We had to visit the Rathtrevor Park campground at least once before we left the area.

I know it well, having camped there numerous summers, but I wanted to make sure that the campground was still the same as what I remembered, as it has been several years since our last visit.

We parked in the visitor parking and walked down to the beach, then used one of the trails through the woods from there to the camp. I had forgotten how beautiful the woods were, tall Douglas Fir, Red Cedar and Hemlock trees cut the amount of light, and made the woods cool and dim. The forest floor was covered in green with ferns and other low growing plants. The colours and light were incredible.

The trail we were using came out well above where we used to camp, so we walked down the road, noting the new pit toilets, and in the camp sites, the new picnic benches.

The camp sites at Rathtrevor are in many ways part of the woodlands that surround them. They are shaded and private and a good size. The one we used to book was number 21. It was right beside a path out to the beach and a short walk to the regular, flush toilets and the showers. I have camped where we had to use pit toilets, but I much prefer the flush with running variety.

We wandered through the campground and I had a conversation with one of the park rangers who saw me taking pictures of the garbage and recycling facilities (memory aides!) and thought I was crazy. She was relieved, I think, when I told her I was doing research for a book.

After leaving the campground we headed for the beach and had our last swim (as it turned out) at Rathtrevor – for this visit anyway! We could see clouds moving in, but for the afternoon the sun remained and we were able to have our swim.