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Published: September 10th 2010
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Free camping 27.8.10
Inside the Gas Works site for the night opposite Stewart House Monday 23rd August to Sunday 29th August 2010.
Monday 23rd August 2010.
Went into Kells in the morning to look for a motor scooter repair shop. Found one called CC - they were shut - ½ the town was shut as they open on Saturday - the lady from the tourist office told us that they have their weekend as Sunday and Monday. Pity they don’t put it into the web or their brochures. It is their tourist season !!!! We purchased a 12v inverter as unable to charge movie camera, computer battery etc without 240v when free camping.
We then proceeded to drive along back road to Kingscourt where we had coffee and scones (they were more like our rock cakes as we know them) very nice.
Gaye informed me that she had had enough of narrow roads, and getting shit scared when a big truck or tourist bus comes in the opposite direction (and just misses the rear vision mirror on her side) so we abandoned my route and headed to the A2 (wider road) and to Castleblaney and then to Dunkalk and onto Newry and Carlingford. From there into Kilkeel where we found a person willing to look at motor scooter - left it with him and went looking for a campsite. We found one after an hours drive, but no one in office. Gaye looked around but could not find anyone - so back into town and started again and ended up back at same site.
Then the lights came on as Gaye noticed other signs. There is 6 different camp sites - all look the bloody same, but different owners. All charge the earth - £19 for a night - extra for the awning etc and £8 for 1 day’s internet connection. So we are not having internet tonight.
This campsite is on the coast. Would be good if the water doubles its temperature - it’s about 10º - but very pretty. There is a lighthouse about 150 metres off shore - will see if we sleep tonight with it blinking through into the motorhome. !!!!!!
Tuesday 24th August 2010
Well the blinking lighthouse didn’t bother us - thank goodness.
Walked around Kilkeel all day - finished shopping for bits at long last. Picked up scooter at 6pm and then drove north looking for campsites - 3 were permanent sites, so ended up at Annalong in car park - beautiful spot by the sea with another couple who could not find a campsite either.
Wednesday 25th August 2010
The drain hose on motorhome opened up so spent an hour trying to fix it - no luck - no water - so we headed off for the day and drove up to Silent Valleyd looked around and then ended up in Newcastle . Lovely seaside town - very busy with people on summer holidays.
Went into tourist office for information and maps on Belfast and eventually found some campsites to try - our maps and the Tom Tom didn’t help.
We had our first meltdown - Tom about maps and lack of signs to follow and Gaye about Tom. We needed some space.
Found the campsite - Tollymore - run by the Forestry Commission of Ireland. Fantastic place - good MTB tracks, walking, river and mountains.
Thursday 26th August 2010
Got organized and Tom went for a 2 hour MTB ride. Lots of uphill in first gear - all up about 15kms - forgot computer so now have them on both bikes.
Tom went out for a motor scooter ride and practice up quiet back road but ended up lost so on to main roads to find way back - he will have to get used to doing 50mph as open road speed limit is 60mph.
About 4pm we went for a 2.5 hour walk - took the long track in error !!!
Ready for a beer, shandy and nibblies by the time we got back at 6pm- they went down well.
Friday 27th August 2010
Tom went for a 1 hour push bike ride over a mountain -(the following info is for the cycling enthusiasts-1.6km up, 1k across, 1k down - did 3 times.)
When Tom got back we went for an hour walk and 1 hour chatting with the ranger.
So off to Strangford via narrow roads - not much traffic and I took it slow - Gaye said she appreciated this. Lovely seaside towns but could only live there in summer.
Caught the ferry to Portaferry £5.80. We were the 2nd lot of Aussies today.
Had lunch at Portaferry and then visited info office. Went up the eastern side of Strangford Lough.
Stopped to have a look at The House of Stewart and Gardens. Did not go in as too expensive. There looked like a good site across the road for the night on the waters edge - it was, so stayed. Tom, under instructions, made dinner of salmon, onion, tomato, pasta dish.
Saturday 28th August 2010
Up and away. Saw a great tower on the hill - sign showed it up the road so off we went. Problem again, it was the only sign so couldn’t find it -back to the main road - it was a lovely drive.
Then headed off to The World Owl centre in Antrim forest. We got there at 10am. Sign said it opens at 11am so went for a walk in forest. Got back at 10.50am and went up to door. Sign said closed for the long weekend. They had apparently closed as a staff member’s sister was getting married and all staff were going. So back we go to Belfast - 70km round trip is NOT an Irish joke.
Looking for campsite. Again only one sign. We found the locked gate and talked to the warden (William). He said he would love to have a £ for everyone who went up the wrong road. Tom said some more signs would be handy, and he said ‘aye’. This must be the way the Irish save money - no signs after turn off.
Did some housework and then into Belfast for dinner.
Had a lovely meal at Premier Inn and the waitress was 19 years and very bubbly (like Megan), so we exchanged emails. Everyone is surprised at the length we are away for) then to a pub for some blues music. Couldn’t hear the band. They had played the last song and then left. Gaye was chatting to a woman who has just sold their house and are going to Australia in October to try their luck.
Back on the double decker bus to home.
Sunday 29th August 2010.
Up late. Were going into Belfast but lucky Gaye went onto the web to check and the Crumlin Road Gaol is closed for renovations until 2011. So changed plans and decided to stay here for the day and get all the washing up to date as there is heaps as at the last stop the machines were broken, so we have a least 4 loads with sheets and towels. Even stripped the mattress cover - not so easy in the confines of the van. Guess what, the sun decided to make an appearance for the rest of the day !!!
There is a cinema 5 mins walk away so we will head over there for a movie later.
Tom glued up the support timber back onto bed fiberglass underside cover - took a bit of imagination.
Ended up going to the movies at 2.10pm to see ‘Indispensibles t’ - fun but also corny at the same time and then at 6.50pm we saw ‘Salt’. Good but one Irish guy said it was unbelievable - really - what an insightful observation.
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Jenice
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Hi Gaye, Tom It sounds like you guys are having a great time...and seeing so much. This blog thing is a great idea...but makes me soooo jealous. Think of me....at work...in Gosford.... Cheers Jenice