Wednesday 14th September 2011
Left home in our campervan and travelled up into Somerset, through the Quantocks and over the Severn Bridge to the Wye Valley where we briefly stopped off at Tintern Abbey but moved on due to an officious "no overnight parking" sign in the Abbey car park!
Forest walk
Thursday 15th September.
We visited Croft Castle which has a very impressive iron age hill fort nearby.
Large old oak at Croft Castle
We stayed the night in the village car park at Lllanfyllin.
Friday 16th September.
Travelling north we stoppped off at this impressive waterfall.
Pistyll Rhaeadr
Many thanks Judy for your hospitality.
Saturday 17th September.
Today we travelled to Cheshire to the only campsite we stayed at on the entire trip.
Sunday 18th September.
We left our van at the campsite and took a train into Manchester to watch Manchester United play Chelsea.
Monday 19th September.
We visited Ann's aunt Lillian in Great Harwood, Lancashire. She must be at least 100 years old but still is very bright. Ann found out that her Cousin David Pickup, who she had never met, had died two years ago.
Spent the night in the the village car park in Dunsop Bridge, North Lancashire.
Tuesday 20th September.
Continued north into Cumbria and visited Sizergh Castle.
Stopped for the night on a high pass in the lake district from where we could see the Isle of Man and Southern Scotland. Very windy!
Wednesday 21st September.
We went for a ride on the Ravenglass and Eskdale light railway on which Ann's late cousin David had been a volunteer for many years.
That night we stayed with Roger's nephew Chris near Cockermouth, Cumbria. He took us to see round his work where Ford rally cars are made. Quite amazing
Many thanks to Mandy and Chris for their hospitality.
Thursday 22nd September.
Today we travelled over the border into Scotland and stayed at a remote layby on a minor road in the Southern Uplands.
Friday 23rd September
Travelled north to Fairlie in Ayrshire and stayed with our friends Moira and Martin.
Saturday 24th September
Stayed on at Moira and Martin's, went for a walk along the beach to the pub and later met up with their son Dan and Grandson Zac.
Zac
Many thanks to Moira and Martin for your marvellous hospitality.
Sunday 25th September
Seals basking
Monday 26th September
We went by ferry from Cairnryan in Scotland to Larne in Northern Ireland and stayed in a layby near Ballycastle in County Antrim.
North Antrim Coast
Tuesday 27th September
Visited the Giant's Causeway - deservedly a World Heritage Site. Stayed the night in a beachside parking place at Castlerock County Antrim.
Ann at the Giant's Causeway
Castlerock
Today we went through Derry and into County Donegal in the Irish Republic and stayed overnight in Ardara town car park.
Ardara town parking
Thursday 29th September
Continued along the Donegal coast and visited the Slieve League cliffs - reputedly the highest in Ireland. Stayed on the Quay in Donegal Town where we visited Donegal Castle.
Slieve League cliffs
Statue of the Hugh O'Donnell, the local hero in Donegal, holding our drying washing on The Quay!
Friday 30th September
Crossed into County Mayo and visited Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetary and Ballina Town. Stopped the night in a remote layby on a pass high above Glen Nephin.
At Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetary
The layby above Glen Nephin, County Mayo
Saturday 1st October
Travelled on down the west coast through The Lough Doo pass where there is a memorial to those who starved to death there in the famine after being refused help by the local lord. Stayed the night by a tidal inlet in Connemara.
Memorial to those who starved to death on the Lough Doo Pass
The view from our overnight stop in Connemara
Sunday 2nd October
Weather deteriorating as we travel south into County Clare. Stop to rob a few coins from a wishing well in the Burren. Finally stop in the car park of Hotel Doolin and eat and listen to music in the hotel bar. Ann has a go at Irish Dancing with our new friends.
In the bar at Hotel Doolin
Monday 3rd October
Visited Loop Head in County Clare which felt like the end of the world. Very windy weather. Crossed the Shannon estuary by ferry to County Kerry. Stayed the night at Ballyheigue, Kerry.
The gates to Ballyheigue Golf Club
Tuesday 4th October
Started driving the celebrated Ring of Kerry but saw very little due to low cloud and rain. Stopped at the village of Portmagee next to the bridge to Valentia Island. Very nice village car park and pub.
Portmagee
Wednesday 5th October
Continued round the Ring of Kerry but saw little due to low cloud, wind rain etc. Spent the night in a layby on a minor road near Bantry with brilliant views. Weather cleared up at dusk.
Our stopping place near Bantry, County Kerry
Thursday 6th October
Travelled to Kinsale south of Cork. Very nice town with lots of classy eateries. We had fish and chips which were brilliant.
Kinsale
Friday 7th October
Travelled north to visit Roger's cousin Richard and his wife Ann Marie who live near Trim in County Meath.
Saturday 8th October
Visited Loughcrew Megalithic Cemetary in County Meath and later Kells to see the early christian high crosses.
Eleanor (Ann Marie and Richard's daughter) and Martina
Sunday 9th October
Stayed at Richard and Ann Marie's house. Visited Trim Castle and "New Town"
Trim Castle Keep
River Boyne at Trim
"Newtown"
Many thanks to Richard and Ann Marie for your excellent hospitality
Monday 10th October
Visited the monastery at Glendalough but as the weather was bad travelled south down the east coast and stayed in a layby with a sea view close to Arklow in County Wicklow.
Glendalough
Tuesday 11th October
As the weather was nice for once we went for walks on beaches and then stayed the night in the Rosslare ferryport car park
Rosslare beach
Wednesday 12th October
Took ferry from Rosslare to Pembroke Dock in west Wales. As the weather was very poor coninued to Bristol and stayed with Hannah, Ann's daughter and her partner George. Many thanks Hannah and George.
On the ferry
Thursday 13th October
Returned home to Widecombe.
Summary
Countries visited: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland.
Distance travelled excluding ferries: 2512 miles
Duration of journey: 30 days
