FRIDAY 13TH GIBBS ISLAND

[Glenn B]

195 by Glenn B119, on Flickr

Gibbs Island, it was somewhere we had yet to explore we knew there was a dark spooky wood on it and it was FRIDAY 13th so after a few MAN UP TABLETS off we went.  My friend and his son joined us and as this was their first wild camp I thought somewhere handy and not too far from the car would suit best so after reading Dowsers write up on Gibbs this would be the perfect spot and boy were we right, a nice bit of woodland to tuck ourselves into and stunning views out over Strangford.


199 by Glenn B119, on Flickr


085 by Glenn B119, on Flickr


099 by Glenn B119, on Flickr

We got pitched up and gathered in enough firewood for the night before the light faded.


080 by Glenn B119, on Flickr

thirsty work this old setting camp so it was down to the shore to take in the views before dark and a quick beer before dinner, there was no pleasure in this it was purely for thirst!!!


105 by Glenn B119, on Flickr

It was standard issue when it got dark fire lit and dinner and a bit of fun around the fire.





158 by Glenn B119, on Flickr


111 by Glenn B119, on Flickr



116 by Glenn B119, on Flickr


138 by Glenn B119, on Flickr


136 by Glenn B119, on Flickr







147 by Glenn B119, on Flickr

This is when it all went a bit pear shaped these following pictures were not staged this really did happen we had a visit from the Gibbs Island lunatic wine drinking Phantom we were all lucky to make it through till morning but I don't think any of us will be quite the same!!!


180 by Glenn B119, on Flickr


183 by Glenn B119, on Flickr

All in all a first class spot for a quick overnighter but be warned ear plugs are a must as there are thousands of crows roosting here and at dusk and dawn they really let you know they are there.
Litter is a bit of a problem up the hill in the middle of the woods probably left from the summer BBB (blue bag brigade) but a quick clean up into a couple of bin bags made a bit of a dent in it. A very enjoyable night and will be back for lots more.

Glenn..
                                                                                                                                                       

[whoRya]

Nothing beats it Glenn, they are great times with the kids.

[Dowser]

That's a great wee write up Glenn and I'm really glad you enjoyed Gibbs. Friday 13th was quite a ballsy night to chose too.  Superstitious or not it's defo gonna add an element of fear factor 

Gibbs is one of my favourite spots for a quick overnighter with the family.

It's one of those spots that if you abuse it you'll lose it though.  If you keep the place clean, tidy and stay below the radar it will be there for when you fancy a wee handy camp.

Well done for getting out there.

[RedLeader]

I've been wanting to try Gibbs for ages but haven't made it that far yet. It looks like a great spot.

[Glenn B]

@ whorya 100% mate if it gets them out of the house and gets them LIVING life instead of watching it, im all for it...

@ Dowser,  Your too right mate its a stunning spot.  I took on board what you said in your pm about maybe bumping into the dog walkers who use the island so wee hatched a wee plan to stay in their good books as such.
. When wee arrived on Friday armed with the National Trust member card, wee set about filling two large clear bin liners with assorted rubbish mostly empty bottles and beer cans and oddly enough Two full cans as well so we knew it deffo wasn't any NI-WILDERS who left these,       The bags where then placed in view of the path up through the wood for the benefit of the dog walkers who were only too glad to see we were making a positive impact on the island and not the usual Blue Bag Brigade who practise the old bring it,  use it,  chuck it ethos.
  So on Saturday morning instead of "Oh look dear those camping louts are back again wrecking the place lets report them to the Trust" it was "Well dear lets tell the other dog walkers about those two great fellas and their kids doing their bit and keeping *OUR* island clean and tidy"

* Easy 20min clear up, dog walkers good books and the two bags of rubbish slung in a skip in Comber dump on the way home, job done*


@ RedLeader get yourself down you wont believe how beautiful it is. But remember the CROWS

[Rumblebum]

Excellent stuff Glenn,  there's so many top spots around to camp at, sometimes it can be all to handy to camp in the mournes rather than try out new and undiscovered places.

Well done and nice pics mate.

RB

[admin]

This excellent advice has been immortalized for all time in the NI-Wild Blog and will be entered into the draw for a Zippo Handwarmer. You can see it here:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/blog/2013/09/gibbs-island-friday-13th/

Please give it a share on Facebook / Twitter or your social media network of choice so as a wide an audience as possible can appreciate it's genius!

Anyone can get their musings into the blog, just post something interesting on NI-Wild with at least some text and if possible, pictures and the blog fairy will do the rest. Anything is admissible - trip reports, advice and gear reviews are especially welcome.

Please contact if you would like any changes or a login for the Blog

[specimanYak]

That's a cracking spot Glenn, i've never been but it's now been added to my expanding list of places to visit.

[Glenn B]

That's a cracking spot Glenn, i've never been but it's now been added to my expanding list of places to visit.

Its a stunning wee spot brilliant for a quick low key night npt the sort of spot that you could have a large group at...