A WEEK on my BROMPTON, CAMPING WILD along Ireland's north coast - Wild Atlantic Way, Causeway Coast
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- In September, I bikepacked on my Brompton, all along the north coast of Ireland, camping wild every night. The journey was 450km long, and took seven days, so I had six nights wild camping, from the western end of County Donegal to Belfast, pitching my little tent on windswept beaches and headlands, and in hayfields and high up on hillsides, where I could watch the sunset across the valley. I like to go slowly, and I like to be as comfortable as possible - plenty of coffee stops, time to look at the view, chat with people, and to cook good food and enjoy the peacefulness of camping wild. On this trip, I cycled through plenty of Irish rain, but it made the journey more sort of atmospheric (haha! no, really! it did!) My Brompton and I largely followed the Wild Atlantic Way for the first half of the trip, and then Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast.
The reason I did this ride was because in late summer, I'd cycled across Ireland to stay in Donegal with an old friend. And when our holiday came to an end, I had some time, and there I was with my Brompton and my camping gear, and really nice map of Ireland. So I decided to do the journey home to England by bike too.
During the cosy evenings in the cottage where we had stayed in Donegal, I had looked at the map a lot. The north coast of Ireland looked fantastic - a jagged shoreline, beaches everywhere, wild mountains and glens, loads of tiny lanes - and I really wanted to see it. And on top of that, my friend and I had talked a lot about her family, and I wanted to see more of this place that is such an important part of her family's story, especially her Granny's story. The cottage had been hers.
So I decided to cycle from where we were in Donegal in Ireland's far northwest corner, to Belfast over in the northeast, where I could catch a boat back to England. For the first half of the journey I would largely follow the 'Wild Atlantic Way', and the second half would be on Northern Ireland's 'Causeway Coast', although I didn't plan to stick to any marked route, but just to choose whichever roads looked most interesting and spectacular. I thought I'd wild camp the whole way. I didn't plan in any detail as I thought it would be nicer just to choose roads as I went along, so I just checked the ferries I might take across the sea loughs, looked at the weather forecast (not very good!), and set off.
Hope you enjoy the film!
PS Special thanks to Sarah M, who now lives at the house where my friend's Granny grew up. How amazing of you to welcome me like that, when I randomly knocked on your door on a rainy evening! Thank you so much. It was a perfect end to a brilliant trip.
PPS If you liked this film, and want some brilliant Brompton touring knowhow as well as loads of super inspiring films, visit Gianni's channel if you haven't already found it @BromptonTraveler
And to see how gorgeous the Irish landscape really is, head over and watch Miriam Kennedy's beautiful films at @MiriamKennedy
Thanks for watching! See you soon!
Music in this film:
Gabriel Lewis, Mountain Spring High
Velvet Moon, Live your Life
Ten Towers, Stay the Same
Bird of Figment, Sincerely
Johannes Bornlöf, We Trust
Velvet Moon, Open Sky
John T Graham, Today is a Good Day to Live
Marc Torch, Heartache in Heaven
If I had half of Ms Thorntons courage, personality, sense of adventure, intrepidness, imagination and sheer charm, I would be a very wealthy person indeed.
So impressive! There are female cycling UA-camrs out there who are sponsored up to the eyeballs and given top of the range bikes to showcase yet your home made travels on a little Brompton put them all in the shade! Looking forward to your next adventure although given the terrible weather atm, it could be a while yet if you've any sense!
Haha thanks for watching, and for the nice comment! Aw, well a Brompton is pretty top-of-the-range bike too. I'm just super happy to be able to do the things that I like to do. Next film coming up soon! 😎🚲🙋♀️
Brilliant Susanna! As the cliché goes - you have seen more of Ireland than most of the Irish 🤗 What a lovely showcase of the Donegal, Derry and Antrim coasts, even in the rain it’s magic shines. I loved your casual encounters with some friendly locals to brighten your journey and how you managed to capture the mood the emotion of this spectacular coastline. You have a wonderful ability in capturing the simplicity and freedom that comes with a bike, tent, nourishing cooked food and the adventure of finding a place to pitch! Loved your chocolate cake and coffee indulgences too 👏 Thanks for capturing your lovely trip and making it available for all of us to enjoy and thanks for the mention in your video description - lovely of you!! Happy planning of your next adventure - see you on your next trip!! 😎
Hi Miriam! Aw thanks for the lovely comment! It is so nice to have met you over social media, brilliant. Yeh the landscape wow, I was blown away by how lovely it was. I mean sun would have been nice haha! but I enjoyed it anyway in the rain and mist and drizzle and cloud. I loved the mist actually, kind of mysterious. And the weather changed all the time too, and I liked that. Never boring! That cafe was so nice haha. I really needed to be just inside four walls holding a hot cup of coffee for a while. Unfortunately a gang of triathletes had just been in and scoffed all the millionaires shortbread haha but luckily they had left all those chocolate corners for me. Thanks for watching!! Looking forward to see your next trip too!
You two should Def do do a Brompton tour together. You both make excellent and inspiring vids💚
@@susannathornton Another excellent production. I was 8 days late :),
I see Miriam got to the comment section before me. Thanks for sharing. Did you experience any covid issues when crossing borders e.g. you have to prove you're triple jabbed or produce any evidence etc?
@@ODOB Hello! Thanks for the lovely comment! About how covid regulations worked at the borders, it was pretty straightforward. Before travelling to Ireland I had to fill in the Irish government's passenger locator form. The immigration people in Dublin checked my vaccination docs, I think. No covid testing involved. (It was in August. Obviously things change all the time.) Then in the other direction, when I crossed from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland (ie when I got off the little Lough Foyle ferry) there was nothing. Glad you like the film!
@@susannathornton Thanks. Did anyone at the border insist that one must have at least 3 jabs?
Thanks Susanna. This was the last of all your films to watch and without doubt my absolute favourite. Personal, honest, beautiful to watch and a wonderful soundtrack and commentary. I look forward to the next.
oh thank you PK, glad you liked this one. Thank you for such a lovely comment x
One of the best videos on the internet, beautifully shot, great editing, the music is spectacular. The commentary, the historical reference's all spot on. Loved it!👍👍
Hi again! aw thank you for such a lovely comment! very kind. I am just putting into the films the things that I think are interesting, and making them as good as I can. My worst bit is probably the filming part, too impatient, I don't think and don't use the settings on my camera properly, and I set up the camera wonky all the time and lots of things like that haha. Anyway, glad you liked the film! It is lovely to have such warm feedback. Thank you!
C’était un voyage pour une vraie sportive… je crois que j’aurais eu beaucoup de mal à gravir ces côtes … très beau voyage Susanna, merci pour ton partage… que du bonheur de te suivre😘
Thank you Susanna. It's lovely to see you riding the Brompton and wild camping. ...... and you never stop smiling even through the wind an rain. Excellent.
Hi Ray! thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed the film, despite all the rain haha! It is so cosy in the tent when it is raining. I really like it. This ride I didn't make any big mistakes, but sometimes I make big mistakes and then it can be dangerous and then I am not smiling really. When I rode to where I was born, Stockport, earlier this year, I made a big mistake one evening - I didn't put my rain cape on when it started to rain when I was pitching my tent, cos I thought I could do it really fast and not get wet, but (of course) I coulnd't, and I got soaked. So I was there with soaking wet trousers and soaking wet jacket and a wet fleece and the temperature was going below zero that night. I was not smilnig then, but worried about being cold that night and too cold to ride the next day, and annoyed with myself. You can see it in the film about that ride. But if I avoid silly mistakes, then yes I am mostly smiling! Thanks for the lovely comment!
That was absolutely wonderful! Thanks for bringing me along!
You have such positivity about you, everything is done with a smile as you tootle along on your Brompton in your raincape the colour of sunshine. The production of your 'mini' adventures is getting better and better. Looking forward to more ⛅
Aw thanks Bokooda! what a lovely cheerful comment 🌞 Glad you like the films!
Utterly enchanting film. You have such a gift for making us feel we are on our bicycles riding along with you🙂. What an amazing country and genuine people, thank you again for sharing with us 🥰
Hello Pootling along! So nice to hear from you! Hope you are well! Seems a while ago now that you did your amazing Lands End to John O'Groats ride! That sounded like such a fantastic trip. I wonder what you are up to now. Thank you for the lovely comment! I put a poem in this film too xx Not Yeats this time, but I liked it. The lovely friend whom I stayed with suggested it, and I really liked it so I put it in. Sending best wishes!
@@susannathornton wishing you and yours a happy Christmas, and many happy cycling adventures for us all in the year ahead, stay safe 🎄🙂
@@pootlingalong8928 Aw thank you! Happy Christmas to you and yours too! Yes, wishing all of us many happy days and many happy cycling adventures in the year ahead xxx
Thank you so much. Such a brave, gutsy Lady in such weather. Tried the Camino Frances in April '22. Fell down very badly twice and had to quit. Hoping to get ready for Spring '23 with my Raliegh 20 inch folding bike.
Your video gave me much encouragement.
Tks.
Simply brilliant. Great views, amazing commentary . You never seem down by either the weather , the wind or the hills to climb. We can all learn to be better people by watching and listening to you. The coolist girl on a Brompton
Aw thanks Badgerbike! what a lovely comment. Actually you made me watch my own film again to try and see what you meant haha 😆 Can't wait to go off again on a little trip... Soon! See you on the road! Thank you for watching!
Wonderful video Sussana. Watched whilst curled up with Saturday night beers with Xmas lights flickering keeping the winter's night at bay. Yet for 30 minutes I was immersed back into a late wet summer cycling along with you through the glorious landscape of Ireland....😊 you have such a gift with your recordings to make the viewer feel like they are part of the journey. Thank you👍🙏😊
The last line of the poem ……………your videos and adventures on here are a real find 😊
Hi 3scottiedogs! aw thank you for the lovely comment. A new film coming soon!
class trip lass loved all of it prob gonna watch again great shoot great show great vid you go girl top notch
HI Mike! Aw thanks!
Realy enjoyed from start till end! Thnanks Susanna!
Susanna, yet another fantastic film, you are a superstar! Thank you for sharing!
Hello! Thanks so much for the lovely comments!
Gradually watching all your video and loving them…
I could see real happiness in your face. You're one of my favourite.. Almight bless u.
Hi Venkat! thanks for watching! glad you like the films! 😁
Love your videos. Thank you for allowing us to be part of the journey. Best wishes from Brazil. 😎
Aw thanks Chris, so nice of you. I really enjoy making the films, and thinking about where I have been, and what it was like. And then if other people like the films too, well that is just great of course haha. Thank you for watching!
Hello Susanna,
Enjoyable viewing, thank you... Ireland in on my list to places to tour on my Brompton... the views you showed were fabulous and I have also been watching Miriam Kennedy's Brompton adventures there... As I keep saying to everyone "New Hip, New Life"
Take care.
Paul,,
I still return to the wet weather of Ireland as I love this video espectally the music and your press on regardless way, wonderful....
Aw thanks Colin. Because of your comment, I just watched it again myself haha, so enjoyable to look back on it, what a lovely (rainy!) journey it was, ahhh
So schön sind Deine Videos 🥰 ich liebe es sie anzuschauen bleib Gesund und mach weiter so 🥰
love a bit of rain...great video..so real...my socks got wet just watching !!
Haha thanks for the comment Michael! Glad you liked the video. Yeh I didn't mind the rain toooo much - made everything kind of atmospheric 🙄
It's really nice to watch your videos. They kept my attention and I'm sure they inspire and encourage people to do something similar. I've found you through videos about brompton. 👏Greetings from Brazil.
Hi Eduardo! Thank you for the lovely comment! Great that you like the films! I'd be so happy if some people are encouraged to try similar things, slow and local and small adventures - or a big adventure of course! But if I have a message, mainly it is that small and quite humble adventures can be a very nice way to enjoy life. Thank you for watching! Sending greetings to you in Brazil!
Nice Irish countryside scenes. Green. Wet. Windy. The Old Country. Lots of emotions for many people. Luckily, you had a very good tent, Hilleberg. Thanks for sharing your video!!
Hi Jason! Yes! haha you summed up Ireland perfectly! Yeh I was so glad to have my Hilleberg. This trip really tested its waterproofness haha. Actually, I had sent it to Hilleberg tech dept during the spring, cos I wanted them to look at one of the zips, which had been leaking a bit. Near the top of the door. Hilleberg's tech team did something to the zip - applied some new sealant it looks like. It seems to have worked perfectly. Seems like a very decent company. Anyway, hope you are well! Thanks so much for keeping on watching my channel!
@@susannathornton Yes, I googled on the Bridge of Tears and learnt something. With your Hilleberg, you can face almost any weather. I though of getting it, but it is really pricey. Cheers!
This was the very best episode I have had the pleasure to view, to date!
Aw thanks Eric! Glad you enjoyed it. This one is my favourite too 😎
How wonderful. You are an inspiration. Thank you.
Hi Imran! oh thank you! what a nice thing to say! Glad you like the film!
wow wow amazing wow
Aw thanks for watching, glad you liked it
Being grateful., a good attitude to have!
What great videos! Thanks Susanna!
多雨的天气，美不胜收的景色。令人敬佩勇敢的骑车人。
Hi songqi zhang! 感谢您观看我的这个小视频😎
I love your videos. To ride in less than ideal weather, really shows you’re a strong woman. So, many people would look at these conditions as a no go ride. But, you are inspiring. Thank you.
Hi Erick! Thanks for the lovely comment. haha yes I do go out in all weathers haha. Actually in the past few years since having health problems mainly cancer I realised I really don't want to pack away my gear for months from autumn until spring. I am kind of squeezing in as much as possible in my life. So I decided to practise being out in worse conditions, wet cold and dark short days in winter etc, so I can learn how to handle it all well and really enjoy those too. Actually I have always been pretty OK with rain and things anyway, so it was kind of normal for me. That is partly why I often travel alone, because then I know it's just me and I am fine and enjoying it, and I don't have to worry about someone else who I realise might not haha. Thanks for writing such a nice comment and thanks for watching!
Amazing, Great initial comment and a Fantastic reply.
Thank goodness the tide finally turned and that 5he weather forecast changed for the better…🌦️🌦️
Great video ,god you’re a brave lady to weather that inclement weather ,wish i had half the stamina you have .lovely scenery and parts of Ireland im ashamed to say ive not seen yet .Thank you Susanna .❤
Haha yeh it was a bit damp on the way home from Donegal! But still beautiful. Kind of gave me a good contrast with the hot hot yellow dry days riding across Ireland the other way, on my way out. Also gorgeous. Anyway, thanks for writing!
nice beach camp😄Keep safe! so relaxing everytime I'am watching your videos ..I have feeling that I'am right there with your cycling.
Hi Ali! Aw thanks, glad you like the films. What a lovely comment. Another film coming soon. Best wishes!
That was absolutely awesome. I'm lucky enough to be living in Ireland and I'll definitely be replicating this one. Thanks for sharing it.
Hi Robin! Oh thank you for the lovely comment! Hope you get the chance to do something similar soon. Longer would be good!! I found that there were so many interesting-looking peninsulas, it was hard to decide which bits to do and which bits to cut across by going inland. I wish I had had time! I could have done at least two-week trip!
WaW, what an amazing wild camping adventure. You are truly inspirational and mentally and physically tough. Beatiful Irish NC. Excellent filiming. It showcased every aspect of your journey. Pleasure to watch. Looking forward to high summer wild camping video. I'd rather do battle with Midgets than inclement weather!
Hi again Cher! Aw yeh this was a lovely little trip. I hadn't planned to do it really, but there I was in Donegal with my bike and tent and a bit of time. And it was lovely, despite the rain. About summer, I don't know if you saw that video yet, but I did the journey out to Donegal too, a few weeks earlier, across the centre of Ireland. I had blue skies and hot sun pretty much all the way. Ah it was gorgeous. I had such a nice time in Ireland. Anyway, thanks for watching my channel!
this piece of art moved me
Aw Mark, thanks. That is such a lovely comment
Hi Susanna, I loved your video. I’m Irish and want to say thanks for doing our beautiful island justice. I think you captured it perfectly with your description “It feels rugged, liked the weathered face of someone who’s endured hardship”. Pure poetry! Ride on!
Super video. You prove that adventures and interesting trips are all around us. Good luck with the treatment.
Aw thanks for watching, and for the great comment Martin
A week's wild camp needs the occasional visit to a cozy pub!
Haha yeh, you're right, a cosy cafe or two, a pub lunch, or maybe fish and chips... actually I did get a massive plate of fish and chips in Carrickfergus on the last day, got there just at the right moment for lunch
Hi, I have watched a few of your videos.
This was really impressive, a life time achievement. A real adventure, I'm so pleased it worked out well for you and your planning paid off.
Thank you for the journey, I really enjoyed it. You've proved something like to this is doable on a grand scale, certainly not to be underestimated.
It was really nice to see Ireland, those snippets are grounding.
Thanks for watching my films, and for the lovely comment. The two Irish rides I did this past year (in Aug and Sep) were not difficult really, just a few days each, and each day I don't cycle very far. There were small bits that were hard, eg that very hilly bit of the Antrim coast was hard, but the rest was relaxing! As you can see I like to stop to chat with people and have lots of coffee haha. About the ride I did from Hong Kong to London, which I think you're referring to, yeh, that was big haha. Still relaxing though, in many ways. When I am touring on my bike, I just ride gently and I stop a lot. For me the whole point is to go slowly and kind of savour the journey. Glad you like the films! Thanks again for watching! Happy new year!
I had to stop at 23:49 only because this was the first time I’d ever seen you walking the bike and I’ve been binge watching your videos for a couple of day now!! It can’t be easy filming while pushing it up a mountain with one hand though 😁 First time I thought to myself …..I could do this maybe…..! Thanks for these!
Hi Wilma! Haha thank you for the lovely comment - I find that getting off the bike and walking every now and then is nice actually, a change. And it's nice to go slowly, no need to rush around... Hope you do get to do a bit of cycling and exploring too. Thanks for watching!
Great respect Susannah. I admire the way you find poetry even in the worst conditions!
Aw thank you Luk, that is such a nice comment x
Great video Susanne, it nicely captured the essence of Bikepacking. Like the way you collapse the bike for night time, mine stands next to my homemade bike tent, actually holding it up - so no poles to carry.
Look forward to further episodes. Scotland is ideal for bikepacking too.
All best, MS.
Hi MS! thanks for the lovely comment. Oh sounds like you have an interesting set up with a homemade bike tent. Good for you. Wonder how it works. I saw on a website somewhere an idea for a sort of tent using a bike wheel as a support, I think it was. Something like that. More like a tarp than a tent, the thing I saw. I am too wimpy to do just a tarp haha, all the creepy crawlies and the wind and rain blowing in. I like being cosy in a tent, like a little hotel room. About Scotland, yeh I hope to go to Scotland again. I did a few stints living in Glasgow for work contracts in the lasy few years, so bought all the local OS maps round there and when I had time cycled a lot and did camping and some hiking too. Loved it. And my cousin's husband's family from the Black Isle so I went to see them there too, train and bike and camp. So nice. Would love to do more. Anyway, greetings! thanks for writing!
Enjoyed watching your Irish adventure Susanna thanks for sharing
Hi Peter! Thanks for watching! and for writing too
You’re a tough one Susanna, just love watching you! Merci de partager cela pour nous!
Aw thanks Sellig! Glad you enjoy the films! More coming soon xx
It was great fun again to see your latest upload, what a beautiful and rugged landscape along the Irish north coast. But what a rain, I have now understand that this type of weather is normal for Ireland. I'm amazed how you get all your gear on that little Bromton bike of yours. Thanks Susanna great stuff, wish you all the best.
Thanks Eric! Glad you liked the film, including the rain haha. Yeh it is great that the Brompton carries all the gear so nicely. I had almost all the food I needed for the whole week with me, as well as obviously tent, sleeping bag etc etc. Amazing really. Along the way I just bought some bread and some tangerines, and a very nice woman stopped and gave me a banana, just like that in the road, but apart from that I had all my food with me. The food bag (front bag) was quite full at the beginning and then quite empty by the end of the ride haha. Thanks for watching my films!! More coming soon!
@@susannathornton No really I'm amazed at what you still can take with you and than on top of that food for a week? I am allways struggling to take as less as possible on my trips. It's always a challenge for me to stick to the bare necessities. I really like what you have been showing us of Ireland on your Bromton trips, such a beautiful country.
Interesting that you went looking for the past again. Sorry to read at the end that she lost her son during the liberation of my country, which makes me realise what terrible sacrifices have been made.
Kind regards, Eric
@@Eric-rt6tg Yeh, about gear, and food, it has taken me many years of trying things, practising and experimenting and getting things a bit wrong and then trying to improve haha. Anyway that is that. What I wanted to say is that it was a beautiful thing that you said, about the sacrifices that were made. Really beautiful. Thank you for writing such a lovely thing here.
You are simply amazing. I really enjoyed watching this heartfelt video - you seem to have such empathy for Donegal and the Antrim coast. It was emotional and inspirational to watch ✨
Aw it's lovely of you to say that, thank you so much Jennifer. I am just slow, and don't I mind what the weather does really, and I stop a lot, to stand and stare (and to have a rest haha). Glad you liked the film! Thanks for writing, with such a nice comment
Sue thanks for sharing. The yellow raincoat reminds me of the one which I wore when I cycled from Chengdu to Lasa in 2010. Arr, the strong head wind while you were biking, and sleeping in your little tent..... Bravo !!! will share with our common Hong Kong cyclists.
Hi May Tam!! Oh how lovely to read your comment here!! so many happy memories of adventures in mainland China with you and the brilliant cycling clubmates, and rides with you in Hong Kong too. And I always love hearing of all your adventures since then, you amazing woman, crazy in the best possible way. And noone else sings for happiness on a bike as nicely as you haha. I do sing but not as nicely as you. When I sing to myself on my bike I always think of you xxx
Hi Susanna. Thank you again for another beautiful and inspirational video. I really should get out the camping gear and follow your example.
Hi Chris! Aw thanks for the lovely comment. Happy cycling! 😎🚲⛺
Another excellent and enjoyable cycle touring video. I am now inspired to plan a bike tour over to the North Irish coast. I would be interested to see how you prepare and pack your DIY hydrated meals. Maybe a separate cooking skills film!
Hi Sean! thanks for the lovely comment! glad you liked the film. Yeh Ireland north coast seems a brilliant place for cycle touring, tons of lovely roads and views and cafes and beaches.. About cooking, yeh maybe I will do a camp cooking film! Thank you for the ideas and for following my channel! Happy cycling!
Great video Susanna! This was such a poignant video for me as my late grandmother came from Donegal. She came here to USA at 18 years old along with 2 of her sisters.
Hi there Berenice! Aw thanks! Glad you liked the film. Thank you for writing about your late Grandmother and her sisters. I wonder if you know where their childhood home was, and if you have ever been able to go there. I love that kind of thing
I only know that she lived on a farm there. She never talked about it. I was young when she died and wish now that I had questioned her about it.
Gosh! A wet journey but one you clearly enjoyed, as did I. Lovely scenery again and some interesting locals. Thank you.
Hi Emma! Glad you enjoyed it, including the rain haha, and the friendly people. Thank you for watching!
Another lovely video. And taking on the challenge of wild camping in those conditions is something else entirely. The less touristy parts of Ireland are a pleasure by bike and there is so much to see. I hope you find the time to return one day.
Hi Helen! Thank you for the lovely comment! About the rain etc, yeh I did think it was bonkers really, setting off to wild camp with heavy rain forecast pretty much all week. The day I set off, the rain was so bad, I sheltered with my bike in a garage all morning. I was hoping it would ease... But by about 2pm the garage was kind of starting to flood haha. So I just set off. I knew that if I do everything carefully and avoid silly mistakes (hmm I do do a lot of silly mistakes though), I'd be alright. I even managed to do laundry every day actually haha, pegging out my washing on the handlebars in any dry spells, and hanging things up in the tent at night. Haha. Good fun. Thanks so much for writing!
Such a relaxing presentation, thank you for taking us along with you. Look forward to more adventures. Stay safe, Jack
Hi Jack! Thanks for the lovely comment! glad you liked the film. Stay safe you too!
Hello, excellent video, excellent music, excellent views, I congratulate you 😊💫✨☘️👍
Hi Mithu! aw thanks very much for the lovely comment!
Yet another great adventure on your trusty Brompton, thanks for taking us along once again, your videos just keep on getting better and better👍
Hi Terry! Oh nice to hear from you! Hope you are well! Thank you for your lovely comment!
I've been in some of those places, and in the previous video there was a spot where my folding bicycle (a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket) from the U.S. had been on one of the same roads around Lough Gill that you showed us. My wife and had taken a train to Sligo where I got in several days of riding; then our daughter took a week off of work to join up with us and drive us to some of the same places you showed us in this video. It was good to see there was a lot we missed, though. Maybe another time. Our visit was in the last half of October 2016, and the weather was mostly sunny. Toward the end our daughter told us, "I don't know if you two appreciate how good this weather has been, especially for this time of year." Your video reminded me. I had already learned though, that a weather forecast for the coastal areas requires a different interpretation than back home. A forecast for sunny weather and no rain does not mean there will be no rain at all.
Hi John, oh Lough Gill, yes I loved that bit! Great that you had the chance to ride those gorgeous roads too. I thought it'd be busy there, cos they looked like B roads from the map, but it absolutely wasn't busy at all for me. Wonder how it was when you were there? I know what you mean about feeling that there was so much more to see. Never mind! I just try to enjoy the bits I am on, wherever I am. That's the best we all can do. I didn't put that very well haha, but hope you know what I mean. T hanks for writing!
@@susannathornton The only road that I tried to avoid was the N road that went north and south through Sligo, and even that wasn't too busy to be rideable. The others were quiet, including the entire circuit around Lough Gill, at least the times I went around it. You're right about just enjoying the bits you do see. I have to get reminded of that now and then, when I think about the places I'd like to go back to. But even if I never get there again, they left me with a lot of good memories.
Another really nice vlog - thank you. The quality of your videos gets better with each one as your confidence as a flim maker grows. I look forward to the next one.
Aw thanks K M. I really appreciate the lovely comment, and your encouragement. Thank you for watching!
I got a tip about your channel from Miriam Kennedy, who is also a Brompton bike fan. Subscribed because of your pure joy, living in the moment.
Hello Snowcelt! aw Miriam is super. Thank you for the lovely comment! Welcome!! Hope you enjoy the channel!
Well done, bravo! Maybe your best video yet. And that is high praise. Us of Irish descent, or lovers of that beautiful place, salute you. Thank you
Hi Brian! Thank you for your super lovely comment xxx
Spectacular, thanks for the video! Very inspiring. I have been recently looking into buying a Brompton too, since the community seems to be in full swing with many amazing ppl like you
Hi Laurent! Thank you for writing! Glad you liked the film! I hope you enjoy some great rides! Have you read Gianni's recent book, Touring on a Folding Bike? If not I highly recommend it - loads of great tips and it's inspiring to read. Happy cycling!
Really nice diary!!
Aw thanks Howard! Glad you liked it! One day when u have time, u could maybe watch my other Irish film too, about cycling from Dublin to Donegal. I did that a few weeks earlier. I really loved those two journeys in Ireland. Thanks so much for watching and for writing!
Images are great, Susanna. :)
Hi Rog! thanks! actually quite a lot of footage was unusable, cos water on the lens made it too blurry haha. But it was nice to see the landscape like that, really. All conditions can be beautiful
Your videos are getting better and better 👍 you have made us get our gear together and go and enjoy life
Aw Craig, what a lovely comment! Glad you liked the film! Happy cycling!!!! 😎🚲⛺
That was great, thanks! you've literal ridden my dream route in my own backyard. So glad you joyed your time over here!
Hi boogiedout! glad you liked the film! Aw what a wonderful backyard. Yes I really enjoyed my time there. Thank you for watching!
What a nice treat to wake up to on a Saturday morning. Each journey of yours is epic and filled with history. Aside from astounding cinematography, you're a great narrator and storyteller. Gentleman admiring the bike..... "No it's not! Well it's got, me that's the best it's got "........best line ever!!!!! Thank you!
Hi there! Hope you are well! Thank you for the lovely comment! Nice to think of you enjoying the film on a Saturday morning there! hope you had a nice rest of the weekend x
Brilliant as always ,thanks.
Hi Ascot104! Aw thanks! always nice to hear from you! Glad you liked the film x
Just beutiful very peaceful and hoping one day i coud go there to this beautiful place on earth 🌍 .Saying 👋🏻 from San Francisco,Ca.
Hi Lisa! Thanks for watching! Saying hi from here in England! Glad you liked the film. I can imagine there is lots of beautiful landscape round you in California too
Again I enjoyed every minute of your video. Your sheer joy, the beautiful pictures...the conversations with the people (which I wasn't always able to understand...) it's obvious you use your eyes to really see. Your spirit never seems to get clouded, anyways...thanks for taking us along, Susanna...
Thank you so much Eis Vogel! What a lovely comment. Thank you for watching and for writing x
The landscapes on your travel routes are surreal looking in the rain. Thank you for sharing your adventures.
Hi Dan! yeh the mountains were amazing in the rain actually. I hadn't really tried to film rain before in that way. It was really nice to look at the footage afterwards. Thank you for writing!
Wonderful video, well done!👍👍
Thank you! glad you liked the film!
Thank you Susan for bringing on so long and this has inspired me to do that journey you have taken. You are a master of making these videos
Hi Dermot! thanks for the lovely comment! I really enjoy making the videos, trying to show why I enjoy cycling and camping, and show how nice it is to do adventures that are relaxed, slow, doable distances, and lots of coffee stops haha. Thank you for watching!
Thank you so much for making this video and sharing your adventure, I thoroughly enjoy your simple honest videos.
HI James! aw thank you! Such a lovely comment
Very nice my friend.
Hi Kalafat! thank you for watching! glad you liked the film
A wonderful video, and so inspiring. A pleasure to watch :)
Thanks Sheepstar! glad you liked it!
This is amusing to watch! Very great experience out there with the culture and random people. This should be at least notice by @brompton
Hi richnchill! aw thanks for the kind comment! best wishes!
Thank you for sharing. I love your filmmaking style. Just the right pace. So poetic and romantic. Very personal and real. The music gives me all the feels too. I would love to see you upgrade your camera; perhaps start a Patreon page someday. From the comments here it seems you seem to have a community who would support you.
Aw thanks HexarRF. What a lovely comment. About cameras, well I feel like first I should focus on learning how to use what I already have got haha. There are loads of functions that I don't understand or use, and loads of basic things I could improve just myself - eg holding the camera straight more often would help haha. I am kicking myself all the time when I look at the footage I shoot and try to edit it, for all the mistakes I make! About the community on here who are so supportive, yes I appreciate soooo much the feedback and the comments and the encouragement from everyone here. It's amazing! What makes me really happy is when I read that my films sometimes encourage other people - esp people who are like me ie a bit older, women, people who have had to deal with illnesses and things - to believe they could go on an adventure themselves, or to just enjoy dreaming a bit and remembering the times they had in the past. Another film coming soon! After I have fixed all the wonky bits!
Loved that 👌thanks Susanna .
Hi Carmel! aw thanks, glad you liked it! thanks for writing
Best country in the world!
Haha, yeh it's not bad haha. Nice people too. Thanks for watching!
The Irish ☘️ coast line is so beautiful you just have to dodge the sheep.😎❤️☔️🚲🇨🇦🏴
Hi Barrie! haha yes the sheep! I had a few cows to dodge as well, that were walking on the road, and they leave quite a bit of mess haha. Have to steer carefully!
Wow, another great video, Susanna! I've watched a few of yours and am always impressed. You make bike camping on a Brompton in lousy weather look like the epitome of fun! You shot some outstanding video and dropped in good music to reinforce it. Well done!
It's pleasant to watch 😊
Hi Vijay! Thanks for writing! glad you liked it!
Such an inspirational video! Seeing what you’ve done and what you are continuing to do makes me feel like I’m wasting my Brompton!
Hi Oz! Glad you liked the film! Oh I am sure you are not wasting your Brompton haha. But yeh they are good enough to tackle a lot more than city commutes etc, though they are great for that too. Thanks for watching!
I really enjoyed your video . I live on the North Coast in Northern Ireland and I was thrilled to see you had been here and enjoyed it. I'm sorry you had such bad weather. But even in the rain it is so beautiful here and I love it. ❤ . I am enjoying all your videos and you are inspiring me to get out on my bike with my tent ⛺ and do loads of wild camping. Looking forward to your next video. 😀
Hi Sandra! thanks for the lovely comment! glad you liked the film. I loved it in the north of Ireland. True that the weather I had was a bit mixed haha, but I enjoyed it all. I meant it when I said I was grateful, really. Hope you can get out and do some wild camping too - sounds like a great plan to me 😁. What a beautiful part of the world. I wonder which part of the coast it is that you live
@@susannathornton Hi Susanna I live in Coleraine .
Oh I rode through it, and I thought it seemed a really nice place. The schools were coming out and there were school pupils everywhere and it seemed really friendly. And so near to so much fantastic, and really varied, landscape...
Cracking image at 14.09 Cycle camped with my ten year old son to the west coast of Ireland in 1995. Then we went on the 1551 expedition in 2000 He was 15 and I was 51. Love your video. Brought it all back. Thanks
Hi Neil! yeh the views along Lough Swilly were gorgeous, those patches of sun really lit things up. Beautiful. Makes it easy to take nice shots haha. Aw, good for you and your son, how lovely that you did that trip. Impressive! of both of you! He was only a little lad! Did he have his own panniers and everything? I saw a lovely family this summer on my ride in Sweden - a Mum & Dad with two little daughters, and the girls had their own little miniature panniers, soooo cute! haha. Brilliant that you and you lad were both did another ride together five years later. Sounds fantastic. Thanks for watching Neil! Glad it brought back some good memories!
What a wonderful adventure. Thanks so much for sharing. Ireland looks beautiful even in the mist.
My mother, although born and brought up in South Wales, had an Irish father. He wasn't much spoken about as he'd left my Grandmother and her 13 children when Mum was 7. I believe he came from Donegal but don't know for sure. My mother was born in 1914 so finding traces of her father may be difficult.
Keep making these videos if you can, you're getting quite a following.
Hi Colin! thanks for the lovely comment. Glad you liked the film! Oh that is interesting about your mother's father. Yes, I wonder if you can find his story, and where he came from, and the journey he did. I do love that sort of thing, finding stories and then going to try to find the places where people lived, and the journeys they did. I get quite caught up in it all haha. Yes I shall keep on with the films! Another one coming soon! Thank you for watching!
What a great video. That’s what wild camping is all about. Getting into the history of a country good or bad. Mostly free no stress. Did any farmers moan at you for camping they seemed friendly.
Hi Colin! Thanks for the lovely comment! glad you liked the film. Yes, it is so nice wild camping like that, borrowing a little patch of grass in the corner of a field for the night. Free, simple, peaceful, no stress. No, I wasn't bothered by any farmers or anyone. I don't think anyone really saw me. People might have seen me, as sometimes I was visible from a road, or from houses if people had looked in the right direction with binoculars. But if anyone did see me, they didn't bother to do come and see who I was. The people I met were really friendly. Thanks for watching! Another one coming soon!
Hi Susanna. Well that was a beautiful trip. The weather was certainly not kind early on yet you carried on with a smile. Also you managed some very nice camping spots, despite the weather. Lovely countryside and some lovely, complementary music. Here's to your next adventure!
Hi Phillip! Oh that sounds nice, watching my film at the weekend, all cosy like that haha. Thanks for the lovely message!
Thanks so much for this inspiring and wonderful video. You truly are quite amazing! Looking forward to the next.
Hi Shirley! Thanks for watching! Aw you are very nice but I am just pootling along, not going very fast or very far, just enjoying being out. Another film coming soon! Thanks for writing!
Thank you for this. Just a treat. 🙂👍🚴♂️🏕️
Interresting video.Some beautiful landscabe on your way.Thanks for sharing.
Hi Soren! thanks for watching! Yeh, it was so nice to camp wild like that, on beaches especially. I don't think there are many places in Europe you can do that so easily. Maybe some parts of Denmark?
@@susannathornton In Denmark is legal to sleep on the baech, but not to put up a Tent. 🙂🙂🙂
Oh that is a pity, that it's not legal to put up a tent. I think that the law in some German länder is similar actually, ie it's legal to sleep outside, but not to put up a tent, something like that. Actually though, I tend skate over legalities and just camp discreetly, and leave no trace, and hope that noone minds 🙄
One of the songs sounded like "Waterloo Sunset" by the Kinks. Now I will have it in my ear for some time. Which is good. Thanks for taking us along. 🙏❤👍
Hi Stig! Thanks for the comment! Glad you liked the film! 🎵
Yet another excellent Travelog 😊
I cycled the south of Ireland and the north on alternate years back in the 80s,
I had some panniers I bought in New Zealand a few years before. Tikka made in NZ and guaranteed waterproof in NZ conditions needless to say Irish rain had them beat.
I didn't do much biking this year just several backpack trips in Wales.
Hope to catch the ferry to Spain next and set my wheels rolling on the sunny side.
Will be looking forward to your next video. Kind regards 🙂
Hi David! thanks for the message! glad you enjoyed the film. Haha yes Irish rain is a hard test isn't it! Sounds like you've done some nice adventures trips this year in Wales. Thanks so much for watching my films!
Heart like a Lion 🦁☘️
a rather soggy lion on this trip haha
Another beautiful and inspiring video - you make it look so easy! Well done and thank you for sharing your brilliant adventures! 🙌😁
Hi Amanda! thank *you* for watching them!! It is easy, really, most of the time. I just ride slowly, and see what I find, stop a lot, have coffees, chat with people, eat nice food, that's it! simple! 😁🚲🏕
Truly inspiring. Subscribed
Thank you for sharing your experience! You just inspired me to ride my Brompton out despite the cooler/wet weather. :)
Hi Jerry! glad you enjoyed the film! Happy cycling! 🚲😁🌦