The beauty of not making too many plans.

Ann and I were looking at the map last night (rather than an app or Google Maps) and realised that were are not going to do everything we envisioned in the three weeks available to us. We have been here for six days, and are still in Donegal!

Back in Wales, Ireland looked quite small on the map. However the Romans never made it here so the roads are.....crinkly, and because of the lack of width, quite slow. You can drive faster, but the locals don't for a very good reason! We met a school bus down a very narrow road yesterday, but by pulling in my mirror we could just get past. However the lady bus driver suddenly realised my overcab was going to take out her mirror. She uttered the words I have heard before in Ireland "Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey!". So did I. We got past eventually, though.

As this is not a picture blog, I'll go back to our first stop at Carlingford Marina. We got there later than expected due to ferry delays, but found a space and parked up. I went to another van , with Eire plates, to ask where to pay my ten Euros. Do you remember Father Ted, and the episodes with the laughing priest?
Me: "Hello"
Him: "Hello there, hahahah"
Me: "Where do I pay my ten Euros?"
Him: "There is no need to pay....sure I'm just joking hahahah. You just pay at the office in the morning, hahahah, unless you leave before they close the gates at nine, hahahah, so you don't pay, hahaha, but you wouldn't do that would you hahahah?

I expected his wife to be called Ms Doyle and offer me tea and a ton of sandwiches. "ah go awn, go awn, go awn!" Ann was highly amused as I got back to the van sniggering.

At this point I have to say we have been met by complete friendliness, warmth, helpfulness and consideration, in both parts of the island. There is also a realisation in most people that the views of the past have no place today, and I sense the concern that Brexit may have on the peace process (and also in the North where there is resentment of MPs that are being paid to do nothing rather that sort it out).

Enough politics, and back to the thread. We realise that to see what we want to see we do not have the time. Hence we are going the meander slowly down as far as, maybe, Galway or Limerick, and then cut across to Dublin for the ferry home. We'll leave the south for another trip, and there WILL be another trip. This country sinks hooks into you, even if you're English like Ann.

Tomorrow we have a fairly long journey to see Stewart and Georgie, close relatives of mine who live near Omagh. We are able to park up in their yard. Then I think it's off towards Enniskillen and the famously beautiful lakes there. Then it's back to the Wild Atlantic Drive.

Slainte

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