Mercian Mountaineering Club

Posted a bit further in advance than your usual camping meet, but this is to allow plenty of time for people to organise transport and time off work, if you wish. We are planning (what I believe is a first for the Mercians) to head to the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland for the first May Bank holiday of the year.

Accomodation will be at Mourne Camping at the Bloody Bridge:
https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/rev ... revid=8188
http://www.camping.bloodybridge.com/

Walk straight out the campsite to a selection of crags and Northern Ireland's highest mountain, Slieve Donard (the 4th Peak). Coastal bouldering can be had just across the road and 5 mins drive to will take you to Castlewellan mountain biking and the seaside town of Newcastle, where you can find pubs, restaurants, open air swimming and golden sand beaches.

All sounds bloody great doesn't it! Some more info on local attractions here:

http://www.walkni.com/destinations/mourne-mountains/
https://www.summitpost.org/the-mourne-mountains/928124

The complicated bit is the transport. Options include:

1. Overnight ferry from Liverpool to Belfast - approx 1 hr drive the other end and a comfortable cabin for the overnight journey can be had for a very reasonable price.
2. Shorter ferry but longer drive time - Holyhead to Dublin - approx 1 hr 45 mins drive the other end. Many sailings daily.
3. Fly! For the time-poor you can go direct from BHX to Belfast for cheapo pounds with Flybe (currently £50 return plus all the usual add ons).

Sign up on the forum as usual! Please book your camping individually.

I'm sure people will want to team up for ferries etc. I'll probably take at least one day annual leave to extend the weekend. Friday or Tuesday - I'm easy which side.

Vic x

1. Vic H - ferry, Thursday - Sunday
2. Fabian - ferry, Thursday - Sunday
3. Karl - flying from Heathrow. Friday - Monday
4. Lucy - flying from Heathrow. Friday - Monday
5. Adam - ferry, Thursday - Sunday
6. Vijay - Ferry, Thursday - Sunday
7. Huw - ferry, Thursday - Sunday
8. Beth - ferry, Thursday - Sunday
9. Louise - ferry, Thursday - Sunday
10. Ruth - flying? tbc
11. Amandeep - ferry, Thursday - Sunday
12. Harry - Ferry, Thursday - Sunday
13. Malcolm - Ferry, Tuesday - Wednesday

I shall be attendung. I plan on driving/ferrying. I also plan on taking an 1 extra day too.

Sign me up.

I would like to take a mountain bike over if anyones interested. There are a few trail centers near by (as well as the big hills).

Yes to biking!

Count me in.

Hi

Count me in also. Logistics to be worked out later. May spend an extra day.

Vijay

I'm interested. Most likely ferry option. Happy to drive or, even better, be driven! All depends on work as I don't have a job past Feb currently :p

Yes please. Sounds good. Never been to Ireland before.....

Sounds ace, can you sign up Beth and I also please. We'll also do ferry and an extra day. Liverpool ferry sounds good. Happy to drive and take a few.

I think I'd lean on taking the Tue off as a 3 day week would soften the blow of coming back!

Love the Mournes! I am in!

Hi All
FYI

1. Overnight ferry from Liverpool to Belfast - APPROX COST £288 FOR 3 PASSENGERS IN CAR - NO CABIN
2. Shorter ferry but longer drive time - Holyhead to Dublin - APPROX COST £322.00

dates 03/05/ - 08/05/19 - returning wednesday.

Flights from £67 return - Baggage fees maybe applicable.

Let me know if you find cheaper!

Vijay

Not cheaper, but dates perhaps work better if people only want to take 1 day leave.

Depart Liverpool, Friday 10.30pm, arrive belfast Sat 6.30am

Camp Sat and Sun night in mournes

Time for a full day of activities on Monday (or a day out in Belfast if the weather is cack)

Depart belfast Monday night, 10pm. Arrive Liverpool 6.30am Tuesday.

Cost for a small car and 4 berth cabin is £364 total.

I would be up for you ing a team doing this option. Obviously I can't offer to drive yet

If I can somehow develop the ability to be able to say no to gigs between now and then, I am definitely up for this.

Hope everyone is good and that you all had an amazing time at new year!

Ferry Savers £214 cheapest, £107pp
Vijay


Hi All
FYI

1. Overnight ferry from Liverpool to Belfast - APPROX COST £288 FOR 3 PASSENGERS IN CAR - NO CABIN
2. Shorter ferry but longer drive time - Holyhead to Dublin - APPROX COST £322.00

dates 03/05/ - 08/05/19 - returning wednesday.

Flights from £67 return - Baggage fees maybe applicable.

Let me know if you find cheaper!

Vijay[/quote]