Darlington, we accidentally took the wrong exit off a roundabout and just by chance I saw a restaurant/pub called the Tawny owl. We had a decent meal and Elan started to improve dramatically. So I guess it was a blood sugar problem, he just didn't have enough to eat during the day.By now it was 8pm. </div>
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I'd been in touch with Hook House Farm campsite prior to leaving and the owner had told me that if I was going to be very late, to phone ahead and give her an estimated time. She officially closed at 8pm but in the end we didn't get there until 9pm. By the time we'd booked in we were setting up in the dark. Because it was dark I did not know why the floor of the tent was all sticky underfoot. The following morning I discovered there was a layer of mildew all over the floor of the Bell Tent (I washed it down with Milton and it was fine again, but quite a bit of work with only a cloth) and so the last time I went camping, and thought I'd dried the tent, I obviously didn't dry it well enough.</div>
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It was 12 hours from door to door. Too long really, and with Elan not well I do not think I would undertake a journey in one go like that again. Even driving all the way to Mannix Point on a previous year only takes 8 hours. </div>
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I'd chosen Hook House Farm because of recommendation on the Bell Tent facebook page online, when I put in a request for a recommendation for a campsite with a view. I liked the idea of staying in the area, it was close to Robin Hoods Bay, which is famous for being the end point of the 'Coast to Coast' walk - and recently I saw a film called <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2701390/" target="_blank">Downhill</a> (2014) which is a comedy about four men taking the Coast to Coast walk from St Bees to Robin Hoods Bay. It is a really sweet, independent, fairly low budget movie where four men in various ways are simultaneously going through a mid life crisis and a coming of age at the same time. </div>
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Hook House Farm overlooks Robin Hoods Bay, which was only too apparent the next morning when I first opened the tent and this is what I saw.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HmiYHxfWffU/V5S8Q6hWBmI/AAAAAAAAEJA/rjFZVglWnOAg22pw_lDuBQYsHNgsT0BsACLcB/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HmiYHxfWffU/V5S8Q6hWBmI/AAAAAAAAEJA/rjFZVglWnOAg22pw_lDuBQYsHNgsT0BsACLcB/s640/IMG_1084.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The campsite is very sloped but there are some flat pitches at the very bottom of the campsite, furtherest, of course, from the loos and facilities but I really hate sleeping on a hill. Elan pitched the Olpro Pop, which is my latest tent purchase, right beside my Bell Tent and it was it's first use. Elan was so impressed with how easy it is to put up, and how spacious it was inside, that he asked if he could keep it for himself to use when in university with his girlfriend. So although I've effectively lost my new tent I'm secretly pleased that he wants to go camping off his own back and I hope it is the start of many of his own camping trips. </div>
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The first day we drove the 17 miles south to Scarborough, parked in a shopping centre and went for an explore. We found a Victorian Funicular Railway, or a cliff lift as it's often described, and beside it some gardens clinging to the steep slope that had hairpin bend paths all the way down to the 'seaside' area of Scarborough. We decided to walk down and get the cliff lift back up for a whole big 80p for both of us. Scarborough is a very grand Victorian sea side town with the most of the town is up top on a cliff. There is a slim strip of land at the bottom of the cliff, enough for a row of shops of the seaside variety, amusements etc. A great beach and at one end a harbour with a fun fair. the whole time I had the song 'Scarborough Fair' going round my head. You can see that in the Victorian era it would have been very grand, and the architecture is still in very good condition but the seaside part of it is the usual tacky shops. I enjoyed exploring the town and would quite happily go back. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliff Lift at Scarborough</td></tr>
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Over the next week we also visited Robin Hoods Bay village, which is a small fishing village clinging to the banks of a steep inlet with a maze of tiny streets. It has a history of smuggling, and there are reputedly tunnels linking the dwellings where smugglers could hide and escape the law. It is mostly for tourists now, as there is no car parking in the village. You park up on the hill and walk down a very, very steep path. Going down is one thing, going up - well it took me four stops! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin Hoods Bay, the way down! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin Hoods Bay </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Robin Hoods Bay</span></td></tr>
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Whitby is the nearest large town to the campsite and I absolutely loved it. It also has that smuggling history, and is another port with tiny streets and red roofs. Dramatically it also has a very gothic abbey on top of the East Cliff, and on the West Cliff, high above the port town, is another world of elegant Georgian town houses with pavilions, crescents and direct views out to sea. The Whitby of the port is much earlier, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cook" target="_blank">Captain James Cook</a>, famously captain of the Endeavour, apprenticed there in 1746 having been born nearby. His apprenticeship lasted nearly 10 years with a Quaker family and he went on to explore, discover and map much of the world. As a mapper myself I found this interesting.</div>
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We spent most evenings in Whitby as the car parking was free after 6pm. Whitby has reputedly the best fish and chips in the world in the Magpie Cafe and so we went, and it was good but I have had just as good elsewhere (namely Mr Eatwells in Omagh!). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitby, Captain Cooks Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitby</td></tr>
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Whitby also has an unusual swing bridge across the mouth of the river which lets seafaring traffic in and out of the port. I'd been over it several times before I saw it literally 'swing' in to action when it just split in half and one section of it swung out of the way. I was sitting in a coffee shop across the road at one end of it when it started to move. I nearly fell off my chair and said to Elan, 'look at the bridge' and Elan just rolled his eyes as he already knew it did that! </div>
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<a href="http://hookshousefarm.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hooks House</a> Campsite turned out to be a great base. The Campsite itself, as previously mentioned, in on a slope overlooking Robin Hoods Bay. The toilets and showers are in a portacabin which are cladded in timber so it looks quite smart, and they were spotlessly clean the whole time we were there. There are a couple of areas with sinks for dishes, one behind the portacabin which are outdoors with an amazing view which makes washing dishes almost a pleasure. Then there's also a kitchen area in a farm building with 3 sinks, a microwave and kettle and a few plugs for charging devices. Elan spent most evenings in there using his laptop where there was a plug and got chatting to quite a few of the other campers. I was quite happy reading a book outside my tent. </div>
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I found that people are not as quick to stop for a chat as they are in Ireland (North or South) and very much keep themselves to themselves. I barely spoke to a soul apart from Elan the whole week and I don't think that would happen at home! I realise of course that I it takes two to tango and Elan was spending a lot more time in the communal parts of the campsite than I was. Another thing I noticed was how early everyone went to bed. At 10pm there wasn't a sound apart from the occasional snore from a tent. Even a large youth group in a rally field beside us were tucked up and sleeping. No messing about, giggling or pushing their luck! Just good as gold! A revelation to me! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooks House Farm </td></tr>
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We were in the North Yorshire National Park and so it was a pity not to go and see some of it while were were there. I wanted to see the radar at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Fylingdales" target="_blank">RAF Fylingdales</a>, and although you can't go near it because it is Ministry of Defence, you can still see it from the road. It is a very strange structure, so much so that you find yourself just checking overhead for the 'Independence Day' spaceship flying overhead. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Radar at RAF Fylingthorpe</td></tr>
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We carried on until we were in Pickering, another picture postcard village on the south west edge of the National Park. It was the ideal place to stop at a cafe and we explored the ruined castle, the village and found a flea market to peruse as well. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickering Castle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickering</td></tr>
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After a week in this area, we decided to up sticks and move to the Lake District. We really enjoyed our time on the North Yorkshire coast, but decided we'd covered a lot and were ready for new things to do. We also wanted to be a tad closer to Carlisle so the journey home would not be as arduous as the outward one. <a href="http://campingnut.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/july-2016-annual-hols-lake-district.html" target="_blank">Part 2 coming up....</a><br />
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-12246486446934621662016-07-03T20:02:00.003+01:002016-07-24T21:47:10.938+01:00Tarpology<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have created a new Facebook Group for people who like using camping tarps. The link is:<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/tarpology/" target="_blank">Facebook Group - Tarpology </a><br />
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Please help me get it going.<br />
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121337863737604730.post-76869861745453088562016-06-21T21:43:00.000+01:002016-06-21T21:43:47.149+01:00Northern Ireland Campsite Forum June Meet 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last weekend we had a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/firesidefriends/" target="_blank">Northern Ireland Campsite Forum</a> Meet with some faces new and old. We met for the first time the lovely ladies Melanie and Mel, with their beautiful daughter Brook. John, Claire and her husband Stephen, and Stevie made up the rest of the small meet. I managed to get out of work a little early and drove the hour and a half to the campsite. We were staying at Hillfoot Campsite between Dungiven and Coleraine. The weather was great with beautiful blue skies showing Benbradagh Mountain off at it's finest. </div>
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I brought my gorgeous Bell Tent and had it up in no time. I had a fairly stress and effort free set up as I had been careful with the amount of things I brought. I did however, go a bit heavier on the glamping this time as I wanted the tent to look nice for visitors. I went for a Native American type theme with Navajo printed fabric and bought a new duvet cover to match various throws and scarves that I already had. The cushions are from my sofa at home. </div>
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On the Friday evening the beautiful warm day transformed in to a beautiful cold evening. Luckily the campsite has a cottage for campers to use which provides a living room space with a wood burning stove. I had devised a Table Quiz of 8 rounds with a music round provided by yours truly on the guitar. I sang and played the first two lines of 10 songs including Bob Marleys Three Little Birds, Adeles Someone like you and Leonard Cohens Hallelujah. Half a point for the name of the song and half a point for the artist, and I accepted cover artists.<br />
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The 'craic' was mighty, the quiz went down a storm and afterwards we did some singing with me playing guitar and various people having a go at singing.<br />
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On Saturday John, Stevie and myself headed up to Portstewart for a walk up the promenade and a cheeky drink in the Anchor Bar at the head of the town. Grabbing a Chinese takeaway on the way 'home', we took to the cottage again for another night of music, singing and craic.<br />
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The weather turned bad overnight between Saturday and Sunday but we were aware of the coming rain with John giving us regular updates from his phone, and so it was possible to choose a slightly drier half hour to throw the camping gear in the car even though I'm home with a wet tent.<br />
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Even with that it truly was a great weekends camping trip and I am looking forward to my next camping trip which is our annual 'big' holiday, which this year is in the Lake District.<br />
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Campervichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722490156280104330noreply@blogger.com0