Trip Number 3 Dent

Saturday 24th May - Monday 26th May 2008

Well we had passed High Laning campsite last year when out walking in Dentdale and knew we would have to visit when we bought a campervan. High Laning was packed for the bank holiday weekend but nothing could distract you from the breathtaking views of Dentdale. Well I say nothing - our attempts at putting up our new drive away awning without divorcing, and then taking it back down again because the wind blew it over and knocked our dinner to the floor - they were short distractions!! We went walking on Sunday with Matt's parents who came over for the day. We bought a little pack called Exploring Dent and decided on walk 2 - Barth Bridge, Helmside, Rawridding and High Hall. We were not disappointed as the walk was great and it conveniently had a tea rooms stop half way round! The great thing about High Laning Campsite is that it is right in the middle of the village. The Dent Brewery pub, Meadowside Cafe and High Laning Farm shop are all a mere stagger away and with walks all around, you can pitch up and not need to drive until you leave. We will most definitely be back to Dent again, it's a great way to spend a weekend.

Details for those who are interested!
Cost: £19.50 per night inc electric hookup and awning
Website: http://www.highlaning.com
Meadowside cafe: http://www.dentdale.com/meadowside.htm

Trip Number 2 Northern Ireland

Thursday 20th - Thursday 27th March 2008

As I have just started this blog this is yet another post that is written a while after our second outing in the campervan. We revisited some places I haven't been since childhood and had a family camping reunion along the way!

Day 1 stop over point for the boat - Stranraer
There is not a huge amount to say about this one, except we arrived late and left early and survived hail storms and gale force winds in the 10 hours we stayed!! We stayed at Aird Donald Caravan Park in Stranraer- great for a stopover but not a holiday destination!

Details for those who are interested!
Cost: £12 per night
Website: http://aird-donald.com

Days 2-4 family reunion at Sandilands, Cranfield nr Kilkeel

As the rest of the UK had snow and storms Northern Ireland had glorious sunshine. We spent Easter weekend at the same caravan park my grandparents, aunt and uncle and cousins stay at and had a fantastic family reunion with my brother, sister in law and parents showing up too! We went to the beach every day for a walk and I even managed sunburn! Sandilands is not my ideal campervan stay as it is very much a holiday park but the private beach made it all worthwhile!

Details for those who are interested!
Cost: £16 per night inc electric hookup
Website: http://www.chestnuttholidayparks.com/parkfacilities/sandilands/index.asp

Days 4-7 Rushin House Caravan Park, Belcoo, County Fermanagh

Even the drive to the next part of our journey was idyllic (see the map) The weather continued to be glorious and the campsite was right on the edge of Lough MacNean. You can't complain if you wake up to a view like that every morning! This was the best campsite we have been to so far in every way. The facilities were fantastic for such a small site and the people who run it were typical Northern Irish people, bending over backwards to make you welcome. Matt used the Lough for some photography practice and we visited places I haven't been to since I was 13! The Marble Arch Caves were definitely the highlight, I even remembered what stalactites and stalagmites were! We also found time to visit Florence Court, a National Trust property with mighty fine cake and Belleek pottery. We had a tour of the pottery and I loved watching them make the weave baskets that my grandma always loved. This is an area of Northern Ireland I definitely recommend you visit - Just beautiful and a great place to relax.

Details for those who are interested!
Cost: £18 per night inc electric hookup
Website: http://www.rushinhousecaravanpark.com

Trip Number 1 Robin Hoods Bay

Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th March 2008

Well as I have just started this blog this is written after our first trip in the campervan. He is now named Robin after our first trip as we loved it so much. We stayed at Hooks House Farm in Robin Hoods Bay as it was in Cool Camping England's top 40 campsites and we were not disappointed. We just stayed the one night. What a shame as the campsite was great - the views of the bay were fantastic, just what you want to wake up to every morning. We ate at the Victoria Hotel, the food was really good and we spent the evening drinking real ale and playing scrabble by the open fire. A perfect weekend all in all. We will definitely spend many more weekends at Hooks House Farm.

Details for those who are interested!
Cost: £12 per night inc electric hookup
Website: http://www.hookshousefarm.co.uk