Our camping holiday

September 11, 2013 by lindsaydeely 2 Comments

We’re back from our camping trip, and I have to say, we had the best time. Sam loved sleeping in a tent, we loved getting away from it all and we all really, really enjoyed the sunshine. Here are a few photos from our trip…

For three night last week, Sam, Kevin and I went on a camping trip. A first for both Kevin and Sam. It was glorious. We stayed at Pure Camping, a fabulous campsite that couldn’t be better suited to young families. We slept in a 5′ round bell tent, complete with a real bed and wood burning stove. It was pretty luxurious for camping :) The place has a giant geodesic dome filled with toys that Sam adored, a playground that Sam adored, three dogs, two cats, two donkeys and four chickens that Sam adored. He was one happy toddler.

We loved it for the creature comforts. Piping hot outdoor solar showers with the sun streaming in, a camper’s kitchen with a kettle for tea and a wood burning pizza oven for a delicious dinner. It was brilliant, we couldn’t recommend it enough.

Sam in the dome. In his element.

I have to say, one of the very best things about this trip was how very close to home we were (2 hours away) but how very far away from it all we felt. I totally fell in love with the village of Kilkee. It’s just beautiful and quaint and has the best spots for swimming and walking ever. One our first day we went for lunch in the village where we bumped in to the owner of the campsite where we’d be staying that night  (as you do in Ireland). She recommended a swim at the Pollack Holes just up the coast road. They’re natural swimming pools formed by the rocks that are revealed at low tide. It’s honestly one of the most beautiful places I’ve been. Check this out…

Kevin took his time about getting in, but I just went for it. Yowzer was it cold, but great :)

We spent the rest of our time eating yummy food, hanging out on the beaches, doing little road trips out the coast road and chillin’ at the campsite. The weather was perfect for sitting out under the stars under a big duvet after Sam went to sleep. I even saw a meteor fly across the sky one night. Incredible.

I went a little nuts taking photographs of waves crashing. They were just so powerful and beautiful, I couldn’t help myself.

These ocean cliffs took my breath away. Wow. The photo doesn’t do them justice- this view was awe inspiring.

This is the windy road along the edge of the giant sea cliffs. Guardrail. Bah! Who needs them? Ireland, you just kill me sometimes :)

Never has Sam’s harness backpack been more in need :)

Another rare family photo :) This one on top of the Loop Head lighthouse.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather. September in Ireland is often really nice, and these few days were no exception. Big blue skies with fluffy clouds and only passing showers. Our beach time was in hoodies, not bathing suits, but it didn’t take away from the fun.

Kevin and I drank coffee and ate delicious cinnamon and berry scones (from this cafe) with this view while Sam napped in the car :)

This incredibly beautiful beach was just minutes away from the camp site. It’s down an inconspicuous little country road and we had the place to ourselves. It was unreal! I was reminded of the beaches in Buzios that we visited on our honeymoon.

Check out these diving boards hovering over the rocky cliffs in Kilkee. You couldn’t pay me to jump off, but they certainly looked cool.

This amazing horizontal rainbow was hovering over the fields as we left the beach for the last time :)

Sam plays with Daddy’s shadow on the dome.

Top photo: Sam chills in his shades at Pure Camping. His all-time favourite new place, the dome, in the background. Look at that glorious sunshine!