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The sky remained clear overnight and
thankfully the wind continued. That meant the temperature was down
to 5degC and there were no midges. The sun eventually reached the
tent so it was dry by the time I packed it away. I carried the
panniers the short distance to the road to clip them on the bike
there. That saved me having to push the loaded bike across rough and
steep ground. The first part of my ride was to reach the summit of
the Glendowan Pass. It was a steady 2 mile climb of a even gradient
and not too steep. The highest point was spread along a flat length
of about half a mile. |
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Round a right bend I could see the
long descent below me. Like the climb it was steady and not too
steep. I free wheeled down for several miles then reached occasional
houses by the road. I saw a school sign and was pleased to see
several children riding their bikes to school. The terrain was
generally undulating with many very expensive and new looking
detached houses set backs a short way from the road. The lanes were
well surfaced and good to ride on with not much traffic. |
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I reached Letterkenny which is the
largest town I’ve seen since leaving Derry. My route was along the
main street which turned out to be one-way, and not the way I was
going. I had to get off and push my bike up the steep hill through
the town. It gave me the opportunity to take a closer look at the
town. There was an interesting sculpture to commemorate the annual
Rabble Days or Hiring Fairs where children would be hired out to the
more wealthy farmers as a form of cheap labour. The information
board said this practice continued until the 1950s. My treat of
pottering along quiet lanes was soon to change. |
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Letterkenny sculpture to commemorate
the annual Rabble Days or Hiring Fairs |
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My next objective was the outskirts of
Derry and I had to ride about 20 miles along the very busy N13. Most
of the way had a decent cycle track but the speeding traffic didn’t
make for good cycling. An interesting church appeared on my right. |
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Sculpture leaving Letterkenny |
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I had to stop to take a closer look.
It was St Aengus Church at Bart and was impressive both outside and
in. I continued to the A2 to the north of Derry and stopped at a
shop to get something to eat. I got some small cakes a banana and
some water. I handed over Euros to pay and was told I was in the
North. |
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St Aengus Church, Bart |
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Unknown to me I cycled out of the
Republic and back into Northern Ireland where pounds are the
currency. She still took my euro note and gave me change including
an Irish five pound note. The R238 road continued along the coast.
My original plan had been to camp somewhere along here but it was
still only early afternoon so I decided to continue to the Foyle
Ferry at Greencastle and see it I could get across to Magilligan
Point. |
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It continued sunny and warm but the
head wind I’d started with continue all along the coast. The ferry
left Greencastle on the hour during the day and as I passed through
Moville my watch said 14:50. A sign said Greencastle was 4km away so
I resigned myself to just missing the ferry and waiting an hour. The
road was easy and quiet and as I entered Greencastle I saw the ferry
sign and followed its direction to the quay where the ferry was
still there and about to leave. |
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I cycled down to the ramp and just
managed to wheel my bike on board. The senior single fare was 1.5
euros. The crossing to Magilligan Point was quite windy but the sea
wasn’t rough. There was an interesting Restaurant which was the
Point Bar. Through dunes behind I had a look at the impressive 1812
Martello Tower. |
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The dunes were fenced off with only
pedestrian access. They would have made a good campsite. I returned
to the bar and got my water containers filled then cycled a short
way along the coast to an off road area where a couple of caravans
were parked up. I found a nice spot nearby to pitch my tent with a
wonderful view across the Lough. Before tea I cycled back to the bar
to enjoy a pint of real draught Irish Guinness. |
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Whittle Wanderer
