Overnight at Randalstown Forest

[Rich.H]

Well was up at the Shane's castle game fair on the 29 &30 and due to firstly not wanting to have an extra 3 hours driving and saving the better part of 30 quid in petrol we decided to find a quick camp spot. Since there is no camping allowed in the castle estates and due to the sheer amount of folk their for the fair I decided not to risk stealth camping there. But Randalstown forest being only 10 minutes up the road seemed ideal.

After a brief walk around the forest we decided on trying just at the lough edge partly for the views and partly for the ease of water giving less to carry. So arrived around 6pm on the Saturday evening to some fine weather.





Plus nice calm waters had me thinking of having an early dip the next morning (How I should I just done so that evening instead).



So threw up the tarp in an open tent format and put up the solo tent as the other half decided she was against the idea of buzzing things  . However I was a little hasty that morning with the packing and forgot to bring some extra pegs and lines for the tarp, with no axe/machettoe or saw either due to not having any big fire intentions, I was left without any real way to make pegs. Hense having to resort to lumps of logs improv pegs (Oh how nature laughed at me later).



So after something to eat and sorting everything out in good order we went for some bird waching in the hut before bed. Things took a turn that night with the wind suddenly picking up around 3am to the point of near taking the tarp away and dropping the temperature to the point where for the OH and dogs sake I decided we should bug out to the birding hut, so a quick dash and gear grab was made. Come morning the wind had died down a fair amount however it was still a fair gusty day with the lough slightly choppy.



With the wind still blowing there was little space safe enough for the trangia meant breakfast was done in the hut and I chickened out on my morning dip having no warm gear for afters.

All in all it goes to show how much extra you have to think about when not going solo, had I been by myself I could of simply lowered everything and stuck it out. Not a mistake to make again, but all good fun. Plus no biting midges always a plus.

[twentyclicks]

Nice way to save fuel and have a little adventure in the wild.

Unlucky being short on the pegs - we've all forgotten a useful wee thing before: you were just right to get it out of your system where there was a decent back-up (hut) 

[whoRya]

Am I the only one not able to see the pics?

[RedLeader]

I can't either?

Am I the only one not able to see the pics?

[Wolf_Larson]

Sounded fun Rich !

No pictures mate

[admin]

If you email the pics to the address on this page we can add them for you.

[Rich.H]

I had the pics up on an external site using [img] links as figured it would reduce the amount of bandwidth for the NIWild site but guessing not the best way?

Am I best to just attach the 4 per post limit and spread it across multiple posts?

[Wolf_Larson]

I'm not great with this sort of thing also rich 

Sorry mate

[admin]

Some sites don't allow hotlinking images like that. If you use imgur it would work, there are instructions here : http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/forum-news-information-and-help/how-to-easily-post-pictures/

Or just email the to us and we can save you the hassle.

I had the pics up on an external site using [img] links as figured it would reduce the amount of bandwidth for the NIWild site but guessing not the best way?

Am I best to just attach the 4 per post limit and spread it across multiple posts?

[Rich.H]

No probs I'll just throw them up here and limit to 4 per post.

Here's the arrival evening nice and warm plus calm waters.

[Rich.H]

The tents.

[Rich.H]

The next morning still windy and choppy.

[Rich.H]

Overall leftover evidence of the camp.

[Wolf_Larson]

Good job Rich thanks for sharing pictures 

[whoRya]

I'm delighted this worked out for you.  It was a great idea to do.

Has anyone ever seen Lough Neagh link anything other than choppy?