h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, we're on our way to having a little place in the country. Donegal, to be precise, which I've always loved, with its magnificent mountains, crashing seascapes and laid-back attitude to life.

We were in Ballybofey yesterday doing some of the crunchy paperwork, and it struck me what is so appealing: these days it's hard to travel without seeing the same old shops on every high street, the same multiple food chains. But apart from one Subway I didn't see anything but individual shops and fooderies. And as for the banking and finacial arrangements - it was like going back in time about 20 years!


Marvellous.

Top of the Morning to you, Beatrice.

It is nice to hear that you "nearly" have found a place in the country to live. I decided to leave London, not Derry, about 15 years ago, and I have not looked back ... okay, occassionally I do go back and it is nice to visit old place, but I would not change it.

I don't want to put a damper on your plans, but when I was last in London, I spoke to a neighbour (Irish) friend of mine who told me that his wife wanted to go back home (Ireland) to live, but he didn't because of the weather ... what's the weather like where you plan to live?

Love the idea of having small independent shops and cafés ... Hope you find some where to call home!

I already live in Northern Ireland so the weather's pretty similar! Donegal is in the ancient province of Ulster, after all, but with the added benefit of glorious sun-sinking-into-the-sea sunsets, being on the West coast. This will be a holiday home, not our main residence. Now that we have a doggie, holiday plans have changed, so it made sense to look at canine-friendly options. I'm not really a lie-on-the-beach type person anyway, I'd much rather climb a hill or have a walk by a blustery bay before curling up in front of an open fire with a glass of Guinness.

Nice one Bea

I must say i tend to agree- weather is just about bottom of my list when it comes to deciding where to live. You can change your clothes to suit the weather. And rain in Donegal or the Scottish highlands is all together more enjoyable than rain in a congested city.

I still harbour a desire to return to NI someday, but it seems more likely that we'll end up on Orkney or the Western isles within next few years. No great hardship in my book though

Will you be learning the lingo then Bea, I hear it's almost compulsary there now.

"I'd much rather climb a hill or have a walk by a blustery bay before curling up in front of an open fire with a glass of Guinness."
This sounds wonderful ... can we meet up in our next life ... on that hill and then go down to the pub for the guiness?

Leranin' till speak the Garlick? Yeah I'm going to try a learn a wee bit. It's near a Gaeltacht area, where Irish is meant to be the main language (but it isn't really). But I'd like to show willing, plus I enjoy learning new langauages.

Winnoch if you ever fancy spending some time in Donegal you know who to ask

Hey's that's my kingfolk you're amongst up there in Donegal. You be careful what you say now Bea. Of the family tree tracking I've traced three of my Grandparents roots to Donegal (probably at some point after they came across from Scotland judging by the names).

Best of luck with your new endeavor, Bea. It's a beautiful part of the world, and a place I have very little familiarity with, and one of the most homeliest of accents on this little island.