4/5/08

It was absolutely beautiful day to lie on the grass, enjoying Dublin's
lovely gardens, whilst sleeping off our hangovers thanks to Carmel and
Chris' very kind hospitality from the previous night. We couldn't
have asked for a better day to be lazy and not drive anywhere in the
van :-)
We did get a little bit of exercise though playing on the Wii (for any
technophobes - that's a games console, but instead of pushing buttons
to control your player you actually have to do the action which the
games sensor picks up). We got a great workout playing the boxing
game, but I think Marea was the better of us two!?!?!

3/5/08 - Extra story, read main 3/5/08 first

The Long Story (read the 3 May blog entry first). Rewind a couple of
days, to when we drove into Northern Ireland (NI) we'd filled Pat to
the brim with gas knowing that the UK was more expensive than the
Republic (thanks to the UK's tax policy), we calculated of the miles
that we would cover while in NI and figured we'd make it the whole way
on just one tank. Well - I'm sure you know by now where this story is
going!! Our calculations were spot on, we then took the first exit
after the border in search of a gas station. However this actually
took us back into NI!! I (Daniel) figured that the gas needle had
only just got to empty, so we had at least another 20 miles, we
U-turned and headed back to the Republic. 5 miles later and heading
up a hill, the van spluttered!?! Knowing the consequences of running
a diesel tank dry and the whole bleeding process, we didn't take any
chances!! Quickly turning the motor off, got the spare gas container
(I know, I know - the reason for a spare container is to have some
spare gas in it!!), and started walking the 2 miles to the nearest gas
station. After a few unsuccessful attempts to hitch, a couple of
bikers came past - presuming they wouldn't be able to give us a lift
(due to no spare helmet), didn't even try thumbing a ride. But of
course, in true fantastic Irish hospitality seeing our gas container
one of them did a U-turn and told us (he didn't really ask) that he
would take the container to the next service station, and if we walk
back to the van we would meet back there!! Sure enough, they were
true to their word and they even insisted on giving us a ride round
the last corner!!!! To top this off, no matter how insistant we were,
they wouldn't even take our money we were trying to force on them!! I
do regret not giving them the address to this blog-site so they could
read how appreciative we are to them for getting us out of our
situation we were silly enough to get ourselves into. THANK YOU

3/5/08

Yay a self service laundry! We have spent three weeks in Ireland and
couldn't find one anywhere. We'd left our riverside pub carpark about
0830 to check out the botanic gardens before our political tour which
starts at 1100 and there it was, brilliant! This is a bit easier than
hand washing!!!!
With that job done, it was a quick hop across to West Belfast and
Falls Road. Falls Road is the predominantly
Catholic/Nationalist/Republican area, while the next main street up is
Shankill Road which is the Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist area (these
were the terms that our guide used - he did advise us that he would
try to be objective as possible, but at the end of the day he was a
Nationalist. I think considering the number of plaques he showed us
that beared the names of friends he knew that were killed by either
the British Army/Police or Loyalist's or even the IRA itself, he did
quite a good job at at least trying to be impartial).
We took a 2 hour walk up Falls Road where we got a very informative
explanation of the history of the troubles, which finished at the
Catholic cemetery and the numerous graves of people far to young to
die. We did ask him was he going to take us across to the Shankill
Road area, he advised that we would be fine over there, but he had a
large enough profile (he was a prisoner during part of the troubles,
although he didn't go into explaining why) that even today it was not
safe for him to go into the Loyalist area - it definitely shows that
while there has been a cease fire for over 10 years, there are still
some deep scares that may take years (or even generations??) to heal.
There is even still a barbed fence that separates the two areas.
With that sobering thought, it was off to Dublin to complete our
circle of Ireland and visit my (Daniel) old boss Carmel and her
husband Chris!!
However - Getting to Dublin wasn't as straight forward as hoped, and
right now I'll cut a long story short (the long story is the next blog
entry), we managed to run out of gas and were saved by a couple of
very very helpful Irish bikers. We even got to a ride on their
bikes!!!!

2/5/08

What did we do today? We went to the Giant's causeway...
Last night we took the Coastal Causeway route from Derry, we stopped
for photos of a magnificient sunset and found a sleeping spot, it was
out of view of the coast, but we know it was there and we have the
photos to prove it. Our resting spot turned out to be a National Trust
property ('Downhill') carpark with ruins of the 19th century Bishop of
Derry's residence perched on a sea cliff with views for miles.
Today dawned as beautiful as yesterday and after omlette for breakfast
in the sun, we explored the estate.
Then onward to the Giant's Causeway, we spent 2.5 hours in the
information centre and admiring the basalt rock formations from as
many vantage points as possible. Unlike some other 'must do' tourist
attractions, the geological environment was rewardingly fascinating
and a recommended 'must do.'
Onwards then to Belfast which has been deferred because of the recent
brilliant weather and stunning scenery. Unlike England, Ireland, at
this time of year anyway, is not overun with tourists and we have been
feeling the magic. But we have places to go and people to see, Dublin
is Saturday's destination. We are staying with Daniel's 'old' boss,
and going out to blow the budget.

1/5/08

Another beautiful day dawned on us!! Alas, half an hour later it
rained - it was only a 10 minute shower, but that was the story of the
day. After making french toast out of our fast deteriorating bread we
said goodbye to our private beach and headed for the Glenveagh
National Park.
In 1983 the Glenveagh Castle (hunting lodge and summer residence)
along with it's beautiful Victorian themed gardens were gifted to the
state and have been maintained and restored by Office of Public Works
- cheers Irish Heritage once again for a 'free' informative tour but
pricey teashop.
We had walked the 4km (instead of paying for the minibus) from the
visitors centre to the Castle getting caught in one of those 10min
showers along the way, but relaxing by the lakeside pool (now
lilypond) in the afternoon sun more than made up for it.
Also what seemed like hours (it was probably only 10 minutes) of Marea
chasing Robin's around in the garden finally was rewarded with some
magnificent close-ups of the little happy bird!!!
About 1600 we headed for Derry as the Irish say it, or Londonderry as
Tomtom saids. Along the way we read that Derry is one of the only
fully walled cities left in Europe and that it has a poignant history
of 'troubles' especially of 'Bloody Sunday' in 1972.
So we walked along the city walls with it's eight gateways past the
scenes of numerous historical defences and more recently IRA bombings
and down from the old town into Free Derry and the scene of many
bloody Republican and Loyalist clashes.
We left Derry with a greater appreciation for the 'troubles' that
Derry has been through but also relieved to leave it behind; the cities
scars are so deep and so recent that most shops and buildings in town
are still boarded up at night. I guess it kind of makes sense that
even now after a number of years of peace, there is still a lack of
investment about?

30/04/08

Finally we are starting to learn. If we wake up and its sunny, then
get out bed and make the most of the sunshine before the famous Irish
rain makes its mark for the day!!
So after a morning walk and a visit to Donegal castle in the beautiful
sunshine we headed for the coastline north of Donegal.
First stop was Killybegs, a fishing village with a huge number of
rather large fishing boats parked up. We enjoyed a lunchtime meal of
fish 'n' chips which we can only presume came straight from one of the
boats parked up in front of us.
With the too familiar rain threatening we made our way up to the
Bunglas Cliffs. Unlike the Cliffs of Moher, we had alot freer rein
regarding how close we could get the the edge. These cliffs were also
taller, but in all fairness they didn't go straight up and down
compared to the Cliffs of Moher. Still, it was a very cool walk/climb
around some stunning scenery - and believe it or not, the rain even
held, although the wind was certainly about.
Further north we headed, past Dungloe to The Rosses coastline. We
took a right and followed the signs to a beach on a single lane road.
Many dips and turns later we came across a beautiful little beach with
numerous little coves and bays to explore. It was probably the desire
to wash her hair that posessed Marea to brave the chilling Irish
waters and take the first swim of our trip!! I (Daniel) am still
sitting on a duck in this department, but considering the current
water temperature I am quite happy with this stat at the moment!!
There is plenty more time ;-)

29/04/08

Today was the first time we forgot to take a photo of Pat's sleeping
spot...and such fine one it was. We had wanted to stay beside Lough
Key near Boyle, alas very adament signs declared "No overnight
parking" the €4 parking fee put us off too. So we ended up parking on
a side road in the middle of a forest. This side road was on a marked
walking route too so this morning we got up and went for walk through
the forest, coming across a the lake and a castle on the way.
After our walk we headed for the Arigna Mining Experience. With the
help of our guide Maurice who was working in the mine when it closed
in 1990, we went through a disused coal mine. This was a fantastic
experience that gave us an perspective on how coal was mined over the
last century.
Next stop was Donegal (which we reached by going through Northern
Ireland - what surprised us was the non-existance of border controls
or even a sign. The only clue we got that we had entered another
country was that the prices were in Pounds, not Euros. Considering
the conflict in Northern Ireland 15 years ago - times have certainly
changed!!).
Our night in Donegal was very enjoyable, we found a pub with
traditional irish music session going on. What was amazing was that
some people playing in the session didn't know each other, but they
all took turns at starting a song off. They would ask the others if
they knew such and such a tune, which half of the time the answer was
no. They played the tune anyway, and by the time they were halfway
through, the other players had worked out the tune by just watching
what notes were played. By the end you would have thought they knew
the tune all their life!!