Tam n pups winter trip 2022

[Langtoftlad]

Can you accelerate your plans if Ireland is not living up to expectations?
Spain/Morocco should have better weather and be cheaper.

 

[Northernraider]

Can you accelerate your plans if Ireland is not living up to expectations?
Spain/Morocco should have better weather and be cheaper.

Nah not really as Morocco is not guaranteed as depends on dogs titre tests so if i went to Spain now and didn't get to Morocco I'd run out of time end of January and have to come home through France mid winter. If I hit eu start of December I at least have till end of Feb if I don't get to Morocco but end of April if I do.

I've paid and booked my ferry from Dublin anyway for the 23rd November and it's non refundable. I still want to see the rest of Ireland anyway. I think the best scenery is yet to come. But I expect the weather will be not great . Just trying to stay on budget though.

 

[1967bowesj]

Northernraider Tam it probably is like you said a few posts back the west coast of Ireland is now like the nc500 and the locals are tired of influx of vehicles and people. lockdown and no foreign travel meant masses of new “camper van” style touris. Add to that you are along the routes most of these go, you will possibly get a better welcome when you get away from the coast inland somewhere, you still have 4 weeks to plod round to the ferry.

 

[jumartoo]

Aye sadly it seems everywhere is changing. That couple I met a week or so back that got threatened with the shotgun have given up and went back to the UK...


Scotland was the same I wildcamped all my life but have seen it change, England seems a complete nightmare for wildcamping, im hoping Spain hasn't changed much in the 3 years since I've been . It's getting harder

I'm hoping my budget let's me get to Morocco this year .

You should be OK in Spain in the places you like. The problem areas are the popular places, around tourist towns/cities and, in winter, southern beach areas/towns.

We free parked for most of our three month summer trip.

 

[CaptainPaul]

Nah not really as Morocco is not guaranteed as depends on dogs titre tests so if i went to Spain now and didn't get to Morocco I'd run out of time end of January and have to come home through France mid winter. If I hit eu start of December I at least have till end of Feb if I don't get to Morocco but end of April if I do.

I've paid and booked my ferry from Dublin anyway for the 23rd November and it's non refundable. I still want to see the rest of Ireland anyway. I think the best scenery is yet to come. But I expect the weather will be not great . Just trying to stay on budget though.

Hopefully you'll get down to Morocco, nice weather and cheap on your budget
As others have said, Ireland is expensive at the best of times, more so however with all this world economies turmoil going on at the minute everywhere prices seem to have shot up, but hang in there if you can there's some lovely places inland too

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[Northernraider]

Sure i wis jus talkin wid a fella thur who cud well be a distant cousin....Joseph Flaherty from Galway....his wife moira wis also a Flaherty....its a very common name round here

I said me granny wis a Flaherty....her mum and dad owned a shop in moycullen turn of last century.
He says "what wis there name I might know them " I said I didn't mean like 20 years ago , I meant the century before that lol , my granny died in 1982 age 79 ... so gawd knows

 

[CaptainPaul]

Sure i wis jus talkin wid a fella thur who cud well be a distant cousin....Joseph Flaherty from Galway....his wife moira wis also a Flaherty....its a very common name round here

I said me granny wis a Flaherty....her mum and dad owned a shop in moycullen turn of last century.
He says "what wis there name I might know them " I said I didn't mean like 20 years ago , I meant the century before that lol , my granny died in 1982 age 79 ... so gawd knows

Hopefully you'll find a connection there and get the feckin Irish passport and not need to worry about all this 90 days nonsense
Used to do a lot of fishing around Moycullen great spot

 

[Lenny HB]

I've paid and booked my ferry from Dublin anyway for the 23rd November and it's non refundable.

Even non refundable non flexable ticket they will let you change the sailing but if you go on a more expensive crossing you just pay the difference and sometimes a small admin fee.
We always book non refundable and have changed crossings quite a few times. Changed the one coming over to France this time due to airbag ECU problem had to pay £20 as it was Sunday & I'd booked mid week.

 

[Lenny HB]

OK I'll list what I have

1100w of solar panels, fed through 3 mppt chargers to 2 separate battery banks , 1x 400ah and 1x 300ah the 300 bank serves all the original van equipment, lights, pump , heating etc . The 400ah serves the inverter which runs all the 240v equipment and immersion heater etc. It's a 3000w inverter charger.

I also have a renogy 40 amp b2b charger.

What type of batteries?

Is the Renogy B2B one of the ones with Solar as well?
The combined solar B2B can be a problem when it sees a solar input it reduces the B2B charge rate by 50%, the work round is to fit a switch inline with the solar to disconnect the solar when driving.

Considering you are running a fridge and a water heater from the inverter in Ireland this time of year I think your batteries are doing well. We are in the Dordogne max I've had from my 300 Watts of solar with wall to wall sunshine is 7 amps for a couple of hours a day rest of the time 3 to 4 amps. Surprising how solar output drops after September unless in southern Spain.

Is the inverter charger Renogy? I was looking at them a few weeks ago a lot of poor reviews.

If you are keeping the van worth checking the alternator to make sure it's at least 160 amps if not upgrade it and fit a Votronic 90 amp B2B won't be a cheap solution.
I know you can parallel Victron B2B's not sure about Renogy if you can that would be a cheap option.

 

[Northernraider]

Ach I got all excited there from some info from mum regarding my granny and great grandad etc. But the more I looked at it I think she's getting confused.

One of my cousins traced all the family history a few years back so mum has emails from her about it

My mum had said my granny's dad was Owen Flaherty, and records show he was baptised in moycullen in 1841 ... which had he been my great grandad I'd have been entitled to an Irish passport. But my granny was born in 1903 so I don't think Owen was her father but more likely her grandfather.


I'll have to check it all later

I think Michael is my great grandfather in which case ...its nae guid

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[Northernraider]

What type of batteries?

Is the Renogy B2B one of the ones with Solar as well?
The combined solar B2B can be a problem when it sees a solar input it reduces the B2B charge rate by 50%, the work round is to fit a switch inline with the solar to disconnect the solar when driving.

Considering you are running a fridge and a water heater from the inverter in Ireland this time of year I think your batteries are doing well. We are in the Dordogne max I've had from my 300 Watts of solar with wall to wall sunshine is 7 amps for a couple of hours a day rest of the time 3 to 4 amps. Surprising how solar output drops after September unless in southern Spain.

Is the inverter charger Renogy? I was looking at them a few weeks ago a lot of poor reviews.

If you are keeping the van worth checking the alternator to make sure it's at least 160 amps if not upgrade it and fit a Votronic 90 amp B2B won't be a cheap solution.
I know you can parallel Victron B2B's not sure about Renogy if you can that would be a cheap option.

I've 7 x 100ah varta lead acid batteries. 2 banks 1x3 and 1x4

The renogy b2b doesn't do solar too .

Only running the fridge not using electric water heater at this time of year but can in the summer.

Inverter charger isn't renogy ... its a power star Lk 3000

I don't think I'll be keeping this one , I'll most likely sell it again next summer, im going to build the vario but also reassessing other stuff.

 

[Janine]

Ach I got all excited there from some info from mum regarding my granny and great grandad etc. But the more I looked at it I think she's getting confused.

One of my cousins traced all the family history a few years back so mum has emails from her about it

My mum had said my granny's dad was Owen Flaherty, and records show he was baptised in moycullen in 1841 ... which had he been my great grandad I'd have been entitled to an Irish passport. But my granny was born in 1903 so I don't think Owen was her father but more likely her grandfather.


I'll have to check it all later View attachment 678607

I think Michael is my great grandfather in which case ...its nae guid

Here's a picture of Owen!

 

[Northernraider]

Here's a picture of Owen!

View attachment 678616

Aye I've a few of them

 

[CaptainPaul]

Ach I got all excited there from some info from mum regarding my granny and great grandad etc. But the more I looked at it I think she's getting confused.

One of my cousins traced all the family history a few years back so mum has emails from her about it

My mum had said my granny's dad was Owen Flaherty, and records show he was baptised in moycullen in 1841 ... which had he been my great grandad I'd have been entitled to an Irish passport. But my granny was born in 1903 so I don't think Owen was her father but more likely her grandfather.


I'll have to check it all later View attachment 678607

I think Michael is my great grandfather in which case ...its nae guid

Try it anyway Tam, either that or I'll have to adopt you! , apparently if your adopted by an Irish citizen you get citizenship automatically lol

 

[Northernraider]

Try it anyway Tam, either that or I'll have to adopt you! , apparently if your adopted by an Irish citizen you get citizenship automatically lol

That would work dad

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[Northernraider]

My first attempt at Galway parking ( salthill promenade ) was scuppered by various signs , no parking of 3.5t plus , I was ignoring that as 2 coaches parked there and then the next lamppost, no camping, again ignored as I'm not camping , but the final one , byelaw no motorhome parking anytime . Feckin discrimination really pisses me off. So anyway I walked the dogs quickly and moved. ..I'm now parked the other side of the city in an area called renmore. Its a wide road next to playing fields and whilst there is houses nearby I've managed to find a spot where I'm not right in front of any so I could probably get away with some stealth parking. No signs anywhere or lines on the road so not breaking any laws ...as long as no busybodies come chapping I should be fine to park here and walk in to town . Fair walk Mind you but not impossible. So will do that after lunch .

 

[bobandjanie]

Blimey things have changed since our trip in 2015 we did the whole of June free camping, we parked on the dock / marina in Galway, the only place with a ticket machine I think it said €1 or €2 an hour and about €4 a night spoke to a traffic Walden and asked him how much I need to put in the machine to stay until 10.00 the next day...... he said if you have a ticket you
have a ticket.
So still confused went and spoke to paddy he told me the same ...... he bought an hour on Thursday and was staying until Sunday on that same ticket.

Same with the no motorhomes sign, paddy said they ignore them, but if your not happy then unbolt it and throw it over the hedge.

For us on this trip day 197 doing from Spain Portugal France UK and back France Spain.
For reasons beyond our control total camping UK 89 days £699 the rest in Europe €129.50 was campsites to meet up with friends two weeks until we are home and can confirm no campsites will be involved in that period.
But to be truthful it's still too hot to walk, and only twice has the boiler been used for showers. Bob.

 

[Northernraider]

Blimey things have changed since our trip in 2015 we did the whole of June free camping, we parked on the dock / marina in Galway, the only place with a ticket machine I think it said €1 or €2 an hour and about €4 a night spoke to a traffic Walden and asked him how much I need to put in the machine to stay until 10.00 the next day...... he said if you have a ticket you
have a ticket.
So still confused went and spoke to paddy he told me the same ...... he bought an hour on Thursday and was staying until Sunday on that same ticket.

Same with the no motorhomes sign, paddy said they ignore them, but if your not happy then unbolt it and throw it over the hedge.

For us on this trip day 197 doing from Spain Portugal France UK and back France Spain.
For reasons beyond our control total camping UK 89 days £699 the rest in Europe €129.50 was campsites to meet up with friends two weeks until we are home and can confirm no campsites will be involved in that period.
But to be truthful it's still too hot to walk, and only twice has the boiler been used for showers. Bob.

There are now no motorhome signs , no dog signs all over feckin Ireland...and loads of other signs threatening you with fines for doing anything bar breathing ....I certainly feel intimidated by it all at times and I've not felt that anywhere else. The thing is I've seen very few garda etc so no idea if officially enforced but you get the local village idiot nearly everywhere that starts the threatening behaviour. So you're inclined not to want to leave the van then , I don't need burst tyres or windows etc and you never know if these idiots are the type to do it or not.

Park4night tends to have a few reviews around places where locals have mouthed off or where there's been bother.

But this street I'm parked up on isn't on any apps and it's quiet enough so I'm just gonna stay here tonight . I've a coffee meet with a Galway girl corragh tomorrow so I'm staying put lol.

 

[Northernraider]

Anyway it's not a long walk to town ....we've been in and had a look around, it's very busy and a university town so a lot of youngsters about , lots of tourists still too and a few large groups going round with tourguides. Dogs getting lots of attention again lots of pets , I wouldn't say it was a pretty city , but it has a bustling bar and music vibe to it , nice to have a wee visit though. Here's the pics I took

 

[Mikey RV]

Good luck with your coffee date Tam.

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[Winger]

Tam, 4 yrs ago we parked up on the harbour/marina and were advised to find the harbour master in the local pub which we did and he gave us a cardboard credit sized card for the EHU on the jetty for free, we paid the parking meter which was cheap as chips (not down saff) chips.
However since I believe the council banned parking on the harbour for elf and safty reasons and at the same time were talking about banning the buskers from the city centre which in my mind were the heart of the city

During our visit one of the locals described Galway as a city that looks like a town but acts like a village but if the buskers have gone they have killed it.

Camping site owners sitting on the council have ruined it mate

 

[Northernraider]

Tam, 4 yrs ago we parked up on the harbour/marina and were advised to find the harbour master in the local pub which we did and he gave us a cardboard credit sized card for the EHU on the jetty for free, we paid the parking meter which was cheap as chips (not down saff) chips.
However since I believe the council banned parking on the harbour for elf and safty reasons and at the same time were talking about banning the buskers from the city centre which in my mind were the heart of the city

During our visit one of the locals described Galway as a city that looks like a town but acts like a village but if the buskers have gone they have killed it.

Camping site owners sitting on the council have ruined it mate

Few buskers in town today , fair bit of homelessness too sadly so they got my change first. The harbour parking is all gone now . There's a spot by the cathedral but not for big vans and when I walked there it was mobbed and works going on . I think where I'm parked is actually the best option as I'm also near the beach .

 

[Northernraider]

Good luck with your coffee date Tam.

A girl from tinder so will see , she lives like 300 yards from where I'm parked lol which I think freaked her out when I said where I was she did say coffee or a pint so I might have a Guinness instead

 

[Mikey RV]

Go for the Guinness, but don’t try and keep up with the Irish lady’s drinking Guinness or you might not be moving your camper for a few days.

 

[scousebird]

A girl from tinder so will see , she lives like 300 yards from where I'm parked lol which I think freaked her out when I said where I was she did say coffee or a pint so I might have a Guinness instead

Good luck, will look forward to you reporting back.

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[Dutch 68]

Anyway it's not a long walk to town ....we've been in and had a look around, it's very busy and a university town so a lot of youngsters about , lots of tourists still too and a few large groups going round with tourguides. Dogs getting lots of attention again lots of pets , I wouldn't say it was a pretty city , but it has a bustling bar and music vibe to it , nice to have a wee visit though. Here's the pics I took View attachment 678713View attachment 678714View attachment 678715View attachment 678716View attachment 678717View attachment 678718View attachment 678719View attachment 678720View attachment 678721View attachment 678722View attachment 678723View attachment 678724View attachment 678725View attachment 678726View attachment 678727View attachment 678728View attachment 678729View attachment 678730View attachment 678731View attachment 678732

Love the Mercedes’!

 

[kimndon]

Last time we were in Galway we stayed at the Salthill Caravan Park. A horrible experience. Expensive, rude and packed. My Mum's family are from the Claddagh. Can't see us taking the motorhome over there again.

 

[Littlewheels]

Same with the no motorhomes sign, paddy said they ignore them, but if your not happy then unbolt it and throw it over the hedge.

Love it, l think me and Paddy would get along.

 

[barsteward]

Try it anyway Tam, either that or I'll have to adopt you! , apparently if your adopted by an Irish citizen you get citizenship automatically lol

Is it possible to have your Grandad adopted.

 

[CaptainPaul]

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