Driving to Northern Ireland in Our Campervan – Vanlife UK Travel and a Seagull Mishap!

Driving to Northern Ireland in Our Campervan – Vanlife UK Travel and a Seagull Mishap!

Hello.
Hello. Welcome to the start of a brand new adventure.
You find us in Scotland, but we’re not staying in Scotland this time. You might be able to 
see in the background there’s a ferry. Hmm. Where’s the ferry going?
Northern Ireland! [music] Yes. Welcome to Grape Soda Travels and 
this, the start of a brand new adventure. Throughout this series, we’ll be exploring 
the beauty and history of Northern Ireland. We follow the Causeway Coastal Route, taking in 
the towns, beaches, and spectacular coastline before heading inland as we make our way 
back to the west and our ferry home. So, sit back, grab a drink, and join us as we 
discover the wonders of Northern Ireland. We’ve got about an hour before we get 
on the ferry. So, in the meantime, let’s go back to this morning 
and see how we got here. Welcome to Yorkshire.
The start of our next adventure. The start was last night, but 
that was just driving in the dark and no one wants to see that. Where are we?
We are in a very small CL. It’s called Melgoats. Not sure why it’s called Melgoats because they’ve 
got sheep, but hey ho. So, Melgoats CL, very nice chap called Bruce runs it. He was most welcoming.
Very welcoming. Thank you, Bruce. When we got here last night, it 
was very lovely chap. Exelby, Yes
the village of Exelby, just outside Bedale. It’s very simple, but we are literally doing an 
overnight stop. Very, very reasonably priced. Ridiculously priced. It is the extortionate 
price of £13 – one three – £13! And because we arrived at half past 8 last night, he 
refused to take £13 and would only take 10. Bargain
with hook up. Bonkers. But we’re all packed up. 
I think we’re ready to go. Yes, I think so. Let’s hit the road to Stranraer. Back on the A1
Not far till Scotch Corner. Hope the A66 is kind.
Yeah… First bit was all right. A66 
was easy peasy, wasn’t it? Very good.
Very quiet today. Very quiet. So, getting nearer to Scotland ’cause 
it’s starting to spit spot with rain Obviously.
We’ll see you when we’re crossing the border. We made it to Scotland again! Welcome to Stranraer. But first, we’ve got a town to explore.
We have. Nice to have a mooch. Stretch the legs after a long drive. 
And then dive into the sea as I drop the GoPro into the water.
Don’t! You make me worry. No idea what’s here.
Nope. I didn’t do any research. It’s unlike us.
It is very, very unlike us. Winging it. Oh 
my gosh. Anything could happen. Must be the castle. Yeah. Is it open? Looks open. 
There is a door that is open. We are standing in the castle cellar 
“and it has hardly changed since the castle was built in the early 
1500s”. Well, there you go. Mind your head. Oh, here we go. Spiral stairs. Servants’s waiting room, apparently. Can’t 
say I’d want to wait here for too long. Apparently, these little recesses that you can see would have been the cupboards for 
the valuables like the silverware. They think this might have been, this little 
cavity, they think in the 16th century it might have been a prison and the only way you 
could access it was a trap door in the roof Nice view of WH Smith’s.
Ye olde WH Smith’s It’s bigger than I thought it was going to be.
Yes, it’s quite impressive. It’s quite light and airy as well. I’m enjoying 
it. Up? Let’s do more up. So, if you so wish, you can dress up as 
a as a beautiful princess. That would be lovely. I think you should do that.
I think the days of me fitting into this dress are long gone. It’s very cute. I keep thinking I’m entering a very tiny room 
and then suddenly it’s quite tall and wide. It’s got metal as well as it’s not just a 
stone construction. This is crazy place. You’ve done that facial expression every 
time you’ve walked into a room so far. This is why.
“Please feel free to take a picture with Lachlan.” Hello, 
Lachlan. “We have acquired a lovely new chair for you to sit on. Say cheese and smile.” I 
like this. Hello, Lachlan. Say cheese and smile. Gosh It’s interesting that they’ve told you 
the stories of some of the people who were held here. So, this is Joseph 
found guilty in Edinburgh of murder. Gosh, ooh Hello. Gosh, it just keeps going on and up. Amazing. Oh, wow. You can see quite a long way, can’t we?
A cracking view. Fabulous. That was not quite sure why he’s there, but hello. Ah, “erected by the town council in 
commemoration of Queen Victoria’s record reign, 1897”. Well done, Victoria. Here we go. Hello there. Hello flower. [music] This pleases me. How lovely is this? It’s 
look at all the ruffles. So, this beautiful Victorian dress was worn by Mrs. Gilmore of 
Whithorn. We’ve been there. It’s lovely. Um, we don’t seem to know Mrs. Gilmore’s first name, 
but anyway. And she wore this in 1880 for her wedding. Isn’t this beautiful? The little piece 
of information says, “Mrs. Gilmore was clearly a fashion icon and must have turned heads in 
this outfit.” Well, well done. Beautiful. Wow. That’s a proper, is this got like a, would you call this a portmanteau? where it’s 
It all opens out this big travel trunk. Wow. He was a shoemaker. Port Logan. 
“He left in 1830 with this trunk, sailed to Indiana, and there by train 
to San Francisco and San Diego”. Cup of tea? Cup of tea! Oh, it smells nice. Can I get an iced mocha and a mango smoothie? Scrummy! It’s not a sunny day, but it’s 
a muggy warm day, isn’t it? Oh, that’s zingy. Yes, it is. It’s very muggy.
Were you having a moment? Yes, I was. I was having a mango 
moment and it was brilliant. Oh my. I enjoyed that. Back to the van. We’ve got a ferry to catch. Yeah, I’m excited. What did you 
think to Stranraer, my love? The museum and the castle were quite interesting.
Very, very interesting. Very well presented. Both free.
Yeah For goodness sake, which I think was astonishing.
It’s quite a tatty town, but… it’s a sad town.
…There’s a lot here. Yeah, I think it’s quite a tough town, but I liked 
it. Everyone we interacted with was delightful. They were
Very welcoming. If this is your Bessacarr motorhome, 
we approve. Jiminy Billy Bob. Love it. So just put the ferry terminal into the satnav 
and we need to drive to the ferry terminal, get a ferry to Belfast, drive to Larne and 
then get a ferry back again. So we should be there at half past 7 this evening.
I think this satnav is rubbish. Well, I can see where we’ve got to go.
Yes. Just over there. Okay. ‘Vehicle and passenger 
check in’. That sounds like us. That’s right. That was easy. Now that we’ve caught you up, we’ll go 
and have a look at the ferry terminal. Can we look at this Lamborghini first?
Looking forward to seeing that get on the ferry.
Yes. Great. Scrape! There we go. Have you found your favourite thing?
I do love a little bit of tourist information. There’s not much here 
but there is a bloomin’ handy map. They’ve called us back, so 
hopefully boarding soon. Oh, the Lambo’s off. And we’re off. I think that’s the biggest ferry we’ve been on, 
isn’t it? It’s definitely bigger than the ones we did in Easter.
That’s true. Gosh, it’s huge. Wow.
Just the loading ramp is bigger than anything we’ve been in this country, isn’t it?
Yes. And we’re on the boat. Wayyy!
Follow him, yeah? Thank you. Hey, look. There’s a bit more room up here. Ready to go to Northern Ireland?
Very ready. Been looking forward to this for such a long time. It’s exciting.
Think we’re going to wait out here till they cast off. Is that what they call it?
Yes. And then maybe we’ll go and find something to eat. We’re off.
Bye, Scotland. Oh, this is nice. It’s not bad view, is it? Time for some food.
Yes, please. Hungry now. I’ve seen two things that have already made me 
happy. Guinness, Taytos. That’s made me chuckle. So, I went with the healthy option. I didn’t. What’s your review of P&O ferry cuisine?
Well, firstly, it’s not cuisine. Granted, I had a cheeseburger. How fancy can it 
get? I’d give it a solid 6 out of 10. Yeah, similar for my chili.
It was all right. They asked what you want inside the cheeseburger. I said, “No onions, 
please.” It came with onions and onion rings, so that’s a bonus. Mine was £13. Yours was £9.
Yeah. Yeah, it was all right. Cal Mac 
is currently winning on the food. I preferred the food we got on the Cal Mac ferry.
Much nicer food. And what did we get there? 
50 minutes off departure. Yes. And there was a few things 
that had already sold out. So… And they had no forks. Yeah
It was okay. Solid 6. Don’t come hungry. It’s very calm, isn’t it?
Very calm. Very fortunate again, aren’t we? [Tannoy] Our final approach to the port of Larne. 
We advise that you remain seated or move around with caution until you’re called down to the 
vehicle decks by means of a further announcement. Perfect timing. You’re wearing a different top.
Yes. The observant of you may notice that I am wearing a different cardigan. 
So just as we got back to Teddy in the car park in Stranraer, a seagull did the 
most massive doodah all down my back. It was delightful. So you know we haven’t 
even got there and I need to do laundry. Good luck, isn’t it?
Apparently. That’s what she said. She 
said, “Oh, that’s good luck.” I didn’t say that first.
You didn’t say that, no. I said some other words first. But but if it 
is good luck, then we’re about to have two nice weeks.
Good. [Tannoy] Ladies and gentlemen, all 
commercial drivers, car drivers, and your passengers, please return to your 
vehicles ready for immediate disembarkation. Return to vehicles. Back in the van. Nearly there. Nearly nearly Northern Ireland.
It’s very straightforward, isn’t it? Yes. 2 hours pretty much door to door, isn’t it?
A big thank you to Stew from Getaway Geese for recommending this route. Originally, 
we were looking at the other route that most people take into Belfast. This is 
about half the price. We saved about £300. I know. Bonkers. Bonkers 
different. So, um, thank you, Stew We’re in Northern Ireland, my sweetie. Oh, it’s like a causeway. Oh, yeah. Look.
Oh, wow. Caravan’s here. Oh, hello dogs. Hello, woof 
woofs. Hello, woof. Hello, woof. Hello, woof. Well, that was easy peasy lemon squeezy. You get 
greeted by two elderly lovely dogs who are all noise and that is it. So through this gap there 
are various spots he says pick the one you like. Hello We’re here. Welcome to Northern Ireland. They’ve got a museum. It’s a good reaction. Oh, and and now I see why Oh my gosh, I don’t know where to look first. This is also a common room. So, 
if you wish to hang out somewhere. Oh, this is adorable. Good start. “Please don’t break the darts so that 
everyone may enjoy a game”. Okay. Are you comfy in your rocking chair? I’m getting there.
You alright, Grandpa? Just about. It’s been a long day.
Do you want your pipe and slippers yet? Yes, please. So, where are we?
Well, it would appear, the past, but also more specifically
1922. This place is bonkers. I love it already. 
So, this is Ford Farm CL. We are just, just in Islandmcgee which I think is a brilliant 
name and it’s a CL from the Caravan and Motorhome Club so it’s members only.
We’re here for two nights. If you’ve been with us before, you know 
I love a book exchange and they’re often book exchanges on campsites. Love them. So, 
I’ve brought something that I have finished with. Have you read this? ‘The Midnight 
Library’, Matt Haig. So I’ve left it behind, but I also just leave a little hello inside. So, 
hopefully somebody will find this book and decide to read it and then discover about us and come and 
say hello. So, if you find this, come and find us. Turn the light off as you leave, please. Are we done for the night?
I am. I am done. Yeah.
It’s been a long couple of days. It has, hasn’t it? Yeah. I think we’re 
just going to chill out. We’ll report back in the morning.
Night night. He’s so elderly. Good morning.
Morning. Good night’s sleep.
So quiet. Another good site.
Yes, we approve. Basic facilities but but good. Yes
There’s a cockerel. Yes, there is a cockerel. He’s a very 
handsome boy. But he didn’t say a dicky bird until half past 9, did he?
No, it’s it’s not a site to come to if you’re not a fan of animals. There’s 
some sheep over there. We’ve got two the two farm dogs wandering around here
Who’ve decided they are our friends now. Aren’t you?
super friendly. Oh, lovely chap, isn’t he? I believe 
his name is John. Very chatty. Lovely. I think we would recommend.
Yeah, it’s very nice. Very nice indeed. So, that’s it. We’ve arrived. 
We’re here in Northern Ireland. Let the adventure begin.
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find out what we do next.

NORTHERN IRELAND!!

We start a new adventure travelling north from Cambridge via Exelby in North Yorkshire.

We enjoy exploring Stranraer. The Castle Of St John is brilliant. Bring your good legs as there’s loads of steps! Then we pop around the corner to Stranraer Museum. It’s a great place, really well laid out and interpreted. Both these venues are FREE!

Then it’s off to Cairnryan just down the road to catch our P&O ferry to Larne. We have a lovely calm crossing but our advice is to take your own lunch… Meh! @POFerriesUK

Finally, we reach our first campsite of the adventure, Ford Farm CL in (on?) Islandmagee. Really quiet and peaceful. The farm dogs Daisy and Skye became our new best friends!

Does anyone read the description? If you have, say “Thanks Seagull!”

Here’s the sites we stayed at in this video. These prices are relevant to August 2025 and are for 2 people in a 6m campervan.
* Melgoats CL, Exelby, North Yorkshire, DL8 2HB
///hockey.moped.debate
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/certificated-locations/england/north-yorkshire/bedale/melgoats/
£13pm hardstanding including EHU (although the nice owner refused to take more than £10 as we arrived at 8.30pm!)
* Ford Farm CL, Islandmagee, BT40 3RD
///snored.unguarded.likewise
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/certificated-locations/northern-ireland/co-antrim/larne/ford-farm/
@CaravanandMotorhomeClub

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