Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: RedLeader on July 30, 2009
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Who fancies a night in the Mournes on Saturday 8th August.
The plan is to park in Donard Car Park at Newcastle and camp up opposite the Ice House in the forest. We were considering ideas about paddling to Salt Island but it's complex for people with no easy access to boats whereas a wander into the lower Mournes is something everyone can do with a minimum of fuss.
Location is totally flexible but I think we should keep it to somewhere that doesn't have too much of a walk to get to and that we can light fires at without getting hassled. I'm thinking in the wood by the shepherds gate close to the wall. (If anyone wants to recommend a spot but doesn't want to let it be known on the internet just PM me.)
We've all talked about getting together but never managed to get round to it, this is our chance. We'll get a fire going, have a few light ales and shoot the breeze. We can also consider either a bit of a walk or some gentle bushcraft.
All interested post below - you know you want to :D
(I'm no angel but we would want to be considerate campers and leave the spot either as we found it, or better.)
Update 7 Aug
Final(ish) list
Jonno
MG1 (99% - arriving later)
666_pack
Hound of Ulster + 1 + 2 kids
chris_8764
billy backpack + 1 kid
Belfastman1958 +2 (Arriving later)
A few others possibly coming for a few hours
Update 6 Aug
With it only being 2 days away I think we need to start getting the finer organisational details sorted. Where and when to meet, a final list of who's coming and to swap mobile numbers.
Probably the best bet is for everyone coming to PM me their mobile number, real names and number of people in their party. If anyone who was undecided can't come if could they let me know too. Then I'll send everyone my number so people can keep in touch on Sat morning for last minute cancellations etc.
At the minute the best bet seems to be to all meet by the toilets in Donard Car Park at 11am Sat morning.
As ever, any better suggestions below and obviously it's not too late to add your name to the list if you want to come too!
Can I also just say again that we're leave no trace campers so can everyone please not bring anything up that they don't intend to bring back. (I know I probably didn't need to even mention that but I thought I should anyway)
Also when we were up last week the place was pretty messy and I think we should give some consideration to having a bit of a general tidy round before we come back down.
Just a reminder also that although we are organising a trip on this website, NI-Wild can take no responsibility for it! IE, if you poison yourself on undercooked sausages or fall out of your incorrectly hung hammock it's your own responsibility!
Update 4 Aug
Currently the weather for Saturday is for sunny spells, 7mph winds. Is looking good!
Update 3 Aug
Potential campers:
Jonno
MG1 (Potential)
666_pack
Hound of Ulster + 1 + 2 kids
chris_8764
billy backpack + 1 kid (potential)
Belfastman1958
The bushcrafting chaps have some other commitments so we dropped a few bods:
7 definite, 3 possible
Has anyone camped up here before and if so where, in the wood or at the riverside? We need recommendations for exactly where we want to stay. I'm keen to try the hammock so trees would be well useful :D
Here's a related post on gear choices for a weekend which would be helpful:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=362
The view:
(http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/15637317.jpg)
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I'd be up for that.
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I,d be up for it to if the boss lets me.
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I'm in. ;D
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I'd be up for that.
Excellent, I'm hoping you can fill me in on hammock camping, will be my first time.
I'm in. ;D
I knew I could count on you, you can't keep a good man down (from the mountains) :D
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I'm still in the process of getting a trip report but the terrible tale of the gullie traverse will sound so much better with a few drinks and the glow of the campfire. ;D
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Wouldn't mind dropping in, however will unfortunately be on the mainland for that weekend, maybe get a chance to drop in on one of the other get togethers
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Im workin niteshift nxt weekend grrrrr.....will come next time tho :)
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Would love to come, can I bring the tater tots? ::) 10 and 12. Her in doors is off and says I can go if she can go too. ;)
So sound like it could be a family affair, with a couple of nights camping, cider and great craic.
Hound.
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Would love to come, can I bring the tater tots? ::) 10 and 12. Her in doors is off and says I can go if she can go too. ;)
So sound like it could be a family affair, with a couple of nights camping, cider and great craic.
Hound.
I have no objection, more the merrier. I'd expect a few ales to be drunk but nothing too exciteable.
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count me in chaps!
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Depending on my work situation there should be another pair joining the party (thats me and my 10yr old son).
Sounds like it could be a real blast and am really looking forward to meeting everyone and putting faces to names.
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At the minute it's looking like up to 15 if everyone makes it. Could be a cracking weekend!
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Hi there.
I have camped near this very spot on a couple of occasions. it is indeed a good spot to camp at.
The walk, although all uphill, can be done in about 90 mins at a slow pace. And it;s not a strenuous walk at all.
Alan.
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The BBC are showing (http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/weather/img/symbols/57x57/3.gif?v25_3) as the image for Saturdays weather. Fingers crossed it might be nice for the weekend!
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So Jono,s for wild camping in his hammock, how is everyone else camping?
I fancy getting some self inflate mats and bivi bags, but the expense for 4 peeps is off putting. I know it would be useful in future.
option 2 is to get all my part to split the tent down and carry it up, not the worst case scenario, but not the lightest either.
Any suggestions or recomendations.
Hound :-\
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So Jono,s for wild camping in his hammock, how is everyone else camping?
I fancy getting some self inflate mats and bivi bags, but the expense for 4 peeps is off putting. I know it would be useful in future.
option 2 is to get all my part to split the tent down and carry it up, not the worst case scenario, but not the lightest either.
Any suggestions or recomendations.
Hound :-\
I got one of these:
http://www.springfield-camping.co.uk/Gelert/Xpedition+Self+Inflating+Mattress/220/pc
It's a Gelert self inflating mat @ £25 is 50cm wide and weighs about 1kg. I've seen it for as low as £20. I have a Vango one as well but I can't remember the price but it was good too. I'm a huge fan of Alpkit - they do a range called the Airic (http://www.alpkit.com/airic/). They're more expensive at £27ish for a full length one but they do free delivery.
If you're stumped for carrying gear I could come back down with you and do a 2nd run.
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I'll bring my big bag and you can wack some stuff in there no sweat.
I was planning on jst laying on the ground, bivvy bag, sleeping bag, roll mat style (although i do have a hammock which I may bring if someone would be kind enough to show me how to use it!)
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I'll bring my big bag and you can wack some stuff in there no sweat.
I was planning on jst laying on the ground, bivvy bag, sleeping bag, roll mat style (although i do have a hammock which I may bring if someone would be kind enough to show me how to use it!)
I'm bringing a hammock and I think Belfastman is too. I was relying on Celt_ginger to give a bit of advice but looks like we'll have to suss it out ourselves as he can't make it.. How hard can it be (famous last words :D). I'll be bringing an Alpkit bivi bag incase the hammocking goes horribly wrong. I'm also bringing a large tarp (12x18) for us to sit under but it could be rejigged into a sleeping shelter if needed.
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Yes, I'll bring my hammock too as I haven't tried it yet. but gonna sleep in the wee one-man tent.
I have also fitted my hammock with a coupla large carribiners at the ends to make it easier to sling it up.
I've got loads of 8mm paracord if anyone needs any. Let me know and I'll bring enough along to help us out.
Just a thought....but could this turn out to be a learning weekend on hammocking??
Alan.
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Yes, I'll bring my hammock too as I haven't tried it yet. but gonna sleep in the wee one-man tent.
I have also fitted my hammock with a coupla large carribiners at the ends to make it easier to sling it up.
I've got loads of 8mm paracord if anyone needs any. Let me know and I'll bring enough along to help us out.
Just a thought....but could this turn out to be a learning weekend on hammocking??
Alan.
Would be great if it was what with several heads being better than one!
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My wife and I shared a hammock once.
She said to me, "If this thing rolls over will we fall out?"
I replied......"No Honey. I'd still love you"......... :D
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My wife and I shared a hammock once.
She said to me, "If this thing rolls over will we fall out?"
I replied......"No Honey. I'd still love you"......... :D
Arf!
(http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/vsh0392l.jpg)
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I use this excellent website for anyone who is interested.
http://tothewoods.net/HammockCamping.html
Alan
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I would love to come along to this but alas I cannot. After a spot of camping on rathlin last weekend i now have a new flame of love that needs fanned a bit ;D !! That and it is armoy road races this weekend so everyone up here is blocked in due to the lack of A44!!
Have a good one though, i look forward to reading the blog!
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It would appear its 'Hammock weekend' although not for me and the wee guy we are going to have a bash at this much talked about Pro Action Hike Lite Tent.
I've really been looking at reducing the amount of kit carried and although my son usually carries some of his own stuff, as most on this forum know when taking young ones away for any length of trip we usually end up shouldering everything and for weight and pack size I couldn't resist having a go at an argos special. ;D
For this trip so far I've managed to reduce weight by 3.5kg............... as they say every little helps.
I will of course be having a look a the hammock situation as I'm sure the wee man will ask "Dad why don't we have those don't they look really cool ? "
Just how he would fare open to the elements as such without the feeling of security within a tent I don't know.
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Yes the hammock idea sounds great, but as Jono knows, I'm supersized and although I can get a hammock that would do me, just, I haven't as yet. Will watch with intrepidation and help out if I can.
Been out today purchasing some stuff for use over the weekend and tarp ordered and dispatched from D&D so it shall be a learning weekend alright. ???
Looking forward to lying out under a tarp, but will bring the tent just in case.
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If it's dry tomorrow evening I'll do a picture tutorial on putting up a hammok.
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I had a quick hammock setup in the garden last night. Didn't to be dependant on it only to find I was missing bits or it was flawed.
[smg id=75]
[smg id=76]
I used car roofrack straps with karabiners attached to the webbing which worked quite well (I hope the straps will hold!). All in it was fairly successful - here are some of my thoughts:
1) The self inflating mat fitted okay but it was hard to get it positioned properly beneath me.
2) It was well complex to get into the sleeping bag when it was in the hammock. I had to leap around alot to get it positioned correctly which made the hammock swing wildly. I thought I was going to fall out a few times :D
3) Not sure how comfy it will be. I felt the hammock wrapped around me quite a bit. It was fine for 10 mins in the garden but I'm not sure how it will be for an entire night
4) You can use the hammock with the mozzie netting on top if you need it or underneath if you don't. I think with the netting it might be even more constrictive.
All things considered I'm definitely bringing it this weekend for some experimentation.
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same on the comfort issue mate. I've tried a hammock once or twice and found it very uncomfortable to sleep in all night i was just asuming that either my hammock is pants or I just cant put 'em up. The old pro action is looking at me longingly from the corner!
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same on the comfort issue mate. I've tried a hammock once or twice and found it very uncomfortable to sleep in all night i was just asuming that either my hammock is pants or I just cant put 'em up. The old pro action is looking at me longingly from the corner!
I'm curious to see the pro-action in err, action. I really want one but if I buy another tent the wife might leave me :D
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I'll be bringing my wee gelert 1-man tent too and just trying the hammock for sitting/lying on.
Also got son and his mate coming.....two big strong teenagers to get the firewood gathered. So that's help with the fuel for the campfire sorted out........ ;D
Alan.
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Tarp arrived today from DD Hammocks yipee.
XL version so 4.5x3 meters.
Can't wait to try it out now. ;D
Pro Action tent is still coming though, just in case kids or wife don't like the open air too much.
Hound. ::)
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Ach i'm sorry i'll miss this weekend, especially since i've still not tried out my hammock yet, but i'm car camping at kilbroney.
I might get a chance to nip over and see you, but i'll definately not be able to stay the night. :'(
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;D How do you do that, ??? do you need guy ropes for the car? Does it sit on a ground sheet.
Seriously though shame you can't stay, but it would be nice to meet you.
Hound.
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Seriously though this Wild Camping is getting to be an expensive idea, even her indoors is starting to complain about the cost.
The original camping idea was great we have most of the kit, even if it is big bulky and heavy, just bung it in the car and away we go.
Have done that and the boys enjoyed it greatly, now this wild malarky is something different altogether and costly. Hope it all works and she who must be obeyed enjoys it otherwise I'll never live it down.
Hound.
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Hound, its probably the cost of all the luxury items that make for a more comfortable night however you definitly want to make sure the boss sleeps well or else it will be curtains for any future trips.
Are you saying you are all for hammocking if so I hope we're not the only ones on the ground like lonely pints :-\
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Seriously though this Wild Camping is getting to be an expensive idea, even her indoors is starting to complain about the cost.
The original camping idea was great we have most of the kit, even if it is big bulky and heavy, just bung it in the car and away we go.
Have done that and the boys enjoyed it greatly, now this wild malarky is something different altogether and costly. Hope it all works and she who must be obeyed enjoys it otherwise I'll never live it down.
Hound.
It's well expensive to get kitted out but I keep reminding myself that once I have the basic gear I'll not need that much more (yeah right ;))
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With it only being 2 days away I think we need to start getting the finer organisational details sorted. Where and when to meet, a final list of who's coming and to swap mobile numbers.
Probably the best bet is for everyone coming to PM me their mobile number, real names and number of people in their party. If anyone who was undecided can't come if could they let me know too. Then I'll send everyone my number so people can keep in touch on Sat morning for last minute cancellations etc.
At the minute the best bet seems to be to all meet by the toilets in Donard Car Park at 11am Sat morning.
As ever, any better suggestions below and obviously it's not too late to add your name to the list if you want to come too!
Can I also just say again that we're leave no trace campers so can everyone please not bring anything up that they don't intend to bring back. (I know I probably didn't need to even mention that but I thought I should anyway)
Also when we were up last week the place was pretty messy and I think we should give some consideration to having a bit of a general tidy round before we come back down.
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Hound Are you saying you are all for hammocking if so I hope we're not the only ones on the ground like lonely pints :-\
No we have no hammocks yet, the go lightlies we be firmly on the ground under our new tarp, or secured up nicely in our tent.
Have spied out a couple of likely spots for tents or tarps (no trees poles required) whilst Jono has viewed the tree/hammock/tarp situation.
Should be great fun no matter what way you hope to sleep.
Hound.
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sounds like its going to be a good nights craic!!
gutted i cant make it, but hopefully this is start a a regular occurence
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whats the plan for all day then? should I be planning on packing anything special?
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whats the plan for all day then? should I be planning on packing anything special?
Good question. I just was planning for a bit of a relaxing natter round the fire since most of us haven't met yet. There will also probably be no shortage of tinkering required to get shelters up and hammocks hung. The Northern Ireland Bushcraft Association chaps might try and get over for a couple of hours and if they do then they might show us some fun stuff to do.
At the minute our count sits at 13 staying over with a few others possibly coming to visit.
Basically I'm game for anything anyone wants to suggest!
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sounds good, we can regail each other with our tales of adventure! looking forward to hearing the gullie traverse story!
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sounds good, we can regail each other with our tales of adventure! looking forward to hearing the gullie traverse story!
I thought you were there?
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Confirmation i'll 100% be camping this weekend. Should be at camp for 23.30 wee nite hike to warm me up ;D
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Confirmation i'll 100% be camping this weekend. Should be at camp for 23.30 wee nite hike to warm me up ;D
Top stuff. We'll be hiding behind a tree waiting to jump out amd shout boo!
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Have you's anything planned for the Sunday morning?
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Have you's anything planned for the Sunday morning?
Nothing that I know of. What do you fancy?
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Was just thinking since were that far up we could get a hill out of the way. You're looking to get Donard done aren't you. Are you could do Commedagh and come down shan slieve back into Donard forest. I'm up for anything what ever the group decides i'm easy
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Was just thinking since were that far up we could get a hill out of the way. You're looking to get Donard done aren't you. Are you could do Commedagh and come down shan slieve back into Donard forest. I'm up for anything what ever the group decides i'm easy
On principle it's a top idea. Only prob is I'm not exactly travelling light this weekend so I'll prob have a rucksack thats a bit heavy for any serious distance!
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What food is everyone bringing for the weekend? I'm after some inspiration.
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Looks like u gettin good weather for it.....av fun up there guys....watch out for those yeti`s :)
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sounds good, we can regail each other with our tales of adventure! looking forward to hearing the gullie traverse story!
I thought you were there?
I wish i had been, there was a mix up in communications add to that the most pack donard car park ever, in the end I couldn't find the guys. was a real bummer. Why dont we just have a bergan cache (i.e dump the kit) then bomb up donnard and comedagh.
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I thought you were up for all light gear Jono tarp n all, your not brining your full list are you!! :P
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I know its only an overnight but so much for compact and lightweight usual problems with ruck size. :-[
After wrestling with a small 40 litre and squeezing kit in (like a rugby squad into a Mini) I have given up and moved on to a 60, mostly due to the fact I am concerned I may have to off load the boy especially if we're going to attempt a bit of a trek.
Does anyone else find packing as frustrating ?
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Haven't even started packing yet......
Since we now have so much more kit I'm not sure how it will go, but I shall just tell the boys they need to carry their own kit.
Why do we always bring too much stuff :o
Has anybody thought of a list of group essentials, like I'll bring fire lighters, you bring......
Hound
;D ;D ;D ;D
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Haven't even started packing yet......
Since we now have so much more kit I'm not sure how it will go, but I shall just tell the boys they need to carry their own kit.
Why do we always bring too much stuff :o
Has anybody thought of a list of group essentials, like I'll bring fire lighters, you bring......
Hound
;D ;D ;D ;D
I've ended up with way too much stuff but I still can't decide what to bin. It all seems important. I'm planning this as the trip that I learn what I can leave behind next time!
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Try the kitchen sink ;)
;D
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By the way how safe is it to drink from the Glen River??
Even after boiling is it recommended.
Hound.
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By the way how safe is it to drink from the Glen River??
Even after boiling is it recommended.
Hound.
It's fairly fast flowing with no farms above so it should be fine.
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Have my iodine tabs anyway.... modern life eh. ;D
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Iodine tabs ............... how awfull.............Have you brought neutralisers for the taste?
As for drinking from 'safe' rivers I personally have rarely chanced it hence to my cost of having to carry way too much water :( I'm all for living outdoors but I don't believe (given a choice) in doing anything that may affect your health to the point of suffering and having no fun.
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It doesn't worry me drinking from something as fast moving as the Glen when there are no farms upstream. Always sensible to have a good look upstream for anything dodgy but other than that I think it's a manageable risk.
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I drink straight from the streams and rivers in the mournes anytime I'm in (only really use the water bottle for emergencies) and nothing has ever happened to me, not even a dodgy tummy!
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Was out in the Antrim Hills couple of weekends ago well above any habitation and was asked about water from streams and rivers and about a mile further on we found a dead goat in the middle of a large steam and that soon answered the question, however in the Antrim Hills most moving water is still an awfull brown boggy colour and def not very appealing.
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I drink straight from the streams and rivers in the mournes anytime I'm in (only really use the water bottle for emergencies) and nothing has ever happened to me, not even a dodgy tummy!
Have done the same in the distant past but with my young'un on board now I'm just cautious as I'm still teaching him basic common sense and he def is a full on try and eat anything type and I don't fancy having to deal with a full blown 'up and out' situation when we're out.
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Yes have my neutraliser as well, although to be honest I hear some people say its not that bad with the iodine especially if just making tea.
Now either the iodine is that noticeable or their tea making sucks, judging from the comments here.
Hound.
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Right,
my eldest has football this morning, :'( so we will not be down until later..... :o
Should be mid afternoon. :)
Hound.
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Right,
my eldest has football this morning, :'( so we will not be down until later..... :o
Should be mid afternoon. :)
Hound.
No probs. We'll meet you up there.
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That's me leaving now. Catch you all later!
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The water s great never done me any harm.
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Hello Hello HELLO,
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;D Must still all be asleep.
Great night fantastic Wild camp.
Thanks to everyone for the effort and craic. It was a brill time. Nice to put faces to names and meet other like mind ejits sorry people.
Learnt alot and weather couldn't have been better.
Looking forward to the next one already.
Right time is precious got head for the ferry in the next 2 hours so quick wash food and set off.
Hound.
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It sure was mighty, what a laugh it was def worth the effort.
However...... Who told all the midges in N.I. to join us ? :'(
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great day
can't wait for the pics.
how is the wee man feel now about his mountain adventure
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Buzzin, thanks for asking..............
Its amazing how a few hours shut eye gives their batteries a full charge, not a mention of fatigue or any other probs,
Mind you he looks as if he has been experimenting with a red felt tip ;D ;D ;D
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tell me about it those midgies where wild
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Such a great day/nights banter! really looking forward to the next one! although I'm pretty sure if a blind man felt my arm the midges would have left a flippin novel on there! glad the old midge fever has subsided tho, I no longer have the desire to set myself on fire!
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The Northern Ireland strain of FEROCIOUS CARNIVOROUS MIDGE
My arms look like bubble wrap
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so guys I'm back to work after a nice weeks holidays topped of with a great night in/on the hill and suddenly the midges dont seem so bad.
And a big well done to jonno! ;D
Role on the light weight bivvi challange.
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so guys I'm back to work after a nice weeks holidays topped of with a great night in/on the hill and suddenly the midges dont seem so bad.
And a big well done to jonno! ;D
Role on the light weight bivvi challange.
Can't wait. I have my mental kit list build already!
I've started a thread so everyone can chew the fat over our quite simply, unbelieveably good weekend here:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=380
I'll lock this thread so we can all continue on the new one.