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Author Topic: Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)  (Read 13998 times)

KyleL

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Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« on: May 04, 2013 »
Yesterday myself and SpecimanYak headed down to Killyleagh to try our hand at some canoeing with OutdoorConcepts. The plan was to head for Salt Island on Strangford Lough and stay the night. We had no idea what to expect, and to be honest we were picturing skinny kayaks with very little tolerance for rookie balance - and as I thought about it I could feel the cold water waiting on me.

We gave them a ring on the day and to our cheer we found out we would actually be heading over in Canadian canoes. Great! Yak dumped his 40litre pack and upped it to 60, along with one or two extra dry sacks full of alcho...erm...essential camping equipment. I threw a firelog into my already bursting rucksack and headed off. We chatted in the car about our recent outings and Yaks' stories of the Sleive Beagh walk has got me thinking I need a challenge.

We arrived in Killyleagh and found the OutdoorConcepts van by the shore. We walked over and that's when we noticed the wind and the waves on the water ahead. We spoke to Craig as he got out and shook our hands, and it was clear that he was already thinking of a plan B. Salt island was in sight but between us and it was a strong headwind and fast moving waves.

Our instructors arrived, Kate and Jim, and they quickly had an alternative. We drove down to Downpatrick and from there we launched down the river toward Inch Abby. The water and coastline here was gorgeous and the paddling was easy. There were six people in total as two girls had also joined us - It wasn't long before our whole group was chatting away and getting to know each other.



After not too long we arrived at the Abby, a beautiful collection of ruins by the river. We pulled up and began getting camp sorted. We pitched within the ruins themselves, which was fantastic. Yak had a decent size 2man tent which was up in 2minutes, giving him plenty of time to laugh and make jokes as I constructed my luxury 3 man Tempest. "No Yak, the Hilton is much bigger", "Yes Yak, Of course I have applied for planning permission to put my tent up".



After we were all set up, we got the dinner going. A couple of disposable barbeques did the trick, and we were soon munching and drinking. It was a great group and craic was had by all. The firelogs worked great just sitting on top of the used bbq's and we chatted for hours. We ended the night a spooky walk through the nearby graveyard with graves hundreds and hundreds of years old. Another great experience.

In the morning we packed up and paddled around a little more before heading home. All in all a fantastic experience. A great group of people and great guides, not to mention a gorgeous camping spot to which I will definitely be returning. 



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specimanYak

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Re: Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2013 »
Great write-up mate, that was a grand trip, enjoyed every second of it and i'd never heard of Inch Abbey before but what a splendid location to camp at, and the company was great craic. The canoes made it so much easier to just bring everything and not have to decide what to pack. I missed my Gelert Solo but treated myself to some roomier accommodation and of course extra luxuries. Definitely have to get another canoe trip organised, and Salt Island needs a visit.
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Mourneman

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Re: Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2013 »
nice one lads,good write up
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Kayakgirl

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Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2013 »
Wouldn't mind a wee trip to salt myself. Let me know when you's are next free and I can borrow boats etc
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Stress dissolves when exposed to water..

whoRya

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Re: Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2013 »
Good ones lads, a nice wee change of a trip, especially for Yak -  a bit kinder on the feet after the last one.
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piczo

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Re: Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2013 »
Nice report strangford can throw up quite a swell i struggle on it on an SOT though salt island is worth the trip great wee spot to camp ..
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Wolf_Larson

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Re: Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2013 »
WOWAmazing trip !          Well done and thanks for pictures
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Glenn B

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Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)e
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2013 »
Brilliant lads it looked to be a lot of fun it must have good to do something a wee bit different and what a outstanding spot for a camp. A wee touch of camp envy here. Well done :D
Glenn.

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KyleL

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Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2013 »
Missed you Glenn, will have to get yourself and the wee lad out!
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Typo-On

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Re: Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #9 on: May 05, 2013 »
Sounds like a good one, well done guys. Certainly different to your last outing Yak. All you guys getting out is making me jealous :( :)
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specimanYak

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Re: Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2013 »
Quote from: Typo-On on May 05, 2013
Sounds like a good one, well done guys. Certainly different to your last outing Yak. All you guys getting out is making me jealous :( :)

Quote from: whoRya on May 04, 2013
Good ones lads, a nice wee change of a trip, especially for Yak -  a bit kinder on the feet after the last one.

Cheers guys, it was a different experience and good to take the weight of the feet and onto the posterior for a change.  :)
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Typo-On

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Re: Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #11 on: May 06, 2013 »
Quote from: specimanYak on May 05, 2013
good to take the weight of the feet and onto the posterior for a change.  :)

I need the reverse, my chair has these curious indentations that resemble my buttocks :(
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admin

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Re: Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #12 on: May 07, 2013 »
This excellent writeup 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/2013/05/inch-abby-canoe-camp/

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

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Re: Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #13 on: May 07, 2013 »
I've been to Inch loads, it's a lovely place. I never thought of having a sneaky overnighter though so I'm super jealous. Somewhere like that with so many centuries of history must be a spooky place to be at night.

Salty Island is also brilliant. I had one of my best camps there, just chilling watching the boats sail by was such a great way to spend a day.
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KyleL

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Inch Abby Canoe & Camp (write-up)
« Reply #14 on: May 07, 2013 »
The post-midnight graveyard walk was great. Spooky at the start but then just sobering at the end. I've done that sort of thing before but never in a place with graves more than 500 years old.
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