Packed up and left Donegal in drizzling rain to relocate to Derry, Northern Ireland and en route we diverted slightly to Burt a rural area around 3km from the Ireland/Northern Ireland border and 8kms from Derry.
The purpose of our diversion was to see the Grianan of Aileach a stone cashel originally dating from the late 8th or early 9th century but restored in the 1870s
As we arrived so did the mist hiding the view of Lough Swilly, Lough Foyle and Inch Island but as we left the mist disappeared and we had a lovely view to the north
Arrived in Derry middayish and were lucky enough to have early access to the accommodation which is an upstairs apartment located in the Craft Village.
Found an overnight carpark for the Sportage but when I accessed the parking machine it would only take coins which I didn’t have so I went across the road to a superette and asked to use my debit card in exchange for some coins. They shop assistant was quite happy to do so but charged me 10% for the privilege
While I was away a lady parked beside our car, Sherry was standing beside it and she asked if she could help - Sherry explained that I was away getting coins and the lady said if any problem come and see her in the nearby bar where she worked. I was only away 3-4 minutes and as well as the lady a guy who was walking to his vehicle saw the lady walking away from Sherry and thinking that they were together asked Sherry whether she was going to get coins for the machine and when Sherry told him what was going on he offered his still valid parking ticket to Sherry but even if she had accepted it it would not have covered the time we needed - friendly and helpful people the Irish!
During the afternoon we walked the 1.6km 400 year old city walls. The walls stand up to 8 metres in height and are the most complete circuit of historic walls of any town or city in Ireland and were constructed to protect the English and Scottish settlers of the new town that was established as part of the “Plantation of Ulster”.
From the walls there were views out over the city surrounds particularly of the Bogside the focus point for many of the troubles in 1969 and also in 1972 when a protest march turned into the bloodbath which became known as Bloody Sunday.
We will see what else Derry has to offer tomorrow
The Grianan of Aikeach
The Bogside
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