That's good, I'm pleased you're on the mend. 
Doire, Dún na nGall and donkeys (hopefully).
- Thread starter Ex-Call Centre Chimp
- Start date
Despite the room looking a bit uninviting it did the trick nicely. After a good night's sleep (an exceptionally rare thing for me these days) it was down to the restaurant for breakfast. I waited at the rostrum to be seated as instructed and despite wearing motorbike boots, motorbike trousers and a BMW Motorrad t-shirt was greeted by the curmudgeonly waitress with "Are you with the golfers?". To be fair to her it was particularly busy and as an elderly white man I guess it was a reasonable enough assumption make. The distinct lack of manners shown by most of the golfers there would no doubt account for her la knof American style customer service at that moment.
Breakfast fitted in nicely with the theme of the room, not great but did what it needed to and was served quickly enough.
The bike was still where I'd left it so on I hopped and headed to the port.
I had asked elsewhere on the forum if anyone coukd suggest a café where I might get breakfast on a Sunday morning as, for some reason best known to their proprietors, a lot of the cheap lodgings in Stranraer are room only so I was pleased to see this sign just outside Stranraer on the A77 to Cairnryan.
A short ride to the ferry where there were a few other bikes waiting to board and we were on first and strapped down by an army of eager crew very quickly and smoothly.
Breakfast fitted in nicely with the theme of the room, not great but did what it needed to and was served quickly enough.
The bike was still where I'd left it so on I hopped and headed to the port.
I had asked elsewhere on the forum if anyone coukd suggest a café where I might get breakfast on a Sunday morning as, for some reason best known to their proprietors, a lot of the cheap lodgings in Stranraer are room only so I was pleased to see this sign just outside Stranraer on the A77 to Cairnryan.
A short ride to the ferry where there were a few other bikes waiting to board and we were on first and strapped down by an army of eager crew very quickly and smoothly.
Attachments
Unfortunately the photo of the coffee shack won't load, too large apparently but it's called The Bunker Snack bar and advertises itself as being open 7 days a week from 0800 hrs. to 1400.
Having got hopelessly lost on a ferry trip from Dublin to Holyhead last year and genuinely fearing I was heading back to Ireland I thought it prudent to take precautions this time as my stupidity really knows no bounds.
Noted......
Noted......
Sat. Nav. all set, TY again for the advice. Now it's time to sit back and fret endlessly about the upcoming Old Firm game: I fear the worst.
It'll be interesting on any of the ferries heading in the opposite direction today. I often wonder what happens on those boats when these games are played and how the crews deal with it, particularly on the return leg if one of the teams have lost.
It'll be interesting on any of the ferries heading in the opposite direction today. I often wonder what happens on those boats when these games are played and how the crews deal with it, particularly on the return leg if one of the teams have lost.
I've just realised. No/very few away fans at Old Firm games these days. That'll help. Though the girl working in the on-board café did tell me that in the olden days the fans weren't allowed to wear any 'colours'.
What a fabulous afternoon which showed me many facets of this eclectic place, with special thanks again to those of you kind enough to offer your input.
Off the boat and a quick diversion to have a look at Solitude, home of Cliftonville F.C. where one of the club members, intrigued by my visit insisted on gifting me a not so small memento to remember them by. It's a lovely ground with a beautiful backdrop. Today the ladies team were training.
Off the boat and a quick diversion to have a look at Solitude, home of Cliftonville F.C. where one of the club members, intrigued by my visit insisted on gifting me a not so small memento to remember them by. It's a lovely ground with a beautiful backdrop. Today the ladies team were training.
I headed off towards my hotel via The Sperrins to follow a route kindly recommended on here. I decided to avoid the motorway and have a look at some of the towns along the way to see whether or not they might be worth a night or 2. 1st port of call was Antrim/Aontroim followed by Ballymena (no idea why the Garmin took me this way), goodness I've never seen so many Parachute regiment flags - I'm not sure I'll be rushing back but to each their own.
As I headed towards Draperstown I got caught up in a Tractor Run. Being from Lincolnshire I'm no stranger to being stuck behind a tractor or two but today was different, there must have been 200 or so on a charity run - I believe this year's was in aid of Northern Ireland Air Ambulance. What a spectacle it was, the locals lined the streets of the various towns and villages we went through and waved as the tractors all went by. Hmmmmm.... it was definitely better than it sounds and I'm sure plenty of cash was raised for an excellent cause.
Then it was onto The Sperrins and some fabulous roads and beautiful scenery with an occasional bit of history and myth thrown in for good measure.
.
As I headed towards Draperstown I got caught up in a Tractor Run. Being from Lincolnshire I'm no stranger to being stuck behind a tractor or two but today was different, there must have been 200 or so on a charity run - I believe this year's was in aid of Northern Ireland Air Ambulance. What a spectacle it was, the locals lined the streets of the various towns and villages we went through and waved as the tractors all went by. Hmmmmm.... it was definitely better than it sounds and I'm sure plenty of cash was raised for an excellent cause.
Then it was onto The Sperrins and some fabulous roads and beautiful scenery with an occasional bit of history and myth thrown in for good measure.
.
As I passed through Greencastle there was a match on, a Ladies B team County Final so I popped in for a little look. At the point I left it was a pretty low scoring but relatively one sided game, though the decent sized crowd seemed to be enjoying it (trust me there was a small grandstand on one side of the ground that was packed to bursting).
A quick pit stop in Gortin. 
Then onwards.......
To Newbuildings and Derry/Doire/Londonderry (you decide) where I went from this......
.......to this within a few short miles:-
.......to this within a few short miles:-
And 2 more sports ground to tick off.
I have been to The Brandywell before, many years ago when I was seconded to Vodafone in Derry for a few weeks. It's changed since then.
I have been to The Brandywell before, many years ago when I was seconded to Vodafone in Derry for a few weeks. It's changed since then.
Fab stuff Mister Chimp. 
And then the short hop to the hotel, crossing the border en route, here I think; the only indications being the speed limit now being posted in KMH rather MPH and the change of tarmac.
Just time for 1 more beautiful vista....
......before arriving at tonight's hotel which is considerably nicer than last night's despite being almost 50% cheaper.
Just time for 1 more beautiful vista....
......before arriving at tonight's hotel which is considerably nicer than last night's despite being almost 50% cheaper.
Yay!!!!!!!! Never in any doubt thanks to St. Brendan of Rodgers.
Surely it can't be purely coincidence that I saw this very apt sign after the game?
Thank you, you're very kind.Fab stuff Mister Chimp.
Has the joy of Celtic’s victory, rendered the trip a closed book?
Apologies, the days have panned out longer than I expected. Once I've had the ankle op and have my feet (foot) up I'll try to get it finished.
Monday dawned and the weather remained lovely. My plans today were to call in at The Donegal Donkey Sanctuary as a friend had sponsored a donkey each for my wife and I for 12 months last Christmas and it seemed rude not to make the effort to visit them given his kindness. I only expected to be in here for a short while, see the donkeys, have some cake, buy some gifts then move on. I then intended going to have a look at another stone circle nearby then spend the afternoon chasing a trail of some Irish Martyrs.
On my way back from breakfast the receptionist recommended a hill fort not far from the hotel so that was added to the day's itinerary - the sat nav remained on the curvy road setting. There was another motorcycle in the car park and a 'quick chat' with the owner took 90 minutes out of the morning but I was in no rush so it was all good.
On my way back from breakfast the receptionist recommended a hill fort not far from the hotel so that was added to the day's itinerary - the sat nav remained on the curvy road setting. There was another motorcycle in the car park and a 'quick chat' with the owner took 90 minutes out of the morning but I was in no rush so it was all good.
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