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IRELAND 2022
  • Gill Dewdney

IRELAND 2022

We hoped to do Ireland 2021 but “they” wouldn’t let us in without isolating because of covid so this is “take 2”! En savoir plus
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  • Début du voyage
    2 mai 2022
    Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Gerald giraffe slept through all the drama!
    Parked up at Cross Farm

    Dubious Start

    2 mai 2022, Angleterre ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Things started to go wrong when we saw the signboard that the M40 was closed between Junction 11 and 12 in both directions due to an accident and the live updates looked like it would be for several hours so we took a “scenic route”. Next an engine management light flashed up followed by a message saying the stop start system wasn’t working! We stopped and studied the manual which said it was ok to continue and decided it wouldn’t be a problem as our vehicle is only 18 months old, under warrantee and has Fiat Camper Assist so it would be easy just to give them a call on arrival - THINK AGAIN!!! We started with calling the number in the Fiat information book and got the message number not recognised. We looked it up on the internet, same number, same message. The number was international so we tried different combination of plus signs instead of 00 etc but always got the same message. We then started looking for Fiat Professional garages on the Fiat website which also didn’t work very well. Next we logged into our Fiat profile and found 2 other numbers, first one - you guessed it number not recognised. Second number we got to speak to someone who preceded to tell us we weren’t covered on Fiat Assist then it sometimes takes a while for information to come through from Fiat, we pointed out we registered it in 2020 and even spoke to someone in Milan who confirmed we were covered for the first 3 years. The penny then dropped the call centre person hadn’t taken on board we were a motorhome not a car! So she tried to put us through to the camper department but it didn’t work. Loosing the will to live and imagining what this would have been like if we were in some foreign destination, with half the van ripped off due to an accident, I gave the number a try on my mobile and hallelujah we got through. A lovely lady called Laura found us on the system and is sending out someone to look at the van tomorrow morning. Tony has spent the last hour in “conversation” with Tesco mobile to see why his phone can’t call this number but not resolved. It is one of those days when you think “isn’t modern technology wonderful???”En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Just before the poonami!
    Lunch for Eris at the cafeWalking the wild flower trailTired out after a busy day

    You never stop learning

    3 mai 2022, Angleterre ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Well, today started like no other we’ve had motorhoming, the RAC man arrived to sort our engine management light problem……and solve it he did, explained the issue and gave self help advice if it happens again. What more could you ask for? Basically a common problem for auto gearbox motorhome, they don’t get revved hard because the gearbox changes gear to prevent it and if you switch off the engine during the exhaust particulate filter regen (and there’s no warning to tell you its regening) it senses an incomplete regen and gives the engine management alarm. Only indication of the pending problem is cooling fan running after switching off the engine. Solution if the fan continues to run is start the engine until the fan stops. If the light comes on drive in power mode and “give it the gun” to rev it up or manually keep in lower gear and rev it up until the light goes out. Fingers crossed!! But in hindsight that’s intuitively what we did in Dubrovnik with the old van when the same light came up, but that was out of warranty and a week from the nearest Fiat dealer.

    So, van fixed, we heading to see Eris (and Ellie) for coffee and cake, of course. Lots of nanny time cuddling, feeding, changing Eris (including one poonami) before we headed out in the car to Staunton Harold Reservoir and the National Trust cafe for a light lunch and walk. It was a light lunch, they only had 3 toasties and a vegan cheese and pesto roll left, so we had all of them and some chocolate brownies. Followed by a 40 minute walk by the reservoir, very quiet and pleasant, before back to the car to go home and see Ross who had come home from work by now. Another poonami then back to the motorhome for tea and planning of some future trips before going back tomorrow for a couple of jobs and more Eris time.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Supper at the Spread Eagle

    Findern and Spread Eagle for refreshment

    4 mai 2022, Angleterre ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    A rainy start to the day but we were still able to walk to Ellie’s. I spent time with Eris whilst Tony and Ellie cleaned their motorhome ready for Eris’s first trip out in the motorhome on Saturday. In the afternoon we went to Dobbies garden centre for afternoon tea. In the evening we went with Ellie, Ross and Eris to The Spread Eagle in Rolleston for Eris’s first pub supper!

    Tomorrow we head for Holyhead and the start of our Irish adventure!    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Morrisons Shopping Stop
    1Arriving in WalesWelsh sceneryOh no Rac man again

    Heading to Wales

    5 mai 2022, Pays de Galles ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    We left our regular site of Cross Farm and made the short trip to Morrisons at Burton to stock up on food and buy some Kwells just in case the Irish sea is lumpy! We did our usual holiday shopping process and had a coffee, croissant and scones in the supermarket car park before heading off. A lovely sunny day and reasonably good journey. We stopped at 2 pm for some lunch then had a quick stop to refuel but the dreaded engine management light came on again! We continued to Bumwerth CL near Rhoscolyn. We called the Fiat Camper Assist again and had supper whilst waiting for his arrival. Not quite as knowledgeable man this time so even though thought we were ok to continue trip recommended perhaps we should have it checked out in Ireland.

    We then took a late evening stroll down to Rhoscolyn to see if we could find Alison’s family holiday home but it was a little too far to get to before it became dark, we did see the church she mentioned and enjoyed the exercise. When we returned to the van we prepared for our early start tomorrow.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    At Holyhead Docks
    On board shipRiverly CLView from motorhome door

    Over the Irish Sea

    6 mai 2022, Irlande du Nord ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    A 5.45 am alarm, quick get up and set off for the port just a few miles away. We discovered our Irish Ferry, Epsilon wasn’t drive on/drive off but up a steep ramp with a U turn - good job we had our best driver at the wheel! We then headed for the restaurant for a full Irish breakfast, followed by a game of cards, some reading and another coffee. The rain started lashing down so Ireland was welcoming us with some liquid sunshine!

    Easy journey with some tolls to Newry and then to Riverly House CL, very neat and tidy site with very friendly owner.

    Booking made for motorhome to be checked over on Wednesday by Fiat Professional at Newtown Abbey near Belfast so let’s hope we can have a trouble free few days now.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Countryside en route
    Entrance to Mount StewartSunken GardenShamrock GardenDodo BridgeLake

    Travelled to Dundonald via Mount Stewart

    7 mai 2022, Irlande du Nord ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Set off from Riverly House and travelled via Castlewellan, Downpatick (saw the horse race course there), then travelled up the side of Strangford Lough to Mount Stewart, National Trust House. A very scenic, neat and tidy route. The house and grounds are presented as they would have been in 1921 when the Marquis of Londonderry and his wife, Edith, lived here. It became their principle home when the Marquis became the minister of education in the Belfast parliament. Edith showed great flair in restoring the house and interior decorating.

    There was an interesting little exhibition about the sad story of when one Easter Edith allowed some of the staff use her sailing boat the Mountstewart to go on an excursion on the Stanford Lough and stop off at one of the islands for a picnic. It was a calm day, the boat and its occupants were last seen tacking on their way back to the mooring in the late afternoon but never arrived. Bodies of some of the participants were found but the boat was never found. It is a mystery which is still being investigated.

    We finished our visit with a walk up to the lake where we sat and enjoyed the scenery and watching the birds antics on the lake and then went to look at the walled garden, which was disappointing as not restored yet.

    We then travelled the short distance to Dundonald campsite, set up camp and took advantage of the laundry facilities.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Gill, Michael and Michelle
    GracehillGracehillLemonade SalesComber Greenway"Goliath" crane

    A day with Michelle and Michael

    8 mai 2022, Irlande du Nord ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    We woke up to a sunny day which was lucky as our plan is to cycle on the Comber Way to the Titanic Quarter, then on the Lagan and Lough cycle way to Michelle and Michael’s house in Downsview Avenue. The Comber Way was a very pleasant, leafy route until we reached East Belfast which was a built up residential area with some interesting murals and views down to the very large Harland and Wolfe “Goliath” cranes. We then cycled through the very modern Titanic Quarter with the iconic Titanic Belfast tourist attraction. We then cycled through the industrial dock area until we reached the residential area close to Michelle and Michael’s house. There was some lovely 1920’s residents to see along the way and lovely views down to the harbour. It was great to see Michelle again after 14 years and to meet Michael. We sat in their garden in the sunshine and had coffee and some delicious scones, jam and cream.

    We went for lunch in Gracehill in an old school house at a restaurant called Millside where we had a delicious lunch. The village and building were very interesting and picturesque set around a large village green. The village had a history of education, one of the houses had been used as a girls’ boarding school in the late 19th century as well as the school house for boys. The small museum in the restaurant also showed examples of very skilful embroidery, sewn by ladies in the village, and, it is thought, one of their christening gowns had been used for a baby in the royal family.

    After a very enjoyable day we enjoyed a pleasant evening cycle back to the site with just one stop where two little girls, Cara and Erin, were selling lemonade, from their front garden, to raise money for the food bank.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Titanic Belfast
    White StarSS NomadicCity HallOpera HouseCrown Liquor Store

    Titanic Belfast

    9 mai 2022, Irlande du Nord ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    Today rain is forecast but we were fortunate and walked to the bus before it started. We disembarked the bus at Donegal Square West and decided to walk to the Titanic Quarter as we were familiar with it from our bike ride yesterday. Of course we started our Titanic expedition with coffee and cake! We then collected our audio guide and set off. The expedition gave a very good account of life in Belfast at the time the Titanic was being built. Belfast was a budding commercial centre and thriving port. The linen industry employed many women and children, even though it was a dangerous job for little ones who had to retrieve thread from the working machinery. Ship building employed men on either a permanent or casual basis, the hours were long about 68 hours a week and the work dangerous. There were many supporting industries in the town as well, like whiskey and tobacco businesses. Living condition for the poor were still very basic with usually no running water and cramped quarters. The fight for independence was on going in Southern Ireland so there were political, religious and social divisions. Of course the successful businesses meant the city had many wealthy citizens and smart, spacious houses sprung up for them.

    White Star and Cunard were in fierce competition, Cunard offered a fast Atlantic crossing with their newest liner so White Star decided to create the luxury Olympus class of liners which included Titanic, which they hoped would be the most prestigious of their fleet. The best cabins were very expensive but a large proportion of the cruise companies income did come from the large number of people wanting to find a better life in the new world who were travelling in steerage. The Titanic improved conditions for these travellers and offered cabins with bunk beds and a basin with running water, communal flush toilets and a dinning room where meals were served and where there was a piano for entertainment. It was no longer steerage but 3rd or 2nd class.

    We checked on rendezvous point for the outside walking tour we had booked and were offered a refund as it was so wet which we accepted.

    We also visited the Titanic drawing office which is now incorporated into the Titanic hotel. Next we visited the SS Nomadic which was used in Cherburg as a tender to transport passengers to the Titanic on her maiden voyage. This ship also had different areas for the different categories of passengers. It is now the only surviving White Star ship. Before it’s restoration it was used as a restaurant in Paris but had also seen service in the two world wars.

    The rain was still falling as we walked back to the city centre and after a cuppa and some cake we walked around to look at 3 of the historic buildings, the City Town Hall, the Opera House and the very ornate (inside and out) Crown Liquor Store which was surprisingly a National Trust property.

    We had some supper in Bob and Bert’s before joining the rush hour travellers, on the bus, as we travelled back to our site.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Labourers' Cottages
    Sweetie shopStage made by basket weaverDinner at Cultra Inn

    Ulster Folk Museum

    10 mai 2022, Irlande du Nord ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Michelle and Michael came for coffee and cake and to sample some motorhome life. We then all went to the Ulster Folk Museum which was a little village made up of a variety of historic houses and buildings, some original and some replicas depicting life in the old days. There were also a number of craft demonstrations. We started off having a “wee peep” in a church, then went on to the small labourers’ houses with very few facilities. We treated ourselves to some sweets in the sweet shop. We then visited the dress makers house and had an interesting talk and demonstration with one of the staff. We looked at the housework tools of yesterday in the hardware shop before a trip to the pub and rectory. We stopped for a refreshment break and found some jumbo size sausage rolls. The picture house was showing a Charlie Chaplin silent movie. The bank manager’s house which incorporated the bank, was the fanciest of all the properties and included an inside bathroom plus one of the staff was playing on the piano. We learnt at the doctors house that “back in the day” a TB outbreak was causing lots of problem but people weren’t able to quarantine as businesses would have been short of staff (does this sound a familiar story with the covid situation in 2020, 21 and 22) and eventually vaccinations saved the day. We watched a tweed weaver at work and had a discussion about the complaint of weavers bottom! Finally we looked at the very skilful work of the basket weaver making a beautiful stag.

    The weather had been sunshine and showers all day and whilst it was dry we took the opportunity for a stroll along the banks of the Belfast Lough, it was quite windy and when the black clouds appeared we hurried back to the Cultra Inn for a delicious meal.

    We had had a delightful couple of days with Michelle and Michael and are looking forward to seeing them again in the not too distant future.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Next campsite
    Next day pics ride to Giants CausewayR93 by the sea, tramway and through golf courseCoffee stop at station to avoid crowdsCows Bay

    Drumaheglis near Ballymoney

    11 mai 2022, Irlande du Nord ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    A very early alarm as we have to get to the Fiat Professional garage in Mallusk , on the other side of Belfast, by 9 am. We did battle with the Belfast rush hour traffic and got to our destination with a minute to spare! We left the van to be check whilst we went to The Bothy for a very tasty breakfast, I had sourdough toast, pouched eggs and bacon and Tony had a pancake stack - reduced eating starts tomorrow!!!! We also took advantage of the free Wi-Fi.

    We returned to the garage after 2 hours and were told there was a problem with one of the sensors that checks on the particulates in the exhaust but unfortunately there were no replacement sensor available in Ireland and were scarce elsewhere. They said we were ok to continue our travels but regens would not be complete and the light might come on again and we either had to call Fiat Camper Assist out again to correct it or Tony has found a wizard wheeze on the internet to do the same thing to reset it (didn’t tell the Fiat man) but we needed to call Fiat customer services and our Southampton garage to get it fixed when we came home. We called Fiat Customer Service who were in Albania!, then Adams Moray and the van is booked in for the day after we return and they hope they will have sensors in by them - fingers crossed.

    We were ready to go on our way by midday. We had a shopping stop at Tesco’s in Ballymoney before arriving at the site which is by the river and has a small marina. Another sunshine and showers day and during a sunshine moment we went for a walk along the river.

    After supper we had a birthday call to Gemma with lots of chat from Max too.

    It is now 9.25 pm but still daylight and have another early start tomorrow as going on a cycling adventure!    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Causeway coast
    CausewayThe Giant's organ, he plays only on Christmas morningThe Giant's Boot

    A Giant Step…..but of the Mythical kind

    12 mai 2022, Irlande du Nord ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Up early, brekky sorted and bike packed ready to start by 9.20, 10 mins early (!) unheard of! for us anyway. We don’t have an OS standard map so it was time to put the destination into Gavster the Garmin and give it its head to sort the route. It’s supposed to route via cycle friendly roads and tracks but, like all these devices, it can sometimes get adventurous, go through farm yards etc. we only decided to ignore Gavvy once on the way there and arrived on time only to see a number of coaches parked and arriving in the car park….a cruise ship was in apparently. Still, the Giant’s Causeway is a big place, the clue is in the name, and, whilst it wasn’t a spiritual moment with that number of people, it was an enjoyable walk from the visitor centre to the stones with the commentary from the headset.
    Back to the visitor centre to get the picnic out of the pannier and just as we sat down at the picnic table, we were the only ones due to the cold, wind and now rain, so we decamped into a corner of the cafe and bought 2 teas and continued with our picnic there. Good job we’d brought the picnic as there signs everywhere apologising for restricted choice and slow service due to reduced number of staff.
    We abandoned our provisional plan to go on to the Carrick Rope Bridge because we’d spent more time at the causeway and slightly influenced by the rain showers and having to cycle into wind most of the way home. So we donned waterproofs and set off.
    On the way home we saw the other end of the track we’d chosen to avoid on the way there, it didn’t look too bad so we chanced it. A bit rough but ok until we came to a 10 yard section that was flooded right across! A quick inspection, one side didn’t look as deep as the other so, ignoring the fact that puddles are only flat on top, we ploughed through and didn’t even get our feet wet, well not enough to get in our shoes.
    Once home it was kettle on for a “nice cup of tea” and a warm up, bike away and checking the route for tomorrow when we move on to another site on the “Wild Atlantic Way”.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Scenery with raindrops on the windscreen
    Driving around LondonderryInto Southern Ireland on the Inishowen PeninsularView from Binion Bay Site

    Drumaheglis to Binion Bay

    13 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    A rather grey looking day and we only had 60 ish miles to travel so had a leisurely start and did some “housework” of the van, plus coffee break before leaving at 12 on the dot, the stated departure deadline.

    A pleasant journey through some rural and forested areas plus bypass around Londonderry then onto the quiet and sometimes narrow roads of the Inishowen Peninsula.

    We followed the satnav but were perplexed when we reached the destination as all we could see was a row of static vans with a narrow strip of concrete in front of them. The jolly Irish site owner turned up in a car behind us and said this was it - follow me!! We proceeded to navigate our way down the narrow path until we came to a gravel pitch, again site own said follow me exactly (walking this time) which we did and with some nifty moves got ourselves into position.
    Very rural views of hills, farm houses, gorse etc. When a new Irish neighbour arrived we had a few electricity problems with the power tripping out but negotiated a “peace agreement” of us both sticking to only using 5 amps each.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Doagh Famine Village
    Making PoitinInside the guide's cottagePath to Peace - hidden doorsCoffee and Scones cafe overlooking the beachGlenevin Waterfall

    Ride to Doagh Village, Waterfall & Beach

    14 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    A lovely ride through the countryside and along a bay to Doagh Famine Village. The 12 euro per person entry fee included a cup of coffee and scone. The cafe overlooked a large sandy bay and was a great way to start our visit.

    Our tour guide, who was in his mid fifties, had lived with his parents and 4 siblings in one of the little 2 roomed cottages up until 1984. The house had no electricity or running water and they lived a very simple life which revolved around providing themselves with food either from the seashore or fields. The Inishowen peninsular was very remote, people didn’t have TVs or cars so they knew very little about the outside world. Water and wells were very important and the guide’s dad had the power of a water diviner so was in demand. When Ireland joined the EU there was a great boom in their economy as many new business came to Ireland because they could trade with Europe and around the world tariff free. Many of the derelict little old cottages can still be seen but alongside large houses with very neat gardens.

    Back to the old days, even though it was illegal, a good way to make money was to distil whiskey from potatoes and this was called poitin. Apart from the risk to the maker of being imprisoned, the drinker was at risk too, if it wasn’t distilled properly and they drunk the first batch it could make them blind. If it was made in lead pipes the drinker could be unconscious for up to 3 days. These two outcomes gave rise to the following expressions:-

    BLIND DRUNK
    AWAY WITH THE FAIRIES

    We then went into the chapel to find out about wakes, another few interesting customs, putting a box of snuff on the dead persons chest so you could see if they were really dead or just unconscious from the drink. Paying someone to wail at the wake to “wake the dead”. Once someone was buried attaching a string to their finger and to a bell above the burial place just incase they had been buried alive.

    Expressions:-
    SNUFFED IT
    if you make too much noise you are WAKING THE DEAD
    DEAD RINGER if you look like somebody who had been buried and could be them

    Next part of the tour was about the history of the potato famine, the plight of the evicted tenants, emigration, travelling folk and a set of rooms with hidden doors telling the story of the road to peace and independence in Southern Ireland. A very interesting and informative attraction.

    After a picnic lunch we cycled onto Glenevin waterfall which we accessed via a 1 km walking trail. The weather was getting warmer so we treated ourselves to an ice cream before pedalling on to look at Binion Bay, near our campsite.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Wild Ireland ParkEn route through Letterkenny

    Binion Bay to Creeslough

    15 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    An uneventful drive except for 2 things, the narrow 1.5 mile one vehicle width, with hardly any passing places, road to the Wild Ireland Park and the lack of signs to the campsite, both of which were coped with without too much fuss.
    The Wild Ireland Park is a small place with animals from Ireland’s past, bears, wolves, lynx and wild boar plus some others you’d find wild or roadkill in the forest back home. It’s a new place still being built so hopefully will get better with time. The size of the well tarmaced car park certainly showed they were expecting lots of visitors in the future and gave plenty of space for the motorhome now.
    Arriving in Creeslough we saw the campsite below us as we passed the unmarked entrance and after a mile or so we managed to find somewhere to turn round and return to the unmanned reception, but someone turned up. In theory this was a very swish site with lots of facilities but didn’t feel like that, although the washing machine and dryer worked well.
    The best part of Creeslough has to be ice cream parlour “Scrumptious” and it certainly was !!    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Formal Gardens
    Lough GlenveaghAt view pointGlenveagh Castle from walled gardenHead Gardeners CottageCastle from View Point

    Glenveagh Castle and Gardens

    16 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Our plan today was to cycle up and around the Rosguil Peninsular. It rained on and off during the early hours but undeterred we put on our cycling clothes. There was another burst of rain and we waited until that passed then started to get out the tandem. The heavens opened again and we decided it wasn’t to be, so we had coffee and changed our plans and set off to visit Glenveagh in the motorhome. We had lunch there on arrival then went to purchase our ticket for the shuttle bus and guided tour of the castle only to learn that the castle is not open as undergoing renovation!!! However the very helpful member of staff said the bus was running and the gardens were open and we could watch a film about the property, which we did. The castle was built by John Adair who visited the area and thought it perfect for a summer home when he and his wife weren’t in America. He became very unpopular when he forcibly evicted tenant farmers off of his land in the difficult winter of 1861. He died shortly after building the castle and his wife Adelina continued to live there and was much more amenable to the local people as well as a renowned hostess for the rich and famous. Belgium refugees lived at the castle during WW1, then the IRA briefly occupied it in 1922. Kingsley Porter, a Harvard professor owned it but mysteriously disappeared. Henry Mcllhenny then became the owner and finally it passed to Irish Government in 1975. All the owners over the years developed and improved the gardens and they are now one of the best gardens in Ireland.

    We took the bus to the castle and enjoyed walking around the formal gardens then climbed up to the view point over the castle and Lough. The sun was out and it was pleasantly warm so we had tea and cake in the cafe courtyard. We finished off our tour of the gardens just as the rain started again so we ran to the bus shelter and returned to the motorhome.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur

    Creeslough to Killybeg

    17 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Firstly we went to fuel up at our “favourite” petrol company’s station, Green Apple, who seem to provide the most reasonably priced diesel, before driving on the N56, partly along the Wild Atlantic Way. We detoured onto the The Rosses to find a scenic coffee stop. We were successful and found a spot overlooking the beach, close to Donegal Airport which would only accommodate very small planes.

    We did a stop for groceries in Dunglow before heading onto our site in Killybegs which was on terraces over looking a lighthouse and the sea. En route to the site we realised another motorhome was following us and even took the same wrong turning! On arrival we had a chat with them, Carol and Dave.

    We pedalled down into Killybeg for supper. The harbour was a commercial fishing port with large trawlers moored, not quite the quaint fishing port we had envisaged. We found a good restaurant for supper in the Tara hotel and had a window table overlooking the harbour. We even found a reasonably out of the way place for the tandem on the patio. The food did not disappoint, I had salmon and prawns and Tony had a steak sandwich, both were delicious.

    We invited Carol and Dave into ours in the evening and we all stayed chatting until 1 am!    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur

    The Wild Atlantic Way to Sleive Cliffs

    18 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    Despite the late night/early morning, we had the tandem out and were on the road by 10.30 am. The first part of the route was down to the coast on a small road with grass growing in the middle, a few houses, rural and scenic. We continued mainly along the coast, saw sandy bays and a dramatic coast line. We passed through Kilcar and Carrick until we reached Teelin where the Sleive Cliff Visitors Centre was located. We stopped for coffee and scones before continuing up hill (again!) to the lower car park. We decided it was best to walk the 1.5 km to the cliffs rather than cycle as it had been a very hilly route and we were keen to save the battery. It was a very scenic walk with dramatic views of the coast line and we also spotted one of the war time markings in the cliffs which helped returning pilots know where they were and that they were flying over neutral territory. As we arrived at the cliffs there were 3 vans, one selling drinks, another souvenirs and a tweed clothes van. We walked along to the viewing platform to see the cliffs and take a photo. The wind started increasing and all the selling vans rapidly shut up shop and headed off. We headed back to the bike and hoped rain wasn’t setting in. We made it to Kilcar and found a seat in a ruined church to have our picnic. We had a quick look in the tweed shop before continuing. We had one last windy stop at a coffee van for a cuppa overlooking the ocean and took the direct route this time back to the site. A 34 mile ride including 3 km of walking and 3,259 feet of climbing and stunning scenery. We battled against the wind to pack the bike back into the van. We then retreated inside into the warm and within minutes the rain finally started lashing down - how lucky was that!En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Donegal
    DonagalView from motorhom - Rosses PointCampsiteBeachIrish Goodies

    Killybeg to Rosses Point via Donegal

    19 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We did the usual van mini clean, said bye to Carol and Dave and set off for the car park in Donegal that was big enough for motorhome and located by the river Eske and abbey. On arrival we popped into the visitors centre to get a town map then walked back to The Diamond area and found a nice little restaurant called Old Stone where we ate a tasty lunch. We then went to Donegal Castle paid our 4 euro entrance fee and wandered round. The castle was built by Red Hugh O’Donnell in the 15th century and also torched by Rory O’Donnell when the British were advancing before he escaped to Spain. We don’t have many pictures of the castle as we both forgot our phones. I found an Irish gift shop to buy a couple of Irish gifts for baby Eris, we then returned to the car park to find our neighbours were Carol and Dave! We had a quick look at the Abbey before setting off and the rain starting.

    We arrived at Rosses Point Caravan Park and had a great pitch overlooking the coastline and views inland towards Benbulben Mountain which is similar in shape to Table Top mountain but I have said to Tony this doesn’t mean we aren’t still going to Cape Town to do our cancelled by covid trip planned for 2020!    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Lyons Cafe
    W B Yates StatueSligo Priory

    A Day in Sligo

    20 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    It wasn’t supposed to be a day in Sligo, we even put on our cycling clothes ready for a cycle round Lough Gill assuming the rain, if not the howling wind, would abate before our planned departure. Having consulted the weather forecast, yet again, we found that rain was due on and off all day, yet again! So after checking out what to do in Sligo and the bus timetable it was off with cycling stuff and on with civvies, including waterproofs, of course. Just then it brightened up and stopped raining but we didn’t fall for that one and continued with the “Day in Sligo”.
    The bus came on time, we were there early, and the bus stop was a couple of hundred yards from the the site gate by the obligatory, in this area, WB Yeats hotel. Three Euros for 2 seniors into the city centre 30 mins ride away, bargain.
    Once there we called in at the local museum (free entry) quite interesting with stuff from prehistoric days to the present with a lot of stuff on the separation of Ireland including information about Countess Markievicz of Lisadell House, a revolutionary nationalist who took up arms but also became the first women elected to the British House of Commons. In addition, of course, displays on WB Yeats.
    Wondering around town we came across and old fashioned department store and round the corner the parched entrance to the store’s cafe/restaurant (Lyons Cafe). Time for lunch, we opened the door went up the quiet stairs and as we opened the door to the actual restaurant we were hit by a cacophony of noise, the place was packed and humming. We managed to find one of the few free tables and Tony queued up for the food, pork including crackling, only allowed on holiday! The food was very good so, once fed and watered, we were back on the streets and checking out the local cinema, the new Downton Abbey film at 4.25 so we booked two tickets. In fact they were the only 2 booked tickets but another 5 people turned up for the performance. We did a walking tour around the town which included the remains of the old gaol where Michael Collins was held and the Sligo Priory.
    After the film, we were back out on the streets for the 7.25 bus home, 3.80 Euros this time?
    It did rain on and off all day but we managed to find shelter when we needed it and we’re happy with the revised plan. Tomorrow for the Lough ride.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Parke's Castle
    Inner Court of CastleInside CastleLough GillLunch StopEn Route Home

    A Ride Around Lough Gill

    21 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    A much better weather forecast today, no rain all day, back on with the cycling clothes and bike out ready for the day’s ride. No rain, the route put into the garmin and we were off. Must have been operator error that had gavster instructing us to do a u turn continuously for the first 5 miles but then he got the hang of it and to be honest we had a map so he was only really needed to record the journey.
    It was a scenic ride so only one stop of significance, Parke’s Castle, which had been extensively renovated after 300 years of abandonment and decay. There was a very good audio visual presentation about this site and other ancient sites around the area, burial mounds, Irish tower houses etc.
    The guided tour was delayed to let us finish the AV presentation, but then the 4 people on the guided tour were the 4 in the AV theatre. Seamus, the guide, told us all about the castle and it’s beginnings with O’Rouke family, the leader being executed for helping a Spanish Armada captain and crew to get back to Spain in 1588. The castle was then given to a Captain Parke of the English army together with 1000 acres on condition he protected it for the crown. His daughter, who inherited the castle, and her husband decided it was too difficult/dangerous to live there and abandoned it to live in their other home, Lissadell House. So started the 300 years of decay.
    Continuing around the Lough, stopping for picnic lunch and back home to complete a 37 mile ride.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur

    Rosses Point to Westport

    22 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    On the move again today. We have nominated the site at Rosses Point as being the best so far, good and clean facilities, excellent view and easy access to bus into Sligo town.

    As we started on the road, the rain started, but that made today a good travelling day. We stopped in Ballina at Lidl to stock up on groceries.

    Our next stop was at the Irish Museum of Country Life and Turlough House. A helpful guide explained there were just 2 rooms in the house to look at, the parlour which gave an insight into the life of the upper class life style and the second room was an art exhibit of sacks with glass potatoes depicting the potato famine of the 1840’s. The museum was a modern building with an audio video introduction and a number of well set out displays illustrating country life in the past in Ireland. The essence of life seemed to be to provide nearly everything from nature so making chairs, baskets, even fancy dress costumes from such things as wheat. People worked long hours and had few comforts. Electricity and, later, telephones didn’t start to be common place in rural areas until well into the 1970’s. There were plenty of customs that often revolved around the growing season. Tinkers who travelled around in the summer months were very welcome as they either provided or repaired items such as tin buckets hence the name Tinker.

    We arrived at the Westport site, settled in and checked several weather sites on our mobiles trying to decide if Monday or Tuesday would be best for cycling the Great Western Greenway.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur
    Kelly's Cafe
    En RouteOver Looking Clew Bay

    The Great Western Greenway

    23 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    We woke to the sound of rain and checked 2 weather websites which gave contradictory weather reports. What to do??? We decided to go for it and it was gong to be one of those rarest of days, when you battle into wind to get to somewhere and when you head back the wind is in the same direction and blows you home. We cycled a short way to join the Greenway and then the rain started so out with the waterproofs but the rain quickly stopped. By the time we had cycled the first 10 km and reached Newport the sun was out. We stopped at Kelly’s and had delicious coffee, scones, jam and cream and struck up a conversation with another cyclist. He had lived here for 15 years having married an Irish girl and on his day off cycled to Newport for breakfast. He lived in Westport Quay and recommended The Helm for us to eat tomorrow evening and even rang his brother in law who worked there to check it would be open. He also recommended a cafe in the next place Mulranny which was 18 km away. We found the cafe and, as we had been told, there were magnificent views across the sandy beach and Clew Bay. Another coffee and shared scone. We continued on another 12 km to Achill, in fact just a little further, as there was no notice to say we had come to the end of the Greenway. Lack of public toilets drove us into another cafe for tea and a shared croissant but it was fortunate as the heavens opened when we were in the cafe.

    The whole route had magnificent scenery and passed through rocky moorland, peat bog surrounded by hills, gurgling streams, tarns, sea inlets, beaches of golden sands, an array of wild flowers, cattle, sheep and a variety of birds. There was a “picture” at every turn. The track was mainly a disused railway route, traffic free, great surface and signage.

    We returned back on the same route stopping at Mulranny station where we found public toilets so we’re able at last to eat our picnic. We stopped again at Kelly’s, eating inside this time to warm up and read a very interesting article about the father of Grace Kelly, the actress and later Princess Grace of Monaco, who was an emigrant from this area who settled in the US. Grace came back to Newport together with Prince Rainer and they bought some land and built a holiday home but sadly she never saw in completed as she died in a car crash.

    55.26 miles cycled in total with 1,614 ft of climbing. When we got back we had supper, washed up and were ready for bed.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur

    Westport House, Town and Quay

    24 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Today we decided to visit Westport House and a good and amusing guide took the tour. Westport House was built over 400 years ago by the Browne family. In the 1500’s there was a tower house on the site which belonged to the infamous pirate queen and chieftain Grace O’Malley. Owners of the current house included family members who’s fortunes came from the plantations in Jamaica that were manned by slaves and a later owner brought about the emancipation of slaves in Jamaica. The last resident marquis, Jeremy, his wife Jennifer and 5 daughters kept the estate running with various tourist initiatives such as the campsite, renting out Gypsy caravans, self catering cottages, a zoo, and a children’s adventure park. Difficult financial issues in Ireland resulted in the family having to sell the property and land and under new ownership a large amount of money is being put into restoration and development. The marquis title has gone to a male family member in Australia.

    After the tour we walked into town to look around then down to the quay for supper in The Helm - a very delicious meal.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur

    Travelling from Westport to Galway

    25 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Just a travelling day. A prompt start to make sure we arrived in time to get a site because the Galway sites don’t accept advance bookings and we needed to be close for the show tomorrow night. We arrived to find loads of space and were given a pitch right on the sea front with views across the bay.
    The afternoon activities consisted of walking along the pedestrian prom, which finished the other side of the campsite boundary by our pitch, to check out the theatre for the show, checking the bus stop and route into Galway, downloading a walking tour app of Galway and booking a boat tour, all for tomorrow.
    More fresh cold wind and cloud but we were under cover whenever it rained.    En savoir plus

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  • Gill DewdneyIRELAND 2022Voyageur

    Galway

    26 mai 2022, Irlande ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    A fun packed long day today culminating with a moonlit walk back along the prom from the show to our campsite.
    Rain again in the night which continued when we got up for breakfast but by the time we were heading for the bus stop at the site entrance it had stopped, even though it still looked threatening. Got to the bus stop a bit early, as usual, but so had two others. It was a bit of a scenic route but for two of us kids sat at the front on the top deck it was fine and even had a display so we knew when to get off. Boy was the town busy, lots of French and Americans, plus groups of youngsters (uni students?) wandering round. The coffee places all looked crowded but then we spotted a little place down a back alley, virtually deserted but serving Lavatt coffee. Nice young couple running the place and coffee and cake excellent. We did wonder if they were a bit off the track to make it pay. Needn’t have worried, by the time we left it was humming too, pity the toilet blocked though!
    Back out onto the street to start the Voicemap walking tour app, which we seemed to start at the end and we followed it backwards, but that worked ok if you cancelled the occasional warning that “you seem to be lost” alert and followed the onscreen map. Lots of interesting stuff about the history of Galway and the 14 original families or tribes that used to run the place but then decided to head west to the Caribbean or America before they were persecuted too much by the English.
    A quick bite of lunch in a shopping precinct, that’s also where the public loos were, before heading out to the lake dock upstream of the weir where we were catching the boat. It was out of the centre in a bit of a ramshackled area so we hadn’t expected to find a nice b&b with cafe. Pity, it would have been more “twee” than the precinct.
    Onto the boat for a 1 1/2 hour trip up the Corrib river (Ireland’s shortest) and into Lough Corrib with points of interest and ruins being pointed out by the captain. With all points of interest covered we turned at the halfway point to quietly retrace our route back to Galway and take in the scenery. The crew put on an Irish coffee making and Irish dancing demo to break up the journey.
    Back on dry land it was off to the “oldest traditional pub in Galway”, Finnigan’s, for a meal, Irish stew of course and a glass of cider for Gill and a pint of Guinness for Tony. The food, and drinks, were excellent and not expensive, then back to the site on the bus for a “chill” before the show.
    The traffic in Galway centre is an absolute nightmare and the bus was 25 mins late getting to our stop but we got back in plenty of time.
    After a “nice cup of tea” we were taking the 25 minute walk back along the prom to the theatre.
    The show was traditional Irish music and dancing, very entertaining. Walking back along the prom a naked lad came running towards us, turns out he’d been skinny dipping (must be crackers in these temperatures or fueled up on alcohol) and his mates had run off with his clothes and he was chasing after them!    En savoir plus

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