The latest convert to glamping
In this week's The Good Life column, Gemma's on a bit of a Staycation and discovering the joys of glamping in the lakelands of neighbouring Fermanagh...
I’ve never been camping but I've always wanted to go, just to say I have tried it. Honestly, I don’t think it would be for me, so when my friend told me to keep Thursday and Friday, the 12th and 13th of May free, and to bring a swimming suit and something nice for dinner and drinks, I was delighted. She knows me too well. This and that a two-hour car journey would take us to the destination, was the only information I got.
On a wet and windy Thursday afternoon, we pulled into Rossharbour Resort in County Fermanagh. The Lower Lough Erne crashed and rolled around, not the least bit inviting unlike the stunning glamping lodges and holiday homes that stood beside it. The little homes were the cutest things I have ever seen, complete with steam and laughter flowing out of the adjoining hot tubs. We wrapped up and made our way to the reception area where we booked our dinner and hot tub slot. Braving the elements again, we headed on our way to find Glamping Cabin Number 2. Hauling bags around in the lashing rain, we were delighted to find our cabin with neither of us listening to the directions we were given at reception. I ran up towards the door, fumbling with the key, which would not enter the lock. I was about to try the handle when I noticed shouting and music coming from the little mushroom house shaped cabin. I jumped back mortified but delighted that whatever was going on inside was far more interesting than the person outside trying to invade their lodgings. My friend laughed from a distance, probably having heard the music from the beginning.
After roaming around for quite some time, a staff member, who himself was drenched by the rain and his job cleaning out hot tubs, showed us to our cabin. The stunning tent-shaped wooden cabin was situated directly beside the lake in a row of five other identical cabins. We opened the door to find a bed, couch, kettle, toaster and television. There was also a wardrobe for hanging our belongings and an extra quilt. Best of all, an electric heater stood in the corner of the cabin. I dropped my stuff immediately and turned it on. Now this was my kind of camping. We shared the bathrooms with our neighbours, but I wouldn’t let this put you off. There were two massive bathrooms equipped with showers you could fit an entire family into, a changing area and plenty of heaters.
We abandoned our stuff and headed for Buddy’s Bar. Although both of us enjoy water sports, hiking, sightseeing, the whole works, the weather was absolutely atrocious. We each had a cocktail before our dinner in The Harbour Bistro. The food throughout the whole experience was ten out of ten. After much toing and froing, I opted for pan seared scallops with parsnip puree, chorizo and pine nuts for starter. It was delicious, my only regret was that I couldn’t lick the plate in public. I then got duck for the main course, which came with creamy mash, turnip puree, apple slaw, fried duck breast and pulled duck in spring roll wrapping (I don’t know the proper name for this). For dessert, I opted for lemon meringue, which had a biscoff-like base, a light and fluffy lemon topping and some melt in your mouth meringue on the side of the glass bowl. Words do not do the food justice.
After our food we returned to our cabin. By this stage the heater had worked its magic welcoming us with warmth contrasting the cold evening outside. We pulled out our gin glasses and the drinks we had bought in Enniskillen enroute. Deep in conversation about God only knows what, we heard a knock on our door. The hot tub was ready. We headed out, gin in hand, into the cool of the night. The water was just the perfect temperature to keep us in there well past 11pm and, for the first time all evening, we appreciated the cool breeze coming up from the Lough Erne. Being the final two of the night, nobody came near us until well after our one-hour time slot. It was just bliss.
The next morning, we woke up early to a beautiful dry day, slightly breezy but perfect for what we had planned. After a buffet style breakfast of the full Irish, cereals, fruit, and pastries, we packed up our things and made our way to the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail. We completed the entire stairway to heaven within two hours, which was good going considering we made several stops for photos. The view at the top of the mountain was surprisingly clear, looking down upon all the surrounding lakes and landscapes. Although this was my seventh time completing the trek, I never get tired of the sense of satisfaction at the summit. The stretch at the end too falls into this category, your calves will sting but you will thank yourself the next day. For anyone who has not done Cuilcagh in a while, it is now €6 to park the car, I remember being caught out by this the last time I visited.
Thanks to Rossharbour Resort, I have decided glamping is now my thing. The entire experience was excellent, and I will definitely return in the future.
* Gemma Good is from Killeshandra and a second year journalism student in University of Limerick.
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