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