Derry

The Piss On, Piss Up And Piss Anywhere Shamrocker Tour (Northern Rocker)

14th March 2007 (and the tour begins)

Day 1: Dublin to Derry

Started the day nice and early and left Kt's house about 7am... caught the Dart into the city where i was bombarded with people giving out free mini packets of pringles and bottles of water(sweet snacks for the bus!) managed to navigate my way through the peak hour padestrian rush that seemed to be heading in every direction imaginable and headed up to the hostel where i was meant to meet everyone.

There were 2 tours leaving at the same time so there were people everywhere. Eventually they got some sort of order and we all signed in with our guides..

Our fine tour guides were Karen and Kevin, who were just a little too loud for that time of the morning, but seem like fun.

Headed off to find the bus, ours was just a boring white one... ;o( and set off about 8:30am heading for northern ireland...

Our first destination was Trim Castle - our first full blown old castle for the trip, okay fair enough it was a little ummmm broken, but thats not the point!

The only things I remember about the castle

1) It was big

2) Cold

3It had a cannon did a quick loop around the outside and jumped back on the bus.... (hey it was cold out!)

did the whole round of introductions at the front of the bus on the mic... (yay fun!) 33 of us out to see ireland and celebrate st pats in style!

most people seem to be over here long term either to study, or work, or finishing up their working holidays with the tour...final verict was 50% aussies, 5 kiwi's, 3 canadians, 2 uk, 1 crazy mexican, and a token american!

Next stop was a Cairne (however you spell that), hazarding a guess, but i think it was called lough crew (according to the doc that kev printed up)????? It happened to be up the top af this wet slippery hill.

Now Karen had gone through how at some point in the tour, she would be on her ass, or face, or back - she apparently has a habit of getting up close and personal with the ground.

Unfortunately many beat her there this time around. On the way down a combination of racing down the side of a mountain and the ground being slippery, saw many of the boys sliding past on their arses!

Tour Comments at the Cairne

1) We're walking up what?

2) "It's okay - your've got Insurance"

3) Yep the ground is Slippery

pretty much had the pleasure of climing and sliding up this wet muddy hillside, to the top, where we got to see this some eerie passage graves, and the witches chair! before heading back down the hill for lunch.

now lunch was interesting... a mixture of soup and sandwiches from this little cottage at the bottom of the hill... no choice just got what you were given...

Boarded the bus and headed in to Derry and arrived in about 1630, went out to have a look around, and after spending 30mins trying to find the entrance to tesco... we gave up and headed back to the hostel to meet the others for our walking tour.

Went on this walking tour of the city walls. The city tour guide was unreal - it really helps when the guide know their stuff and convey their passion when re-telling the stories and history behind certain areas and events.

One of which was the site of Bloody Sunday One of the things about the walking tour that sticks in my mind is the fact that there is still so much tension in the area.

The gutters of the sidewalk in some areas are painted in the british colours (Blue, White, Red) and the different groups (Prodestants and Catholics) still have a lot of animosity towards each other.

With the walking tour over - it was way past due to head to the pub - some of the people on tour even popped their Guiness Cherry!

accomodation....

A) about 10 to a room, and about 1m floorspace for the 10 of us!

B) think 30 people 3 showers, no hotwater, and 2 toilets! hahahaha interesting times...

C) Steve having a leak in the middle of the room (at 4am) - hence the name of the tour. Way to make an impression man! (thankfully it was in the room next door, he was meant to be in our room though... nice save!

Random comment from Derry.... "It's too early for your Accent! "