Our Blog

Things To See & Do With Schoolgate Style; The National Trust

Before I joined the National Trust, I thought that it was a bit of a waste to be a member in Northern Ireland as there seems to be less to see and do here with a membership that costs the same as it does across the water. It took a 2 week family holiday to England to encourage us to join but even then, we thought we would use it to visit lots of the places near where we were holidaying and then maybe use it once or twice at home before cancelling the membership when our year was up.

4 years on, we're still members and do you know what? We hardly used it on that original holiday as we were so busy exploring generally and simply didn't have time to see as many of the National Trust place to visit as we'd hoped. Where we have really used and enjoyed our membership is at home - here in NI - because we've so many more weekends and free days here and we're always on the look out for inexpensive days out with the kids.

Hand on heart, every National Trust property we've visited locally (and across the water admittedly) has been a wow moment....when you turn that corner and catch the first glimpse....you almost have to pinch yourself. Invariably, we say to each other on arrival 'why have we not been here before?' and I can guarantee you that one visit is never enough....they're that good. Not to mention the regular National Trust Events that bring us back - like Halloween trails, Christmas markets, kite flying and antique fairs. Apart from the Fermanagh locations, which are just that bit further away from our home, we've been to all the other properties more than once and closer to Belfast properties like Rowallane and Mount Stewart, we visit multiple times per season.

For me, the main thing that keeps me coming back to these local properties is the gardens. National Trust Gardens are truly something special and it's seeing how they change over the seasons that I most enjoy. Mount Stewart is a favourite in this regard as it's got its own micro-climate that means it has plants that you'd never see in a garden elsewhere in Northern Ireland. But it's the walled garden in Rowallane that is the most charming in my opinion and the kids love racing around the paths, hiding from each other behind yew hedges while I sit on one of the benches, soaking up some rays and wishing it was my own garden!

But you're guaranteed proper wow moments if you visit the North Coast properties, which are just over an hour from Belfast...after all, the Giant's Causeway is a World Heritage Site and the Carrick A Rede bridge is an iconic tourist site known worldwide. Both see hundreds of thousands of visitors each year from all over the world...and we can go there as often as we wish with free entry! To escape the crowds, Downhill and Mussenden Temple is another breathtaking spot where you can admire the rugged coastline and stunning beaches in this part of the country.

We no longer think of our National Trust membership as being an expense or a necessity....we consider it a complete and utter privilege and I commend the organisation behind it for the work they do to conserve these historic buildings, venues and gardens. We worked it out last year that each visit cost us less than £10 in admission charges for all 5 of us. A no brainer I reckon!

Ax

Introducing Andrew Parkes; Cyclist, Fell Runner & Outdoors Enthusiast

The 5.30am alarm stirs me and my stomach sinks… In the haze of waking from my short sleep I remember what today is… It creates a kind of nervous sinking feeling a bit like the butterflies you get before a presentation. I love what is ahead of me, but I’m also nervous because as thrilling and adventurous as it to challenge yourself, it is almost always painful and uncertain… today my mate and I are running the Mourne Wall again!

I am a 32 year old Freelance Graphic Designer who is quite obsessed with the great outdoors! Before I go any further, let me make this clear - I am not the fastest, fittest or most talented of outdoors people, I simply love the challenge, adventure and freedom that the outdoors can bring and I seek it as often as life allows! In any given week I’ll be cycling over the Antrim Hills, sailing around the coast, running in the Mournes, surfing in Portrush or mountain biking in my local trails. Like any addiction it is about finding the next fix…

The Mourne Wall is a beautiful route that takes in the heart of the Mournes in 35km loop (22miles) covering a painful 3000 metres of ascent (9842 feet) while summiting over 14 peaks (the route also skirts along the edge of Rocky Mountain but not its summit). My mate Matt and I test ourselves on this route every summer. We think it will keep us young and fit with a challenge always on the horizon. It is hard, but it is wonderful.

Years ago, when we first challenged ourselves on the route we took massive rucksacks with loads of food and water, wearing big heavy hiking boots and it ended up taking us a whopping 13hours! Now, a few years on, fitter and with more experience we turn up in fell shoes and shorts with tiny bags filled with jelly babies and bacon sandwiches and bang it out in around 7 hours. It’s not amazing considering the top fell runners probably look for a sub 4 hour time, but every year we are getting faster, and thats what counts!

Northern Ireland is a wonderland for outdoor adventure. We have so many options for different activities within our reach. From the Mournes to the Sperrins, from our coast line to Lough Neagh, from our local forest trails to the tow paths there is somewhere close by to get out and enjoy the fresh air. We even have amazing trail running & hiking routes in the outskirts of Belfast in the form of Cave Hill!

As a Belfast based clothing company I think Target Dry have seen the possibilities for local ‘micro’ adventures for everyday people and produced a well thought out range of waterproof outdoor clothing that covers everyday adventures from family trips to the beach to long wet hiking days in the Mournes. With this thought process in mind I will be blogging with Target Dry every month now and as I do so I hope I can share a little bit of the passion I have for the adventures and challenges that are just waiting for us all to just give them a go!

Over the next few months I’ll be cycling around Donegal, running the Mourne Wall (again!), preparing for the Mourne Mountain Marathon, training for a fundraising ultra marathon and tipping my toe into some wild outdoor swimming! There will also be some last minute camping trips, sailing races and surf sessions mixed in there as well!

I look forward to sharing these with you.

Right, thats enough writing… I’m off out for a run!

Basic Outdoor Kit Essentials From Travel Bloggers; The Explorer's Home

Unless you are lucky enough to work in the great outdoors, did you know that on average we spend 90% of our time stuck indoors? That seems like a scarily high figure, considering how much we all love the outdoors, right? I am going to go out on a limb and guess that most people’s excuse is that they don’t have time to get out after work or on days off… Well look at it this way: the average person gets 112 days off every year. Add that to time off after work and that equals 6736 hours free every year. Now tell me that you really can't spare 12 hours to go camping…

With that excuse out of the way, lets have a look at what the next big hurdle usually is: Having the right kit. 

The discussion of what you need to take camping with you can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. The thing to bare in mind are: you are not tackling Everest. Unless you’re going to be heading right into the hills then you really only need a few basics. Lets have a look at those basics now. 

Shelter

We have two amazing options when it comes to shelters. We have the option of the traditional tent, easy to pitch, enclosed space, great for bad weather and they keep the bugs out (most of the time!). Tents are a super option for beginners, they give you the added sense of security when it comes to being in the great outdoors. I have never really managed to be comfortable in a tent though, I feel too trapped. This led me to my second great discovery: Bivi bags and tarps. A bivi bag is an enclosure for your sleeping bag; nothing more, nothing less. It is essentially a big, breathable, waterproof sack that you crawl into. The downside? Well, it’s not for the claustrophobic. It’s a lot smaller space than a tent, meaning that you don’t have the comfort of being able to get changed inside. In fact you don’t have the comfort of being able to do anything but lay down! The upside? You can fall asleep looking up at the stars. A tarp is a sheet of fabric that you suspend above your bivi bag to keep the worst of the weather off of you. It takes some practice to get right but it allows so much more freedom on where you can camp and makes it lighter to drag along on a trek with you!

Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags come in many shapes and sizes. The two primary types are synthetically lined bags and down lined bags. Synthetic doesn’t pack as small, isn’t quite as light but is just as warm and still retains it’s heating capacity when wet. Down filled bags pack much smaller, are lighter, but usually more expensive; the other, major, downside to down bags is that when the down gets wet, it loses it’s warming capability and so it is important to keep your bag dry when you are out and about or you will have a chilly night! Fact is though, if you’re simply heading out on a one night camping trip then you don’t need to spend hundreds of pounds on a sleeping bag! £20 from your local supermarket will usually get you a great synthetic lined mummy style bag. The trick is to just take a jumper with you if you think it won’t hold up to the weather and you have just increased the capability of your sleeping bag no end! Result! 

Cooking Gear & Food

Open fires are very pretty and all but they’re not ideal for making sure that the beautiful countryside that you’re visiting is left undisturbed after your visit. You generally have three options with camping stoves: Gas canister cookers, liquid fuel cookers and solid fuel cookers. Gas canister cookers are super simple: screw your stove head into the top of a camping stove and away you go - pop your cooking pot on, throw in some water and pasta and Bob’s your uncle! Liquid fuel stoves are almost the same but they require a bit more prep - you have to pressurise the fuel canister and heat the fuel before you can really get cooking. The benefit of liquid fuel over canisters? Liquid fuel is more efficient at higher altitude. Not really something we need to worry too much about in our part of the world… The last option is solid fuel. Solid fuel comes in the form of small pellet type capsules that sit in an enclosure and you simply set fire to them, pop your stove on and you’re done. The downside to this final option is that there is no cooking heat adjustment - you’re either cooking or you’re not! 

Food wise, keep it simple when you’re heading out. The best, easiest option is to simply have a great meal before you leave and take some milk and cereal for breakfast! No cooking involved - result! For the more adventurous, it’s not a huge jump to being able to fry up a few sausages in a pot, put them to one side and then cook some beans in the same pot over a stove. You will be surprised at how simple it is to cook in the outdoors. The main thing to remember is to avoid high sugar foods such as chocolate and sweets - they’re great for a pick-me-up but will leave you crashing afterwards which is never fun. Keep it simple on the cooking front and it will be easier in the long run.

Clothing

Summer in the England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. It’s the best time of year when it comes to getting outdoors and enjoying the beauty of this part of the world that we live in. The downside to this part of the world is that summer usually means just as much rain (just slightly less snow) than the winter months. For this reason always pack waterproofs. Something simple for your top and bottoms such as this waterproof jacket and these waterproof overtrousers will pack away into a side pocket on your backpack and you can forget about them until you need them. For the super prepared and creative, you can probably use a poncho like this (which will also cover your backpack) and then use it as a tarp at night… Nothing will make you quite as miserable as being soaked through, so be prepared! 

The next layer down is usually a thermal layer. Again, you never can really trust the Summer here and so making sure that you at least have a jumper or fleece with you will keep you happy. Worst case, you can use it as a pillow when you bed down for the night! You will get cold when you least expect it, even if it has been a super warm day, by the time the sun sets you are usually left with quite a chill so make sure you have something to keep you warm. 

The final layer is your base layer. The base layer is what you wear directly next to your skin - it helps to wick moisture away from your skin and to keep you dry and warm when you need it. Layers are the key when it comes to keeping warm and to flexibility. It is better to wear three thin layers than one very thick layer. When you are trekking for miles you will sweat regardless of the weather, it is always good to be able to strip back a layer or two when you need to and add them back on when you really need them. 

That is a lot of information for a beginner to take in! Lets look at the basics again though:

Shelter: Tent or Bivi - keep it simple and fun. 

Sleeping bag: Synthetic or Down - keep it cheap and cheerful and wear an extra jumper if you think it might be a bit chilly.

Cooking: Gas, Liquid or Solid fuel - make life easier by eating before you leave and taking food that doesn’t require cooking.

Clothing: Layers, Layers, Layers! - Base layer, warming layer, waterproof layer. In that order. 

Finally… keep it simple, keep it fun! We all love the outdoors and there is little point in hiking and camping if it’s not fun. Enjoy the world! Keep exploring… 

Insight Into The Life Of A Travel Blogger Duo; The Explorer's Home

Being a travel blogger seems like the perfect part-time activity. Office jobs just don't offer the same thrill and adventure as an outdoors getaway, getting back to nature, exploring new countries and discovering beautiful scenic landscapes. 

We are delighted to have Vaughan & Katie from The Explorers Home guest blog for us. Expect monthly posts covering travel inspiration, packing tips and more, but to begin with let's get an insight into their lives and daily routine. 

Tell us a bit about yourself 

Adventure is a part of us all. We can all remember those times of wonder and discovery as a kid when everything we saw was a new discovery and life was full of wonder. Most of us grew up though, filling our days with school, college, work, family… and we lost the adventure somewhere in amongst all of the stuff that fills our time. We want to bring that back for people. 

Vaughan Williams (myself) and Katie Cockerill are just your average people, from average towns in the UK. I grew up on the outskirts of London and Katie in the small town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. What is so special about that, you ask? Well, nothing in fact. But what we had in our towns was the same small piece of magic that every kid has in their hometown - wonder and discovery. What we want to do is show people that work, university, even family time, doesn't have to fill every hour of your day. The world is a big place but most of us don't even adventure outside of our commute to work and local shops, we show people that you can rekindle that spark of adventure and rediscover the world around you.

It must be great being able to write on the road and experience the world?

It must be amazing huh! We wouldn't know either though… We work full time jobs, just like everyone else! The truth is, there is such a small, glamourised, number of people that travel blog and write about adventures but the fact of the matter is that near 99.9% of the world work, live and breathe in the town that they live in right now. We are no different! I work in commercial property compliance (yawn!) and Katie manages an adventure travel gear store (woo!). We wouldn't be able to write about showing people how to discover adventure in that huge chunk of the day that you're not at work if we didn't do just that, would we? 

What do you try to show people?

Lets think about this for a second… Most people work 8-9 hour days, 5 days a week. So on that basis: including days off, standard holidays, weekends, bank holidays etc, the average person has 112 days off each year. More than that, including time when you're not at work, the average person has 6736 hours when they're not at work. How long does it take to throw a sleeping bag in a bag, walk ten miles to a local wood and camp out the night? Not 6736 hours, thats for sure!

It's not all about camping and hiking, but we do promote it where we can. Sitting around a crackling fire, the stars above you and a cheeky beverage in your hand is well known to be possibly the best cure ever for a stressful day. Waking up to morning mist, a sunrise that can knock your socks off and a brief swim in a cold water river is sure to set you up for anything a day in the office can throw at you as well! And whats the worst thing that can happen? You don't sleep so great and you smell a bit when you get to the office, perhaps. But I dare say that absolutely nothing will wipe that smile off of your face from the new adventure you have just experienced…

You must have a pretty hectic daily life, how do you fit it all in?

I’m an early riser, up at 5.30am most days by default and I don't sleep until about 11.30pm. That is just me and I know not everyone is that energetic. Katie would live her entire life in bed if the mountains could come to her; up at 8am, asleep by 10pm most nights at the latest. But those hours when we aren't at work are when we cram it in. I highly advise getting to sleep earlier and up earlier. Most people like to stay up late as it gives them the sense that they have done something other than work that day - what is to say that can't be in the mornings as well? We went to the allotment to water the greenhouse and made strawberry jam before work yesterday morning, and when I told people what we had done that morning they just stared at me in bewilderment, like I had just grown another head! “How do you find the time?!” they murmured between sips of super strong coffee, “I just went to bed early and got up early…”.

We always advocate checking for cheap train deals (Megabus, Skyscanner etc.) and just booking something when you spot it. Worry about the accommodation later, grab that deal for now! Working in a shop, Katie’s time isn't very flexible, but even then we try to get away on a Friday night after work, on the train and back Sunday evening for an early night to feel super amazing for the Monday - 48 hours of adventure right there! 

When you need that peace and quiet, where do you aim for?

Adventure and discovery isn't always about escaping to the hills. The fact is some people flat out hate the outdoors, and that’s ok. Discovery and exploration can come in many forms. Personally, if I really need the peace, I will stick my headphones in, grab a coffee somewhere and just read a book for hours. Katie is a water baby, so goes swimming for hours on end if it's been a tough day. The options are endless though - throw in your headphones and wander around one of the thousands of museums dotting the country; you don't even have to read anything. Books, crafts, cooking, baking, knitting, even cleaning my outdoor gear are all forms of discovery for me that involve a bit of ‘brain downtime’ - they mean I can shut off for a bit but still learn something new.

What would you encourage others to do if they want the same experiences?

Step outside the front door, for starters. What is outside your house down the street to the right, at the end of the road on the left? Don't know? Find out! Get off of the bus or train on the way home from work a few stops early tonight and discover a bit more of your hometown. Have a sleeping bag? Well it's summer out there (apparently!) right now so grab yourself a £5 tarp from the hardware store and have yourself a sleepover in the woods, I promise you there are not nearly as many crazy people out there as the news will have you believe…

There are huge swathes of the country that are ready for you to discover if you take the time though. If you have a few days spare, throw some kit in a backpack and jump on a bus into the wilderness - there are no wolves or bears here, you're safe. Keep an eye on the weather because you don't want to get caught in a snowstorm, but otherwise you're pretty safe if you stay dry. The worst that can happen is that you get a bit wet, a bit groggy and you jump on the bus back home, shower it off and laugh at yourself! The best that can happen? Well, mountains, sunrises, wild deer sleeping outside your tent, campfires with friends, you get the picture.

A Beginner’s Guide to the Mournes

This week kicks off a four week series of beginner’s guides to some of the most popular hiking areas in the UK. Stay tuned for posts on Scottish, English and Welsh territory coming up in the following weeks. We’re sharing everything you need to give you a good start, where ever you may be headed in the UK.

This week, we’re starting off with our homeland, Northern Ireland.

The Mourne Mountains (or the Mountains of Mourne) form the highest and most dramatic mountain range in Northern Ireland. With breath-taking views across the Irish Sea and an intricate map of weaving paths to explore, they are high on any keen hiker’s to-do list.

The mountains can be divided into two distinctive areas: the Eastern, or “High Mournes” and the Western or “Low Mournes”. Below is a map of the mountains to show this. The Mournes are well known for providing a wide variety of stunning scenery for a relatively small geographical area.

Sourced from walkni.com

The area of the Mournes is compact and navigation is usually straightforward. The Eastern Mournes are laid out in the shape of a trident with two large valleys running from the north to the south, separating the three 'prongs' of the trident. West of this area, there is another group of high hills which centre on the twin peaks of Eagle Mountain and ShanSlieve before sloping to lower hills which then continue west and south towards the small village of Rostrevor.

Our Top 3 Routes

Slieve Donard from Newcastle

We’re starting with this route as it is perhaps the most popular walk in the Mournes. In fact, it’s been so popular that considerable erosion has become evident in recent years, causing the need for renovation work on the path. It is the normal and most direct route up Slieve Donard, the highest peak in the Mournes. It should take around 2 ½ hours at a decent walking pace to get to the top.

Start in the Donard car park in Newcastle and follow an obvious path at the back of the park which leads into the trees. Follow the path up the left bank of the Glen River where you will come across a bridge. Cross this bridge and turn right to ascent the left bank of the river, with waterfalls on the right. Here you will come to a second bridge. Cross this and continue again on the left bank past more waterfalls to a third and final bridge. Do not cross this bridge, but continue up a rocky track to a gate which gives access to the open mountainside.

Continue straight ahead with the Glen River on the left and forest on the right. Near the head of the valley, turn left to cross the river. The path, which is well worn and has been substantially re-engineered in recent years goes directly up, then curves right on to the flat saddle between Slieve Donard and Slieve Commedagh. Walk in a southerly direction to intercept the Mourne Wall. Turn left along the wall to head for the top of Donard.

The final part of the hike climbs beside the wall directly up to the summit of Slieve Donard. This part is especially tough as it is a continuous slope for 1000 feet, but increasingly impressive views over the Mourne countryside make the slog a little easier to bear.

Slieve Binian from Carricklittle

This route is the most direct route to the top of Slieve Binnian. It begins in the Carricklittle car park. This is at the junction of the Head Road and Oldtown Road near Annalong. The route is quite tiring, though the views are very impressive. This route should take about 2 hours to get to the top.

From the car park go up the track which runs north before it curves west to join the Mourne Wall at a gate and stile. Cross over the stile and continue straight with the Mourne wall on your left and a fence on the right. The track then curves right to follow the south western edge of the forest. Leave the track and go directly along the side of the wall. It runs fairly straight for half a mile up a steady slope.

The wall begins to veer left and left again while the slope steepens, ending finally against the summit tor of Slieve Binnian. The Summit cannot easily be gained from this point. Move right along the base of the tor and make your way up steep grass and heather slopes to a gap. Turn left here and climb a rock step. Cross the rock slabs with care to get to the final step up to the summit. You will find an old metal fence post at the top. Take extra care at the last part of this climb as strong winds or snow and ice will make this route particularly hazardous.

Trassey to Bloody Bridge

This route is a moderate linear walk for those of you who would prefer a less challenging walk. It links the Trassey Track and the Bloody Bridge via the Brandy Pad. You can see sights such as the Mourne Wall, the Castles, Slieve Commedagh and Slieve Donard on this walk.

To begin, turn left out of Trassey car park. You will see double gates and a stone stile to mark the start of the Trassey Track. Continue straight ahead up this quarry track and pass through another 2 sets of double gates. The path becomes steeper and steeper as it follows the river. Continue up the Trassey Track towards Hare's Gap which is the col between Slievenaglogh and Slieve Bernagh. Cross over the Mourne Wall using the stile and veer left, onto a well-worn track called the Brandy Pad. Continue along this track for 3 km where you will pass three large mountains: Slievenaglogh, Slieve Corragh and Slieve Commedagh, which is the second highest peak in the Mournes. You will come to some stone steps which lead up to the col between Slieve Beg and Slieve Commedagh. Veer left on the col to pass underneath the craggy outcrops of the Castles which will be on your left. Continue on the main path which follows around the base of Slieve Donard to meet the wall at the Bog of Donard. Cross over the Mourne Wall and keep on the track which follows down the Bloody Bridge River. When you come to a quarry, cross over the Bloody Bridge River and continue along the well-worn quarry track. Follow the track to the left towards the Bloody Bridge River and then cross the river using conveniently located boulders as stepping stones. Follow this river downstream, crossing a wooden footbridge over the Glenfofanny River. Keep following the river down towards the coast and turn left when you come to the Ballagh Road. The Bloody Bridge car park will be 20m away on the opposite side of the road.

Little-Known Facts

The Mourne Wall

A famous landmark, The Mourne Wall runs through the Mournes, over the top of no less than 15 mountains, is an impressive 22 miles in length and runs over the summit of the highest peak: the Slieve Donard. Its main purpose was originally to keep cattle and sheep out of the water catchment area of the Silent Valley reservoir but has since become a useful guide for hikers and an impressive sight to visit. Completed in 1922, the wall took over 18 years to finish with many skilled local tradesmen employed seasonally to build it. The wall still stands up to 8ft high and 3ft wide today.

Smuggler’s Haven

Illegal cargo ships stocked full of prohibited packages of tobacco, wine, spirits, leather, silk and spices docked at the foot of the Mournes in Newcastle during the 18th and 19th Centuries. The smugglers would then load horses with these illegal products and trek through the Mourne Mountains to Hilltown. Trade was so good and the route was so widely used that a track was soon worn away by the hooves of the heavily laden horses. This old track is still there today and is a popular walking route among hikers, appropriately known as "The Brandy Pad".