A trip round to the east coast (Day 2of8)

Day 2of8

Up and at em. Well, up at a reasonable time anyway, slept like a log. We're off to see the local sights towards the east coast, Newcastle way, courtesy of Aidan's tour guide skills.

Tandragee 100. This motorcycle road race was on the 7th May this year, so we were a bit late starting on the grid, but we did the circuit of 5.34375 miles in record time (well my record anyway!) - hats off to the guys doing this circuit for real, the road is not so smooth and you must spend much of the time in the air!


A view from the start line...


Not sure where we went next, but I guess Aidan, you can remind me... We would dip in and out of Ireland, across the border and back again.


It was a revelation to us that, given the 'troubles' of the region that the border wasn't controlled, staffed or even marked. The only way you knew was the amount of yellow used in the Irish signs compared with the standard British set up. So no passport required then?

Fantastic views across a lake or two here...



Sandy and Mandy (sounds like a pop-duo) The scene was so quiet and serene looking around us.


Sandy in thoughtful pose

Crossmaglen - one of those towns we grew up hearing about, and not for good reasons either. Here we have the Republican Memorial in Crossmaglen village, County Armagh

and an explanation of the symbol... (as with all these images, just click onto them for a larger picture)



So why pose for a picture at this politically sensitive structure then? A good question and Aidan's offer to take a picture of us with our camera put us on the spot. He pointed out it was fine to have a picture, and fine not to as well; no issue, no problem.

Clearly we had our picture taken, but it would not be the first time we had to consider the sesnsitivities involved. You might expect that, as British subjects, we might find ourselves uncomfortable in the Republican arena areas, yet feel 'at home' in the staunchly pro-british areas found on our travels. Actually the opposite was the case. The preponderance of union flags in some areas at times would be unsettling - it just felt that one side was more comfortable with their position whilst the other felt the need to tell you how it should be, in any way possible. No political view here, these are just the feelings from what we experienced; we are just on holiday!

Next stop was Slieve Gullion, the highest mountain in Armagh (573m) with a cracking view of the Ring of Gullion and also the incoming weather systems!



The top of the mountain has a national monument and Aidan allowed me his first portrait shot, stomach in, chest out, show those abs!


Then it's down the mountain to Spelga Dam. We are then entertained by a hill that goes downhill by going uphill.... Dis-believers that we were, we had it proved to us... Even on the video it looks like the car rolls uphill - physics turned on it's head or what! Known locally as 'Magic Hill'. Check out more on YouTube!

Back to Aidan's for the night, but then a trip out to the local pub for a meal, nice nosh guys. On the way back through the park, we find that the GS bikes have a different spec. here and must be feared locally; guess muzzles are the next step!



Route today 132miles