The Wild Atlantic Way

 So far on this adventure we have stayed at our hotel bars/restaurants in the evening.  Last evening a 'curveball' was thrown at us.  The hotel was experiencing computer issues.  As a result they were operating on a 'cash only' basis.  Our cash reserves quickly depleted.  We were not interested in using the ATM as we knew that we would be leaving Northern Ireland behind today.  Having 'pounds' left over was not what we wanted.  We decided to visit a bar that we had walked by earlier in the day.  It was called 'The Rocking Chair'.  What a treat!  As we entered a group of young school kids started playing traditional Irish music.  They probably varied in age from 8 to 18.  They were amazing!  At 8:00 they were forced to quit playing due to liquor licensing issues.  Some older gentlemen quickly replaced them, so the entertainment continued.

This bar was full of locals.   Shortly after we purchased a beer, one of them engaged us in conversation.  His name was Malachy.  Now isn't that an Irish name if you have ever heard one?  When asked if he had lived here his whole life, he said, "well I hope so".  He was quite the character.  Before long he was bound and determined to buy us another beer.  Being social, we agreed.  He must have been running an ongoing tab, because when he eventually left, I am positive that he never paid.  To make the evening even more interesting, it turned out we were sitting between 2 other couples from Canada.  3 Canadian couples and a bar full of locals.  You could not have asked for anything better!

We enjoyed our time in Londonderry but at the same time, it was nice to be getting back into the countryside again.  With only one minor hiccup, we were on our way towards Letterkenny and back into the Republic of Ireland once again.

If we had taken Google Maps directions we would have been in Donegal in a little over an hour.  But as per usual, we were not interested in the conventional route.  We headed off to start our tour of The Great Atlantic Way.  It was quite the drive.  4 1/2 hours after leaving Londonderry, we eventually arrived in Donegal.  Most of the time we were overlooking the ocean but one of the more unique experiences was going up and over a headland/mountain area.  When we got to the top, it flattened out and we found ourselves going through a 'peat bog'.  You could see where the peat had been harvested for years and actually saw some being dug.  I guess there must still be a market for peat to burn here in Ireland.  All of my anxiety of a couple of days ago quickly disappeared.  Speeding up, slowing down, gearing up, gearing down...it could not get any better!

Farmland outside of Derry

Cattle grazing

Downies - Resort town on north coast

Doe Castle

Peat Bog beside estuary

Becoming our go to!

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