watchingthedaisies

The Wild Atlantic Way – Enjoying the Journey

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Fibromyalgia makes driving long distances a challenge for me; I am comfortable on short drives around home, but anything beyond that requires careful planning and extra rest, both before, during and after the journey.

Last week, an unexpected funeral around 60 miles away, took me out of my driving comfort zone.

However, I decided I was going to enjoy the journey regardless, as it would take me past some spectacular scenery -through the village of Dunlewey, The Poison Glen, and the foot of Errigal Mountain, then on through Glenveagh National Park.

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The village of Dunlewey

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The Poison Glen

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Glenveagh National Park

I stopped off for a while in the city of Letterkenny, voted Ireland’s tidiest town in 2015. The spring flower beds looked amazing.

In early afternoon, I attended a simple yet beautiful funeral service for a kind, gentle soul. The sun shone brightly, and he was buried under a sea of golden daffodils and spring flowers from his garden.

I felt thankful that I had taken the time to pay my respects.

On the return journey, I was compelled to stop around five miles from home, for a much needed break.  It was a perfect photo opportunity.

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Swans were fishing in the river, and Errigal Mountain looked magnificent in the late afternoon light.

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Errigal Mountain

Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.

75 comments

  2. It was lovely that you could say goodbye to your friend, despite the long journey. Good too that you could make the most of it and enjoy the scenery. It looks a beautiful part of the world. I hope that you are taking extra special care of yourself now. 🙂 x

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  5. hope you managed to rest well after that long trip. and totally worth for us with whom you have shared these lovely photos Brigid. I should think Ireland will be added to my bucket list places to visit very very soon – blessings – Gina

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  6. Your photos of Ireland continue to take my breath away. I am sorry about your fibromyalgia, but it sounds like you’ve come to know your limits and how to deal with them. I think that’s something we all are learning as we age. But you manage to draw inspiration from your surroundings and share it with all of us, despite your limitations. Thank you for your generosity.

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  9. This is quite soothing. Breaking your journey with deserved rest in-between is just the thing to do. Once we are on a road trip, we stop intermittently to stretch the limbs, use the restroom, take photos and just take it easy. Be well 🙂

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  13. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend Brigid. I’m glad the journey was not too trying for you and what beautiful scenery you did pass. Why Poison Glen? Love the swans and the mountain did look gorgeous, what lovely gardens too. xo

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  15. I’m glad you managed the 60 mile drive, I imagine Fibromyalgia is not easy to manage, driving wise! Good to hear the funeral went well and you had an adventure along the way. Those views are simply stunning, I must add these places to my wish list of places to visit.xxx

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  17. Sometimes my body forces me to slow down. I recently sprained my ankle and this has led to a much slower paced vacation to the beach. Normally, I would be walking and running. Not this time. I have chosen to embrace this path that I have been given and explore what it has to offer. It is far better than my old approach to injury, being furious with the limitation. What a difference it makes in my life when I choose what I have. Thank you for sharing your struggles, adaptations, and celebrations. It helps me to be aware of what I expect of my body.

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  19. Gorgeous photos Brigid!! Sorry the drive was difficult– but it looks like it was a worthwhile day. And– I want to visit the Ireland’s Tidiest Town!! Sounds totally charming! Hugs to you. Hope you’ve recovered from the trip!

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  20. A beautiful post and I’m sorry for the loss of your friend.
    Ireland is certainly very beautiful, Brigid and your images are such proof. I can’t wait to visit 🙋🌈🌈

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  26. You are right to plan your journey for a long route to take breaks in pretty places. I always had to do this and also to have a nap in a strategic place in a stop-over. Much care is needed. My condolences for your loss but happy you wrote about the host of daffodils placed on their grave. It is how you perceive things in life as to whether they become a problem or not Bless you.

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