35. Derry Day 1


It’s been yet another interesting day for us as we travelled from northern Eire (or the Republic of Ireland) to Northern Ireland, UK. We’ve gone from Euros back to GB Pounds. What we found interesting is that there is absolutely no indication of crossing the border - there’s not even a dotted line drawn on the road. The first we knew that we had crossed was our satnav - it suddenly went from kms to miles for both distances and our speedo; and it happened in the middle of a town! I thought it had gone crazy until we realised what had just occurred. Funnily enough Immigration stamped our passports as having arrived in Ireland but they haven’t been stamped as we left - and our flight from Belfast to Edinburgh in a few days time is an internal one, so it would seem that we’re still in the Republic!!! Ah! Well!! Hopefully, it’s not our problem.

Just as we were first in line yesterday to get on the ferry, so were we first in line after the travelcade of tractors had passed us. Today was the local (and surrounding districts) tractor charity run! Who would have thought! We sat there for nearly 20 minutes as the  procession slowly made its way to their destination. Most tractors were being driven by young farmers (teenagers) or young dads with their kids jammed in the cabin for the ride and were enthusiastically waving at all the cars waiting patiently for them to pass. Each tractor had been lovingly washed and polished and the wheels had been blackened. I wonder if there had been some prizes up for grabs?

And of course our trusty satnav made sure we saw as much of Ireland as possible by choosing as many B roads as it could! I’m sure if there were C roads, we would have been directed to them, as well.

En route we decided to look at some monolithic burial grounds but they were temporarily closed. Then we thought we’d see a castle but it too was closed. However, we saw a very interesting small Stone Circle which was different than Stonehenge.

Tonight we had dinner at the local pub, to where we are staying, and unbeknown to us it was the night that Liverpool became Premier Champions  - well!!!! The whole pub went crazy when the final bell was rung (or did they blow a whistle?). The passion of the patrons was palpable.

And so endeth yet another interesting day for us.

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