Yesterday's Entry... a day late.... eh
Wrote yesterday's entry yesterday. Just didn't have internet access in the second building, which is where I was staying. However, here it is for your reading pleasure.
Ok, so I can't get this computer online (terrible people have wifi but have selfishly not left them unlocked or gone with easy to guess passwords!) so I'm just writing this quickly to copy paste tomorrow night (with any luck!).
Today, I was woken up pretty early by Pricey, one of the guys on the tour. He snored like a chainsaw. It was terrible. I got up, went for a short wander of the hostel and discovered that no one else was up and the common areas were still locked. So I attempted to get some more sleep.
That involved banging on the upper bunk every minute or so to try to stop him snoring. Ah well.
Eventually it was a civillised hour and other people were up. Breakfast, which wasn't bad, was had and everyone piled outside to the coach. But where was Pricey?
"Having a shower," someone volunteered the information and Connor's face was a sight to see. He hopped back off the bus and went into the hostel. He was back out soon afterwards, with a disoriented looking Pricey in tow.
The drive to the north coast was relatively uneventful. Ocassionly something would be pointed out, or an annoctdote told. A mountain all on it's own was pointed out as being where St Patrick used to live when he was a slave.
And then we arrived at the look out.
You could see Scotland off, across the water. The weather was alright, but was already showing promise of turning wet. A few photos (and jumping over barriers to get better photos) later, it was time to pile back into the coach and head on down to one of the things we'd been taking photos of. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. It's - obviously - a rope bridge, and it spans between the mainland and an outcrop that was a useful place to fish for atlantic salmon when they were looking for rivers to spawn in. It's bloody high. There's wind, and there was rain and there was nothing between me and certain death but some rope and a flimsy bit of wood to make the rope floor seem more secure. But I crossed. I'm quite proud of that. And it was worth it, despite the rain that decided to start once I'd made it over. The views were gorgeous, even as the weather started to set in, hiding first Scotland, and then other landmarks. Turned back, and, naturally, it started to clear up again.
Right until just before the end of the trail when it hammered down harder than ever before.
But before that, got some lovely shots of four horses - three grey, one black - running around. Will have to show them, and the video, to mum.
Piled back into the coach - some people soaked through, due to being stuck on the other side of the bridge when the squall hit - and went off to get lunch in a nearby village.
Irish stew, and some bread that... well, it was almost a cake. Which, as you all no doubt realise, got a massive thumbs up from me. Actually asked what kind of bread it was when someone came to the table to clear up the plates. Apparently it's called 'Wheaten Bread'.
And then it was on to the Giant's Causeway. Connor had promised us sunshine and butterflies (ok, maybe not the butterflies) but only half delivered. They're awesome. You kind of don't get it (oh, and he told us the mythological story behind them, involving Finn Mac Cool, and then rubbished the actual geological reasons behind them) until you see them, but they're amazing. And beautiful, and specacular all at once. I was hanging around with Alison, who is a geologist, and kept on pestering her to explain things to me. Poor girl.
There are photos of me. You can stop pestering me.
So then it was on to Derry. I dozed on the Coach there, but woke up before we reached the city itself. Derry/Londonderry. In over the longest span bridge in Ireland, north or south. Short drive around the city, and then to the hostel to be checked in. The guy who checked us in was, as at Belfast, Australian. Lord! We've everywhere! Look out world! There may only be a little over 20 million of us, but we're well on our way to taking over. Be afraid. And then have another beer.
Where was I? Oh yeah.
Checked in, I ended up in a different building, sadly without internet access. Not in the same room - or building - as Pricey though! Two other girls in here this time. Tara and Lisa. Between the three of us we cover the east coast. The guys are all Australian too. Glen is from Newcastle, and it's his 26th birthday tomorrow. Michael is from Melbourne, and is maybe 50. He's cycling around Europe, but decided to go for this tour leaving his bike behind for the moment. And... bugger. I think the other guy in here is Nick, but damned if I'm sure.
So then we went on a Political/Historical walking tour.
It was interesting and informative. We walked around the walls - Derry is the only complete walled city in Ireland, and one of the best examples in Europe - and Rory, our walking guide, told us things about the troubles, Bloody Sunday, and the various other history bits and pieces. Made our way back to the Hostel again where I hung out for a bit before concluding that I should get some food. Did that, came back up here, talked to the roomies for a bit before the guys left. Tara was going to have the night in, and Lisa was going to go out to meet up with the others to see some traditional Irish music. I was going to tag along - I didn't want to go alone - but then she changed her mind. So here I am, writing this...
And that was today's adventures. All summed up nicely.
Sleep and then on to Galway tomorrow!
Hmm.... Galway is where JE Wall was born. I wonder if we'll be anywhere near his town...
Ok, so I can't get this computer online (terrible people have wifi but have selfishly not left them unlocked or gone with easy to guess passwords!) so I'm just writing this quickly to copy paste tomorrow night (with any luck!).
Today, I was woken up pretty early by Pricey, one of the guys on the tour. He snored like a chainsaw. It was terrible. I got up, went for a short wander of the hostel and discovered that no one else was up and the common areas were still locked. So I attempted to get some more sleep.
That involved banging on the upper bunk every minute or so to try to stop him snoring. Ah well.
Eventually it was a civillised hour and other people were up. Breakfast, which wasn't bad, was had and everyone piled outside to the coach. But where was Pricey?
"Having a shower," someone volunteered the information and Connor's face was a sight to see. He hopped back off the bus and went into the hostel. He was back out soon afterwards, with a disoriented looking Pricey in tow.
The drive to the north coast was relatively uneventful. Ocassionly something would be pointed out, or an annoctdote told. A mountain all on it's own was pointed out as being where St Patrick used to live when he was a slave.
And then we arrived at the look out.
You could see Scotland off, across the water. The weather was alright, but was already showing promise of turning wet. A few photos (and jumping over barriers to get better photos) later, it was time to pile back into the coach and head on down to one of the things we'd been taking photos of. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. It's - obviously - a rope bridge, and it spans between the mainland and an outcrop that was a useful place to fish for atlantic salmon when they were looking for rivers to spawn in. It's bloody high. There's wind, and there was rain and there was nothing between me and certain death but some rope and a flimsy bit of wood to make the rope floor seem more secure. But I crossed. I'm quite proud of that. And it was worth it, despite the rain that decided to start once I'd made it over. The views were gorgeous, even as the weather started to set in, hiding first Scotland, and then other landmarks. Turned back, and, naturally, it started to clear up again.
Right until just before the end of the trail when it hammered down harder than ever before.
But before that, got some lovely shots of four horses - three grey, one black - running around. Will have to show them, and the video, to mum.
Piled back into the coach - some people soaked through, due to being stuck on the other side of the bridge when the squall hit - and went off to get lunch in a nearby village.
Irish stew, and some bread that... well, it was almost a cake. Which, as you all no doubt realise, got a massive thumbs up from me. Actually asked what kind of bread it was when someone came to the table to clear up the plates. Apparently it's called 'Wheaten Bread'.
And then it was on to the Giant's Causeway. Connor had promised us sunshine and butterflies (ok, maybe not the butterflies) but only half delivered. They're awesome. You kind of don't get it (oh, and he told us the mythological story behind them, involving Finn Mac Cool, and then rubbished the actual geological reasons behind them) until you see them, but they're amazing. And beautiful, and specacular all at once. I was hanging around with Alison, who is a geologist, and kept on pestering her to explain things to me. Poor girl.
There are photos of me. You can stop pestering me.
So then it was on to Derry. I dozed on the Coach there, but woke up before we reached the city itself. Derry/Londonderry. In over the longest span bridge in Ireland, north or south. Short drive around the city, and then to the hostel to be checked in. The guy who checked us in was, as at Belfast, Australian. Lord! We've everywhere! Look out world! There may only be a little over 20 million of us, but we're well on our way to taking over. Be afraid. And then have another beer.
Where was I? Oh yeah.
Checked in, I ended up in a different building, sadly without internet access. Not in the same room - or building - as Pricey though! Two other girls in here this time. Tara and Lisa. Between the three of us we cover the east coast. The guys are all Australian too. Glen is from Newcastle, and it's his 26th birthday tomorrow. Michael is from Melbourne, and is maybe 50. He's cycling around Europe, but decided to go for this tour leaving his bike behind for the moment. And... bugger. I think the other guy in here is Nick, but damned if I'm sure.
So then we went on a Political/Historical walking tour.
It was interesting and informative. We walked around the walls - Derry is the only complete walled city in Ireland, and one of the best examples in Europe - and Rory, our walking guide, told us things about the troubles, Bloody Sunday, and the various other history bits and pieces. Made our way back to the Hostel again where I hung out for a bit before concluding that I should get some food. Did that, came back up here, talked to the roomies for a bit before the guys left. Tara was going to have the night in, and Lisa was going to go out to meet up with the others to see some traditional Irish music. I was going to tag along - I didn't want to go alone - but then she changed her mind. So here I am, writing this...
And that was today's adventures. All summed up nicely.
Sleep and then on to Galway tomorrow!
Hmm.... Galway is where JE Wall was born. I wonder if we'll be anywhere near his town...