Starting Out

We got our camper van on the 1st of August 09 and decided where best to start, at least for us, than the most northerly point in Ireland. So on a very windy night with very little preparation we drove to Banba's Crown. [for those interested Banba was the name of one of three sisters named Eire, Banba and Fothla all of these names were names for Ireland hence Banba's crown i.e Ireland's Crown]
Sleeping in the camper that night was akin to the feeling of being in an aeroplane going through turbulence.

The next day we walked around Malin Head. For me there is something very spiritual about walking with the wind, wave and ocean screaming and refusing to let the mere notion of it being summer subdue its majesty.

I have fallen in love with our camper and although this was just a fact finding mission I knew that this was the beginning of us "living our dream" We went home the next day to pack the necessities and head off .....where to next?

Not sure of our situation we decided it was time to try out a camp-site. Now I have to say that this was a somewhat a daunting experience. We knew that we had gizmo's & gadgets to plug in for electricity and that horror of horrors the toilet situation had to be tackled but how ? We decide to go and vist Downings , guess what it was raining but that in no way dampened the excitement of having packed food, clothes and toothbrushes etc and hittting the road. We decided to call ahead and make sure that they had room and we were told to come on ahead.There was a festival on in Downings and we passed a sum total of 12 festivals that trip. If you like a drink a good atmosphere and a bit of music there was all that a plenty. Himself and me were craving a wee bit of peace. We parked the camper in the site and headed aprehensively to the office were we paid our €25 where given a ticket for the window and told to park where we could find a spot!! trying to look nonchalant we survive reversing, and electrical hookups without blowing us or the camp-site up. We had done it!
Following a noisy night in "The Downings" the next day we headed for Ionad Cois Locha Dunlewey. We were told to settle in and we could pay the next morning. The facilities here were basic but very clean, with free showers and electrical hook up, plus the next morning we were offered a free tour of the centre and a free boat trip on the lough which is a really good deal. Dunlewey will be on the itenary for a future trip