… in a one-day, one-woman road trip. Specifically: Derry, Tyrone, Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo. And then back again, at least as far as Tyrone; I was only really in Derry in last night and in the wee hours of this morning.

It’s been a busy twenty-four hours…

Last night, Marion and I put on our ponchos and sombreros, and went up with friends to watch the parade and fireworks for the Halloween Carnival in Derry. A lot of effort goes into the parade, and it really shows. And although I’m not a great fan of fireworks (I don’t like the noise), these were beautiful.

After all that excitement, Marion and I went for a couple of drinks in a pub with other friends, and then over to Prehen House, a 17th century manor house (open to the public) where a party with a proper DJ was being held in the courtyard and cellars. And we met up with our third Mexican amiga, Louise.

Got back to Marion’s (and County Tyrone) about 2, and managed to write 361 words before going to bed…

The forecast for today was for clear and cold weather, so I’d decided to make the 70 mile trip down to Sligo to meet Susan, a NaNoWriMo buddy. It was definitely cold, and I was late getting on the road, but I had a good drive down through Donegal and the tiniest slice of Leitrim before arriving in Sligo about midday. I hung out with Susan and her family for a couple of hours in a really nice cafe before heading back home again, via W. B. Yeats’ grave in Drumcliff, and an attempt to find the Glencar waterfall (which failed, although the lake was very pretty - I was starting to run low on fuel and needed to get back to the main road).

From left to right: Sligo town; Yeats’ grave; Ben Bulben seen from Yeats’ grave; Glencar Lake.

Anyway, now I’m home safe and sound after a really satisfying 24 hrs or so - my one regret for the day is that the day was starting to get overcast so I decided to give up on visiting the seaside on my way home. Though at least I got to see the sea, lots of it!

I have plenty of writing to do this evening though, so I’d better get on with it…

… to not very successfully doodle a monster. I should probably have stuck to Paint Shop Pro.

Still, I like his green wellies and blue gloves, and I think he looks fairly friendly. If very hairy, Cousin It-style.

Also today, I am mostly … already having a busy week

… which is only going to get busier. Drove about 35 mins or so to the Halloween salsa party last night. It was ok - it was fun to watch all the juxtapositions of costumes, such as a cow dancing with Amy Winehouse, or Captain Jack Sparrow with Super Mario (Luigi was there too), but it was geared to those who knew what they were doing. (I just went dressed as a rather boring witch. Yay for black clothes.)

And on the way home, I got pulled over by the cops for the first time ever, flashing blue light and all. By the Gardaí, in fact, since I was over the border in Donegal at the time. It was just routine; I didn’t have my license but he seemed satisfied that I wasn’t drunk (I wasn’t) and my tax & MOT were fine. What did amuse me though was that the guard who spoke to me was wearing a beanie hat - I can’t help wondering if they’re standard issue!

Anyway, I was in Belfast today, and will be again tomorrow (snow/sleet showers promised overnight on high ground, i.e. on the mountains I have to cross, yippee) because I have our Belfast NANoWriMo kick-off in the evening. Then it’s the Derry kick-off on Wednesday; I’m supposed to be starting salsa classes for myself on Thursday; and Friday is Halloween. Whee!