Wednesday 22nd to Thursday 30th July 2015
I haven't been keeping written notes, so it's all a haze now, but we're based in Bantry mostly. Chris worked Friday through Sunday (24th - 26th) so that was pretty boring for me just sitting around all day waiting. He usually starts work at 12 or 1, so I have a lot of hours to kill, trying to manage taking dogs out on my own and keeping busy.
Went to Bantry Christian Fellowship on Sunday morning : http://www.bantrychristianfellowship.ie/
We've found a spot to park up for the night along one section of the Wild Atlantic Way outside a small fish factory, about 10 miles outside of Bantry, so not too far a drive for after work. I sometimes go down there for the day while Chris is at work just to get out of town, because the other place we park up is on the pier right here in town and it gets busy and noisy........ Further down that road is another spot just above where Hayley the pony trekking lady lives, there's also a spot right down the end of the lane past her house where she said it should be fine to park up. We went pony trekking yesterday (Wednesday 29th July). I haven't been on any kind of nag in about 30 years, so my sit bones are rather painful today, not to mention inner thighs from trotting - something I'd never done before!!
We've had fun and games with alternator trouble - got a new one of those and Chris fitted it himself at the mechanics; carburretor (sp?) trouble - Chris fitted a new one of those outside Adrian's house yesterday afternoon - now we're not being carbon monoxide poisoned anymore which is nice and fuel consumption seems to be much better.
We have been going to Adrian to fill up water, empty toilet and bin and do washing; very kind of them, they just leave their back door open and we go in as we please!!
We've been enjoying getting to know this beautiful area of Ireland, so pretty all the peninsulas and little bays etc. Beautiful views from the pony's yesterday, she took up right up the mountain, good place to run - not much of that has been happening lately, just a lot of napping and cake eating - I'm sure it's the weather!!
Last night Wednesday 29th July after the pony trekking we headed up the road we'd just ridden on and did a different bit of the coast. I will have to ask Chris the name of the place we camped last night, but it was lovely - little harbour, nice place for the dogs to run free, 4 star toilets, very nice, we have some lovely photos........
One thing that we're struggling with here is finding places to walk the dogs - there are no public footpaths like in the UK and although we're in an area with good walks, dogs aren't allowed because they're private nature areas; probably also why we're not getting much running in.
Thursday 30 July 2015
Tuesday 21st July 2015
Went for a lovely walk on the beach with the doggies - I did have 3 long sleeves on!! We packed up and headed for Bantry.
Bantry's absolutely beautiful. We parked and walked to the tourist office for some info, then found Organico shop (selling organic and health stuff so I can get all my usual non-toxic and organic stuff) and tea/coffee shop. Had tea/coffee and read brochures etc. I'm struggling to remember this far back but I imagine we must have gone to Chris' friend Adrian, then on to a campsite just outside Glengarriff. We parked up and cycled in to the village for a look around and some bits for supper and breakfast.
Went for a lovely walk on the beach with the doggies - I did have 3 long sleeves on!! We packed up and headed for Bantry.
Bantry's absolutely beautiful. We parked and walked to the tourist office for some info, then found Organico shop (selling organic and health stuff so I can get all my usual non-toxic and organic stuff) and tea/coffee shop. Had tea/coffee and read brochures etc. I'm struggling to remember this far back but I imagine we must have gone to Chris' friend Adrian, then on to a campsite just outside Glengarriff. We parked up and cycled in to the village for a look around and some bits for supper and breakfast.
Monday 20th July 2015
Headed for Clonakilty Bay and found Inchydoby beach - very nice too, but the weather, as usual, was disappointing. Chris took the doggies in the beach - it was a bit rainy. I got supper ready and we were hoping the lady selling crepes would still be there after we'd eaten so we could have pudding but she packed up - she was just about being blown away by this stage!! Busy beach with a surf school - some people just don't give up no matter what the weather. Slept here, very nice spot.
Headed for Clonakilty Bay and found Inchydoby beach - very nice too, but the weather, as usual, was disappointing. Chris took the doggies in the beach - it was a bit rainy. I got supper ready and we were hoping the lady selling crepes would still be there after we'd eaten so we could have pudding but she packed up - she was just about being blown away by this stage!! Busy beach with a surf school - some people just don't give up no matter what the weather. Slept here, very nice spot.
Sunday 19 July 2015
Up for a breakfast of baked oats, fruit and tea/coffee then off to church. Finally I got to go to Dunmore East Christian Fellowship :-) Where else would one of the Sunday morning announcements be that Monday was chicken butchering day!! Enjoyed devotions, ladies Bible group and the message.
In the meantime Chris took himself off to the beach and had a swim - madness!!
Back to Hews for a lunch of cassoulet. We visited for a bit after lunch, then packed up and headed for a little layby at a beach called Annes______something or something___Annes for a wet and windy night.
Saturday 18 July 2015
Headed for Dunmore East. We were on the road when I spotted "Jaybees", so we did a u-turn and went in and got coffee (for Chris) and a snack as we hadn't had lunch.
Knowing that the Gregory-Smith family live next door to the shop, we went to say "hi" and ended up staying the night. (This is the family Damien stayed with last year when he was over here for 3 weeks in the summer).
We had a cup of tea, left over sandwich from unch, crisps etc. Chris helped the lads finish putting up a poly tunnel, then we all had ice-cream. The weather was the nicest we've had so far.
I did some loads of washing and hung them outside, got stuck in with dishes etc.
Had a lovely dinner of leftovers (better known as "Mennonite review")
I found out that Victoria knows how to spin with a drop spindle so we did some spinning - she's so much better that me, I'm a complete amateur!!
The dogs got acquainted with Jessie and had a great time outside. In the evening several of us had a wild game of croquet with ever changing rules (thanks to Billy!!)
It was nice to have a good proper shower and to sleep with a different 4 walls around us!!
Sorry, no photos, getting really slack about taking pics!!
Friday 17th July 2015
Cleared up and left Wicklow for Wexpord. Stopped at a beach 11km from Wexford - and I'll never remember the name of it.... There was a French camper there so Chris asked the lady if there was a tap.......she barely spoke English but with hand signals he made himself understood.
We had a bit of a walk on the beach but it was SO windy.
We were just relaxing inside when the rain came over and people fled the beach.
We stayed here for the night - nice spot
Cleared up and left Wicklow for Wexpord. Stopped at a beach 11km from Wexford - and I'll never remember the name of it.... There was a French camper there so Chris asked the lady if there was a tap.......she barely spoke English but with hand signals he made himself understood.
We had a bit of a walk on the beach but it was SO windy.
We were just relaxing inside when the rain came over and people fled the beach.
We stayed here for the night - nice spot
Friday 24 July 2015
Thursday 16 July 2015
Visited with Craig and Lyn until about 1pm, then headed for Wicklow National Park, stopping en-route for lunch (outside a cemetry - it was the only place with a wide enough area to stop). They do seem to lack in lay-by's in this country.
We found a massive Tesco in Maynooth and stocked up. It was POURING by now!!
We found the wild camping spot in Wicklow, but the rain was absolutely tipping so we just took the dogs ut for a few minutes, didn't bother with supper because we'd had lunch so ate, just ate some fruit and nuts and got to bed early - we were shattered from the late night last night.
Craig and Lyn's girlies took a real fancy to our dogs!!
Visited with Craig and Lyn until about 1pm, then headed for Wicklow National Park, stopping en-route for lunch (outside a cemetry - it was the only place with a wide enough area to stop). They do seem to lack in lay-by's in this country.
We found a massive Tesco in Maynooth and stocked up. It was POURING by now!!
We found the wild camping spot in Wicklow, but the rain was absolutely tipping so we just took the dogs ut for a few minutes, didn't bother with supper because we'd had lunch so ate, just ate some fruit and nuts and got to bed early - we were shattered from the late night last night.
Thursday 23 July 2015
Wednesday 15 July 2015
The day we leave for Ireland, so excited!! Walked to the waterfall again this morning with Humphrey - Spotty said, no way!! The most amazing sight met us when we got near t he waterfall - those of you on facebook may have seen my write-up about this :-) The lady farmer had zoomed past us earlier before we left for the walk - now we discovered what she and her 3 dogs were up to - moving sheep. Not just moving sheep, moving sheep up a steep mountain, along a slate covered path - amazing. She had just the one dog working at first, then when we headed back she had a second dog helping round up the stragglers. I don't think I've seen many things as wonderful as those dogs working and those sheep going up and up the mountain. Of course neither of us had a phone or the camera as we'd been up yesterday and didn't think we'd see anything different. I'll add photos from last evening to try and show where the sheep were walking........
After all the usual breakfast and packing up we headed again for Holyhead, this time via the Menai suspension bridge Did more laundry, then spent the rest of the day at the sea front where the gypsies were setting up their fair. We walked the dogs to where we could watch the ferries coming and going, then back along the sea front for an ice cream.
After supper and packdown we headed for the ferry port. We were quite early so had a bit of a wait, but never having done this before we wanted to be early. Loading was very efficient, we parked on the top deck, left the doggies (help!!) and headed inside. Got a seat right up in front on the top. Was great having free wi-fi!! Did some colouring in when I got tired of using the internet, looked out the window, generally kept busy and was glad I didn't feel sick, even had a snack bar and cup of tea!! Was very surprised how soon Ireland came into view, was fascinating to watch it getting closer, and especially the last 45 mins or so when the crew were getting ready out the front below us.
Unloading was again very efficient, and with the help of our trusty (sometimes) satnav we negotiated Dublin and headed for Craig and Lyn. We were so tired, but found their place fine and crashed!!
this is the mountain the sheep were going up. there's a path about 3/4 of the way up going from left to right
various views from the ferry
Tuesday 14th July 2015
Went for a nice run along the coast path in the opposite direction to what we walked last night. After breakfast and packup we went into Holyhead to do laundry, empty toilet etc,. We wondered around Holyhead, got some meat at the butcher (for us and doggies). Found a little art shop and I got the colouring book and pencil crayons I'd meant to get before we left :-)
Got takeaway lunch at a little cafe, then headed back to the edge of Snowdonia to Aber Falls. Parked up for 2 euros until 12 midnight!! Walked on the "challenging" path to the waterfall - clearly it's only challenging if you don't live in Devon. The only challenging bit was that there were no doggie gates so Chris had to lift great big Humphrey over the style. The waterfall is beautiful - highly recommend a visit. During the evening the farmer who keeps sheep there was very busy bringing trailer loads of sheep.
Very nice place to spend the night, peaceful and quiet!!
Went for a nice run along the coast path in the opposite direction to what we walked last night. After breakfast and packup we went into Holyhead to do laundry, empty toilet etc,. We wondered around Holyhead, got some meat at the butcher (for us and doggies). Found a little art shop and I got the colouring book and pencil crayons I'd meant to get before we left :-)
Got takeaway lunch at a little cafe, then headed back to the edge of Snowdonia to Aber Falls. Parked up for 2 euros until 12 midnight!! Walked on the "challenging" path to the waterfall - clearly it's only challenging if you don't live in Devon. The only challenging bit was that there were no doggie gates so Chris had to lift great big Humphrey over the style. The waterfall is beautiful - highly recommend a visit. During the evening the farmer who keeps sheep there was very busy bringing trailer loads of sheep.
Very nice place to spend the night, peaceful and quiet!!
Tuesday 21 July 2015
Monday 13 July 2015
Woke up to steady rain, wet dogs, wet doggy towels etc. Headed for Snowdonia proper. Found a Cotswold outdoor sale outlet type shop with old stock - both of us got hiking boots - yay!! Went through the Pass of Llanberis, found a spot to stop at the side and have some lunch - raining, of course, so didn't even get to go outside.
Parked up in main town at Snowdon and took the dogs for a walk. They spotted ducks in the river and decided to swim after them; silly dogs, they wouldn't get out the water!!
We then headed for Anglesy which was pretty boring after Snowdon!! We did find a lovely rural carpark right by the massive power station. Neither of us was too keen to stay so close to those massive electric pylons, but it was a nice setting with walks on the coastpath, and we decided it would be ok for one night. We took the doggies for a nice walk on the coats path; it was raining on and off all evening. Another motorhome arrived - first time we'd had fellow wild campers for company.
going over the bridge to Angelsy
Woke up to steady rain, wet dogs, wet doggy towels etc. Headed for Snowdonia proper. Found a Cotswold outdoor sale outlet type shop with old stock - both of us got hiking boots - yay!! Went through the Pass of Llanberis, found a spot to stop at the side and have some lunch - raining, of course, so didn't even get to go outside.
Parked up in main town at Snowdon and took the dogs for a walk. They spotted ducks in the river and decided to swim after them; silly dogs, they wouldn't get out the water!!
We then headed for Anglesy which was pretty boring after Snowdon!! We did find a lovely rural carpark right by the massive power station. Neither of us was too keen to stay so close to those massive electric pylons, but it was a nice setting with walks on the coastpath, and we decided it would be ok for one night. We took the doggies for a nice walk on the coats path; it was raining on and off all evening. Another motorhome arrived - first time we'd had fellow wild campers for company.
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Farmers field on coast walk   v
view from coast path
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Sunday 12 July 2015
Met Jill at Harry Tuppins and she took me to church (she was hideously late - I should know her by now!!)
There was a laundromat at H.T. so Chris meanwhile did the laundry, used the internet, bought and ate a pizza etc. all parked in the Harry Tuppins carpark; we had lunch after church. Met a lovely family called the Howards - he's English, she from Korea; they were missionaries in Mongolia, have 4 beautiful children.
Jill dropped me back at Harry Tuppins and we then headed for Snowdonia (again). Slept in a carpark in the mountains near a walk called the "Precipice Walk" - it was beautiful, but raining so we didn't do any walking!!
Met Jill at Harry Tuppins and she took me to church (she was hideously late - I should know her by now!!)
There was a laundromat at H.T. so Chris meanwhile did the laundry, used the internet, bought and ate a pizza etc. all parked in the Harry Tuppins carpark; we had lunch after church. Met a lovely family called the Howards - he's English, she from Korea; they were missionaries in Mongolia, have 4 beautiful children.
Jill dropped me back at Harry Tuppins and we then headed for Snowdonia (again). Slept in a carpark in the mountains near a walk called the "Precipice Walk" - it was beautiful, but raining so we didn't do any walking!!
Saturday 11 July 2015
Headed for Hereford Parkrun at the racecourse, which turned out to be a horse racecourse, athletic track, golf course, rugby pitch and this track on which we ran which was a dirt track on the inside of the horse "track" (or whatever you call it). It was a fat 2 and a bit laps - bit boring and it was so hot - not the best Parkrun, but great to be part of the Parkrun family in a different location (not very flattering pics on the Hereford Parkrun site) It's a very new Parkrun - they've had less than 40.
We then went back to Queenspark for a fat fry-up (I always have something green and raw with a fry-up), after which we headed for "tannie Jill" in Shropshire. Had a good time catching up, looking at her beautiful flowers which she grows to sell, walked the doggies, and she fed us really well.
We slept in a little rural carpark in a village called Cheyneylongville.
Friday 10th July 2015
Went to Hereford. On the way we found a brilliant petrol station, with a tap behind to fill up the water tank. It was just a Londis or something, but they had the most fantastic selection of fruit and veg out the front - things like purple carrots, mooli, Jerusalem artichokes (ok, they're not fantastic, but unusual). Loaded up with fruit and veg. Found a place called "Queenspark", picnic spot with woodland walk and braai area. Camped there for the night, but we were rudely awoken at 2.30 am by yobs tearing about in their cars around the gravel parking lot. Thankfully they weren't there for very long making a noise. About half an hour later the cops showed up to have a look around - too late!! The beauty of this place was that we were only 10 minutes away from the local Parkrun!!
Went to Hereford. On the way we found a brilliant petrol station, with a tap behind to fill up the water tank. It was just a Londis or something, but they had the most fantastic selection of fruit and veg out the front - things like purple carrots, mooli, Jerusalem artichokes (ok, they're not fantastic, but unusual). Loaded up with fruit and veg. Found a place called "Queenspark", picnic spot with woodland walk and braai area. Camped there for the night, but we were rudely awoken at 2.30 am by yobs tearing about in their cars around the gravel parking lot. Thankfully they weren't there for very long making a noise. About half an hour later the cops showed up to have a look around - too late!! The beauty of this place was that we were only 10 minutes away from the local Parkrun!!
Wednesday 15 July 2015
Thursday 09 July 2015
Headed for Aberdyfi, walked along water front and back along the road popping into interesting looking shops. Had our lunch in the river/sea-front car park, then went to Aberystwyth to finally buy a laptop and ended up with this chromebook thingy - it does the job.....
Found one of the many lovely forest parks to stop in for dinner and a nice walk, then on to a hydro-electric reservoir amongst sheep fields for the night (called Dinas Reservoir)
Aberdyfi
Forest park somewhere in Wales, lots of nice walking, cycling and running paths, can't remember what it's called though.
view from the top of the walk
Headed for Aberdyfi, walked along water front and back along the road popping into interesting looking shops. Had our lunch in the river/sea-front car park, then went to Aberystwyth to finally buy a laptop and ended up with this chromebook thingy - it does the job.....
Found one of the many lovely forest parks to stop in for dinner and a nice walk, then on to a hydro-electric reservoir amongst sheep fields for the night (called Dinas Reservoir)
Dinas Reservoir
Wednesday, 08 July 2015
Raining!! After smoothies for breakfast and morning cleanup we headed for Brecon trying to find a mechanic as we were being carbon-monoxided half to death by this point. No success there or in Builth Wells, but found one in Llandrindod Wells - King of Cool Cars - specialists in old vehicles (especially American) We booked Skilpad in for 3pm. Mechanic told Chris about a nice lake just on the edge of town where we could spend the next few hours. Parked up and took the doggies for a long overdue walk, then had some lunch while we waited for 3pm.
The very pleasant and well spoken mechanic twiddled and fiddled and set the timing but was not able to find much else wrong with just a brief look like that, but it seemed to make things a bit better.
We headed for.........somewhere.......where was a big lake, and camped by the side of the lake in the mountains near fields of sheep. There was a lot of traffic going by on the other side of the lake - seemed it was a main road to somehwere that everybody wanted to be. Very beautiful place to spend the night though.
Very confident swan on the little lake outside Llandrindod Wells - he was not afraid to hiss at Humphrey!!
Beautiful wild camping spot
Why would anybody pay for a campsite when you can camp like this!!
Raining!! After smoothies for breakfast and morning cleanup we headed for Brecon trying to find a mechanic as we were being carbon-monoxided half to death by this point. No success there or in Builth Wells, but found one in Llandrindod Wells - King of Cool Cars - specialists in old vehicles (especially American) We booked Skilpad in for 3pm. Mechanic told Chris about a nice lake just on the edge of town where we could spend the next few hours. Parked up and took the doggies for a long overdue walk, then had some lunch while we waited for 3pm.
The very pleasant and well spoken mechanic twiddled and fiddled and set the timing but was not able to find much else wrong with just a brief look like that, but it seemed to make things a bit better.
We headed for.........somewhere.......where was a big lake, and camped by the side of the lake in the mountains near fields of sheep. There was a lot of traffic going by on the other side of the lake - seemed it was a main road to somehwere that everybody wanted to be. Very beautiful place to spend the night though.
Monday 13 July 2015
Tuesday 07 July 2015
Said goodbye to Eric and Veronica before they left for work, left Spot in the garden (again) and took Humph for a run. Got back and fired up the juicer to make juice for breakfast. The little garage that Eric recommended was too busy and said they wouldn't be able to fit the van in their workshop anyway, so we went to Euro Car Parts for an exhaust bit which Chris fitted in the carpark - in the rain!!
Finally we could head for Wales!!Stopped in Ross-on-Wye to walk the doggies and got some chicken and a bottle of mixed herbs so we could make some dinner. Drove into Wales and found a nice layby near Crickhowell to cook and eat dinner, then on to a lovely wild camping spot for the night.
Said goodbye to Eric and Veronica before they left for work, left Spot in the garden (again) and took Humph for a run. Got back and fired up the juicer to make juice for breakfast. The little garage that Eric recommended was too busy and said they wouldn't be able to fit the van in their workshop anyway, so we went to Euro Car Parts for an exhaust bit which Chris fitted in the carpark - in the rain!!
Finally we could head for Wales!!Stopped in Ross-on-Wye to walk the doggies and got some chicken and a bottle of mixed herbs so we could make some dinner. Drove into Wales and found a nice layby near Crickhowell to cook and eat dinner, then on to a lovely wild camping spot for the night.
One of the wildest wild camping spots, down lots of tiny lanes, you wonder how anybody ever found this place. A few sheep for company, bubbling stream, lots of trees - lovely!!
Monday 06 July 2015
Walked the doggies again around the apple orchards, came back and made juice for breakfast, packed up and headed for Swindon to collect a idle control mixture screw for the carb. We seemed to drive around in circles for a large part of the day thanks to the satnav, but we finally got there. We discovered we were only 34 miles from Oxford so decided to visit Eric and Veronica. We had no way of warning them we were on our way as I only had an outdated mobile number so I messaged my ma (in South Africa)on Whatsapp, got her to e-mail them my phone number and let them know we were on our way. The marvels of modern technology :-)
Had some lovely dinner and a catchup. I made Eric some of my violent cold and flu mixture to try :-)
Recipe: blend lemon or lime juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic, cayenne or any hot chilli and ginger, take several tablespoons a day neat or mixed with warm water, as an immune booster or to give a cold/flu a message that it's time to leave.
In the evening Veronica took us (people and Humphrey) for a walk. The dogs had a lovely time in the garden all evening anyway. We parked inside their gates for the night and had the use of facilities in the house - thank you again for that:-)
Walked the doggies again around the apple orchards, came back and made juice for breakfast, packed up and headed for Swindon to collect a idle control mixture screw for the carb. We seemed to drive around in circles for a large part of the day thanks to the satnav, but we finally got there. We discovered we were only 34 miles from Oxford so decided to visit Eric and Veronica. We had no way of warning them we were on our way as I only had an outdated mobile number so I messaged my ma (in South Africa)on Whatsapp, got her to e-mail them my phone number and let them know we were on our way. The marvels of modern technology :-)
Had some lovely dinner and a catchup. I made Eric some of my violent cold and flu mixture to try :-)
Recipe: blend lemon or lime juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic, cayenne or any hot chilli and ginger, take several tablespoons a day neat or mixed with warm water, as an immune booster or to give a cold/flu a message that it's time to leave.
In the evening Veronica took us (people and Humphrey) for a walk. The dogs had a lovely time in the garden all evening anyway. We parked inside their gates for the night and had the use of facilities in the house - thank you again for that:-)
First of all, apologies that it has taken me so long to get this blog going - I know I promised you all it would be up and running virtually the day we left :-)
I'll go back and try to give you an idea of what we've been up to each day since last Sunday when we left.
Sunday 05 July 2015
We dropped the Micra off for Tamsin at our friend Cheryll and had a cup of tea. By the time that was all done we were already later than our proposed leaving time, but hey-ho, we're on holiday.
We got to Mike and Naomi in Somerton in Somerset at 5.30 - an hour later than our proposed arrival time.
Had a great time catching up, and some lovely dinner. After dinner Mike showed us where we could walk the dogs - which we did, and then set up for the night in their lovely camping barn, which was a treat because we didn't have to fight with making up the motorhome bed for the night.
Parked up Mike and Naomi's driveway for the night.
View into their orchard.
Pretty village church just down the road.
I'll go back and try to give you an idea of what we've been up to each day since last Sunday when we left.
Sunday 05 July 2015
We dropped the Micra off for Tamsin at our friend Cheryll and had a cup of tea. By the time that was all done we were already later than our proposed leaving time, but hey-ho, we're on holiday.
We got to Mike and Naomi in Somerton in Somerset at 5.30 - an hour later than our proposed arrival time.
Had a great time catching up, and some lovely dinner. After dinner Mike showed us where we could walk the dogs - which we did, and then set up for the night in their lovely camping barn, which was a treat because we didn't have to fight with making up the motorhome bed for the night.
Parked up Mike and Naomi's driveway for the night.
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