Londonderry, or is it Derry ?

Wednesday 8th September 2021

This morning we left our lovely parkup on the beach at Banone, so thankful that I hadn't been temped to drive directly onto the beach and instead parked on the paved approach road. A converted bus (into a campervan) had driven off piste onto the soft stuff and a local farmer relieved him of 40 pounds to drag him out !

A nice little earner for him.

Lots of surfers turned up yesterday evening after school and work and it was really quite busy until sunset with people enjoying the sea surf.

It was a bright sunny morning with barely a breath of wind so we enjoyed a morning walk along the now deserted beach, soft golden sand between our toes.

Later we drove into Derry or Londonderry, depending on which side of the divide you hang your cap in.

I was here about twenty years ago for work and then it was a grey, depressing city and you could feel the underlying angst and it felt wracked with hatered and anger. 

No longer in use I think, but The British Army watch towers that littered the city were still here, bristling with surveillance equipment and peppered with paint bomb, stones and no doubt other bomb damage, a focus representing everything that was wrong here. 

Today, it couldn't be more different. Thankfully the towers are gone without a trace left.

We parked at St Columbus Park, free parking and a short walk to the Peace Bridge which crosses the river Foyle.

Clearly a lot of regeneration has been undertaken in the city and it is now a pleasure to walk around and everywhere are friendly faces happy to exchange a hello. 

So different from what I remembered.

Much more like how everyone knows the Irish really are.

We walked the city walls and took in the sights of the city.

I doubt anyone would call it a pretty city, but it has its appeal.

From the northern side of the walls, you could overlook the Bogside area, see the murals on the gable walls, the painted kerbs, sectarian flags, the areas of rough ground seemingly still reserved for the torching of stolen cars ? the free Derry monument and the other landmarks representing the troubles. 

We had no wish to go there.

Clearly there is a hangover in some sections, but thankfully most are pleased to just get on with life.

So we left Derry and picked up the start of the Wild Atlantic Way and headed to Quigley's Point.

We're on a campsite tonight to recharge the batteries and fill with fresh water ready for the next leg, heading for Malin Head the most northerly point on Ireland.

I've managed to book Louis an appointment with a vet in the Republic, so I can get him an EU pet passport. After that he'll almost be an Irish citizen ! Certainly free to travel into Europe next year with the prospect of warmer climates hopefully.

Having said that the weather has been great, perhaps a little cooler and cloudier than you've enjoyed in England, but still very pleasant for walking around in.

First of the trip !