Note: On Saturday when we were in Donegal, we were in the Republic of Ireland. That means the roads were marked in kilometres and the currency was the Euro. Only the province of Ulster is Northern Ireland which uses miles and pounds.

Sunday

Our breakfast at Heron’s Burn included a lady who is returning to Omagh after several years in England. We had a nice chat and she told us that our American accent would be a “ticket”. She said that the Irish would be happy to give us directions just to engage us in some conversation and hear our accent!

The only road marker you see and it's off the road and not visible until you are right on it!

Leaving the B&B we headed to Derry but did take a side trip through Gortin area which was quite scenic. It was in the Sperrin Mountains with wee narrow roads, not wide enough for a car to pass. At least once, the oncoming car pulled over to allow us to pass. The view was amazing but then just about every view in all of Ireland is stunningly beautiful.

The original wall and the added walkway. This is about 20 ft above
ground level so the wall itself is 30 ft. high.

Bishop's Gate

St. Columb's Church inside Derry.

We arrived with the help of the map, the GPS and Wendy’s directions in Londonderry/Derry just as folks were hurrying off to morning worship. We pulled into a carpark near on Bishop Street Within. Then we walked the wall. It’s about a mile all around but we walked from Bishop’s Gate to Newtown Gate and back, then from Bishop’s Gate round past the 14 Sycamores planted in memory of the 13 Apprentices and a leader from the 1689 Siege. A party of 6 was filming a documentary from the cannon rampart. We did go down and walk through a neighborhood.  I was trying to get to the Tower so since the Fire and Rescue Squad was out checking alarm systems, I asked one if he would “rescue” us. He gave us some directions and a bit of history about the place. He noted the red/white/blue paint on the curbs denoting loyalists. The yellow/green would be the republicans. We saw a few of the murals. I asked the firefighter is he was from Derry and he said “no…I’m from Fermanaugh!”  He has been assigned to Derry by nature of his job.

Wherever you are in Ireland, someone is walking the dog!!

We left Derry heading home. We backtracked a part of the route and then used the M1 for a large portion. It is the only four lane highway in N. Ireland and cut a bit of time off our journey! I wanted to eat lunch before the M1 but there were no restaurants or tearooms open that we could find. No pizza places, no Chinese restaurants….everyone is closed on Sunday. Finally, I pulled into a petrol station that also has a quick mart. We were able to get deli sandwiches and crisps and donuts. Junk food delight!

The drive home was uneventful and we arrived back at Murlough House shortly before 4 pm. It was good to be in before dark!