On our travels again, this time to Northern Ireland. We are sailing from Birkenhead for the first time across the Irish Sea to Belfast. It’s a eight hour crossing starting at 10:30am and hopefully arriving at 6:30pm.

After a traffic filled journey from home that takes longer than expected we board the ferry about an hour before departure. The hold is already partially loaded with unaccompanied containers of goods which is how they must make their money as the ferry itself has only a few passengers.

Onboard we have great views of the Liverpool waterfront and T is excited to see Everton’s new football ground from the River Mersey for the first time.

We find ourselves a window seat and spend the next rather tedious eight hours reading, planning and googling. Along the way we pass the Isle of Man and I get blown away taking a photo on the deck.

We arrive on time and then we are quickly on the road to our first campsite about six miles outside Belfast in Newtownabbey, our first stop on the Coastal Causeway route from Belfast to Derry.

The campsite is on the coast in a park overlooking Belfast Lough. It’s a tiny site, only 12 pitches in a park and after a few times of trying a pin code we manage to open the gates. We’ve bypassed visiting Belfast this time planned to return for a city break at some point.

Once parked up I finalise our planning for the next few days and book a campsite for Thursday and Friday whilst sipping a cold beer of course.

T decides he needs a pint of Guinness and we want to see the Lough close up so we wander out along the shore and then find the nearest pub. It’s a rather soulless place but the beers are cold if not cheap. We hoped to pick up some Indian starters for tea on the way back but just miss the 10pm closing of the restaurant. No bhajis for us tonight.

Back at the van dinner is a scotch egg and half a sandwich whilst watching Marcella on the box. A solid start to our travels.

11:06:24