A van named Frank

Road tripping with our campervan Frank, from Zurich, Switzerland to Esposende, Portugal! Later up to Bilbao and over on the Ferry to Ireland! Returning on a ferry to France and slowly back to Switzerland.
Let’s see how it plays out. Read more

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A van named Frank
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Day 142
Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 12:41 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 280 m
Ireland Ballaghscart 51.720856, -9.7566551°43’15” N 9°45’24” W
Healy Pass
August 31, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
A winding drive up and down the Healy Pass - built back in 1851 or so, to bridge the gap between the Kerry and Cork sides of the Beara Peninsula - some road!!
We took a small hike up to a peak at the highest part and could take in 360 views over Cork, Kerry the kingdom and outwards to sea. Amazing place. Very peaceful. A moments rest at the top for some silent meditation watching the clouds and shadows pass over the fields, ever changing shades of green and gold.

On our descent, an older local farmer was out walking in the middle of the road, he hailed us down with his wooden walking stick for the chats - or what felt like a child’s innocent interrogation - a string of at least 20 questions in 45seconds….including classic questions such as “Where are you from?”, “Are you married?”, “How did ye meet?”, “Did ye snog when ye first meet?”, “Do they call it a song over there?”, “What do they call it, a kiss?”, “How long we’re you single before you met?” “Don’t people nowadays get married much later!” “How old are you?” How long have you been travelling?”, “”…….as we answered he quickly moved to his next questions…not being able to get much questions in from our side at all… ..we shared names and smiled as we parted ways with old man John, and his 60 second quiz!Read more
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Day 142
Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 7:01 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 55 m
Ireland Knocknagallaun 51.670422, -10.04163151°40’14” N 10°2’30” W
Skelligs from afar
August 31, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Further around the Beara we went, and found a perfect place to park up for the evening! With a view over to the Skelligs, Cork on our left, Kerry across the water to our right…rocky wild landscape dropping below us into the calm blue sea. Dalmatian legged sheep (who knows the species?!) wandered the land, bleating next to us between chewing the tufts of grasses , yellow gorse and pink/purple Heather’s again fill the land with colour! Few cars pass the road near us…we remain undisturbed save for the wind which got a tad blustery by morning…the islands and surrounding peninsulas still visible as we woke!Read more
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Day 143
Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 3:23 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Ireland Ardsheelhane River 51.83732, -9.9017551°50’14” N 9°54’6” W
Sneem!
September 1, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Couple nights at the best camper site we’ve been too in terms of flat spots, lots of space, and beautiful views from the van :)! Convience of being below the tiny village of Sneem with its many pubs and dining options....

Vanlife requires the occasional toilet emptying and water filling up....so sometimes we need to stay at places with facilities - but this one felt like wild camping as the tide came in and out from infront of our bedroom door..Read more
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Day 144
Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 3:12 PM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 52 m
Ireland Lomanagh 51.84468, -9.9449151°50’41” N 9°56’42” W
Nature walks
September 2, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Neat walks amongst the nature, butterflies, flowers, greens of all depths and lightness, endless colours, bright and magnificent....as the flora and fauna make their grand exit before autumn arrrives...Read more
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Day 145
Friday, September 3, 2021 at 2:47 PM
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Ireland Inch 52.14124, -9.9823252°8’28” N 9°58’56” W
Kerry, where an inch is a mile!
September 3, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Nice drop off at Inch beach for a walk, a fresh swim and a shower (thanks to beach showers we could even wash our hair!) !

It’s a mighty beach with endless sandy walks and a whole KM of parking down the strand…quite unique!Read more
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Day 145
Friday, September 3, 2021 at 4:20 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Ireland Milltown River 52.13936, -10.2792152°8’22” N 10°16’45” W
Dingle! An Daingean!
September 3, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
What a spot, beside the harbour all within strolling distance of the bustling Dingle town...

We had some of the best fish and chips at "The fish box" and went in search of a session.

As Irish restrictions eased on live music, the town of Dingle were hosting a small ticketed festival - "Go Tobann" (gaeilge for 'suddenly'!)
We wandered by the pub it was to be on in and they didnt seem to think any tickets were left....but we decided, after a strange pub experience at the Droichead Beag - zombie vibes, the session music was great though, that we'd walk by the festival gates and take a listen...no sooner did we arrive to the gates and enquire with the bouncer about entry, did he ask the manager and we were entering the mini festival with our wristbands and taking in some band music live on stage.

A sudden lucky evening all in all!

We spent the next day reading by the harbour, slurping glenbeigh oysters and enjoying the sunshine! Dingle never disappoints...Read more
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Day 147
Sunday, September 5, 2021 at 1:33 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 99 m
Ireland Clogher Head 52.15082, -10.4747652°9’3” N 10°28’29” W
Slea Head
September 5, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Where in the world can you get a drive to rival this?
By far this is the most amazing drive 🚌 up over and around the Dingle peninsula.
Endless lookouts and beautiful view points. Stop the van and take a walk up any number of paths…unrivalled landscapes in this great kingdom.
So many wild flowers scatter the land, amid the rocks and bog and grasses. And the wild Atlantic out before you.
The roads with their turns and twists and edges sometimes just lined with small stacks of stones…. Epic. A drivers dream. A first for Frank.Read more
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Day 148
Monday, September 6, 2021 at 9:19 AM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 175 m
Ireland Ballybrack 52.21492, -10.292352°12’54” N 10°17’32” W
Mount Brandon
September 6, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Parked up the night before taking our ascent up mount Brandon! A muesli in the sun before we took off. The first ones to ascend this morning from the Baile Breac side…

700meters up to the peak, we conquered in 2hrs…arriving to the final cross with breath taking views as the clouds rolled in and showed off the other peaks in the distance….

After a cuppa tea and a sandwich and dodging of wasps (more people arrived and took their further routes) we descended from the sunny peak into the cloud blanket below…

The long 700m downhill descent back to our base camp, Frank🚌 took us around 1.5hrs.

The paths up and down were accompanied in part by the mountain sheep and their bleating....
A small dip of the feet in the creek below to cool off. And a can of club rock shandy. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Phew. What a start to a day.Read more
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Day 148
Monday, September 6, 2021 at 5:47 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Ireland Aughacasla 52.24724, -9.9866852°14’50” N 9°59’12” W
Sea, shells and showers
September 6, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Whats better after a hike than a cold beer, a dip in the sea, a handful of colourful shells and a perfect temperature, high pressured shower!!!!

Sometimes those little things mean the most.

We're camped up over the dunes from here for the night, relaxing our weary bones.Read more
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Day 149
Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 5:24 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Ireland Lumnagh 53.416363, -9.05977553°24’59” N 9°3’35” W
Heading north!
September 7, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Departed county Kerry today, and began our journey on the most beautiful of days north up the west coast! We drove through counties Limerick Clare Galway Mayo and into Sligo for the evening!
Open land stretched out before us. Mountain ranges, fields, castles, ruins, churches, cathedrals, abbeys, you name it, Ireland has it. All passing by us as we wove up up and up the coast. Skipping out the peninsulas and parts we’d previously visited a few weeks prior…we decided it’s time to get north to continue our loop of Ireland!

As the weather is set to change, we enjoyed the blue skies and sunshine drives, the evening glow of golden hour and the tunes that accompanied us.

We stopped but for a wee nap at Lough Corrib - but on account of algal blooms we didn’t dare swim… beautiful all the same. Locals took their kayaks out and gathered to enjoy their local attraction.Read more
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Day 149
Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 7:35 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 17 m
Ireland Rathglass 54.2607, -8.79356354°15’39” N 8°47’37” W
Trá Bhuí
September 7, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Unreal spot we arrived at last night as the sun began to set. Parked up with the many surfers some who would also stay over night to be poised to take to the waves by first light.
We watched them, a dozen or so, like seals in the evening water. Sometimes bobbing on the sea other times chancing a wave to catch in.
We slept to the sounds of the sea!
Vanlife allows ones dream of living by the sea to become a brief reality!Read more
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Day 150
Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 5:05 PM
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Ireland Dunfanaghy 55.18623, -7.9563255°11’10” N 7°57’23” W
Coast to Coast
September 8, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Little late lunch/toasty-cheese pause at the parting of the Dunes by Killahoey strand. No swimming on account of too many jellies washed up…but a lovely stop for a breather and a stretch of the legs.

The drive from Sligo through Donegal to here near the north tip was like something from another planet. We parted Sligo, a hello to Benbulbin mountain, we will be back to climb you another time. Later mount Errigal in our sights.
Lots of hugely tidal plains, sometimes all sand and pockets of land and puddles, birds of all sorts fluttering around, seaweed stacks and interesting rock formations…rocks and farms, cows and sheep farms all over…really beautiful drive that we kept being amazed by as we turned down roads and drove over long straight (narrow) roads over bogs and tidal inlets.Read more
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Day 151
Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 9:49 AM
🌧 17 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Ireland Farland Point 55.04622, -7.4731455°2’46” N 7°28’23” W
Lough Swilly
September 9, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
It was late when we drove to this destination for an overnight stop.
We had played a short round of Disc golf in Derry in Columbus park before, but unsure of sleeping so central in the city, we took the short 20min drive back towards Lough swilly and found a perfect spot by Inch island. Well, we didn’t know it was perfect until morning as it was pitch black as Tobi navigated the roads to what felt like the end of the world…

We took a morning stroll over the footbridge to the island and saw the many bird species that frequent the inlet, some migratory some local. Apparently a haven for them all. Lough swilly (lake of shadows/lake of eyes!) is one of three glacial fjords in Ireland….

We spotted a black swan and some beautiful birds we’d never seen before. Then a whole flock of ducks called out in chorus and took flight up and over from one side of the inlet to the other.
Annnnnd after that we got drenched by a passing shower and so returned to camp, packed up and headed on our way.Read more
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Day 151
Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 1:43 PM
🌧 18 °C
Altitude: 51 m
Northern Ireland Castlerock 55.16774, -6.8109855°10’4” N 6°48’40” W
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demense
September 9, 2021 in Northern Ireland ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
Stop off at the historical landmark erected in 1785.

Pretty amazing temple above the cliffs looking out over land and sea.

Would be a nice spot for book and a cuppa tea.
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Day 151
Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 3:05 PM
🌧 18 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Northern Ireland University Railway Station 55.15034, -6.6688855°9’1” N 6°40’8” W
Disc Golf in Ulster
September 9, 2021 in Northern Ireland ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
At last it’s time to throw some discs and we’ve found a really cool disc golf course on the camper of the University of Ulster! 9 holes soon to be 18, all with baskets and markings and proper tees!
It was such a treat to play amongst the trees on such a beautiful campus grounds.
And as with the nature of the sport, we got chatting to two others on the green, one of which was the creator of the course and part of the growing community of disc golfers in Ireland and Europe.

We loved it so much that we parked nearby for the night in Portrush, took a local brewed beer (brewed by another disc golfer who’s discs we found two of under shrubs while playing) and enjoyed the chats about the community there and the growth of the sport.

All in a days work!Read more
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Day 152
Friday, September 10, 2021 at 3:31 PM
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Northern Ireland Giant's Causeway 55.24059, -6.5117255°14’26” N 6°30’42” W
Giants Causeway
September 10, 2021 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
At long last, the visit to the giants causeway!! The natural wonder of hexagonal basalt rocks that stretch from the land out to sea….

The legend goes that Ireland’s folklore hero “giant” Fionn mac Cumhaill built it across the north channel to fight the Scottish giant Benandonner. But it got destroyed when the Scottish giant fled home after he was tricked into thinking Fionn would beat him easily in a fight. (There was a whole thing with Fionn pretending to be a baby, to make it seem like the dad - Fionn himself, would be so much bigger)

Anyway, a misty day for it, but a great walk down and around all the same. And those stones are worth it in any weather.Read more
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Day 153
Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 7:25 AM
☁️ 13 °C
Altitude: 30 m
Northern Ireland Kinbane Head 55.227329, -6.2913255°13’38” N 6°17’29” W
Kilbane castle
September 11, 2021 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
So despite the foggy weather we found the little road leading down to Kilbane castle. Unfortunately it’s closed now for structural repairs, and seemingly the cliff is dangerous - as 15 warning signs across the fenced off area would indicate.
Butttt what a perfect spot completely undisturbed to park up and spend the night. By morning we had clearer views out to Rathlin island, fair head and white rock of kilbane headland. The sea of Moyle swirling in front of us, famous legends says the children of Lir when turned into swans, had to spend three hundred years on the cold straits of Moyle….

We saw now swans, but enjoyed the sunlight like spot lights breaking down through the clouds to the headland to our east!Read more
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Day 153
Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 6:04 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 265 m
Northern Ireland Gransha 54.320415, -6.04312854°19’13” N 6°2’35” W
Mourne Mountains
September 11, 2021 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Over and around the teddy bear head of Ireland, the gorgeous coastline of county Antrim, weaving the coast into Belfast, beautiful colours of the black shiny oily rocks that could pass as seals… and orange brown rusty seaweed and brilliant coastal roads, then in through the glens and vales, up and down green countryside.
We parked up over the mountains of Mourne for the evening. A nice high spot on the windy gap!

Tomorrow we complete our round of Ireland!Read more
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Day 155
Monday, September 13, 2021 at 7:47 PM
☁️ 13 °C
Altitude: 189 m
Ireland Glencullen 53.211845, -6.21678753°12’43” N 6°13’0” W
Fresh pickings
September 13, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
We’re back in the Glen and enjoying some time at Mollys folks house before we leave Ireland next Monday.

We spent the day in the city, wandering, lunching, shopping, people watching.

And the evening quietly in the house and gardens.

This was the harvest from the poly tunnel for dinner! Pimentos de Glencullen, tomatoes that taste so much like a tomato you wonder what that thing from the supermarket was you used to eat, and zucchini or giant courgette!

Fresh from the garden to the table. Don’t get much better than that.Read more
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Day 156
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 1:08 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 189 m
Ireland Glencullen 53.211833, -6.21677853°12’43” N 6°13’0” W
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Dogs best friend
September 14, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Ninja the dog was delirah and sort of not so as we washed her earlier!
Loves the attention, hates the water…
The drying with the towel which came after however was her favourite. Ah snuggled right into the idea of a towel to dry her face and body!Read more
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Day 156
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 4:30 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Ireland Dargle River 53.207355, -6.09964753°12’26” N 6°5’59” W
Birthday mama
September 14, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Can’t miss a reason to take a swim when the suns shining and it’s the mamas birthday.

We did good a good swim and enjoyed the sun beating down on our arms as the lifted out of the water in stroke before returning under.

For mid september the weather is amazing. And the water partially warm.

Oh don’t we love Bray!Read more
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Day 157
Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 8:20 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 191 m
Ireland Glencullen 53.211825, -6.21694753°12’43” N 6°13’1” W
A quiet evening at home
September 15, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Just a quiet evening at the homestead in Glencullen. Catching up on messages to friends and watching the sky, and the cheeky cutest doggo!
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Day 159
Friday, September 17, 2021 at 3:06 PM
🌧 14 °C
Altitude: 77 m
Ireland Kilkea 52.942322, -6.8803252°56’32” N 6°52’49” W
A wedding at Kilkea castle
September 17, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
It’s not often we get a wedding invite we can attend while travelling in Frank, but we’re so bloody happy we didn’t miss Shiv & John’s big occasion at the beautiful Kilkea castle!
Ladies and gents were dressed to impress, (we had both acquired our outfits in the nick of time with a bit of Dublin shopping the days before), everyone was joyful and merry and enjoying the reunions after prolonged time apart and we all happily cheered and danced to the newly weds!

Molly was delighted as it was a huge reunion with a massive gang (25+?) of the tramps (don’t worry, not what you think, all are trampoline clubs members back in the college days and keep in touch and come together for celebrations when possible!)

Tobi was excited to be attending a first ever Irish wedding!

Frank chilled out at the b&b across the road as he wasn’t allowed on the premises but we did use it as a changing room before heading into the church ceremony. Handy out to have a campervan on location for quick costume changes ;) And a bed to nap on the day after the wedding!Read more
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Day 161
Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 6:26 PM
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 195 m
Ireland Glencullen 53.21167, -6.216953°12’42” N 6°13’1” W
Rainbow for good luck
September 19, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
As the rainbow filled the solar panel on the roof of Frank, so too did we fill up our hearts and souls with the luck for the road tomorrow.

A day of actives, swimming one last time in Bray with some of Mols fam, baking an apple tart (and getting some tips and the recipe to repeat when next we are in a kitchen!), sewing some lavender pockets and other things, snagging a quick photo with the clan (thanks for the pic Tobi - he even managed to get ninja half in it)!

We begin to slowly pack Frank and head out tomorrow for our next adventures. Leaving work sunny memories of Ireland! Only a sprinkle of rain for the bow 🌈Read more
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Day 162
Monday, September 20, 2021 at 11:08 AM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 190 m
Ireland Glencullen 53.21177, -6.2166953°12’42” N 6°13’0” W
Slán Éire!
September 20, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
We ran Frank up the road to the neighbour in the am for a quick oil change, after hitting over 10,000km since we bought it!!! Yahoooooo

Then we bid farewell to Glencullen in the sun!

The late September brightness and lightness in the air and flowers still blooming….

Thanks for all the food, chats, craic, family banter, ninja cuddles, fresh veg harvests, and kindness!

Until we return again!Read more
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