New Blog started

 It's a couple of years later now. In between we've had Brexit, the Covid pandemic and Terry suffered some serious medical problems. However they're now sorted and our next Blog Winter 2023 is up and running - although there's not much in it yet!

Wednesday 23 September – Carrickfergus to Home

 

No urgent rush as we don't have to be at the port until 11.00 so after a leisurely breakfast we headed out at 10.00 for the 20 minute drive. Checked in, a half hour wait before boarding then found a quiet comfortable spot, the ship leaving bang on time. A quick coffee then later some lunch so that we don't have to bother with a stop as soon as we land.

A smooth crossing and we were clear of the port by 2.00 pm. Jamie seemed okay so we carried on, making a good time despite the reasonably heavy traffic. Paused for a comfort and cuppa stop near Dumfries but seemed to have caught up with last nights rain which became progressively heavier the closer to home we got.

Home around 6.30 pm and we managed to unload what we needed for tonight before the rain became too heavy – as usual we'll do the rest tomorrow, weather permitting!

* * * * *

We've enjoyed our trip, achieving what we set out to do. It's a shame that the coronavirus situation meant many places we maybe would have visited were closed and we resolved to return again to Ireland when the situation eventually improves. Having somebody to travel with made the whole experience more enjoyable and we're sure Colin and Tina enjoyed it all too.

As always we've returned with a list of repairs to Bertie, nothing serious or problematical, just needs a few days of good weather and a toolbox! We've already ordered the spares we think we'll need, which were waiting when we got home.

As for our next trip? It doesn't look like Covid-19 is going away at any time soon so we'll have to think seriously about our winter break – Morocco definitely looks out of the question so we'll have to monitor the situation elsewhere very carefully. Meanwhile we'll maybe have a few extra days away if we get a nice weather spell.

Tuesday 22 September – Carrickfergus

A little breezy during the night and the branches of the tree we were under kept scraping across the roof. Also we were parked quite close to the road and, being a main road, there was traffic noise pretty well all through the night. However it was easy enough to “tune out” and we got a good nights sleep once the “local yoof” had finished showing off their driving “skills” round the car park.

Awoke to a greyish day but with nothing to rush for we took our time over breakfast and sorting out. We had nothing planned but if the weather had been nicer we would perhaps have had a look around the town – unfortunately the castle was closed too. Bren popped across to Sainsburys to make sure we had enough groceries when we got home but apart from exercising Jamie we then stayed indoors for the afternoon, especially when it started to drizzle and later turn to rain.

Being our last evening we thought we'd go out for a meal and walked across to the Brewers Fayre. Due to the coronavirus situation they were operating at a reduced capacity and couldn't accommodate us, but booked us in for a little later and then phoned us when a table was free. It was therefore a little strange to see the place was all but empty, but the hostess explained that they'd had a raft of bookings from the hotel – they were all “table for one” and had mostly finished when we arrived.

So after an enjoyable meal we returned to Bertie for an earlyish night, of course taking Jamie out for his final evening constitutional.

 

Monday 21 September – Hook Head to Carrickfergus

 

An earlyish start to an absolutely beautiful morning – this really is probably one of the best “wild camping” sites we've been on this trip, but then again the weather does help! 

 

But now we have to say bye-bye to Colin and Tina, our three-week travelling companions and start heading north. We were not sure of how far we would go today as we have two days to reach Belfast so opted to avoid the motorways and just stick to the “N” roads which are generally very good and, apart from in the towns and villages, we travel no faster on the motorways. So a bit of backtracking to New Ross then made our way to Tullow, where we refuelled which will be more than enough to get us home. We enjoyed a very quiet and scenic run before looking for a lunch stop; we tried for a picnic spot but couldn't find it then another but which had a height barrier. There was not much else so we reverted to our regular trick and went into Aldi's carpark in Blessington, making a few purchases of course.

Bren had espied a national lace centre at the small town of Carrickmacross, which was more or less on our route, so making good time we headed there – only to find of course that it was closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. A quick stop therefore to re-plan and we decided that as we were already quite far north we'd just head straight for Carrickfergus, our planned stop just north of Belfast.

TomTom took us onto the main motorways which took us around Dublin, nearly getting it wrong at one point and just missing a lane separator, then onto the main route to Belfast, also passing through an automated toll – must remember to pay that later. We pulled in to a layby just before the border for a cuppa and were appalled at the litter, something we'd not encountered anywhere else in the Republic. Was it because we were almost back into the UK?

Then Nellie decided to be uncooperative and wouldn't track so we could publish our day map. Not to worry, it was only a small section which could be “pencilled” back in later. Around Belfast again on the motorway system before arriving at the big carpark by the castle at Carrickfergus. There were already a couple of vans parked up so we slotted in alongside them, emptied the loo (there is a service point here) and settled in for the night.

As our ferry isn't until Wednesday we'll probably stay put here and maybe go out for a final holiday meal – there are several options around.

Sunday 20 September – Blarney, Waterford then Hook Head

 

As we had a two hour drive to Waterford today we were up very early, for us anyway, to another bright sunny if dew-soaked morning. Breakfast, service the van then away around Cork and onto excellent main roads – made a nice change!

Our plan today was to take a factory tour around Waterford Crystal so we wanted to be there as early as we could. We found the dedicated parking and managed to slot into a couple of larger bays at the back of the carpark and take a two minute walk. We were lucky to find the next tour was in 15 mins so booked onto it then mooched around the showroom until our time.

We were surprised to find how compact the factory is, although we learned later this was not the original. Our excellent guide went through the history of Waterford Crystal before taking us around the factory, which even on a Sunday was fully working. We learned that to be a craftsman took a 5 year apprenticeship and if you completed the test piece, a remarkably simple looking bowl but on closer examination it used every skill needed, then you continued for another 3 years training before being recognised as a true craftsman. Be it blowing, cutting, engraving or sculpture that was the skill you learned in the 8 years “apprenticeship” - there was never any crossover.

We saw every aspect from the raw materials right up to the final finish, some pieces taking up to 5 months – and if there was ever a fault or mistake at any stage it was scrapped, it had to be perfect! Here is a montage of some of what we saw:

 

Once the tour was completed we were returned to the showroom (naturally) where Bren chose a new necklace for her birthday in a couple of weeks time (they had a sale on..............!) then return to the van for lunch. For our nightstop tonight, although technically we could have stayed where we were, we had picked out a wild-camping spot at Hook Head, across the bay and at the end of a landspit where reputedly the oldest working lighthouse in the world was located. TomTom was programmed and we rejoined more good roads before turning off towards Hook Head.

This is very obviously a popular tourist spot with tours of the lighthouse, cafe and giftshop and a childrens play area too, not to mention the nice views across the bay back to Waterford. Being a lovely Sunday afternoon everybody and their kids were out for the afternoon and we had some difficulty finding somewhere to stop. However as it was late afternoon people were beginning to return home and before long we had a choice of parking spots. We chose a fairly level gravelled area off the edge of the road and settled in for the evening, watching the sun set over Waterford.

 

Regretably we have now come to the end of our planned tour and tomorrow must begin the trek back north to Belfast and our ferry on Wednesday. Our friends are returning via Rosslare, which is only about 50 miles from here so will probably remain for another night as they too cross on Wednesday. It's surely a nice place.

Saturday 19 September – Blarney

Today was a “day off”. Late late start to a bright sunny day although the breeze was a bit cool. As we're planning an early start tomorrow, to visit Waterford Glass, thought we'd have Sunday Breakfast today – it feels like Sunday anyway – which of course was actually “brunch”.

Thereafter, got the chairs out and sat in the sun between the vans for the afternoon to enjoy probably the last chance of topping up the tan this year. Of course Jamie still wanted his walks whilst periodically joining Woody (Colin & Tina's Yorkie) shouting at the other dogs on the site! Also discussed our various plans from now on – we of course will be returning north to Belfast whilst our friends will be remaining in the area until their crossing from Rosslare, which is less than 50 miles from Waterford.

A nice salmon salad for tea then another quiet evening just chillin'.

 

Friday 18 September – Kinsale to Blarney

 

Woken by a roadsweeper truck doing his thing along the road where we were parked, to find brilliant bright sunshine with a clear blue sky! We're in no rush today so after breakfast walked into town, taking Jamie this time, for a looksee and maybe a few souvenirs. Kinsale is quite touristy with plenty of bars (of course, it's Ireland!) plus cafes and restaurants together with the usual shops you find in these places. It was quite busy and people were being careful as regards the Covid regulations, keeping their distance with masks etc. in the shops, but still retained the cheerful and friendly aspect we've come to love in this country.

 

With a few purchases made (of course) we returned to the van, some quick refreshment then headed out. Last night we booked a campsite at Blarney for a couple of nights so set TomTom who took us up to then around Cork, past the famous Blarney Castle (decided this time to miss it out) and to a very nice campsite, affiliated to the UK Caravan Club. We had arrived at lunchtime so there was an excellent choice so we took a couple of pitches that promised sunshine for most of the day – and was also right next to the wifi router for Colins football tomorrow!

Once pitched the chairs came out and we enjoyed a cuppa in the sun before a late lunch. Then a quick service of the van before spending the rest of the afternoon getting some long awaited rays and chatting to others on the site, including an Irish couple who had just about completed a van conversion for their first ever motorhome and this was their first time away in it. Gave them lots of advice, not sure how much was absorbed though.

Colin had picked up a leaflet for a Chinese takeway restaurant that delivered to the site so late on we made our choices and phoned them through. Arrived right on time and we were very pleased with the meals – in fact this was the first time we've ever ordered a delivered takeaway. Mustn't get used to it though, not good for the waistline!

By teatime the site had filled up nicely, although there were still a few spaces, mainly Irish taking the opportunity of a promised nice weekend. The sky is still clear and it's starting to get quite cool but we're warm enough in Bertie. More relaxation tomorrow but regrettably we need to start making plans for our return north to the ferry and home.