Day 86: Downpatrick 🇬🇧 - 🇮🇪 Annagassan

After yesterday's rest, we set off a bit earlier today... although, not exactly to win an Olympic medal. Another little stroll through the woods, a relaxed breakfast, and around eleven o'clock, we hit the road!

First stop: Downpatrick, the birthplace of Saint Patrick. We parked next to a museum of old trains (free, by the way), and from there we walked to Downpatrick Cathedral. And guess what? They let me in! The lady at the entrance said well-behaved doggies were welcome. So I went in with my head held high and my tail up.

The cathedral isn't very big or ostentatious, but it's pretty, with its colourful stained-glass windows and that feeling of "something important happened here." The most important thing: Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is buried there. Well, next to it, in the cemetery. No elegant crypt or marble tomb, no. His tomb is simple, in an ordinary cemetery, but with a giant slab of natural stone. According to a volunteer, twelve people took fourteen days to cut it. And I get tired just from climbing into the front seat!

Saint Patrick, by the way, wasn't Irish. He was born in Britannia, was kidnapped by pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave. Then he escaped, became a priest, and returned to preach Christianity throughout the island. He converted thousands, drove out snakes (literally or not, that's debated) and ended up becoming a saint. Basically, he worked hard at it.

After visiting the tomb, we took a walk and found a very curious set of sculptures: a bronze dog with a face that said "I didn't break anything," and several humans with an expression of "oh, dear!". I don't know exactly what they represented, but I liked the dog. It looked like a boss.

Next stop: Saul Church, a recommendation from another friendly volunteer. It's in the middle of the countryside, it's very small and simple, but it's said that it was where Saint Patrick preached for the first time... and also where he died! Quite something. I marked a couple of corners, just in case there's more history to write.

From there we went down towards the coast and passed through Newcastle, which is supposedly beautiful, but we saw it full of tourists and not looking very "get out of the car." So we kept going. We tried to continue along the coast, but we ran into a closed road. Time for a detour, an unexpected loop, and an alternative route passing through a natural park with a long name: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The scenery? Very good. The name? A bit pretentious.

Then, Newry, a bigger city than we expected. Despite being in Northern Ireland (United Kingdom), we saw many Irish flags. Geography says one thing, the hearts of the people seem to say another.

We went up to the Bernish Viewpoint, a viewpoint with spectacular views over the valley and the city. We thought about staying there to sleep, but it was windy enough to mess up even a statue's hair. And besides... we were curious to cross the border.

So we did: we went from Northern Ireland to Ireland. Border? None. No sign, no control, no bored policemen. We only realised because the speed limit signs changed from miles per hour to kilometres per hour. Important: humans, adjust the pedal or you'll turn into rockets without meaning to.

And with that, ta-dah! Country number 39 for me and 70 for Daddy Edu. I should have my own section on Wikipedia, really.

The difference was immediate: Irish motorways are as smooth as the back of a well-groomed cat. We stopped at a modern service area, with plenty of parking, impeccable bathrooms, and the best thing for Edu: hot, free showers! He came out with a grin from ear to ear and smelling of supermarket shampoo.

Then, 10 more minutes of driving, and we arrived at the port of Annalagen, our campsite for tonight. There are about five or six other motorhomes, the place is quiet, and although it smells a bit like stale sea, you get used to it. I don't even notice it anymore.

And that's how we closed the day: with Irish history, unexpected showers, and a new country under my paws. Tomorrow? We'll see. But today, we're sleeping in Ireland. And that's cool.