The Itinerary

So this is plan we have put together- however, we are willing to be way-laid, if anyone along the way has any better proposals?  Two recent edition have some from blog-subscribers and are highlighted as bold/italic in the list!

Tuesday, 9th Sep

06.30     EV Tour of Ireland starts (without ceremony) from Wokingham Berks!

10.00    Participate in the Rapid Charging Network Launch Event, at Welcome Break, Corley near
             Coventry.  An event also being attended by delegates from the European Union, UK
             Government, transport authorities and project partners!
             See: http://rapidchargenetwork.com/event_post.php?id=7

Nice timing for the Rapid Charging Network Consortium to put on the champagne - 
they can launch our trip, at the same time!

14.00     Position the car on stand C2-13/14 at the CENEX Low Carbon Vehicle Event, at the
              Millbrook Proving Ground.   The EV Matters will be sharing the stand with Green
              Motorsport Ltd (GMS) and we will put on display the two award winning UK entrants for
              this years World Advanced Vehicle Expedition around Europe.  To know more about WAVE
              See http://wavetrophy.com/en/

               Look our for us in the video of the WAVE Start, in Stuttgart!


Wednesday, 10th Sep

     09-17.00 On stand at CENEX LCV Event - promoting e-mobility, sustainable personal transport
                    and use of renewable energies!  We will also be raising funds for the forces charity
                    Help for Heroes!

                    Here are the two cars, photographed before WAVE 2014:


       Details of CENEX are at http://cenex-lcv.co.uk/2014/

                                                          Thursday, 11th Sep

     09-17.00   On stand at CENEX LCV Event!
     17.01        Restart the "EV Tour of Ireland"
     18.00        Established on the Rapid Charging Network!
     Note: The distance from Millbrook, Beds to the Port of Holyhead (248 miles) and we fall off the
               Rapid Charging Network, before getting to the end - so a night stop is obligatory.  We
               plan to stretch the last rapid charge to go as far as Bangor (about 210 miles)!  This is not a
               strategy that we would normally advocate; however, if it works out - and the hotel allows
               an overnight charge, we will get a full morning for sightseeing!
     23.00         Check into the 'hotel of last resort' - a Travelodge!  Its on the bypass, probably near
                       nowhere - but it fits the bill!

                                                        Friday, 12th Sep

     09-12.00   Sight-seeing around Bangor / Menai Straights!
     13.00         Queueing for Irish Ferries - "Ulyssees"
     14.05         Departure time and (hopefully) charging onboard!
     17.25         Arrive Dublin Port
     19.00         Celebratory Meal in Bray, Co Wicklow - subject to range and wx.
     21.00         Check-in at the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin.
                       See  Clarion, Liffey Valley - EVs Welcome!
                       Hotel has all creature comforts, including an indoor pool and more importantly-
                       supports EV with in-house EV charging (in assocation with ECAR, Ireland).

Saturday, 13th Sep

     09.30        Tourist trail around central Dublin - to include a visit to the famous Guinness Brewery.
                      See:  Guinness Brewery (the Original)!
     12.00        Pick up the Rapid Charging Network northbound from Dublin,
     P.M.          Visit to the RockFarm EcoResort, Slane, Co Louth.
                       They operate to strict ecological principles and offer a wide range of outdoor pursuits.
                      See: Relax, Unwind, Discover @ RockFarm, Slane!
     14-1700    Explore the Mourne Mountains - maybe get the walking shoes out!
     17.00        Check-in at the Slieve Donard, Newcastle, Co Down.
                      See: Slieve Donard Hotel - EVs Welcome!
                      Another haven of tranquillity with all creature comforts.  Maybe we will opt for a swim
                       before dinner - or relax with the views over the bay!

Sunday, 14th Sep

     09.30       We will make a reprise visit to the NT site at MountStewart, Co Down.  This was the
                      first NT property that we visited - over 25 years ago and we have not been back since.
                      Though we have retained our membership ever since!
                      As I recall, its a splendid house and garden and we doubt it will have changed much;
                      however, there is (was?) and exhibit about potato blight and how ships came right up
                      Strangford Lough to take the emaciated people into exile - a very moving exhibit and
                      etched in my memory ever since!
                      See: NT - Mount Stewart
     13.00        On to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, where I'm hoping to get re-acquainted
                      with the EVs of my youth!  In the 50s, apart from electric trams and trolley buses -
                      Belfast had large fleets of delivery vans and milk floats - even the coal was delivered on
                      an electric lorry!  Can't wait to see what has been preserved - but will any work?
                      See: Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
     15.30        Visit to the Titanic Exhibition, Belfast.  Well my childhood was filled with Titanic
                      stories - my father's childhood was 'over-shadowed' by the bulk of Titanic.  It was
                      steadily being developed at the end of his street!  So you can guess that his generation
                      were deeply affected by the whole saga!
                      See: Titanic Exhibition - Belfast
     18.00        Beer Sampling Netwonards - TBC

Monday, 15th Sep

     09.30        Reach the end of the Rapid Charging Network, in Belfast!
     10.00        N-bound on the Antrim Coast - many of the tourist stops include fast charging
                      opportunities.  Route to include Carrickfergus, Cushendall, Cushendun, Ballycastle and
                      a certain stop at Bushmills Distillery,
     15.00       Airfield Visit - approval awaited.
     18.00       Night stop Portrush, or Londonderry.

Tuesday, 16th Sep

     09.30       Tour of Donegal - Buncrana, Donegal City, Bundoran, Enniskillen.
     14.00       Call at Bellek Pottery - See: Belleek Pottery - Co Fermanagh
     18.00       Check in at the Belmore Court and Motel.  A very comfortable and relaxing, where,
                     according to the video we will get a very warm welcome!
                     See: Belmore Court and Hotel
                     or watch this 'expert video' from Ellie MaCartney!
                     Ellie McCartney Reviews the Belmore Court

Wednesday, 17th Sep

     09.30       Boating on Lough Erne, or canals - TBC
     PM          Stopover at the EcoResort at Decoy Cottages, near Navan.  A quite exceptional eco-
                     resort, built on strict ecological preiciples and offering a wide range of activities!
                     See: Decoy Cottages - Relax, Unwind and Recharge!
     18.00       Nightstop in Dublin (TBC)

Thursday, 18th Sep

     08.05     Depart Dublin Port for Holyhead, Anglesey.
     11.30     Arrive Holyhead - hopefully full charged thanks to the Irish Ferries onboard charging.  Its
                   290+ miles back home - but, as with outbound journey we have accept a Fast Charge
                   (and a delay of 2+) hours before we can expect to get onto the Rapid Charging Network!
     Late       Arrive Wokingham Berks.

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