Day 10 : Nature time #1

[Written by mary, edited and published by brian]

It was somewhat of a bittersweet day, as we checked out of our Beloved Shamrock Lodge Hotel, can’t say enough how this place feels like home in Ireland. We recommend it to everyone, and it’s very affordable.

So, we trekked off to the north, as in (Occupied) Northern Ireland, and boy, the minute one passes the border. Still no boarder checks but with Brexit drawing near that will all soon change. One feels the change immediately; the road signs lack Gaelic, have British spellings, the houses are different – all of it just feels weird. Funny, just as we passed the boarder, the sign that said Northern Ireland, the Northern was graffitied out and replace with ONE Ireland. Feelings still run strong. 

Our destination was Tollymore Forrest Park, in the shade to the Mountains of Mourne, and OMG; where last night I wrote about the politeness of the Irish today is all about the (breathtaking and) spectacular beauty of this Island. Shout out to Norma and Victor, you guys would spend a week here taking photos, never tire of the beauty, and never replicate a pic.

We could spend a lifetime here, and I am so jealous of the people that get to see this daily. The trek through the park wore us both out. Off to Newcastle (just another lovely waterfront village) for a late lunch.

Nutritionally restored, it’s back into (free) Ireland for a night in Carlingford. 

Our end today was the quaint town of Carlingford (just another lovely waterfront village). Brian found us a lovely place to stay a great room with a small couch, (PARKING), and right in the heart of the village. Ok the village is smaller than half of downtown Glendora, but still cute and lovely. As today was a long drive and long trek through the park, we hit the local Pub and  had another great dinner.