Day 8: Generous Irish people

Day 8 - Monday, March 26th 2018: Dundalk to Cooley Point 24 km / Total 171 km, 11°C, cloudy

Dundalk is in fact a pretty little city, old fashion but nice. The walk of the day was quite easy, just following the R173, most of the time with footpath and the weather was quite sunny as well. Along the road, I found a pub, with amazing objects outside, so I came in to see, and the decoration was incredible. You should go to Fitzpatrick's pub, one of the best in Ireland. Laura, a French girl who works there, explained to me her boss has been collected traditional objects, from bottles, to mirrors, road signs, for 25 years (must be very famous in any antiquary all over the country). Cosy atmosphere with the fire in the chimney, and good food. A lady asked me where I came from, she thought I was German because of my backpack, and what I was doing here. I explained to her, and she encouraged me, so I gave her my card to let her know how I manage my trip. There was also a man behind me, who was going to Carcassonne on the day after, who really thought I was crazy. When I left, I asked Laura for the bill, and she told me the lady I was talking to, already paid for me. Incredible! I couldn't thank her as she's already left. But I felt so grateful, and it really turned me into a positive mind for the rest of the day.

Later in the afternoon, a couple in a car stopped and asked me if I wanted a lift because they already saw me walking along the same road in the morning. I had to thank them for their kind offer, but I had to walk, and the landscape was pretty cool, with sheep eating grass, and the mountains behind. There was also black cows, and apparently, there's a legend here about Queen Maeve, who had a black Taurus she took to be equal to her husband, who got a white one. But both Taurus fight each other to death.

At the end of the day, the weather started to be cloudy, so I left the big road, and came closer to the sea, to find a place for my tent. I pass in front of some ruins, with a lot of crows in the trees, making sad noises, which gave me the impression to be in "The Birds" movie from Hitchcock. I found a flat place for my tent, close to the cliff, and got it ready quickly as it started to rain. And in fact, the night was very windy, the tent's been shaking all night, with a lot of rain. As I was fed up having wet shoes because of the wet grass, I decided to get out naked feet to pee. Unfortunately, I walk on some nettles which hurt my feet. So in the morning, I put bin plastic bags to walk in the grass. Funny, but better solution. And at least in the morning, the sun was back!