E-Bikepacking in Northumberland - The B12 Pitch.

[@donnavansenior]

If anyone would like to help support the channel, or treat me to a cider they can at: www.buymeacoffee.com/donnavansenior Thank You Xx

[@catherineweaver9302]

What a few vitamins can do..😀😉....those forests have some prime camping spots accompanied by lots of peace and quiet...enjoy the 'Irish liquids'!!🤯🤯..Hopalong Annie..see ya soon👍

[@donnavansenior]

A great spot this one Annie, and overlooking somewhere you took me to a few years ago, that old ruined building which nature was reclaiming. Might catch up with ya on my return journey, I'll be coming back up through the Lakes ;-)

[@catherineweaver9302]

@@donnavansenior We'll have to get back to that ruin and do a camp there one day 'IF'..!!! I get fit enough before Xmas...mebbe wishful thinking🙄🤔

[@grahamswildcamping]

Love your forest e-bike vids Donna, atmospheric drone work and the sense of exploration and finding your own place for the night- magic

[@donnavansenior]

Cheers Graham, that's a nice comment. Yeah, exploring the vast forests of Northumberland is great with the e-bike, and gets me to places I'd never reach on foot. This was a fantastic little find, and I'll defo camp here again over the dark nights. The tfm shows just how vast the forests are. Tfw and atb from DVS, sat on a ferry headed to Ireland 🇮🇪

[@procha7594]

Донна, всегда приятно смотреть ваши видео. Если б было можно, я поставила 👍👍👍👍: оператору, монтажёру, звукорежиссёру и исполнительнице главной роли - за ПОЗИТИВНОЕ НАСТРОЕНИЕ ALWAYS! 😊 Будьте ЗДОРОВЫ!!!! Попробую с переводчиком : Donna, it's always a pleasure to watch your videos. If it were possible,Donna, it's always a pleasure to watch your videos. If it were possible, I would give 👍👍👍👍: the cameraman, editor, sound engineer and lead actress a POSITIVE MOOD ALWAYS! 😃 BE HEALTHY!!!!

[@donnavansenior]

Aw thank you so much @Procha7594 that's a lovely comment, and I'm pleased that you're enjoying my video's - I always try and see the positive side of life. Have a great weekend my friend :)

[@Kev_Russ]

You've been putting that Ebike to good use lately Donna. Nice wee bike bag that. And a fine pitch anaw. Good that your getting you mojo back. Moan the B vitamins 😁😉

[@donnavansenior]

I'm not able to hike much more than a mile or so Kev, I'm officially on the list for a new knee, so the e-bike has been an absolute revelation, it can get me to some really out of the way places - like this one - and what a great place to pitch up for the night! I'll defo head back here in the dark nights, it's perfect :)

[@smujiodome]

Hi Donna. Glad to hear you are beating your wee health set backs. I too am beating mine but camping, hiking , cycling are still beyond me at the moment. Probably all in my head but you really inspire me to get out and get on with it. Very philosophical with your “only regretting not going “ comment. Food for thought. Thanks for the inspiration Donna. 😊x

[@donnavansenior]

For me, the days I should have gone out, but stayed home - they're the days I regret. You've got to do what you can, when you can, because nothing in this life lasts forever. Small walks can be just as beneficial as long hikes. I'll be getting a total knee replacement sometime in the next 6 months, it'll be a long recovery back to a better fitness level than I have now, but I'm looking forward to it. Plus I'll get a bit time off work haha ;-) X

[@MiriamKennedy]

The B12 pitch 😂 Great that you're feeling the positive effects of the injections now Donna, that must literally be such a boost! Your excitement at being out again was as obvious as ever!! I know that joy 🤩 I hope the weather is kind for you in Ireland - I'll put in a good word for you with the powers that be!! I promise 😉

[@donnavansenior]

The difference is amazing Miriam! I got so used to feeling like crap, with very little energy, that it turned into the new norm and I just soldiered on. So it's great to be back to the old Donna, mostly firing on all cylinders - and just in time for a trip to Ireland! Yey!! Spent most of today sorting the Lingo out and getting the Carrera put back together. Now I just have the small matter of 5 days to complete at work..... All kind words to the weather gods gratefully accepted, thank you - I'm sure it will be el-scorchio, with a mild breeze, no rain and beautiful sunsets and sunrises every day.....but I'll pack some waterproofs and a dinghy just incase 😂😂 woohoo!!!

[@MiriamKennedy]

@@donnavansenior very wise Donna 😂😂 Best of luck with the final work days!! x

[@jollyjollyme]

As always thanks for a great video. I have only been out once this year (wildcamp on beach at Druridge Bay) but this is giving me the itch to get out again!!

[@donnavansenior]

Go for it Graham, get yourself out for another camp :) I love this time of the year, when the dark nights close in round 9pm, and this was a perfect spot for a camp and firepit session away from the world. I've definitely been favouring the forests this year, and only had a handful of coastal camps.

[@RamblingRuth]

Glad to hear the B 12 jabs are doing their job - getting our Donna out and about with her sparkle again. I’m so looking forward to seeing your trip to Ireland. Was planning one in 2025 as the other half is Irish but we have to wait on leukaemia plans. It’s misbehaving so I’m no longer in remission and a stem cell transplant might be needed. TBC. Best wishes for a fabulous trip xx

[@donnavansenior]

I'm sorry to hear your remission was short lasting Ruth, and that your leukaemia is misbehaving (that's a very good way to phrase it). I'll defo take lots of video, and try and upload some short ones from the road. I'll be heading off next week. And never say never, if a stem cell transplant was needed, and then it worked a treat, you could still get over to Ireland in 2025. Xx

[@victoriawait5153]

Oh My.... "three times a Lady" super duper cute!!! You got some talent Girl 😊 I hope you feel better, at our tender age we have to be careful....and if you are too sick to post, what am I supposed to watch? I look forward to each new video. 🎵keep Um coming Love, Keep Um coming Love.... don't stop it now, don't stop it now!🎶 stay wild and free and be safe and well with Sammie the Cube. 🎉❤

[@donnavansenior]

Morning Victoria - yeah I'm feeling a boatload better now after 5 injections, it's like the old Donna is back. The B12 deficiency creeps in that slowly you don't even notice, you just get used to feeling like crap and having no energy, and when it started affecting how often I was going out camping, I thought maybe I'd fell out of love with camping. Thankfully that's not true, and it felt great to be in a tent this night. A lovely area as well, and big thanks to Sami the Cube for getting me to these places ⛺🚴🏼‍♀️💚 X

[@victoriawait5153]

@@donnavansenior GoodMorning (my Ca time) GoodAfternoon, to you in your neck of the wild. I am so glad you are on the mend. I completely understand. I am an outdoor hobbiest myself, and tore my ACL 2yrs ago, and thought I would never be able to be in My "wild n free" self again, at 60 its a bit harder to heal as quickly. Here I am though killing it! We are very much alike.... being, outdoors is my sanctuary. Thanks for what you do.... 🦋🤓🌻 Be safe and well.... sending HippieGirl juju your way.

[@LundysWildcampBushcraft]

Good to see your getting ya mojo back Donna keep fighting and enjoy ya trip away atvb Jimmy 😎😎👍👍

[@donnavansenior]

It feels great to have my sparkle back Jimmy....and perfectly timed for my trip to Ireland. 😁⛺

[@grahamtaylor20]

Wow Donna, you look better than you did a couple of months ago, err, careful Gray, but you know whatbi mean, looking good again! Stop digging Gray! Lol A lovely peaceful spot that is Donna. Nearly Irisb time eh, loom forward to sering all about your exploits. Take care! Grayxxx

[@donnavansenior]

I feel like a new woman Gray, the old Donna is definitely back. That B12 anaemia is so slow moving you just get used to feeling crap and put up with it. I'm so pleased that the GP wanted my bloods done for a totally different reason - I'm feeling great for my trip to Ireland :) This was a lovely little forest recharge, I'd scouted the place out a few months ago and knew it would make a great camp. I'll be back over the dark nights, that's for sure. Appreciate you taking the time to watch, thanks Gray Xx

[@rtk3543]

Nice camp Donna and great drone shots, glad you're feeling better and getting out there is a real tonic too. Cheers 👍

[@donnavansenior]

It's a lovely little spot, and one I'll head back to over the dark nights. I felt really good on this camp, and I'm feeling even better today thanks :)

[@davidhamilton1189]

Glad your on the up. See the chair is getting some use. Great.

[@donnavansenior]

The chair's been a must-pack on my last few camps, so thanks again for letting me have it. It's the perfect height for sitting round that firepit as well Dave :)

[@Barts90]

Great little spot pet. Keep up the channel, glad you’re on the mend! Nice to hear a local lass vlogging. What you see is what you get’ vibes. Love it

[@donnavansenior]

Yip, that's me through and through - nothing put on, no clickbait, just an old woman out enjoying camping 😂💚 haha. It's a great little spot mind, and I'll defo head back there. Thanks Alex 😁🚴🏼‍♀️

[@BorderRambler]

Good to hear you have pinpointed your health issues Donna, that was a lovely little pitch up in the forest. Bike set up looking good too, I’m back on the canals next week so fingers crossed for some dry weather 😂😂 enjoy Ireland atb Dave 🚲⛺️👍

[@donnavansenior]

Morning Dave, aye the B12 thing just slowly crept in, I was even putting off going camping, or not heading out til the last minute, I've not had a van night in months as well. So it's great to be feeling back to normal. This forest pitch, I'd scouted it out a few months back and knew it'd make a good camp, the TFM showed off how vast the forests are, I was just on the edges of Kielder Forest here. Great to hear you're back on the canals next week, fingers crossed the weather gods and tow-paths are kind to you. I'll have to try out these canal paths one day, I love the fact they have water taps along the way and plenty of pubs to shelter in lol. Cheers Dave :)

[@MarkSweeting_]

Enjoyed watching that. No idea where that is which is a good thing. How on earth do you find 'em. Secluded much! So glad your chipper again. Cheers Donna 😁

[@donnavansenior]

Thanks Mark - those forests are vast when viewed from above aren't they. Wow! I've not been doing it as much this year - but usually, instead of just heading back to the car after a camp - usually I'll have a scout around the area I'm in, and see if there's anything else there, plus it gives you a better sense of where you are, and how all the valleys and forests join up. I'm pretty pleased I'm chipper again as well, it's been a weird year X

[@jimmy.mccutcheon.1961]

Nice one Donna 😉👍

[@donnavansenior]

Thanks Jimmy, good to be feeling back to normal again 😁

[@colinmarsh5955]

Hey Donna, hope your problem with the vitamin B12 deficiency is improving. Enjoy your Irish trip and I'll keep my fingers crossed that the weather gods are kind to you. 🤜🤛

[@donnavansenior]

Cheers Colin, really looking forward to my Irish trip, even more so now that I feel like I'm firing on all cylinders 😁 Thankfully once it was spotted, the B12 thing is a quick fix, but I could kick myself for letting those symptoms creep in for a good year unchecked.

[@colinmarsh5955]

It's easy to get used to feeling off and it can soon become the norm. Not nice at all but at least you've got it figured out and on the mend. I love my SS and decided to sell one of my other tents and treated myself to a mountain star. Very pleased with it so far and a great weight for my more adventurous outings. Enjoy Ireland try not to get lost on the wee B roads I thought the signposts were confusing 😅 Cheers 🍻

[@anthonykelly5]

your just brilliant thanks for shareing your adventures love them.

[@donnavansenior]

And you sir have just won comment of the day 😁✨️ Thanks Anthony 😊

[@thegeordiefellwalker8878]

bet it feels like you've had a new turbo fitted with the B12 top up Donna 💪😂 aye the beauty of bikepacking has to be all the Extra comforts you can take to camp 🔥🚴⛺

[@donnavansenior]

I'm defo firing on all cylinders now Geordie - there'll be no stopping me when I get a new knee!! I didn't realise what a B12 deficiency could do to a person, it's like I've been wallowing in a foggy haze of mud for the last year or so. Now I'm feeling sharp, and clear, with loads more energy. And yeah, that bike is a real workhorse for getting me to places like these with a few home comforts, the camping chair and firepit combo is a real winner, especially seeing as how quickly the nights are getting darker......Winter is Coming! haha, still waiting for bloody Summer!! 😂

[@loz1317]

Glad to hear your getting a spring back in your step again 👍lovely drone shot of the area.

[@donnavansenior]

Thanks Loz - yeah defo got my sparkle back with these injections. I didn't realise how poorly I was, because I was just soldiering on trying to 'be me', and it was really hard work 🥲 This was a lovely little find, it's great to be in the forest, but with nice views. The TFM showed the place off beautifully ⛺💚

[@loz1317]

@donnavansenior I was the same needed b12 injections, couldn't believe how much better I felt. We're woman we push on, no disrespect to men😆

[@tracymcgregor459]

Another fab video Donna, great to see you out and about again and to hear that your health is improving. Have a wonderful time in Ireland. If you get chance, check out Leo’s Tavern at Meenaleck, Co. Donegal. Great place, great food and great music.😊

[@donnavansenior]

Cheers Tracey, it felt great to be out without having to force it - mind I've never regretted or not enjoyed a camp this past year, but sometimes I've really had to push myself just to leave the house. That's looking to be all behind me now, onwards and upwards and thankfully a quick and easy fix with the B12 injections. If I'm near Meenaleck I'll pop in Leo's Tavern, it looks like it might be on the rough route I've half planned. Really looking forward to my Irish trip, I'm proper excited :)

[@sarahblakemore2559]

What a great video Donna. It's so nice to see you feeling back on form. B12 is so important for veggies. I've been vegetarian for 41 years now and been taking b12 supplements for many years. It's nice to see your adventures with Sami....I am loving seeing all your videos with her.. Take care! Xx Sarah

[@donnavansenior]

Yoohoo Sarah 😁 I had very little knowledge about B12 until these last 3 weeks. Like you, I've been vegetarian for over 40yrs, but I've neglected the supplement side of my diet, I don't like the taste of milk and rarely eat eggs - and it's caught up with me, and it's been secretly kicking my ass for the last year at least. I didn't realise I was as poorly until I started getting the injections, and then this mist lifted, my energy levels rose, my heads a lot clearer and my mood has chirped up. It's been like wallowing through mud for at least a year and thinking it was just old age.....apparently not, lol, I might still have a good few years left in me. I'm now on the surgeons list for a total knee replacement, and that'll be a waiting game, he said 'months, but not a year' for the op. So you have no idea how much I'm loving heading out to these remote places on Sami, that bike is an absolute superstar ✨🚴🏼‍♀️✨ Xx

[@sarahblakemore2559]

@donnavansenior hope you get the knee replacement asap. My new hip is awesome...its titanium...like most of my gear!!!!! 😀

[@donnavansenior]

@@sarahblakemore2559 Laughing at that one Sarah 😂😂

[@gaylestone25]

Love you Donna ❤️

[@donnavansenior]

Love you too Gayle, was out with Matty yesterday and laughing at the old days, happy daze indeed 💚😁 X

[@paulturner7829]

Glad you are on the up Donna. Welcome to Ireland for next week . Shame your not down the south east area, would have been good to catch up with you 😊. well always a good time to visit Ireland. Just thought of a name for my Trek (Tommy the Trek )😊

[@donnavansenior]

Tommy the Trek! I like it 😁🚴🏼‍♀️ I've not got a name for my Carrera yet. That might change when I'm over in your bonny lands. Yeah Galway will be the furthest south I'll be, or it would have been nice to meet up. Really looking forward to enjoying all things new and Irish, I've been bingeing on KZbin vids of the areas I'll be in, and it's great that I've got my sparkle back for heading over ⛺💚

[@otf.outdoors]

Looked like a great chilled camp there Donna, spot on 👌, love the bike set up too, got some good gear on there,good to hear you got your health issue sorted Donna, looking forward to seeing your adventures coming up, atb Mick 👍

[@donnavansenior]

Morning Mick - up early and sorting tents out to take to Ireland, I can't wait! Yey!! The camp on this video, what a peach of a find, deep in the forests, and right on the edge as well to catch some breeze and have a fine view. A rare find indeed, and a place I'll defo head back to :) That's the joy of the e-bike, I can just bomb up and down every track I see, until I find something interesting - and now that my B12 issue has been sorted I've got hods more energy, which is great, I didn't realise how run down I was :-( Hope you've been out somewhere this weekend :)

[@ChrisPaul1892]

Nice and chilled this one 👌 always thought those pits were abit naff but the more I see of them the more impressed I am

[@donnavansenior]

They're great little firepits Chris, cheap enough at under £15 and weigh about 700g. A nice height as well, perfectly suited to a camping chair :) I've been using them for about 4 yrs now, this is my 2nd one - and they leave no trace whatsoever and pack down to the size of a can of beer.

[@PhilDodsworthOutandAbout]

Great vid Donna, enjoy Ireland. Glad your feeling a better

[@donnavansenior]

Thanks Phil, feeling quite marvellous at the moment - it's amazing what a good dose of vitamins can do to you! And totes looking forward to Ireland :)

[@mrnobodieswildcampingadventure]

Maybe next year thinking of getting an offroad ebike. Very interesting video

[@donnavansenior]

The e-bikes are great fun Steve, and they make light work of carrying camping gear up hills, and deep into the forests etc. I absolutely love mine, and treat it like royalty lol.

[@999shaznay]

So looking forward to your Ireland videos!! Hopefully catch up with you before you head off. I'm going to get tested to see whether I am B12 deficient, or just a lazy cow!! X

[@donnavansenior]

Yip, definitely get yourself checked out Sharon if you're not feeling right. I'm chuffed to bits I've been sorted for heading to Ireland, I've not been right all year, even back to last October I knew I was lacking motivation and energy but I thought it was old age 🙄 Cya tmora missus with your spanky new lamp 😁X

[@Butchyboysadventures]

Yess donna new sub here there is some beautiful spots to camp up here like so remote out here i was up this end yesterday at woolsy checking some spots out myself but the bike is a game changer for having a good mooch around good vlog nice fire and enjoy Ireland ...BUTCHY

[@donnavansenior]

Evening Butchy 😁 yeah we're spoilt for choice in Northumberland if you go off the beaten path....I love scouting out new pitches, I'm not one to camp where everyone else does. The camp on this vid was a great find and I'll definitely head back there over the dark nights. The ebike is perfect for buzzing round the forest trails 😁🚲🏕

[@Butchyboysadventures]

@donnavansenior yeah I was only hiking here looking around but defo will be back at some stage for winter camps what a place I came across a snake den while here didn't disturb them like but great to see and I found a great plunge pool brilliant place and I also have just bought e bike so hopfully have some fun doing camps with thus less strain on the old legs hahaha

[@diana-jh6hj]

💚

[@donnavansenior]

Right back 'atcha 💚 thanks for watching Diana :)

[@DaveandBuddyOutdoors]

Nice one Donna, Looked an alright spot to be fair, drone footage *chefs kiss* 😘👌 I managed a camp out with Buddy a few nights ago, our spot by the canal, (I decided not gonna let pr*cks ruin it for us!) Had a nice camp, only took 3 photos though 😅, just needed to be out, y'know? What's the fire pit you use? Wouldn't mind one myself.. Read your description, sorry to hear about your problems, I don't know about deficiency (my Nan was put on all sorts near end of life though) but I do know illness all to well (there are days when I can't stand up vertically for long, nevermind go for a walk) Really hope you get sorted and it doesn't prevent you from doing the things you love. Thank you for sharing, Take care All the best D & B 👍 ... (P.S. Re: the sneezing, "Bless you" but more than 3 times yer takin the P... 😆)

[@donnavansenior]

Morning guys :) Good to hear you reclaimed your canal spot - those pricks that were there last time are probably just 'warm weather campers'. And the seasons are definitely on the change, I feel like I've missed most of the year, it's been a really weird last 12 months. I'm usually out two nights a week, haven't had a van night in months, and this was only my 2nd camp in a month - the week before I'd had a 'car camp' with a pal because I didn't have the energy to hike up a hill. Defo on the mend now tho Dave and feeling mentally sharp and have my sparkle back. Just need to get my knee replaced and I can get back out hiking properly. Ah the joys of getting older! So hurrah for Sam the Cube keep getting me to places like these. I adore that bike 💚 Have a look on Amazon or eBay for 'portable fire pits' - they cost under £15 (mostly) I use the 42cm x 42cm one. They're great bits of kit and pack down tiny, weighing around 700g. ATB Dave and Bud, keep getting out when you can ⛺

[@davidhudson7590]

Realy like that tent but I havnt used my msr exiler 2 nice chilled camp havnt we had a poor summer bet 10 nice days if that now it's freezing up our way today Donna atb,davey

[@donnavansenior]

I've used this tent almost exclusively all year, it's a great 3 season tent. I even bought another one in the stealthier brown colour, so it's nice to be able to swap them depending on where I pitch up. Aye, summer has been pants again - just like last year. Hopefully I'll score for a few nice weeks in Ireland, the last couple of years I've done the west Highlands and it's not been too bad at the beginning of September ;-) Cheers Davey

[@colinmarsh5955]

Aye it's easy to get used to not feeling great and then trying to do the things you normally do. After a wee while it begins to take it's toll. I've been spending a bit of cash on some camping gear ( and I sold a tent so that kinda makes me justify it ) and got myself a Mountain Star. I've put it up in the garden and it's pretty damn good. I've got a few trips planned so hopefully this f@#@ing awful weather will start to improve, it's driving me nuts. Enjoy the trip to Ireland. Last time I was driving in Ireland I found the signposts a tad confusing on the minor roads🤔. Cheers 🍻

[@donnavansenior]

That's exactly it Colin - I just got used to feeling crappy and didn't think there was a medical issue. I am so pleased I'd arranged a docs appointment for something different, and that the GP wanted to get my bloods done. I'm forever in his debt :) The Mountain Star is a great tent, I've used both of mine almost exclusively for the last 18 months, but like all tents it does have a few minor issues. But for pack size and space to weight ratio I think it's up there with the best. Ireland should be brilliant, heading off next week :) Yey!!

[@colinmarsh5955]

I've pick up a few tiny niggling points with the Star but nothing to worry about. The weight of the tent more than compensates for these tiny issues. A wee bit disappointed that there wasn't a proper walking pole insertion/ placement point on the Star. It looks like Kuiu just got lucky that a pole actually fits in under the short door support pole i doubt they planned it that way . The door storm flap looks like it could be a bit noisy in the wind so I'll try some double sided velcro on them. I did try and order a loft net shelf thingy but they were out of stock at the time I ordered the tents, they look handy but at £35 inc postage a tad on the expensive side. I did email Kuiu and it looks like they might waver the postage since I've bought a couple of tents off them , I'll wait and see . Enjoy Ireland, stay safe 🤜🤛

[@donnavansenior]

I'd not advise getting a gear loft - they are fiddly to attach and don't stay in place if you leave them up between camps. I also suffered some rubbing on the solid fabric part of the ceiling, near the Kuiu symbol, from one of the toggles rubbing when I packed the tent down with it left in place. The storm flaps can be a nightmare if high winds hit them at the wrong angle, the noise is unbearable - I tried the double sided velcro, but it came off on one side, so I use a clothes peg to clip it back at the top - I've explained all this on my YT vid review - the insertion of a hiking pole also alleviates this problem. If you watch the official Kuiu video for set-up, at 6 mins 10 seconds the guy explains about using the hiking pole. Kuiu designed the tent to have enough space there for a hiking pole handle. It works fine, believe me, I've had this tent out in all weathers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5TJi4F4ltWmi68 Enjoy it, it's a great lightweight tent Colin.

[@Mel_Out_and_About]

Great video again always enjoy sitting and chilling and you are correct Samy has a very nice backside!! 😂

[@donnavansenior]

Sami's rear end is very pleasing to look at 😂 knowing that you can stuff all your camping kit in there and just head off effortlessly the next day. I love bikepacking 💚 especially with that bike. Yeah this was a great chilled out camp :) Thanks Mel

[@peterappleton5213]

Glad you are better and have fun in Ireland all the best from Kent and the southern pansies 😂😂😂

[@donnavansenior]

Morning ya soft southern pansies 😁 it's grim again up north, while I believe you lot are basking in temps above 20 degrees.....and it'll be winter in Ireland by next week 😂 Really looking forward to heading over there, and it's great to be feeling mentally fit with a ton more energy at long last 💚⛺✨

[@peterappleton5213]

@@donnavansenior showers and windy atm so no basking lol

[@kevinwilde]

canny crack you take care.

[@donnavansenior]

Thanks Kevin, have a canny weekend :)

[@michaelsargeant5923]

Very enjoyable as always

[@donnavansenior]

Thanks Michael, nowt special this one, just good to be out without forcing myself 😁🏕