It was a good idea to stay close to Cairnryan for an early ferry but I wasn’t keen to stay in an open area next to the road, where there were many trucks passing by to get the ferry. So I opted to stay at Kirroughtree Forest car park that allows overnight stay. It’s a great place to stay with no network reception and quiet.
First time taking the ferry with a car, exciting yet daunting since I don’t know what I needed to do. It was easier than I thought and it’s so smooth sailing across the water to another island. Larne was a short hop on the map and it didn’t take long at all to get there on a ferry. All in all, apart from the fare being a tad expensive, definitely better than flying plus I have Ferdi for me to drive around rather than renting a car or commute.
I had to drive a short way crossing the border over to Dundalk to stay with Berni. One of my colleagues, now friend, whom I promised to visit while on this road trip. It was good to see her and the work she’s doing outside of our office job. She wasn’t feeling well so I was prepared with all my remedies in Ferdi (for my usual cold and the occasional ah-chew!) and shared it with her. By the time I got there, I was ready for a restful few days to recuperate from the long walks in the mountains.
Eat, sleep, chat and repeat. What a wonderful place to do that too. As always, after a couple of days, feet got itchy and needed to do some work to get it going again before the last and main objective of the trip. So, off I went to Carlingford, by Berni’s recommendation, to go up Slieve Foye. A nice gentle walk and so well marked with an amazing 360 degrees view all around.
There was another special someone that I would like to pay a visit while I’m in Ireland, and I was really pushing my luck by dropping her a message when I arrived at Berni’s to see if she’s available. Since I don’t really know my schedule, it was by Irish luck that she was free for me to visit her on my way back to UK.
Kate…what can I say about her. Mermaid, adventurer, nature lover and an inspiration. I met her in El Tunco, El Salvador. I was on my trip around Latin America. I was there only for a night, so we chatted for a while about life, where we came from and heading to on our trip. Over the years, I have learnt to trust my instinct about people and I knew she was someone special with a heart of gold. I managed to keep in touch and here we are 5 years since we met.
She was home in Cork doing what she heartily believed in. There were bees and the yummy honey, vegetables and flowers growing with the season. The place looks amazing and it was invigorating just to be there. I felt privilege to be able to visit and see her place, and took away a bit of the peace and calmness with me.
Leaving Kate’s place, I went to the nearby beach that she recommended to collect my thoughts before heading up to Dublin. The beautiful Inch Beach, sandy and although the waves were strong, watching how it crushed the boulders and cliffs somehow steadied my mind. Focusing on my breathing and releasing all the unnecessary out of my body and mind, letting the waves crush them and leaving only what I needed to focus on.
Next was dinner and an overnight at a very nice pub car park, Johnnie Fox’s Pub, near Dublin before an early ferry back to the UK. This leg of the trip gave me a good insight on how easy it is to hop over to Ireland with a van and it was easy to drive around. I might have to plan for a longer trip in Ireland alone but for now, the main item on the agenda…it came around quick and I can only hope that my feet were ready for it.
Reflect-Action > Reflection 
Leave a comment