The Dream Trip - Chapter 11

Donegal was picturesque. The girls headed to Genveagh Castle (http://www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie/) to walk around the grounds of the park. They would have liked to spend more time and follow some of the hiking trails but that would have to wait for another trip. Keith had recommended the Inishowen Lodge (http://www.inishowenlodge.com/) overlooking the water and he knew what he was doing. The place was amazing. None of this was very far from Derry, but there were so many sights to see that the girls were already making a list for their next trip.

Malin Head (http://www.malinhead.ie/Homepage.html) was a hike that the girls had time for and bundled up for the windy area. While the weather was pretty warm, they had been warned that the winds of Malin Head could knock you right into the ocean. And the information had not been wrong. There were times when the girls held on to each other to steady themselves.

It was a full day and the girls were exhausted. They found a small pub for some dinner and headed back to their room at the B&B. The plan was to head back to Derry the next day and get settled. They would spend one day around the Derry countryside and be ready for Friday evening when they would hope to meet up with the guys they had met.

The girls wanted to do a little shopping in Derry so they had something nice to wear for Friday evening. As they traveled through out Ireland they watched the Irish fashions and wanted to each get outfits so they didn't look as American as they did everywhere they went. Of course, the minute they had something to say, everyone knew they were American.

They tried to imagine what their night in Derry would be like meeting up with the lads they had met along the way. The did realized that all of the lads were involved with music in some way. Ryan and Paul knew each other, Keith had been playing locally forever, and Damian was going to school for performing arts. They found this unique connection very interesting. But other then Paul and Ryan they never expected that they would know each other.

The morning arrived and the girls set out for a little time in Bundoran before heading back to Derry. They took the time to go out to the beach area to watch some surfers. This seemed like a very popular area. They were about to leave when Caitlin noticed Big Red in the parking area. She just had to see if Keith was one of the surfers out on the water. And sure enough, as she scanned the water she spotted him riding a wave in. She had to giggle to herself as it just seemed so odd to be watching a surfer in Ireland.

It was difficult not to be noticed by the surfers. Keith spotted the girls and recognized them immediately. He waved as he came in from his ride carrying his board. Caitlin was a little embarrassed because she was hoping he would not see them and just wanted to watch without being noticed.

“So you fancy doing a little surfing?” Keith asked the girls as he approached.

“Oh, no, we were just watching,” Caitlin answered. “I was surprised to see you here.”

“Best waves today, otherwise I'd be somewhere else. Where you off to?” Keith seemed so at home in his wet suit and holding on to his board.

“We're doing the Derry countryside,” Mona answered. “Any recommendations?”

“It's all good,” Keith replied. “Time to catch another ride before the surf dies. See you Friday.”

The girls bid Keith good bye and headed for some more touring before they went back to Derry for some shopping.

The Dream Trip - Chapter 10

The girls arrived back at the B&B late and knew they would be getting up early. They were asleep as soon as their heads hit their pillows dreaming about all that had happened to them since their arrival in Ireland.

Caitlin was the only one who really had to wake up early to meet Keith and get to the tire repair shop. As she rushed down the stairs to grab some breakfast before heading out she ran into Siobhan.

“You do know that Keith will not be hear until about noon, don't you?” Siobhan asked Caitlin.

“What? I thought he said he'd be here bright and early to pick me up.” Caitlin was confused.

“Lassie, when Keith has a gig at night, he rarely pulls himself out of bed before eleven. We all know that around here. I'd be real surprised to see him before noon.” Siobhan explained.

Caitlin was a little upset that she had listened to Keith and fallen for his early wake up line. Since she was all ready, she settled into the dining room and had herself a proper Ulster Fry for breakfast and some nice Barry's tea. As she was finishing up Brianna came down for breakfast and was surprised to find Caitlin.

“Don't tell me you've been stood up?" Brianna teased.

“Put a cork in a Brianna. He's late, and I'm still waiting,” Caitlin was not pleased at all.

But as she chastised Brianna, Caitlin noticed Big Red pull up outside. Siobhan was off a little. Guess there was a reason for Keith to get out of bed early. She just hoped he was not regretting the offer to help her get a new tire.

“Mornin' Siobhan, how's about some brekkie?” Keith called to Siobhan as he entered and sat down next to Caitlin and Brianna grabbing an extra cup and pouring himself some tea.

“Guess I got you up a little early this morning,” Caitlin was trying to see if Keith was out of sorts from rising so early.

“No trouble, Caitlin, I would have been up to catch a surf today otherwise. But the waves are not that great today, so I'm here,” Keith smiled as he answered.

Siobhan set a full Ulster Fry in front of Keith and it was apparent he was very pleased with it. After a few minutes Brianna excused herself to go out walking and left Keith and Caitlin alone. Caitlin tried no to stare too much at Keith as he ate, but she was now taking some time to really look at this blond surfer next to her while not to be too obvious to Keith. He wore a knit hat covering most of his hair and showing more of his face than the day before. Caitlin noticed he has striking features and wonderful blue eyes.

Keith turned and smiled at her. He knew she had been staring at him, but tried not to embarrass her about it.

“Ready to go?” he asked. He must have inhaled his breakfast he was finished so quickly.

Caitlin and Keith headed out the door with a wave to Siobhan that they would be back soon and to let the other girls know when they have left. It only took a few minutes to get to the tire shop and Keith handled everything only referring to Caitlin as the person who needed the new tire. Caitlin could tell by the casual conversation that Keith knew this person and had done business with him before. Luckily the shop had a replacement tire on hand, which Caitlin paid for and Keith loaded into Big Red. The two chatted about Keith's music from the night before on the way back to the B&B. Caitlin felt very at ease with Keith and he seemed the same with her. She was thrilled that she would be seeing him again when they returned to Derry in a day or two.

When they arrived back at the B&B Keith set about replacing the spare tire and putting on the new one. The rest of the girls were up and had brought their luggage down from the rooms. As Kieth finished they all loaded up the car to set off for the day.

Caitlin hesitated as they all got into the car so she and Keith had a few moments to themselves.

“I do hope to see you when we get back to Derry. It will be our last weekend to party before we head back home,” she was hoping Keith was still going to be there so she could see him again.

“No worries, you got my cell, right? Give me a ring and I'll be there. I'm ready for a weekend of Derry craic!” Keith was smiling as he assured Caitlin.

With that the girls headed off to Donegal and a few extra sites recommended by Keith. They had realized that their vacation was much shorter than they expected and wanted to make the most of these last few days.

Travels in Eire #12

Cailin headed west from Derry leaving Northern Ireland toward Lough Swilly in County Donegal. There was no border, no guards, as there might have been years ago. The road signs were slightly different, and location signs were in both Gaelic and English now. Lough Swilly was a great resort area in the summer but it was also steeped in history. There were many stone age monuments, the Martello towers, and the story of the Flight of the Earls. Cailin had read about all of this before coming to Ireland. She loved the history of the area and wanted to take it all in. After stopping several times to sight see, she saw a sign for a cottage B&B and stopped by to see if there was a room available. A little elderly lady came to the door with a crisp white apron tied loosely around her tiny waist and introduced herself as Maeve, the owner. She welcomed Cailin showing her the one room available on the second floor. Cailin was amazed when she looked out the window and saw an incredible view of the lough from her room. She also sensed the smell of something baking downstairs and followed the scent down to the neatly set dining room where tea and scones had been set out for the guests. The room was flooded with the sunlight of the day and one side was full of windows looking out to the lough. Cailin picked up a warm scone from the display table, put some butter on the plate and some whiskey marmalade. Seating herself at a small table by a window she poured a cup of tea and enjoyed the warmth of the sun and flavors of this great treat. No sooner had she settled in than her cell phone rang. As she looked at the caller ID, she grinned. It was Darren.
“Are you missing me already?” she answered the phone.
“You bet,” Darren replied. “Just wanted to make sure you arrived in one piece. I also wanted to make sure you know that if you need anything you can just call. I know people all around the countryside and can get you help. Or I'll come and find you myself to help.”
After a short chat Cailin hung up, but the smile was still there as she gazed out the window. Maeve stopped by her table to ask if everything was okay.
“You look so lost in thought, lassie.”
“It's fine, I'm just enjoying my trip so very much,” Cailin responded. “I think I'll take a walk out by the lough this afternoon.”
“Be wary while you are there. There's many a story about how the lough is dangerous and how many have lost their lives there. It's truly a mysterious place at times.”
Cailin bid a good afternoon to Maeve, and with the warning in the back of her mind headed down to the shore for a stroll. The beach was actually deserted this afternoon as the clouds were out. The lough is extremely deep and the water a dark gray from the sky's reflection. Cailin could see how this scene could be ominous and foreboding. Yet this mysterious lough had a magical pull to it, almost mesmerizing. A chill ran up her spine and she shuddered. It was time to head back. Cailin sensed a sadness here. Or maybe it was just her.

It must have been hours that she was gone, even though it only felt like a short time. She checked her watch and it was past seven. As she walked back toward the B&B she stopped at a pub for some supper and a hot whiskey. Here she noticed as many times before that while she was welcomed in the pub, there were no other women. As she sat at the bar she asked the barman about this. He explained that most women in the countryside are at home during the week and come out to the pubs on the weekend when there is music, mostly Thursday and Saturday nights, and some Sunday afternoons. Since this was a weekday, it's mostly the men after work.
“Why is there no music on Friday night? Cailin asked.
“We don't need music to pull in the crowds on Friday, missy. It's payday and everyone heads to the pub on Friday after work,” he responded smiling.
It was a quiet night in the pub, and Cailin noticed that it was getting late. She would be heading up to the northern most point in County Donegal tomorrow and wanted to get a good night's rest. She said her goodnight to the barman and headed back to the B&B. When she got to her room, she took a last look out the window to see the moon setting over the lough. It was an eerie look. Cailin pulled the curtains closed and curled up under the down covers to a restless night's sleep. She dreamed of waves washing over her and trying to pull her into the lough. Must have been the stories that Maeve put into her head earlier in the day.