If hotels were an option...

This being unwell is seriously getting me down. I swear I've cracked a rib with all this coughing. I'm now hobbling round like an eighty year old woman. It's really interfering with my journey. The roads I'm travelling on are so bumpy and bendy it's a real struggle in the Beast with poor suspension and no power steering. I don't think we ever appreciate good health until it temporarily leaves us. Well I'm going to welcome it back with open arms!

I'm now confused as to where I've been of late. I think we did one night at the Hungry Hill campsite and then travelled about 15 minutes down the road to another campsite in Castletownsbere. The town was a bit dismal but the site, on a golf course was ok. I treated myself to some steak mince from the local butcher and have had mince and mash two nights running, delicious (Milo agrees).

What with feeling, and looking, pretty rough I've very much hidden myself away the last few days. I was starting to feel a bit downhearted until I drove over the Healy Pass. Wow, it was stunning. I took some good photos and the sun was beating down. We only seemed to come across a few sheep and one other car. I did have to stay in second gear for most of it.  Then we followed the coast road and came across a gorgeous little bay, Derrynane. We practically had three beaches all to ourself. We wildcamped there last night, it was so peaceful. What amazes me the most here is the night sky. I didn't appreciate how many stars there actually are. As there is no light pollution it's a pretty stunning sight. I did try to take a photo but it was just black.

I've just had a thought. I wonder if I've lost my voice? as I haven't spoken to anyone for a few days. Actually that's not true as I do tend to speak to Milo on a regular basis, poor little fella.
Every time I pass a posh hotel I'm so tempted to book a room. Just to take a bath, wash and blow dry my hair, eat a meal at a table, dress and undress without falling over, sleep in a bed on ground level, oh the list is endless...

Golf club campsite...

Healy Pass...

Derrynane...

My night of passion,not...

Baltimore and Sherkin Island were just wonderful. We made some lovely new friends and would definately return. Unfortunately I've been quite unwell for a few days. I seem to have a rotten cough and cold and just ache all over. This in turn is making me feel so incredibly tired and everything becomes such an effort. Like having a waste water tank that just won't empty, it now just bubbles back up the pipe into my shower tray. This is not pleasant as I have been emptying my coffee grains down the sink and it's all brown. I spent the other evening on Mizen Head trying to plunge the drain and pour boiling water down it. Stupidly I poured the boiling water over my leg. Jumping up and down, screaming in pain, trying to pull the skinny jeans away from my skin was pretty shit! What with all the commotion I'm sure the folk in the parked car thought I was having a night of passion. The next morning I had to crawl under the van and release the drain pipe. A fair amount of it landing on my head. I will always remember Mizen Head for this.

When I stopped in Crookshaven a newspaper journalist phoned for an interview. One of the questions she asked me was 'what do you desire from a man'? The way I feel and look at the moment I should have said 'poor eyesight' !

The next day we drove around looking for a campsite, stopping off to buy drain cleaner. The first one on our list was closed. The second one, recommended by local shopkeeper, we couldn't find. The third one didn't allow dogs, but lady very kindly phoned another one to book us in. So we eventually arrived at Hungry Hill campsite. Just perfect. Two delicious hot showers later and I feel much better. Annoyingly my drain cleaner has not worked.

With all this driving around we have travelled further than intended. I'm still so frustrated at such few stopping places, even to just stop and take a photo. Oh also, I hit a wall yesterday, literally! Trying to read road signs for campsite. Another chunk taken out the Beast...

Mizen Head...

My night of passion...

Mizen Head

Poor Beast...

When hitchhikers become friends...

Yesterday we left Skibbereen and headed towards Baltimore. On the road I saw a young girl hitchhiking and decided to stop. What a great decision that turned out to be. The lovely Roisin a local girl living on Sherkin Island and working in the Jolly Roger pub. On approaching Baltimore she casually asked me if I'd like to stop in the bushes and have a drink?! Oh I thought, must be a local custom, probably more Milos thing than mine. Fortunately the Bushee was a local pub! 

I was then introduced to Mark and Lorraine and Milo got to eat their left over breakfast. Lovely people. That evening I headed to Jacobs Bar to listen to the live music, but unfortunately I arrived too late. 

This morning, having wild camped on a quiet spot on the harbour road, Milo and I took the ferry over to Sherkin Island. I had intended to try a whale trip with local man Nic Slocum,

but sadly my funds didn't stretch and it was too long a day to leave Milo alone. Our ferry trip proved to be a good choice. The island is so peaceful, I think we walked most of it. Nearly fell asleep on our own private beach, and actually got sunburnt. 

I then spent the afternoon with Mark at the harbour drinking my first Murphys, popular here as opposed to Guinness. I must say I did rather like it (thank you Pat for the drink!). I feel quite at home here in Baltimore and will stop tonight too, if only to nurse (hide) my burnt face...

It's all in a name...

Our 'safe nights Ireland' house was lovely, in Rosscarberry. It was like a piece of Battenberg cake, all pink and pretty. Although when we arrived there was no one home so we sat on the drive like squatters! The lady of the house welcomed us with open arms and surely did provide a safe night. In the morning we headed down to Warren beach. It was wet and windy but we made the most of it.

After that we seemed to be driving forever. We got lost numerous times and I think we passed the same funeral three times. When I see a convoy of cars behind me (obviously not funeral procession!) I try to pull over so they can overtake me, and that's usually when I loose my bearings. We ended up some very bumpy narrow lanes and made a few three (more like ten) point turns. Eventually we ended up in a place called Union Hall and I wandered to the nearest pub and sat down for a coffee. Still not had my Guinness yet, have to wait for a non driving day. I got chatting to an intriuging gentleman who gave me some good places to visit. He said if I mentioned his name it would go down rather well. I've yet to try that but I will.

Last night we wild camped in a little place called Tragumna. We were right on the beach in a little bay. I didn't notice the 'no over night camping' sign until I was looking for a bin in the morning. So may I take this opportunity to apologise to the residents. My main struggle in Ireland is there are so few places to stop. I've seen so many photo opportunities but had to keep driving. All the stopping places have height barriers on them. And there's no such thing as lay-bys. Such a shame.

Today we walked through the town of Skibbereen. I counted in total seven abandon shopping trolleys. Just casually left outside people's houses. Maybe they put their coin in and rent them for the foreseeable!

Tonight we're pitched up near Skibbereen next to a lovely couple, and the lady is a tour guide by
profession...

Our safe night house...

Wet and windy...

Scary bridge near Union Hall...

Tragumna...

If in doubt kick it...

Hardly slept at all last night. I swear the campsite dogs were sleeping under my van and seemed to bark about every ten minutes! Also for some reason I'm aching all over, just hope I'm not coming down with something, cannot afford to be ill.

This morning I decided to make use of the laundry facilities. I placed all my washing in tub and poured over the liquid as instructed. Placed my euros in machine and went back to van to wait. When I returned the cycle had finished but my clothes were just half wet and covered in soap! I tried to contact site owner but no one around. I telephoned and left a message explaining my predicament. Sadly the reply came from Portugal! Lady on holiday there! Said her dad should be around somewhere. We tried the house but nobody home, meanwhile Milo snuck under the garage door and preceded to eat all the dog food left out for their two dogs! I had to crawl under the garage door and yank him away. Eventually man returned and gave us some more euros to try again. Still no response so I kicked the machine and hey presto it worked!

Eventually we headed of towards Rosscarberry for a stay at a Safe Nights Ireland address. Not before stopping at a stunning beach called Inchydoney. Milo loved it and of course got soaking wet and covered in sand once again.

Still not stumbled upon a knight in shining armour, but a bus driver did point at me today and shot me a friendly wave in passing! I reckon I'm going to find him where I least expect him...

Inchydoney beach... 

I'm saying nothing...

How to overcome your dogs fear of aeroplanes. Spend the night sleeping under a runway! We left the airport hotel carpark pretty early and headed towards the coast. It was a lovely drive and the sun was shining all day. We arrived after only half an hour and went straight to the beach at Garrettstown. It was practically all ours. I took some videos so hopefully I have uploaded them correctly.  We then popped to the shop to buy some provisions, but it wasn't open until high season. So we headed into the village instead. Then we went off to the campsite, we had googled, to book in. Stupid me! Should have phoned ahead. Also not open until high season. It looked so nice too, Garrettstown House. Anyway the nice man gave us directions to another site. But we decided to go back to the beach and wild camp instead. I cooked sausage and mash and watched the sunset. I read loads of my book, it's so good I'm sad it's nearly coming to an end. Then we both had a really good peaceful nights sleep.

This morning the tide was right in by the Beast. I could practically feel the waves splashing my face as I brushed my teeth at the back door. We had breakfast, left over sausages, and then headed off to Timoleague to the Sextons campsite. The lady at the petrol station recognised me from the telly!

I hooked the van up to the electric and plugged in all the flat battery stuff. Then opened the door to throw Milo his ball. Unfortunately the campsite dogs insisted on joining in and barked constantly when Milo kept catching the ball first. We went inside and they just sat outside the door waiting for Milo to come out to play again. I think they're still there now. I had a really nice hot shower, at no extra charge, and it stayed on until I switched it off. Oh the simple things in life!

I'm feeling a bit (not sure what) tonight. I seem to have upset/offended a few people by not engaging with their 'amorous' advances on social media. I'm sorry.  When I don't quite know what to say I say nothing...

Milos mates...

Wild camping...

Hot shower...

Milo stole the show...

Gosh today was a long day. I headed to a park and ride place near Cork and I was then collected by a taxi and taken to the RTE studios. Milo was initially rather intrigued as to where and what we were up to. After over three hours in the 'green room' he was pretty fed up when we got on the couch.

I haven't been able to view it yet but my sister said Milo was quite cute! Once again everyone was so lovely to me. When we initially arrived Milo somehow managed to sneak behind the reception desk and steal a piece of wrapped up birthday cake! Then he found the biscuit barrel in the green room and ate most of them. All in all it was a long and lovely day. It was a little too late to head to our planned destination but we have been kindly allowed to park up at The Cork International Hotel for the night. Wonder if I'll be able to sneak in for breakfast in the morning?!

Anyway I'm off to get some shut eye now and look forward to our journey ahead. Maybe Maura and Daithi from the Today Show will receive an abundance of offers from eligible gentlemen wanting to whisk me away into the sunset...

Daithi and me...

Maura and me...

Miloandme...

Good friends...

Just a quick update this morning. I'm just getting ready for our tv interview with Maura and Daithi on the RTE Today Show. Am really rather nervous and excited. I do hope Milo behaves! No doubt he will want to sit on my knee.

I've had the most wonderful night, spent with my new friends Patricia and Kieron, not forgetting pups Nemo and Renee. They live in a beautiful village called Ballycotton and Milo thoroughly enjoyed the beach there this morning. Last night we went to the village pub The Blackbird. A couple of beers, live music and great company. I'm still overwhelmed by the kindness of people, what a lovely part of the world this is, can't wait to see the rest of it...

Ballycotton...

I

Prisoner Cell Block H...

So I got lost again. I don't actually mind getting lost, I get to see more places. But I think Milo gets a bit fed up, constantly wondering if we're nearly there yet. You wouldn't believe I've actually got satnav. I just need to learn how to use it! I tried to find Pavillion shopping centre and got myself directions for a place back on the Wirral! And yesterday I left Dunbar Upper for Dungarvan somehow going via Carlow!

Anyway we eventually arrived in Dungarvan and eventually found our campsite. Jeez schoolboy error on that. 38 euros for one night. But we were so tired we stayed. Sadly, as Milo jumped to catch his ball he hit his head on the Beast and now has a nasty cut on his eye. I just wanted to cry at this point. In fact I did. But very quietly as all the vans are parked so close to each other, I swear I could hear people snoring last night.

This morning I went to 'cell block H' for my shower. Even after paying 38 euros I still had to buy a token for the shower. As I had no change I ended up buying two. Good move on my part as my 'prison block' shower took so long to heat up it switched off mid hair wash. Backup token was much appreciated.

This afternoon I'm heading towards Cork. A lovely lady who has followed our adventure has so kindly offered us a place to stay. People are so kind...

Poor Milo...

Prison block shower...

A date with television...

My word I'm struggling with technology. I could not get the free wifi at campsite in Rush and ended up paying for it. And also my O2 connected and I ended up paying for that too. Not to mention the phone calls grrh. Now I've had to buy a pay as you go sim just stay in touch with the world. Also spent most of last night trying to pay my motorway toll fee on line, which is a bit annoying as I opened an eflow account before I arrived but the windscreen tag didn't arrive in time. Anyway enough moaning (for now!).

We left the North Beach campsite in Rush yesterday and headed down the East coast. Not before having a shower on site. I placed my two euro coin in slot, not realising it turned on shower immediately. Hence me ripping all my clothes off quick speed and jumping in before it ended. Subsequently all wet clothes on shower floor, but all in all a lovely powerful shower.  Milo loved the beach, I think we walked it about five times.

Last night we stayed at Wolohans Silver Strand site in Dunbar Upper. The 'upper' was right. We pitched on a cliff top with a rather steep incline. Really thought we may wake up this morning on the beach! Sadly it was no dogs allowed on the beach so we are off to find a dog friendly beach. The lovely John, site owner, has given us some good directions.

I've been receiving some lovely messages from the people of Ireland, it is quite true how friendly everyone is here. Milo is getting told on a daily basis how handsome he is :)
We are heading toward Cork over the next few days because we have been invited to appear on television! We are going to be on The Today Show on Monday, how exciting. And scary. Think I'm going to struggle as what to wear, not much choice in my tiny wardrobe. Although I do still have my LBD ready for, hopefully, a potential date...

Rush...

Dunbur Upper...

Wolohans Silver Strand...

My tiny wardrobe...

Will anyone save me from this madness...

Gosh what a crazy 48 hours it's been. I'm attempting to write this on my phone with intermittent wifi so apologise for any mishaps.
Milo and me left the Wirral on Tuesday and spent the night on the prom in Liverpool. Milo for some reason slept on the drivers seat all night. We left for our ferry at about 7am and were searched by the policeman who said "ar ay your dogs boss!" Then waved us on. We were then instructed to reverse onto the ship. I honestly thought he was winding me up! Many manoeuvres later I was neatly parked up. I did dash cam video it all but forgot to press record duh. The man parked beside me 'kindly' offered to book us a cabin for some kind of passionate crossing. I spent the whole crossing trying to avoid him! Milo, bless him, was a little star, staying in the Beast. A lovely crew member took me to visit him, and I snook him some of my complimentary cooked breakfast.

Arriving in Dublin I did what I do best. I got lost. I ended up paying a small fortune on lots of tolls. I eventually found a campsite which was apparently the closest to Dublin Port, hmm. Milo seems happy as we parked practically on a beach in Rush. We heading down East coast tomorrow.

I've just been interviewed on RTE radio by Ray Darcy. He is lovely as are his crew. He thinks I'm a little bit brave and a little bit mad. Yep I kind of agree with him. But anyway maybe someone listening will find me and save me from this madness I've created...

No more cotton wool...

I can't believe we actually start our travels tomorrow. This is our last night of that feeling of being wrapped in cotton wool. My mum and sister have been absolute troopers and I love them dearly. I'm excited too as my son has just informed me he will be in Ireland on business during my birthday week, so I possibly will have someone to raise a glass with.

Today I have been running around like a headless chicken remembering last minute things. The day started with the Beast receiving some well earned tlc from Wirral Small Cars and just needs one new tyre. Tonight I'm doing some last minute laundry and enjoying my last bubble bath (until I break into my sons hotel room during his business trip!)

I've also spent the last few days educating myself on my new SJCAM, a wonderful early birthday present from my sister and her boyfriend. It's the tiniest little camera I've ever seen and can go under water too. I plan to place it on my dashboard a lot. Just need to figure out how to put the videos on YouTube. I have managed to add a link to my YouTube account, so I am progressing. I also treated myself to a pair of mini binoculars today, something I regretted not having when touring Scotland.

So tomorrow I head over to Liverpool ready to catch the early ferry on Wednesday morning. I'm feeling a mixture of sadness and excitement. I will miss my friends and family but can't wait for my adventure to begin...

Ready to go...

No room for this one in the Beast...

Locked up in a Thai prison...

I can't believe that this time next week I will be crossing the Irish Sea with Milo. It's been a long and quiet winter, we truly have hibernated. But now we are pretty much ready to go. We've got passports, tickets, euros, maps, we've got tick lists stuck all over the van, mostly all ticked. I've even received my birthday pressie for my 50th in May from my bestie (not to be opened until then) (obviously I've shaken and squished it and am still none the wiser). I love the fact that she believes in me, in that I will still be travelling then and not locked up in some Thai prison!

My mum has booked a girly spa day for me this weekend with my sister and my sons girlfriend. Probably be a while before I feel luxury again so I am really looking forward to it. I've also bought myself a selfie stick, I did want a GoPro but couldn't afford one so settling for a GoProng! At least I might get some photos of both of us without having to balance camera on a rock, setting timer and hoping I can jump into photo. I've never been a fan of selfie sticks, I always thought people looked a bit silly using them. But I tend to look quite silly on a daily basis when I am travelling so may as well join in.  I will practice when it arrives tomorrow. I especially wanted it to try and video The Magic Road in County Waterford, where you can apparently roll 'up' hill when you take your handbrake off! Could be interesting in the Beast.

Oh well seven more sleeps. And I don't know who will miss my sister Pip more, me or Milo...

They sure will miss each other...

I'm going to miss these two so much...

Twelve more sleeps...

I actually booked my ferry ticket today, I've been putting it off far too long hoping the price might come down when in fact it was increasing. So now I have an official departure date of the 13th of April, my mums birthday. The ferry leaves liverpool at 9.30 in the morning and apparently I have to be there at 7.30. So me and Pip drove over to the ferry port to have a little nosey. Glad I did as it was nowhere near where I thought it was and I would have got quite lost even before I even got to Ireland. I'm going to phone the ferry company tomorrow and request that I be noted as a nervous passenger. My parking skills aren't the best most of the time let alone trying to manoeuvre the Beast, with no power steering,  onto a ship with Milo jumping at the bit asking if we're there yet!

I went to the charity shops yesterday and bought myself a little selection of books for my library. I foresee long evenings ahead with no internet or phone reception. I do like a good book to read, I love to lose myself into the mind of the author. Curiously my favourite books are gruesome type murders, not so clever when you're all alone parked up in the middle of nowhere!

I do hope my Netflix account works over there too. I love it when I'm asked 'who's watching?' and I get to tick 'mum' coz that's me!

Oh well my countdown has begun, twelve more sleeps...

Think Milo wants in on my library...

My library, situated in the left wing near the kitchen and not too far from the conservatory...