Newtonstewart, Ireland or Northern Ireland
It's hard to know which country I'm in at any given time without seeing the color of the post office. If it's red, then that's the Royal Mail and I'm in the UK (Northern Ireland). If it's green, the Ireland. That was how I figured out yesterday that we had crossed the border sometime earlier. And it means we have to use Euros to buy stuff. Luckily my wallet has a pouch on either side: Euros on one, and Pounds Sterling on the other! People living along the border must do the same, although it appears the stores will take either with no exchange rate even though we pay more for £ than for €.
Forecast Summary
Sunday: Cloudy with showers or longer outbreaks of rain, becoming heavy at times.
Yup, that's today's forecast. So needless to say, we didn't pack up this morning. Looks like a zero day (day with zero miles) in our tents in a town park by the river near a beautiful ancient bridge. We're a bit light on water but hopefully if the rain stops for a while we can stroll into town (?) and find some. Also low on power. The iPhone is a great source of entertainment but also eats up power quickly. I have a power pack with a couple of recharges and then that's it. No sun, no power. Amazingly the solar panel has really earned it's keep. Most days I get a full charge off if it for both my phone and my power pack top off.
My tent is strewn with gear and clothes and food. It's probably a good thing I brought the 2 person one. Not so cramped when "house-bound":). And everything is getting a bit smelly. Showers and laundry have been scarce this last week or longer. I do a wash up most every night in a small amount of water and soap right in my tent. Last night was a luxury with a fresh waster river nearby and I got a full body wash including hair. Too cold for swimming though. (And a bit dangerous according to the signs.). But my clothes stink. Washed my silk boxers last night. I wear them under my cycling skirt to be "decent". They're soft and comfy. Sure beats the hot and heavy compression liners they put underneath. I cut them out. We can't find a laundromat here. Even in Londonderry they said there wasn't one. Supposedly everyone has a washing machine, even in apartments.
Yes we did cycle through the Walled City of Derry or Londonderry. Cities are not our favorite place to be, but I wanted to see it. We thought we'd stay at a hostel to get showers and laundry. Nope, they were full up. And another was on the 2nd floor...not good for bikes. So we decided to see the sights and cycle on. Who needs a shower and laundry anyways? Overrated, I always say:). So in the middle of this city is a wall all the way around a center section with archways to enter. And inside are shops. Lots of shops! Ok. Saw the wall. The most interesting thing we checked out was a gallery of photos about the conflict in the 70s. Very moving. That's what comes to mind for me when I hear "Northern Ireland". Internal strife. One man my age said when he went to school, the children were searched every day for bombs. It was a way of life. Get on with it.
I have to say I don't always get everything that's said to me by the Irish. Sometimes the accent is so strong I can only pick out a word or two. If it's important, like directions, I ask them to repeat it...but if they're just chatting away, I nod and smile and act as if I understood. Then April and I ask each other, "Did you get that?" "No, I thought you did!"
So that night after touring Derry, we continued following the National Cycle Route we've been on since Larne down along the river on a cycle path. And what do we come upon? A clearing with a bench and a sculpture and a mace for our tents! Nicer than any hostel! Sun, no midgies, no bees, delightful evening!!! So glad we didn't stay in the city:))))
Livin' the life,
BagLady
