Mid-Winter Solstice Camp-out, Ireland

Paul Cullen
21-Dec-06

The Solstice and the days either side of it are a very important time for me ... a turning point of the year, so every year despite the weather I like to escape into the wilderness and celebrate: The end of one year and the entrance of the next ... With that in mind, last night we loaded up a couple of buses and headed out into the wilds of the North Atlantic coast of Ireland; we fought our way through the freezing fog that had blanketed Ireland for the week ... to our bolthole in a small cove along the coast .... after an eventful start to the night involving a major breakdown (seized engine ) we eventually made it our camp location for the night, pitched up for the night was myself, Lahric, The Jester and Caddy.

We got the tents up between cedars and then got the fire lit. Now, following along from the leave no trace ethos, we had brought a brazier to use instead of lighting a fire on the ground. The music went on, we danced to the new moon and the new year, we drank some more, the craic flowed well into the wee small hours, sat down in a wee cove hidden along the North Atlantic coast, we partied beneath the fog .... around midnight, every star in the system was visible, for hours I was transported to times gone by; the stars do that to me on the odd occasion I get time to lie on my back and gaze ..... it was the most refreshing and amazing night's camp.


Temperatures were sub zero, but being prepared goes an awfully long way towards making a cold night enjoyable.

Many many layers, fleeces, thermals, a lot of clothes made from materials with high wicking qualities, hats, gloves big boots, you get the picture.

3am came and went, and at this point the decision was made to cook some dinner. I set to work with the onions and peppers while The Jester got the wok onto the fire ... what happened next was most welcome in the coldness of the clear mid winters eve ... Ignorant Chili! Chili con carne with huge chunks of peppers and onions and kidney beans .... most beautiful, served with fresh crusty tiger bread, the chili was made from scratch and cooked over the open fire ... Hot whiskeys were poured with lemons studded with fresh whole cloves ...

Four very happy dudes, sat on the coastal edge, under the stars, round a fire, eating chili and welcoming in the run down to the summer.

At 5:30am this morning I headed tentwards for the remainder of the evening ... got up just before sunrise ... what a beautiful morning. The rockpools along the oceans edge were frozen ... (that maybe gives you some idea of how cold it was, salt water doesn't freeze easily!)

Another fantastic camp out, great craic as always and another wilderness spot camped in the depths of the Irish winter.

Thank you to my compadres for the night, 'til the next one folks!

The Great Outdoors .... beats the cr@p outta sitting in front of the tv ... go outside .... pitch up, celebrate the traditions of our fore-fathers and most of all .... define and create your own traditions!

Cheers,
Paul

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