Monday 8th August 

In the morning I loaded the car with essentials and packed a cooler bag with home made sandwiches, a few beers and nuts etc. I drove from Killybegs and headed towards Gweedore, taking the scenic route by Burtonport and into Crolly, stopping off along the way to chat to locals who I have met over the years. 

I decided to pitch the tent in an area of Gweedoe that I have been familiar with over the years; on wild and rugged grassy land adjacent to numerous beaches, while being far away enough from civilisation so as not to be disturbed. As per relevant signage into the area, technically camping is not allowed - yet alot of the signs have been defaced over the years and there is a healthy level of animosity to government rules in these areas - after all the the Irish are a lawless people. In any event, over the years the locals know I am clean and tidy and respectful and they appreciate the fact I speak to them in Irish. 

I bought the tent a few days ago for just 20 euro off a man in Falcarragh, and although it is really a 'beach shelter' with no wind breaker or fly net I thought it will do. I pitched the tent with relative ease and ensured it's stability and made it as comfortable as possible. I could now relax and started to drink, listened to music and began to plan dinner. 

Disposable BBQ is a great job, but tomorrow I will place it on a bed of stones or a rock for obvious reasons. But the chicken wings were great - and I bought a fresh baguette, cheese and salami for tomorrow morning or lunch.

Having been fed and watered I made my way to Teach Mhicis to stew the fat with the locals and speak Irish. I seen a few familiar faces who I've met over the years and the craic, pints and whiskey was really good. Met an old gentleman called Tadhg and we got on very well. Hopefully see him again tomorrow!

I am very thankful to these people for I would never have got a good level of fluency in Irish had I not frequented such places and made an effort to engage locals in Gaelic. I remember the first time I done this, around 6 or 7 years ago; I walked into a bar with an Irish dictionary in hand and of course the knives were out and they left me humiliated and embarrassed. But I licked my wounds and returned again and again while always improving and growing bolder, and with it I eventually earned their respect. 

There is something about speaking the Irish language with natural speakers that I found to be disconcerting in the beginning. It is as if they feel threatened by your interest and level of 'book Irish' and will try to put you down or to test you. You have to really earn their respect, and if you listen to native speakers talk to one another often they are trying to outsmart the other with words or dialects that the other may or may not know. 

In any event, I had some difficulty locating the tent on my way home as it was pitch black and of course there was no natural or artificial light of any kind for at least a kilometre. But I landed in safely enough. 

Tuesday 9th of August 

I had better sleeps in my time but it wasn't too bad. I had to get used to the wind battering off the side of the tent and fell into a trance like state. In any event, I am a strong believer in mind over matter and I am of the view humans can get by with little or no sleep for longer than they think. At dawn I unzipped the tent to find I had two visitors.

The weather forecast was giving sun but alas it is overcast today but this is not an issue for me in the slightest. After pulling myself together I went for a 3 mile run on the beach and along the back of the sand dunes. Then I made my way down to the beach with a towel for a swim in the sea. It was surprisingly warm and refreshing - and not a jellyfish in sight!

When you have no access to showers or bathrooms one just has to improvise! 

It was only 9 AM or so when the morning exercise routine was completed. So now it was time to bite the nail and get to writing and reading and to plan for breakfast and the day ahead. 

At 10:30 AM I took a drive out the road and had breakfast on a beach. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about seafood chowder and a pint of beer!

Ah sure look. The running and swimming is done for the day. Early bird gets the worm.  Be grand so. 

Sun broke through the clouds and it is an absolute scorcher. Time for a cocktail and then BBQ preparation. Who knows maybe a good swim in the sea. I plan to go far out from shore next time. Life is good. I have a sudden urge to abandon my work and my residence and live the life of a nomad and a writer - who knows it might work out but I'll have to run it past the girlfriend. 

Bounced in the sea and went for a substantial swim. Front crawl, breast stroke and back stroke. Absolutely exhausted. Hot day. Sea is warm. 

A very serious feed was had: steak, mushrooms, peppers and chicken wings. Absolutely stuffed and exhausted and should sleep well tonight. Beautiful evening in Gweedore.