02 - Out of The City

Out of The City - Day One!

Before we even left the apartment, Ireland showed us some of its beauty (assuming one thinks industrial shipping ports are pretty. Fortunately, the pre-sunrise amber helps!)

After getting the rental, Dad got to play Tetris!

Since you're following along, here is (more or less) our path for day one:

Then, we were off to experience all the new experiences that Ireland had to offer...

Once we crossed into Northern Ireland, it was quickly apparent we were in the UK.

There's no Tim Hortons in Ireland! I didn't know they were outside of Canada, but the UK has many! 

"Probably"? Also, Campbell's Soup's lawyers are on the phone about that font!

Bobby Sands and Che Guevara? That's like white chocolate and kerosene.

Oh, did I mention that most of the trip smelled of burning peat?

(Did the blog name not give it away?)

After only a couple of hours of yelling "STAY LEFT, GEOFF!" we reached our first destination, the Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Yes, the Irish are long-winded at everything.

After crossing back into Ireland and taking the ring road around Letterkenny - with apologies to the fans of the Canadian comedy show spelled slightly differently - we headed back into the hills.

As is our norm, we got to Glenveagh National Park just before closing, but we got to see some pretty stuff in the fading light.

After leaving Glenveagh, we headed west, past the picturesque village of Dunlewey and on to our BnB in the coastal town of Dungloe where I was finally Dundriving!  :)

Above: Looking south from View Point Dunlewey

Above: Overlooking Dunlewy Lough (Lake). I don't know why Google says the lake's name has one 'e' but the town has two! On the other hand, the local signs say "Dún Lúiche" so Google has Anglicized everything for your comfort!

Above: Looking south from View Point Dunlewey, abandoned Dunlewey Church at lower right.

Above: The seaside town of Dungloe

Above: All drains lead to the ocean! The water is brown from the all the peat up in the hills.

Above: Our goal was to make sure Mom ate lamb at least once per day. So far, so good!

Above: Dad likes local beer.

Above: Just a Scotsman, his flute, and Dad. Not pictured: Whiskeys.

See tomorrow for the follow-up of this Bro-mance in action!