Derry and the Inishowen Peninsula

A couple weekends ago John and I ventured up to the north again for another cycle. His parents joined us so that was fun too!

The weekend started with us driving up to Donegal, where we stayed in this really nice B&B. The Donegal accent is the most difficult accent to understand in my opinion. I'd say its a combination of an Northern Irish accent and a Scottish accent. It took me a few times to understand what the owners of the B&B were saying, but they were friendly so they didn't mind at all!

On Saturday we went to Derry (or Londonderry if you're British :P ), which is part of the UK. The Apprentice Boys were marching, which created some tension between the Catholics and Protestants. Derry is known as the "walled city" as it is (you guessed it!) walls surrounding the entire city. Normally you can walk around the whole city just on the walls, but they had them blocked off to prevent any sort of violence.They also taped off all the trash cans, which was annoying!

Apprentice boys!

Yes that says IRA.

So we watched the parade from the one of the walls that was open. Afterward John's mom went to a guard and not only asked them when the trash cans would be uncovered, but also told them that she hoped the whole day "went off" well for them. Its a shock we didn't get chased out of town after that!

Franny made a friend!

We went for a really nice lunch after that, and walked around the city to look at the castle and everything.

Then we left Derry to drive around the Inishowen peninsula to see where John would be cycling the next day so we would know where to take pictures of him. The beaches there were absolutely beautiful- we really don't have water like that in the States! We stopped a lot, got out and took pictures, stopped and took more pictures. I'm surprised I had enough room on my camera!

The next day John woke up early and went to start his cycle. His parents and I woke up and had a nice breakfast before heading out to the top of the first hill. We met up with some other people who were there supporting the cyclists, so we had a good chat with them. Here's the hill they were coming up:

Now, John had injured his leg in the previous weekend, so we were expecting him to maybe stop after this hill, or maybe even walk it. But just like the trooper he is...

He made it!

And I met him at the top of a hill for a pat on the way back (no way I'm hugging him, he was already drenched in sweat!)

Yay! 

John's parents and I drove around the rest of the day trying to follow John. We went up to Malin Head, which is the northern most point of the island of Ireland.

Malin Head!

We finally caught up with John with about 20 more miles to go! We barely caught up with him at the last stop before he had to go finish the ride!

We met up at the finish line (after getting lost trying to find it :P ) where John had some much needed food and drink, as well as a VERY much needed shower. John's parents went on their way once we made sure he was still alive, and John and I made our way home. We stopped for some dinner at a little diner on the way, which was delicious (not nutritious) but John earned it!

 We also stopped at this pre-Christianity fort on top of a hill. It was beautiful and you could see so far away in the distance, I think up to four counties!

I fell :(

The view from the top!

More view!

It was a really spectacular weekend, filled with beautiful scenery and wonderful people! I'd recommend the area to anyone who visits Ireland! It's the best of the North and the South!