A Day in Derry - Van Life Northern Ireland

[@huub1989]

I’m always happy to see people visit Northern Ireland. For many years people avoided it but not now.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Northern Ireland is a great place to visit 👍

[@VirginiaMathews94]

huub1989 We loved the North!💕🙌🏼

[@assassinjane]

Another great re-run deserves a 2nd thumbs up! :D Always a good choice to start a busy day. Thanks, folks! Bear hugs, Kata

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Thanks as always Kata 🙏🙂

[@MICHELLE-gu2qc]

Great Ireland series. I am really enjoying your trip to Ireland. It is not what I was expecting. It is much better than what I thought Ireland would be like. Excellent drone footages, editing great work

[@martinking4181]

What a beautiful, historic and interesting place Northern Ireland is. The drone shots into the mist were ethereal . The ancient history is awe inspiring as is the scenery.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

We are certainly enjoying the place. Hope you are both well and all is good 👍

[@DanGalla]

I didnt have long to wait for this episode :) The murals look fantastic and are a poignant reminder of the challenges in Derry/Londonderry - lovely video!

[@DanGalla]

My fave was the Derry Girls mural btw - i love that show!

[@daveevans8256]

Lovely video, Derry looked an interesting place. Lovely scenery. Thanks for showing us . 👍🇬🇧

[@paulg8161]

Great video again , forgive me giving you correct pronunciation of lough neagh is loughnay. Seems like you've taken the good weather with you . You give a good impression of our wee country and i,m enjoying watching youre travels.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Thanks for the correct pronunciation. 👍 The weather has been much better than expected and we are enjoying your island 👍

[@marcusd2380]

Put a comment on your last video just tonight and then went back to look at some of ur videos. Can’t believe u past my house on ur way over the mountain going between Derry and the circles. I hope u enjoyed ur trip and if we had of known u couod have camped with us. Great videos and very professional

[@LifeistooshortCK]

What a coincidence! We loved our trip to Ireland. It was a great place to explore in the little red camper 😁

[@charm8167]

Loving your older vlogs of of the uk, on a wee catch up. Looking forward to your future travels around N.Ireland and Ireland. 🥰👍🏻.x

[@Sushi2735]

Carol needs to do a One Pot Van Cookbook! Such delicious meals she prepares ❤️

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Thank you 😊

[@aidothehorse]

Derry looks lovely, well worth a visit. Re the wide streets I seem to remember from school history that there was a wide streets commission; you will see them all over the island. That was an impressive Celtic cross and I don’t recall seeing one as big anywhere else! Very enjoyable one again

[@LifeistooshortCK]

That’s interesting. I wonder how a wide streets commission came about. Great foresight by those responsible.

[@itrecinque9022]

Love your videos.......lots of memories of my own travels around Ulster. Well done and keep travelling!

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Thanks, will do!

[@markquinn6259]

Nice video. Referring to your weapon systems why... Raytheon had a factory in the area. That old Central Inn Bar in cookstown is nicknamed the cobweb. And like the rest have said, it’s Derry 👍🏼. Enjoy your travels.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Thanks for the info re Raytheon, now I understand. I have also got the message loud and clear about Derry. Cheers 👍

[@markquinn6259]

Never mind us about Derry too much, we cannot help ourselves. Like dogs barking at the wheel of a car.

[@louisesymonds9963]

Thank you for sharing such an interesting video and for visiting and explaining historical sites.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@mylifeandwhatitbrings9972]

We visited Derry in 2007 and remember walking around the walls. My son did his first tour in Ireland and I remember him saying, he checked everyone one of the guns on the walls because of a March. We were lucky that the people we went with were able to tell everything about the local areas.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Its a fascinating city with a lot of stories to tell 👍

[@claire0donovan117]

Very enjoyable thanks I love the drone stay safe in your travels.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Thanks, you too! 👍

[@lauragavin9923]

Londonderry beautiful. Wicklow, West Cork, and Dunmore East, Co.Waterford next. Best place for camper van carparks, very peaceful and lots of history.

[@JohninRosc]

Great videos. I love the drone shots you do - they are really worth the effort they must take especially when you are filming the camper. I wish I had your videography, editing and sound mixing skills.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Drone shots do take extra effort but the more you do the quicker it gets. If you ever fancy learning how to make films just join my free facebook group. I learned that way back in the day of bulletin boards. Link is the the details of Ireland 7

[@JohninRosc]

@@LifeistooshortCK Many thanks Ken, I have just sent a join request to your facebook page. Looking forward to interacting with you on it.

[@aineuaine1791]

DERRY! Its DERRY ☘

[@belfastireland]

👏👏👏👏🍀🇮🇪

[@leahmaguire3395]

Visit downpatrick if you are still in northern Ireland, beautiful spot! See st Patrick's grave.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Thanks for the tip Leah 👍

[@ethanesmith]

Wonderful video! I loved the drone shot of the "Little Red Camper" driving into the mist. Were you flying it from the front seat? Those church ruins at the Ardboe High Cross-site were amazing...590?! We get excited in California for our Spanish Missions from the 1700s! Unfortunately, I was in that pointless meeting you speak of yesterday for an hour and a half! Also, I'm adding "argy-bargy" to my English vocabulary lessons! Thank you for taking us along!

[@LifeistooshortCK]

I generally get out to do the moving drone shots whilst Carol drives the van. Some of the history over here is truly ancient. 👍

[@maryfelton7733]

I’m really enjoying your videos - thank you. I’m unsure as to where you now but if you make it to Sligo there is so many ancient sites to see. Visit Carrowmore Cemetery as it’s one of the best collections of megalithic tombs in Western Europe. Also there’s a lovely hike up Knocknarea to see Queen Maeve’s massive Cairn. Also Carrowkeel Passage Tombs and Creeveykeel Court Tomb..... Enjoy!!!! heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/carrowmore-megalithic-cemetery/

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Wonderful suggestions Mary, thanks for the tips and link. Carol will research those now. 👍

[@maryfelton7733]

You’re very very welcome. If you need any more info at all just ask as I might be able to direct you and i always love giving travel tips for my home county :-) The hike up Knocknarea is close to Carrowmore so could be done the one day. Creeveykeel is a nice stop-off as it’s just off the main road from Co Donegal into Co Sligo. Carrowkeel is further south in the county in the Bricklieve hills/mountains (short hike up) 👍🏻 Safe travels & enjoy your time in Ireland ❤️🇮🇪🇬🇧

[@flowerchild7820]

On your way to Derry. You’re going many places I have not seen jn beautiful Ireland. Thank you 😊☘️❤️ I learning from your learning. Thank u both. Happy life to you. Beautiful peace tree. ❤️peace bridge❤️ I really love ireland and miss it so much. Excellent video. Loved how you share the dairy girl mural. I’m glad u had a nice night at the hotel . Stone circles and pastry are a good combination ☘️❤️☘️

[@alanmerchant1815]

Excellant video, really enjoyed it, we don't have any problem if you want to make them longer :) as your content is superior to the general media. Glad you enjoyed your hotel but don't spend too much time editing. We just fitted the 2nd of our windows in the sliding door yesterday and now looking for a kettle (slowly catching you up lol)

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the compliments 👍. The editing is done on the flop days, bad weather etc. I am limited to what the ipad will hold so that determines the length. I need to wipe the clips for previous episodes off so there is room for more. Good to hear the windows are in. Carol keeps asking for a kettle and I keep resisting as space is so tight. Our cheapo camping saucepan does everything from cups of tea, meals, sterilising things and washing Carols hair this morning 😏👍

[@irishrover63]

I've never been around Derry city, only travelled through it to get to our home in Donegal. Maybe one day I will. It wasn't a pleasant experience back in the days of the troubles crossing those borders. I remember it well as a young kid, suppose that's what sticks in my mind. You must be ex-military to have attended those meetings presumably. When you get on those roads in Donegal they will be even rockier, almost like a roller coaster. Lol. :)) I remember talking with a pilot who owned a Cessna at Donegal Airport, Carrickfin. I asked him what it was like flying in such a small aircraft, he replied " if you can cope with these bumpy and twisty roads in Donegal you will be fine". p.s. You couldn't pay me to sleep in a car park in Derry at night. Lol.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

I am not ex military and I was referring to meetings where I used to work not Derry. I have sat around tables in meetings a lot in the past trying to sort out problems beyond my control. 😏. As for sleeping in a car park in Derry I see your point 👍

[@irishrover63]

Sorry misinterpreted what you said. 👍

[@sccg2424]

I noticed how well kept the graveyard was. Many of which are very old.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

We have passed many and they have all been the same. Well kept and closely spaced with dozens of members of the same family often.

[@MrJrunr]

At 11:29, I nearly jumped out of my seat, the tombstone read DEVLIN - my name. My grandmother was from County Cork so I don't suppose we were related but very interesting. I can't make out the dates but the names were Charles and Catherine 1_35(?).

[@LifeistooshortCK]

In that ruined church all of the graves are Devlin and several more outside. I think the dates are 1935 and 1944.

[@MrJrunr]

@@LifeistooshortCK - thanks, My brother and I have been going back and forth about it for the last 24 hours - great stuff. If you were not a videographer in your other life, you missed the boat. Well done and on to #9!

[@chrisneedham5803]

Derry is a beautiful city, far beyond what I expected. 🍷🍺👍

[@OhNoYouDidnt]

This is something a lot of tourists fall foul of. Even protestants just call it by the shorthand for the most part Derry. Londonderry is definitely not a word you want to be using too much Vs Derry because by putting London in it you just paint a big union jack on yourself in a place where most folk you come across will use neutral terms so nobody knows who is who. At the end of the day on the map sure it's the name but it keeps everyone at peace and happy for most part to use Derry imo. No harm done tho, nice you enjoyed the city. :)

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Good advice. Its a shame they don’t give it in advance as its the only place I have been where I have had to think so hard as to what I say. We mean no offence to anyone and are just here to see what Ireland has to offer 👍

[@OhNoYouDidnt]

@@LifeistooshortCK that's so true, Its one of those things that you only really get living here. Lot of tourists (not yourselves) go to free Derry corner and it feels almost like they are oblivious to the fact that people died at the place they are standing taking selfies.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

We watched them. We are acutely aware of what has happened in a number of places. Its an education though. Sobering to see what had happened in Battery Bay when we stayed there as well.

[@jondo12]

Yep using name Derry is more staelthy. Parking overnight in any city can be problematic. The walls are Irelands no.1 site IMO.

[@monicah892]

I shuddered everytime he said Londonderry😔

[@williamhawthorne1375]

Ha ha you took your life in your hands stopping off in Derry ✊🫢😲Lizzie🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@LifeistooshortCK]

😁👍

[@joses9584]

You would be really good at providing voiceovers for children's books or shows.

[@curioustraveller2882]

Thank you for your wonderful videos! I’m looking at buying a van. How long can you live off grid and how many amp hours is your leisure battery please? Do you have solar panel? Dealers are very vague about this! Thanks for your help.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Never allow your dealer to be vague. Ask for a list of components used in the power system. If they will not give that find another dealer. Power We have a small solar panel on the roof of the van which charges a 100 amp hour lithium leisure battery. This battery is also charged by the engine when running. This powers 4 usb sockets, 2 12v sockets, the fridge (continuously) and one of those 12volt sockets can power a 300 watt inverter if needed. That gives 300 watts of mains power. Lithium is expensive but in my view worth it because it gives peace of mind. We have never even come close to running out of power. Lithium batteries can absorb huge quantities of power quickly so every drop of power goes back into the battery. You can also safely use 80% of a Lithium battery in comparison to 50% of a normal lead acid one. Lead acid is very much cheaper though so it’s swings and roundabouts. As to how long can we last off grid that’s depends on diesel, the sun, water and food. In our experience water and food is the limitation. Our engine is a generator that can quickly recharge our battery. Lead acid batteries can quickly recharge to 80% but that final 20% is very slow to top off so we have noticed a few vloggers really struggling to fill their battery again during the day. Some people have fitted lithium and the batteries have failed. One possible cause is the heavy use of inverters to convert 12v to mains electric. Best advice is to avoid that by using 12v products if you can. USB items are perfect as they only use 5v

[@curioustraveller2882]

@@LifeistooshortCK Thank you very much for your in depth reply! I really do appreciate your time! I have a virtual tour booked with Sussex Campervans so will dig further. The last thing we want is to spend a lot of money on a van only to find ourselves having to pay more money to park in a regimented row on a 'camp'site with no view just because we need some electricity. Your words have offered some reassurance if we opt for a lithium battery with solar panel and do not use an inverter. Also, it is encouraging to see that you both started your adventures in winter as I think it'll be snowing by the time we get our head around all things van! ;) Very best wishes for the rest of your travels!

[@adampowell9077]

Derry

[@johnfittis5764]

Why would u feel the need to post this?

[@aineuaine1791]

@@johnfittis5764 To educate the uneducated perhaps?

[@adampowell9077]

because the proper name is Derry

[@WeAreThePeople1690]

Inside the beautiful walls of Londonderry that the brave apprentice boys defended is the only place that can be called "derry" Anywhere outside of that is Londonderry, city and county. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 vVv

[@adampowell9077]

@@WeAreThePeople1690 Tiocfaidh ar la

[@belfastireland]

DERRY, not London Derry 😁

[@williamshiels5450]

Lough Neagh is pronounced Lough "NAY'.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Thanks William 👍🙂

[@CiaranJD]

Bloody Sunday happened in January 72 not September

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Yes I know now and have apologised for that already.

[@mrmc2465]

go south most of the good stuff is there

[@markquinn6259]

True but some nice gems in the north too that are neglected

[@LifeistooshortCK]

We had a good time in the North. The South is much busier.

[@mariawaddery1550]

Bloody Sunday 30 Janusry 1972 (not September(

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Apologies. No excuses. Where I got that date from now I cannot recall but I looked it up online. I will alter the video info to reflect this. 👍

[@mariawaddery1550]

@@LifeistooshortCK History lesson over😁 Enjoying your vlog.

[@Sushi2735]

It’s simply a beautiful country, but have never wanted to visit, even now. It’s like a powder keg that has been silent for awhile, but could go off anytime. I don’t get it, never will. Fighting over religion??? Especially those based on Christ. Don’t get it. Way too hot blooded for me!! But glad you enjoyed your visit!