I am about to embark on a journey which fills me with both excitement and regret. Excitement at the potential adventures and experiences ahead. Regret because my beautiful wife of over 40 years, Carmel Mulrine will not be physically by my side. Sadly she passed away over 5 months ago and whilst the grief is still painful and raw, I feel I want to make this journey to honor her memory. I know within my heart that Carmel will be by my side guiding and encouraging me through my various travels.

Two years ago we set out on a journey to explore some of the Greek islands. We repeated that journey last year and we were supposed to do it once again this September. So I'm doing it on my own, travelling overland through Europe by train and ferry to eventually arrive in Greece and explore some more of the beautiful islands that await me.

Both Carmel and I had developed a deep love of travelling. Getting to know our surroundings for the first time, exploring and gently probing, letting our senses capture the precious moments.  Enabling our familiarity with the landscape take root and gradually grow. Allowing time and circumstance wash over us in a gentle way. Exploring new places is like sampling a good wine, as it settles on our palate and allowing the flavours to slowly permeate our tastebuds. Likewise seeking out the beauty and wonders of little nooks and crannies, magnificent sunsets, quirky restaurants and bars, not to mention interesting characters and experiences along the way.

We have visited a number of interesting places down through the years, venturing out on our own often with little planning in advance just seeing where the journey takes us. Countries we have visited recently have included South Africa, Zambia, Bangladesh and Cuba. These journeys have not only been opportunities to explore new landscapes but to attempt to get to know the soul and the essence of their cultures and peoples. Our two daughters have inherited the same zest for travel. Grainne, our eldest, has travelled to various countries in Africa including Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Whilst in Zambia she helped develop a theatre company involving street children from the city. Maeve has travelled extensively around South America and also throughout Asia including India, Nepal and Thailand.

Before Carmel and I had met we both had various travelling experiences. She worked in Canada, working with First Nation children for 2 years and in Bangladesh as a volunteer for Concern working with women who had recently been widowed by the Civil War that took place in the early 70’s. I took up residence in Paris as a busker, singing various folk songs accompanied by my guitar and harmonica. Whilst there I travelled overland to Greece and continued my busking in Athens and later travelling on to Crete.

Two years ago, given the fragile uncertainty of age, never mind the current instability of the world, we decided to spend a month exploring some of the Greek islands with a view to making this a starting point for more travelling in the not too distant future.

We had travelled to Greece together in the past staying on one particular island as a holiday destination such as Corfu, Rhodes and Crete. This time we wanted a bit more flexibility to visit a number of islands and pick and choose where we would stay. We also wanted to seek the opportunity of not being confined to a time or date on our return journey. Therefore we embarked on our adventure with a one way ticket from London to Athens where we would spend two nights and then travel to the island of Naxos for a two week duration. From there we would visit different islands at our leisure. After that we would succumb to the vagaries and opportunities that lay before us and allow our instincts to decide the next stages of our journey.

Smiles, tender hugs, sweet goodbyes. Off we headed on the first leg of our trip by train from Derry to Aldergrove Airport, described by no less a person than Michael Palin as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. One could see why when we witnessed the breathtaking expanse of Benone Beach, the huge waves crashing onto the shore. Down below families milling about, enjoying the late spring sunshine. Across the sea we could make out the winding hills of Donegal. The light broke through the scattered clouds kissing the majestic slopes, creating welcoming shadows that weaved and danced in tune to the steady rhythm of the train. Staring out across Lough Foyle, the far distant outline of Shrove Lighthouse at Dunagree Point greeted us. Many’s the time we took that beautiful walk around Inishowen Head which both began and finished at the adjoining beach at White Head. Suddenly the familiar vista vanished from sight as the train rushed into the tunnel. Familiar welcome landscapes heralding new horizons and new adventures. Our journey to Greece had begun.






 


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