SNOWY Winter Wild Camp: Northumberland Coast, up past Druridge Bay, with the Kuiu Storm Star.

[@rob20452]

What a great tent, cracking one to watch, wake up om the beach in that, 😅

[@donnavansenior]

Yeah, I never expected to wake up to a snowy beach the next morning! I doubt I'll ever experience anything like that again - and it made for some great photo's. The tent is an absolute fortress, had it 2.5yrs now and it's never let me down. It's my 4 season winter / storm tent. Cheers Rob, TFW :)

[@emz_adventure]

Walks, views, sea, sand, tent, new kit , cracking Timelapse’s but what did it for me was the newly returned cider review 😂😂😂😂xxx

[@donnavansenior]

Hahaha - aye that was pretty much the pinnacle of the night for me as well Emz 🤣🤣 mind that last one got poured down the dunes, flipping yakky 🤮 Ace to see the beach like that the following morning though, that was something special. xxx

[@999shaznay]

Yay, Nigel Marvin is a handsome lad!! So chuffed the cider tasting section is back. Bah lassie, you pick some rank ciders!! The tears were rolling down my face at the critique of the second one!!

[@donnavansenior]

Nigel Marvin is the best!! Snuggly, soft, stretchy and just all-round lush - totes unlike those pesky ciders from Aldi 😂🤮 oh my word!! But this is why I do these tastings - so the general public doesn't have to. Actually I should do a livestream cider tasting where we all buy the same ciders hahaha. Hopefully when I'm back out next week I can find a few more delicious flavours from the back shelves of Aldi. Cheers Sharon :)

[@TheNeilo-Audiosound]

Hey Donna,Now this one from Start to finish I enjoyed,The Beginning Music and Landscape!! Deary me..Superb🙏 You even chucked in a Gear Review and a Cider Review on this one.I get the Sleeping Bag liner especially in that weather but I can’t comment on the Cider as I don’t drink but Talk about Coffees and I’m in.😜Parma Violets and Cheap Fabric Softener🙈 Sounds like it wouldn’t even Make it as a mouthwash. Snow on the Sand looked Amazing and a Sight Ive seen a lot of times over the years from my teens living next to the Beach Most of my life when we used to get proper Snow and Winters.1976 Springs to mind🥶 The Kuiu Regardless looked in its element Donna glowing in the Snowy Backdrop. Big Thumbs up and one for every commenter.Thanks as always for the Time Effort and £££ Doing these for us Donna🙏👍⛺️🥾 DONNAS PEEPS COME ON GET THE COFFEES IN FOR HER🙏 Because She’s Worth it😜

[@donnavansenior]

Good evening @TheNeilo 😁 I've never seen the beach look like that before - all snowy and pristine before the first walkers of the day, what a sight to unzip the tent door on to! Wow!! Chilly though lol. Super chuffed I had all my winter gear with me on this one Neil - I recorded a -2 inside the tent overnight so it must have been a degree or 2 colder outside. No point in having decent winter kit if I'm not going to use it ;) And you know me, I give honest reviews. I've been using that mat since October, it's exceedingly comfy (as Mr Kipling would say) and that 6.2 R-Value is a massive difference to the 4.4 of my last mat. The Alpaca liner was the star of the show for me though - Nigel Marvin is the softest, warmest, snuggest liner I've ever had. It made a noticeable difference to my sleep system. The cider reviews keep me entertained during the long dark nights but dear lord these two were pretty nasty - especially that last one, I poured half a can away haha. I'd not drink either if they were the only alcoholic things available. I love a nice coffee, but for camping I can't justify the extra weight for an Aeropress - so I often take the Taylors brand coffee bags, which smell amazing and for me they taste like filter coffee. Reets, time to put my feet up after a long busy day at work. Cheers Neil, always look forward to your comments. Ciao for now 😊❄️

[@MariaAlbertsen]

Absolutely howling at cider number 2 review 😂😂 So lovely to see a local on here doing this too x

[@donnavansenior]

Hi Maria 😁 are you a wild camper as well? Can't beat a coastal pitch up and this one from January was amazing with that snow the next morning! Wow!! Totes more amazing than that nasty poached plum cider 😂😂 haha Steer well clear of the cider aisle at Aldi lol. TFW :)

[@MariaAlbertsen]

Hey, no I don’t wild camp - like a good campsite though. But I am just beginning to car camp. Eventually want a little van for me and my daughter to go exploring in x

[@donnavansenior]

@@MariaAlbertsen I love my Berlingo, it's the best micro-camper I could ever want. We've had some great adventures together. I drove converted vans for the 15 or so years before I went micro & me and my son used to get out and about all over when he was younger. He's 27 now. Time flies. He'll still come out camping with his auld mom though - but he prefers a good campsite as well lol X

[@cham3784]

Love the down to earth humour but loved the cider description the most 😂😂😂

[@donnavansenior]

Ey-up C999 - thanks for stopping by and watching the vid - ah the cider reviews stole the show on this one! Never mind a snowy beach camp, it's all about the Aldi ciders 😂🤣 And dear lord don't ever waste your hard earned pounds on that nasty poached plum one - I still get faint whiffs of it everytime I'm within a few miles of the coast, some call it PTSD .....I call it PTCT (post-traumatic cider-tasting).....

[@SarahLee220]

Your face with them ciders 😂 location looked stunning ❤

[@donnavansenior]

I know pmsl, those ciders were nasty enough to turn anyone's face funny 😂 the things we do to pass the long dark nights lol. Great to wake up to a good dusting of snow though, wow! TFW :)

[@michaelsargeant5923]

Very enjoyable video 👍

[@donnavansenior]

Good to hear, thanks Michael :)

[@bluecheese1066]

I totally agree about the Aldi ciders. To me, they tasted like the flavouring had just been added at the last moment before canning, and they'd used far too much of it, and really artificial, overly sugary flavouring to boot.Nasty stuff. What a lush looking camp though. Not sure if I've ever seen snow against a beach before! Nice one, Donna! Keep on living the dream!

[@donnavansenior]

Totally agree Blue Cheese - they've totally overpowered any cider taste or that mythical 4% of alcohol with their nasty fruitiness. I do enjoy doing the cider tastings though, it's always a good laugh & they usually transport me back in time to something from my past - like old aunties who spit on hankies to wipe your face 🤣🤣 An amazing morning to wake up to after the initial disappointment of no sunrise haha - I've never seen a beach look like that either & I sharp got ready and out with the camera. Wow! It was an amazing sight. TFW :)

[@DrunkOnWanderlust]

The cider review made me howl 😂 great camp that!! And some lovely shots of your walk especially liked the sunset pic x

[@donnavansenior]

Glad you enjoyed it Kerry - I always have a good laugh doing the cider reviews 😂 but dear lord that last one, yak, I can still taste it 🤮 Struck gold with a snowy coastal camp, it made for some epic photo's. I don't think I've ever seen the beach all snowy like that before 😊 Tfw :) Xx

[@angelagraham9378]

Steppy stones are overrated anyway 😉😆 You’ll be doing the Park Run there next maybe? 🙊🙈🤣 Very enjoyable watch pet ❤️

[@donnavansenior]

Yeah those steppy stones looked a bit rubbish, pleased I didn't wait around a few hours for my turn to cross 🙄🤣🤣 haha. Cheers Angela 😁

[@SuperGaryturner]

Class Donna can you remember that peachy poo flavour couple months back.Them remind me of that epic venture.🙂

[@donnavansenior]

Hahaha - aye I can, the peachy poopy cider 🤣🤣 That was pretty grim tasting as well Gaz, they're all just too floral on the nose and palate, they have no restraint when it comes to adding the fruit flavours 😂😬 TFW :)

[@Kev_Russ]

What happened to the sunrise. 🤭 Brrrr looked a cauld yin. 🥶 The cider can design looked nice. You'll no be buying them again. 😁

[@donnavansenior]

I was convinced I was gonna get the mother of all delicate winter coastal sunrises Kev - but nope, look what happened, it flipping snowed instead 😂⛺🤩 Not quite the -7 that was forecast because I was tucked out of the wind chill but it hit -2 in the tent when I was up for a wee in't middle of night 🙄 And nope, I'll not be buying those nasty ciders again 🤮😉

[@Taffwildmanofthewoods]

Donna, not the best conditions there especially when packing all the kit away. You now have a snowy beach camp under your belt. Atb Taff 🤠👊

[@donnavansenior]

Pack down wasn't too bad Taff, the tents the only thing I pack down outside, and I can get that pulled down and in my bag in well under 10 mins. Taking the snow and ice off the tent added extra time, but not too much. Great to wake up to a snowy beach though, that was something special. Tfw Taff 😁

[@RS.Outdoors]

Great stuff Donna and cant wait to get out for a snowy camp again soon myself. Atb

[@donnavansenior]

Struck lucky with this one Ray because it wasn't forecast for snow at the coast.....but wow! What an amazing sight to open the tent door to, I've never seen a beach covered in snow. Hope you get a nice snowy one soon - it was terrible the weather you and Murray had on your recent WHW. TFW :)

[@raspberryleaf3741]

Don't think I've laughed so much in ages! 🤣🤣 beautiful shots by the way.

[@donnavansenior]

Glad you enjoyed it Jeanette - watch out for those nasty ciders mind! haha :)

[@sassyshewolf2784]

That cherry n raspberry cider was aaaful..I had one tother day ...... bohhhhhhhhhhh

[@donnavansenior]

It's an absolute minger of a cider......but the poached plum and blackberry takes ciders to an ever seedier and nastier level .....yak!! I poured half that can away it was that nasty lol.

[@sassyshewolf2784]

@@donnavansenior I think I will stick to gin !! 😉

[@djsiimz]

Nice one Donna that's the best description of a cider I've ever heard 😂 pmsl love it up there snow on the beach wow see you on the next one

[@donnavansenior]

I've never seen snow on a beach like that before. Usually I'd have had a lie-in, but after the initial shock of seeing the snow I got all excited and was up by 8am 🤣 Good to hear you enjoyed the cider reviews Siimz 😂😂 cya on the next one

[@TheNeilo-Audiosound]

Nowt on the Tv So Watching this Again and inadvertently (As well as Hopefully) Boosting the viewing Numbers.DVS TV👍😜

[@donnavansenior]

🤣😂😂 haha ya daft sod pmsl. Hope it was enjoyable the 2nd time round ❄️⛺

[@BorderRambler]

Towards the clutch fund 👍

[@donnavansenior]

Ah wow!! Cheers Dave, that's really decent of you. And it's just about to go as well, it bottomed out as I was leaving work last night, but I banged my foot on the peddle and it miraculously popped back up....praying for another 4 days use 🙏

[@BorderRambler]

Good to see you back on the coast and it didn’t disappoint Donna , tent looked the biz in the morning with the snow covering it . Some good purchases with the mat and liner , it’s all about keeping warm on these cold nights . I’m heading out Wednesday night and have all the cold weather gear packed 🥶 . I love Parma violets but not in cider lol . Happy camping atb Dave

[@donnavansenior]

Hya Dave, it's Wednesday so you're possibly pitched up somewhere by now, one hopes the winds aren't too fierce or chilly and that the sunset and sunrise Gods put on a decent show for you ;) Yeah how good did the Kuiu look with a good dusting of snow on! Tent porn at it's finest lol!! And it was really unexpected, the Met hadn't forecast any snow for the coast that morning. I wasn't complaining though - even got up early and was out snapping away with my camera at the lovely wintry scene before me. I've never experienced anything like that out camping, a pristine white snowy beach before any of the dog walkers or joggers etc And the new (well fairly new) additions to the winter sleep system worked a treat. It goes without saying that the mat would make a massive difference on freezing cold ground but that alpaca bag liner stole the show for me, what a difference that made. Cheers Dave and thanks for the new clutch donation 😊

[@MALLY_DAGS_TV]

Owld lady perfume lol It was like we were there lol

[@donnavansenior]

We all had that one florally scented Aunty who would insist on a kiss 🤣🤣

[@mrnobodieswildcampingadventure]

Great video, loved it! I owned property in Ashington Northumberland once, so quite used to the coastline there. Keep em coming

[@donnavansenior]

It's a great stretch of coastline all the way from Tynemouth up to the border. This is one of my go-to dark night spots, so I can get a recharge after work without driving too far. Big old Brucie Bonus for waking up to snow next morning :)

[@The12thSagittarian]

Cracking vid as usual Donna. Can't beat a coastal camp....so much different than the hills. Over the moon to see the cheviots have snow....Im heading their the end of the week for a night out. Unfortunately, the wind has been crazy the past few weeks so the woods have been off-limits for me too. You had me in stitches with those Aldi ciders lol.... can't say I've tried them. Great to see you got some snow Donna. Thanks for sharing

[@donnavansenior]

The Cheviots look really wintry - I'm sure you'll end up with a snow camp if you head high enough Mick. I was super lucky waking up to snow on this one. What a glorious sight though. Wow!! I've never seen a beach blanketed with snow like that before, it was an amazing sight and the tent looked fantastic lol. It's all about the tent. So yeah I was chuffed I hadn't headed to the woods or the hills. I'm having car trouble so didn't wanna risk driving her too far or too remote, which is why I ended up coastal - it's only 20mins from home. Cheers Mick, TFW and don't go near the cider aisle at Aldi 🤮🤣

[@otf.outdoors]

Spot on that Donna, great coastal wildcamp, it’s a nice area up there. Having a good laugh at the cider review, love how you were explaining the taste 🤣🤣🤣, lovin the new kit you have just got, looks great👌quality stuff, and what a morning to wake up to, for me better than the met office predicted, class, atb Mick 👍

[@donnavansenior]

Glad you enjoyed it Mick. The lengths we go to to keep ourselves entertained during the long dark nights - I love doing the cider tastings but dear lord those two were especially nasty this week 🤮🤣🤣 Super chuffed (after the initial shock) to wake up in a coastal winter wonderland, wow, it's not often you get to experience anything like that. I don't think I've ever seen the beach and dunes covered in snow before, it was an amazing sight. Had the Ether Light XT Extreme since October and it's hands down the comfiest mat I've used. It's heavy at 760g and a bit bulky, but for winter camping I wouldn't be without it now. And the Alpaca Wool Liner - holy moley, that was a game changer. Super warm, soft and stretchy. I love it. TFW Mick :)

[@sandrabruce9754]

Just found your channel Donna really enjoyed that . Beautiful coastline .

[@donnavansenior]

Good to hear Sandra, thanks for taking the time to watch and to leave a comment😊 Yeah, I camp extensively in Northumberland - which includes our amazing coast which looked even more amazing than usual on Monday morning with that dusting of snow 😁 definitely one for the memory banks that on:)

[@LundysWildcampBushcraft]

Always looked at doing a camp up there not a bad spot bet you didn't expect that snow Donna atvb Jimmy 😎😎👍👍

[@donnavansenior]

Didn't expect that snow at all Jimmy lol. But what a stunning vista it made the next morning! And the tent looked mint with a good dusting on 😁 new sleep system worked an absolute treat and I came home a happy Donna, that's what it's all about :) TFW Jimmy

[@helenneilson5453]

Thanks for cider taster part 2. Made me laugh as always. How can I buy you a coffee Donna?

[@donnavansenior]

Just pop over here and you can buy me a coffee, thanks Helen: www.buymeacoffee.com/donnavansenior all donations are going towards keeping the Lingo on the road :)

[@stealthandysteath1069]

Hi Don, bloody lovely mate. Lucky bugger getting snow 🤣🤣. Tc Andy

[@donnavansenior]

Cheers Andy - the forecast was for clear skies and excellent visibility - and all I got was snow haha. Not complaining though, I might never get another snowy beach camp like that again. Wow! It looked blinking lush :)

[@stealthandysteath1069]

@@donnavansenior your right thay Don. Looking great lol

[@normanscout1864]

Excellent video Donna, duridge Bay has got to be one of the best beeches in Northumberland stunning scenery 👌 very impressive kit you have there just as well for this weather not to keen on the alcohol yuk🤮 😆 my favourite tipple I took on camps was snakebite mixed with merry down cider and Stella artois I promise you you'll sleep like a baby 👶 very enjoyable video Donna thanks for sharing thumbs up 👍 as always take care x

[@donnavansenior]

Absolute legend Norman!! Snakebite with Stella and Merrydown!! Crikey!! That'll do the trick lol. I used to drink snakebite and black, that was my drink of choice for years. I love camping up near Cresswell, Druridge and Alnmouth, it's such a vast expanse of coastline. Never seen the coast all blanketed in snow before though, wow! What a surprise the next morning! I knew it had gotten cold overnight & I thought it had been raining, not snowing, by the sound on the tent. Pleased I had all my full winter kit on this one, I clocked it at -2 in the tent so it would have been a couple of degrees colder outside. TFW Norman, I always enjoy reading your comments Xx

[@jimmy.mccutcheon.1961]

Wow... Nice one Donna 😉👍

[@donnavansenior]

Thank you Jimmy 😃

[@russellhowlett6861]

Cool wather

[@donnavansenior]

Yeah, that was a chilly one! 🥶

[@clarewheatley6514]

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on your new kit xx

[@donnavansenior]

Cheers for the brews Clare! The new(ish) kit on this vid was amazing. I've had the Ether Light XT Extreme for a few months now but it was worth it's weight in gold the other night, the ground was freezing! But soon as I sat on my mat....happy days and a warm butt lol. And Nigel Marvin the Alpaca Wool bag liner was the star of the show, by far the comfiest snuggest night I've ever had below zero in a sleeping bag, it even got too warm at times. Hope you're doing ok, and thanks again xx

[@stevesdaysoff2759]

Great wild camp Donna. So relaxing listening to the sea. Really enjoyed watching. Atb Steve 👍

[@donnavansenior]

Glad you enjoyed it Steve. The waves were really loud when the tide came in, it looked like there'd been some really high tides lately, thankfully I was tucked away up in the dunes and out of any wind that night. An amazing sight to wake up to snow the next day though! Wow!! Cheers Steve TFW :)

[@chris881989]

Great video. Just up the road from where I live in Ellington. We have some fantastic places in Northumberland to visit.

[@donnavansenior]

It's my little go-to spot when I need a quick recharge between work shifts. I wasn't expecting snow on this one though Chris. Wow!! What a beautiful sight to wake up to. TFW :)

[@chris881989]

Yeh it's nice to just go away for a night or two after a long day at work and just recharge, relax and enjoy the amazing northumberland 👌

[@donnavansenior]

@@chris881989 Sometimes I head off in between work shifts - so this spot near Druridge is ideal for that because it's just a 30 minute drive ;)

[@williammay6879]

Love it Donna. How good does the storm star look in that snow too. ❤

[@donnavansenior]

Thanks William - yeah this was the first proper snow the Storm Star's been out in and she looked magnificent! And I only had her base pegged out, I didn't have any of the guy lines pegged out (forecast was for mild winds and I was sheltered, so no need really) so she performed admirably with that dumping of snow ❄️⛺

[@craig3401]

Can't beat camping in the snow.ive got the normal xt couldn't get on with it but I got the regular and my arms were falling off the sides and aching.ive got the large thermarest xtherm so not as deep but the width is great.

[@donnavansenior]

It's a super warm mat Craig and just about the perfect size for me. Utter palatial cosiness and warmth 😊 plus it's not as noisy as their comfort plus. That's the great thing about camping, we all have slightly different needs, so we get to share our gear experiences. That alpaca wool liner was the star of the show for me - Nigel Marvin made a massive difference to my sleep system, wow, and it's so soft and stretchy, I absolutely love it! Weighs in at around 400g though so not the lightest, but for the winter I'm happy to carry extra weight for a warmer camp. Cheers Craig. Have you been getting out much? :)

[@craig3401]

@@donnavansenior I was out mid December last but the weather not been great the December 1 was super cold -7 in the lakes the weather as been pretty poor tbh I'm out this weekend can't wait and I've got a new 3 season tent lol so looking forward to getting that out but definitely the storm star till then

[@donnavansenior]

@@craig3401 You can't just say you have a new 3 season tent without naming what it is, leaving me sat here dangling haha. Aye the weather has been pants for ages - this was my first tent night since Dec 2nd! Yikes! But yeah -7 in a tent for the long dark nights isn't much fun Craig. I go out to have a good time and enjoy it, not just survive it lol. Hope you have a good un this weekend and the wind chill isn't too chilly :)

[@craig3401]

@@donnavansenior haha I like the frozen camps.aa for the new tent it's a hilleberg niak I've had my eye on 1 for awhile so thought I'd treat myself

[@donnavansenior]

@@craig3401 and why not, life's no fun without the occasional treat ;)

[@hugolitner7079]

"Steppy Stones" would have def annoyed me to

[@donnavansenior]

I was quietly raging 😂😂 pmsl

[@northpeckhamestateoldschoo2947]

Hi ya young lady hope all well my number one female camper hands Down,comments below love ya Donna ❤️😜🇬🇧💯🤗1️⃣🚺

[@donnavansenior]

Ah cheers north Peckham 😊 chuffed I didn't head to the forests - how lush did the beach look all pristine and covered with snow! 💙❄️ I've never woken up to a sight like that before. TFW and hope life is treating you canny :)

[@719matt3796]

How does this tent do for condensation on the cold nights?

[@donnavansenior]

All tents will suffer from condensation. I've had this tent out sub-zero many times and the fly has frozen solid, but the inner has mostly stayed bone dry - sometimes I've had mild moisture build up on the bathtub wall, next to where I've been breathing all night. The solid material on the inner has never gotten wet. Venting options are good with the 2 doors having both a solid and mesh panel. The fly has 2 way zips on the doors, so venting can be done by those as well. Plus there are the 2 fly vents, accessible from the inner, again providing good ventilation. I've had the fly wringing wet pitched up in the mountains of Assynt, but the inner remained bone dry. For me that's what's important, a tent where the inner remains dry and doesn't drip on your head or gear.

[@boblobster]

Was this Sunday just gone? I walked past when you were setting up just before dusk

[@donnavansenior]

Yeah this was Sunday the 15th - and that would have been me. No-one else daft enough to be out beach camping in January 😂 I had no idea it was forecast snow overnight though Bob, I've never seen a beach all covered with snow before - wow! What a sight after the initial shock lol. TFW :)

[@lloydcozens9346]

Looks great there :-) Does the tent get easier to clip amd set up the more you use it as it's pretty hard to set up in the cold the first few times I've found?!

[@donnavansenior]

Morning Lloyd - yeah the more you use the tent the faster the pitching becomes. I can have mine up in 4 minutes easily. The trick is in the metal clips - first on and last off. I've had mine out in minus 6 and had no bother with the clips - a pair of thin gloves helped. It's a great tent - have you had yours long?

[@lloydcozens6601]

@Donna Van Senior - Wild Camping hi Donna, thanks for your reply! Only less than a week so just testing in the garden at the mo before hopefully out before the end of the month. A beast of a tent!

[@donnavansenior]

@@lloydcozens6601 Yeah there's a bit of a knack to pitching the tent. Once you've got the hang of it happy days - like I said on the last msg the metal clips go on first and come off last. When you're taking the pole ends out of the X-Pac sleeves you might find the end grommet sticks in - the way around this is to grip the pole sleeve with one hand and gently press in, like you're popping open an envelope. It's an amazing tent, you'll be safe and happy in it :)

[@timbear641]

Good crack

[@donnavansenior]

Thanks 😁 🏕