Monday 15 April 2013

Carry on camping




 
They may not be the glamourous surroundings I had envisioned, but Danny and I finally put our beloved bell tent up for the first time in his mother's back garden at the weekend.
 
We were really just checking that all the bits and bobs were there so that we're primed and ready to go on many a spontaneous adventure once the sun finally decides to grace us with its presence.
 
It's four meters across and you can stand up inside which is so refreshing compared to the pop-up sweatbox of a tent that we were using before.





The fundamental question is how to decorate it? I'm taking inspiration from the examples below from nativeoutdoors , greenunion and dappercampingclub
Because who goes camping without a full bar in their tent?!
 I know I'll never make that mistake again.
 
 

Tuesday 9 April 2013

Small adventures: the Antrim Coast Road



Above, the view from Carlough on the Antrim Coast Road.
 
My mum and I have started a course to become language tour guides in Northern Ireland and so far it has been an absolute pleasure. We spent Saturday afternoon on a coach travelling along the beautiful Antrim Coast Road, passing through villages like Glenarm, Carnlough, Ballycastle, travelling over the still snowy Antrim Plateau and visiting the famous Giant's Causeway, Bushmills Whiskey Distillery and Dunluce Castle.
 
I was lucky enough to get my obligatory 10 minutes tour-guiding on the microphone out of the way early on and without any major disasters. And then I was free to enjoy the scenery, the commentary and the free whiskey in the distillery at lunchtime which sweetened the journey no end!
 



Above, views down to Carrick-a-rede rope bridge with Sheep Island behind and below, Rathlin Island, Fair Head and the traditional raven watching over Dunluce Castle.



 
I can almost feel summer in the air.