We are also new to caravanning - just over a year now. Its the best thing we have ever done. managed to get away 19 times whilst still working full time and are total anoraks (according to our friends) we have been all over the UK and twice to France and have loafs of trips planned for this year. havent been to N Ireland yet and dont know much about it. Whats the best part to visit ? we like cycling, hills, walking, good pubs, nice views etc.
Looking at the paperwork it's only cost about £160 to get it serviced which is what I fully intend to do. It's a 2007 van so the manufacturers warranty had expired. I hope the damp warranty which I was told was a 10 year deal is transferrable!
Northern Ireland is lush. Loads of places to go in the van and it's not the biggest of places so you could probably cover the best bits in about 2 weeks!
Castleward and the surrounding area (look up Strangford county down in google images) would be a definite as would the Giants
Causeway and Enniskillen - Castle Archdale.
Plenty of good walks and loads of shoreline to discover. Liverpool boat probably nest to get over or seacat from Troon/ Stranraer. You wouldn't be disapointed. Unless it p*sses down for the whole time haha!
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I know you're new to caravanning, but the Seacat service stopped years ago!!! In fact, if you look right now, you'll see that the P&O fast boat is currently in it's usual over-wintering place, on the old Seacat berth in Befast harbour!
Really??? Flip. Ahh well. Stranraer to Belfast then on the HSS or Larne on the slow boat!
With the price of petrol ATM and the cost of ferries. I don't think I will be traveling too far in the van. Prob like the rest of you so many good sites on your doorstep.
Although I must say I love Scotland and it's not that far for me. Any good sites in your neck of the woods David? I have always fancied loch Lomond to camp but I hear that there it's suffered a lot from poachers at the lame and p*ssheads . Someone mentioned that they were trying to bring in changes about only being allowed to fish if you were camping?
Peter, where on earth do you live over here, Ballygobackwards?
And just to bring you really up to date, the HSS is supposed to finish when the new Loch Ryan terminal opens later this year!
There are great sites all over Scotland, and one of the best is not a million miles from Stranraer/Cairnryan. Brighouse Bay, Kirkcudbright and it has direct access to sea fishing in the Solway Firth!
Nearly! I don't live in Scotland though. N.Irl. I suppose I haven't been in Scotland for 3 years or so. Didn't even know there was a new terminal being built!
Good job aswell I hope, as Stranraer is probably one of the most dull places in the UK. I had the misfortune of spending a day there 3 years ago when the boat was postponed. At least you get to see it fade into the distance when homeward bound though.
I can't honestly see us leaving N.irl in the van. By the time the boat and caravan fees are paid we may as well have gone on a foreign holiday!
Just been told by the CL owners here that someone at the Kings Hall caravan show was offering return crossings including caravan for £190. If that's for later in the year, during the 'season', it's not a bad deal. This trip cost me £237 via the CC.
Since a lot of us are in the same NI boat (excuse the pun) a way round the high boat fares is to use Tesco clubcard vouchers. While not as good as it used to be it still saves money. Once you get on to using this forum (a lot of us locals tend to converse on the NI section of meeting up and getting together) you will find all sorts of tips and info as well as disscussions on various campsites.
Just as a side issue who is the most recent Adria dealer?
------------- The things that come to those who wait, may be the only things left by those who got there first.
Hi,
I use the Tesco club card points regularly. Was a bit of a bummer they changed it to 3x rather than 4x but still worth it!
That certainly sounds good value for the crossing.
The new local Adria dealer is Abbey caravans on Shore Road, Belfast.
Seem to be helpfull enough so far.
Will take a look at the N.Irl section.
Thanks
Quote: Originally posted by Peter Piker on 24/1/2011
Hi, I use the Tesco club card points regularly. Was a bit of a bummer they changed it to 3x rather than 4x but still worth it! That certainly sounds good value for the crossing. The new local Adria dealer is Abbey caravans on Shore Road, Belfast. Seem to be helpfull enough so far. Will take a look at the N.Irl section. Thanks
When we heard tesco were going to 3X we changed ours over at the 4X. Its still quite a saving though. Abbey are the same dealer where our Sprite originated. Had heard Adria was going to a "dealer" outside Limavady but maybe not.
------------- The things that come to those who wait, may be the only things left by those who got there first.
The previous Adria main dealer Dorvick pointed me in Abbeys direction.
Will be interesting to see if the new main dealer is going to stand over the damp warranty or if it stays with the old one!
Ahh well I will find out in the morn.
We changed over ours when we heard they were changeing to 3x as well. Although we decided to go for a weekend in the Sleive Donard instead :)
Quote: Originally posted by Peter Piker on 24/1/2011
The previous Adria main dealer Dorvick pointed me in Abbeys direction. Will be interesting to see if the new main dealer is going to stand over the damp warranty or if it stays with the old one! Ahh well I will find out in the morn. We changed over ours when we heard they were changeing to 3x as well. Although we decided to go for a weekend in the Sleive Donard instead :)
In our experience Dorvic are fine if you buy the van from them. If you dont you get the sorry cant help you attitude. Abbey dont seem to be as hard to deal with. You may have trouble getting either to honour a damp warranty though.
Dont really fancy Slieve donard in a caravan.
------------- The things that come to those who wait, may be the only things left by those who got there first.