I had to take a taxi to be sure I got to the Drogheda bus terminal for the 10:10 bus as the next would be a couple hours later. I hate using taxis because of the cost. 10 minute €12/£10.65/$14.11. But making the trek with my kit would not have been wise. The whole bus ride after that was less than double the cost for 186km/115 miles.
The first bus dropped me at a wee covered stop in Ardee and I hoped that the Sunday schedule was correct. No worries, 20 minutes later I was headed to Northern Ireland. I have been keeping my calendar so I don’t overstay my UK 180 day allotment. I already have to sit in the dock upon arrive due to my flagged visa rejection. When I leave Derry/Londonderry on Thursday I will have over a 2 week cushion, Jane, so hopefully I’ll see you next year. Inshallah.
I had never given a moment’s thought to the whole “Derry/Londonderry” thing but it was in my face as I walked from the bus terminal to my B&B in Bogside. And the “thing” is that this city suffered during the Troubles as much as Belfast and much of NI and that issue, should Ireland be one country or two, still simmers in the hearts of many in Northern Ireland. Although thankfully it appears that the majority simply want to live in peace as neither government has a lot to brag about. Northern Ireland, as I mentioned earlier, appears to be considerably less expensive to live in than the Republic some of that stemming from higher EU VAT. Maybe that takes some of the sting out of the divide? I doubt it.
I try to stay upbeat about life but when you see a monument to peace and the flame is out, that just doesn’t bode well.
3.28 miles
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