This camping and travel blog is written by a solo, camping obsessed lady camper hailing from the west of Northern Ireland.


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21/10/2014

Overview of 2014

It's been a funny old year. This is the year in which my teenagers rebelled against 'Family Holidays' and I had to hire a holiday cottage in order to bribe them into one last go of it. In the first part of the year camping was hampered by my re-taking of a GCSE I didn't pass 20 odd years ago, which thankfully I can claim a pass now. I was busy studying for a June Exam and since I also had a son taking all of his GCSE's, going away for quick weekends ate in to valuable study time so we didn't bother.

In that period of time I lost my 'wee camping buddy', Toby my long haired Jack Russell dog. He was only two. He got out through a hedge with a fence in it on to a busy road during a walk in a Forest Park and he was instantly killed. We decided not to try and replace Toby as he was one of a kind.

Our main family holiday took place in Cruit Island off the coast of West Donegal. It is an island that you access by driving over a bridge. The holiday cottage was compact but easy to keep clean and it was a bit like camping only in a brick tent. We pretty much did everything that we would normally do camping except I had a proper double bed to sleep in and a proper fridge, cooker etc, which was nice. I did miss the company of other people on a campsite though.

We spent our days fishing, exploring beaches because Donegal is probably one of the few places on earth where you'll have a beach, in mid July (incidentally, in another heatwave - great timing) all to yourself. I even swam in the same bit of sea as a Dolphin which was a real treat. We had a few great meals out and I read a few books and we walked our wee legs off.

Some photos of our holiday in Donegal



www.cruitholidayhome.com


Interior of cottage


The Poison Glen

Errigal Mountain

Fishing off Braade Head

Glenveigh National Park








04/10/2014

The 'NEVER NO MORE' camping list

This is a pared down list of camping gear which represents the minimum you can get away with whilst still having relative comfort. 


'Never No More' Camping List



Shelter

Tent 
Pegs
Mallet

Sleeping

Airbed/Self Inflating Mat
Pump if using Airbed
Bedding (sleeping bag or sheets and Duvet)
Pillow
Extra Blanket
Hot Water Bottle


Relaxing

Chair
Small Table
Book
Lantern

Eating

Mini Stove
Fuel Cannister
Lighter/Matches
Small Frying Pan
Lidded Pan
Sharp Knife
Small Chopping Board
Spork
Mug
Breakfast Bowl
Bottle Opener/Corkscrew
Tin Opener
Trug or Bowl for Washing Up
scourer and washing up liquid
Tea Bags
Coffee Granules
Cool box or cool bag
Flask

Personal

 Soft Holdall/Bag
Spare Clothing
A Big Jumper
PJ's
First Aid Kit
Bug Repellent




If the camping trip is short, you can cut out most of the kitchen equipment, as long as you have the makings of a cuppa.









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