RideEatCamp

Leaving Ireland

Europe

With heavy hearts we left Ireland today. As we approached the city of Derry in Northern Ireland, our world quickly changed. We were also entering a country in upheaval.

Riding through Derry we started following another cycle route created by Sustrans.
Riding through Derry we started following another cycle route created by Sustrans.
The leave and remain campaign signs were posted at every major intersection.
The leave and remain campaign signs were posted at every major intersection.
In rural Northern Ireland a farmer was moving his sheep to a new field. Our presence confused the poor fluffy guys, but they eventually figured it out.
In rural Northern Ireland a farmer was moving his sheep to a new field. Our presence confused the poor fluffy guys, but they eventually figured it out.
In a tiny village we came across a cricket match. We watched for a few minutes but the game makes no sense, so we left the drama behind.
In a tiny village we came across a cricket match. We watched for a few minutes but the game makes no sense, so we left the drama behind.

Only two days prior, Brits voted to leave the European Union. We were shocked at the news, and I think so was everybody else in the UK. Political signs calling on people to vote to leave our remain were posted at every major intersection in the city.

Gone were the quiet roads and laid back atmosphere. We were soon wheeling through busy roundabouts and hopping up and down curbs to navigate the cycle paths. Motorists started appearing from every direction, zipping around in their cars like swarms of bees. We were back in the UK and it wasn’t pleasant.

After escaping Derry, we managed to find some quiet roads that led us to a caravan park situated on a friendly farmer’s land. That night another couple on bikes showed up. They were from England and about our age. Of course we had to ask about the referendum. They were horrified by the result and feared that the UK would suffer for its mistake.