Not so young, free and single. I travel solo in my 5.4m 2019 PVC. Before I bought this van, new I'd been camping in tents so the motorhome (or is a PVC a campervan? ), is a new world of things to mess up. Have made lots of changes to the van so it is more off grid capable, yet prefer organised sites to wild camping simply because you have permission to be there. But it's time to conquer some fears and get out there.
The Land of Guinness 2023
- Author Kannon Fodda
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22 Days in Ireland, arriving in Belfast, departing Rosslaire and trying to see the entirety of the Wild Atlantic Way along with other coastal points of Interest was challenging, ultimately tiring but rewarding. It's definitely something worth doing. Amongst other things I'd visited the Belfast...
Ardmore proved a bit quiet on the Monday evening. Most places were shut leaving only a hotel on the edge of town for a final meal, which proved good of seafood, before I found the village pub for Guinness.
A leisurely departure from the motorhome field around midday (could have stayed until...
As my last full day in the Land of Guinness, I emerged from the van quite late. I'm going to stay at the Ardmore Motorhome Parking Field another night. It was restful hearing the breeze and background sea. The village centre is in staggering distance. Moreover it's affordable at €15 a night...
A few things seemed to whizz past some rocking the van, until midnight after which I was firmly in the land of zzzs. A leisurely breakfast of yet more bacon and egg rolls and I was ready to go. But where?
A few miles (or kilometers after all the Irish are metricated), along the road is...
So apparently I can't see any difference between Murphys and Guinness. I'm sure that will upset Irish Stout lovers. Took a while for the pub crowd to depart so sleep was slightly disturbed and sideways buffeting from the wind didn't help.
Morning arrived to clear skies, albeit still windy...
A fair night's sleep in Castletown-Bearhaven on the sort of aire, but heavy vehicles kept hitting something noisy as they passed 50m away. I woke to the sound of heavy rain, a theme for the day. Having eventually plucked up the courage to emerge, I got soaked on the 200m stroll to a cafe for...
Another peaceful sleep, albeit slightly uncomfortable from overeating at the pub. You don't need a seafood chowder as starter followed by a main course. I decided in the morning I wasn't that stuffed so enjoyed an Irish Breakfast. After the van had participated in the queue for motorhome...
A restful nights sleep with the background roar of the River Sneem for company.
Wandered into Sneem (a minutes effort) from the Goosey Island Motorhome Park for an Irish Breakfast and then managed to avoid parting with cash at any of the tourist gift shops. This place is a stopping point for...
The overnight pub stop bar, Paidi O Se's, proved to have been a drop in centre for celebs with photos of Dolly Parton, Tom Cruise and numerous others taken over the years. Food proved good and Guinness was easily downed.
Awoke to see weather wasn't that good. A lot of low cloud, drizzle and...
Ah the joys of family oriented campsites. Kiddies were playing until the 11:00pm curfew, including a poor rendition of something on the Irish Whistle. And then they were all screaming and crying well before 8:00am. I suppose I shouldn't complain I do now have emptied and filled liquidity...
Last night was rough. Windy and wet with the exposed Droichid Rois viewpoint resulting in the van being somewhat buffeted. I should have expected no less when I saw the signage that the storm scene for Ryan's Daughter had been filmed here. After eventually being rocked (more accurately...
A quiet night with a few vans for company. I set off back on my travels late morning. Initially I followed a narrow yet N grade road but soon turned off to a more coastal narrower route. This started as gentle terrain whilst heading west but became more rocky and wild as it reached the...
A slightly sore head this morning after last night's shenanigans. Anyways time to move on. Weather today is far more Irish, cloudy with lots of drizzle which doesn't really entice photography or even clambering out of the van at viewpoints.
Exiting the Renvylle Peninsula towards Letterfrack...
Most of today has been spent chilling and enjoying the Irish Sunshine from the pleasure of the Connemara Camping & Caravanning Park.
I did briefly take a stroll along the Lettergesh Beach, nice and sandy when the tide is out. Direct access on foot from the campsite.
Having got off my...
Today was about backtracking to the bits I'd missed out a couple of days ago in my haste to get to my booked campsite at Lettergesh. A 2 hour ish drive back through Westport and Newport got me out to the Achill Sound and over the bridge onto the Island.
My first point of interest was Keem Bay...
Today was largely a rest day, allowing me time for chores such as laundry. But with a view from the van like this I'm happy.
So far in Ireland I've been driving on average 6 or so hours a day bit yet achieving only 775 miles. The roads are mostly slow with not even dual carriageways and...
After a restful night I was up and breakfasted comparatively early. A quick walk out to view the Downpatrick Head itself. An old coast watch hut, and another of the Eire stone markers from WWII with number 64. Ireland was neutral "on the side of the Allies". Initially the Eire markers were...
A peaceful night once the rain died away. My neighbours had all long gone by the time I got my act together for a late 11am ish departure.
Just round the corner, apparently a five hour or so hike along the ridges for those that are keen is Slieve League. These sea edge cliffs are the highest...
Not a particularly good sleep. Heavy rain was noisy but worse the car rally has attracted the boy racers idiots. They were reving engines and wheel spinning in the FLTs car park till at least 3am and restarted before 8am. Apparently it's one of the biggest tarmac based rallies in Europe...
It took until 11pm for the overnight car park to finally quieten down. As it was possibly the last of the excellent hot weather locals were arriving for a late swim after 9pm. I lazily got my act together setting off around 11am.
Anyone who whinges about the state of English Roads should...
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