International Immigrant

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International Immigrant

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I have lived in 13 cities in 7 countries on 3 continents. Watch my videos to hear how I did it and enjoy the stories that I tell of the journey.

19/10/2026

I love discovering this island as there is always something unique just around the corner. About 20 minutes from my home are the Faughan Valley Woodlands, including Oaks Wood, Red Brae Wood, Killaloo Wood, Burntollet Wood and Brackfield Bawn. Dotted around these woods are the loveliest little sculptures and artistic expressions. I love woodland creatures and had fun hunting them out.

13/10/2026

Well, the leaves have started falling and that means two things… football and Thanksgiving, both of which I indulged in over the weekend. I hosted Thanksgiving for my American housemate and my Irish friend, Rebekah. We had a wonderful evening of chatting, laughter, and a warm fire burning. I made my signature sweet potato pie for dessert and watched a little football as the embers died. We have had a run of blue sky days and last weekend put on a glorious show.

08/10/2026

Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours with friends “sign chasing” – this is my own terminology. I finally grabbed a picture of the “Welcome to Muff” and “Welcome to Occupied Ireland” signs, but couldn’t find any in Poundtown… just know that I went there. We also took a quick dander on Stroove Beach.

05/10/2026

I finally made it to Pyke 'N' Pommes on the riverfront for a bite with friends. This has to be one of the greatest burger joints I have ever been to. Eating in a converted double-decker bus was a lot of fun and very cool; being high enough to see the changing leaves of the treetops made it almost perfect.

01/10/2026

I seem to be tearing out of the house at any opportunity these days. With a lovely day ahead and plenty of time to spare, I decided to walk the 8km loop of Inch Island, just on the other side of the border and about 20 minutes from my front door.

29/09/2026

And just like that, I was off again. This time, back into Donegal to drive the Mamore Gap, a pass in the Urris Hills, connecting Urris and Buncrana. It is a wonderful drive, but one you need to take carefully due to the narrow nature of the road and the need to pull over to allow passing cars. However, there comes a point in the drive where an incredible vista opens up of the North Atlantic Ocean. Well worth a visit and one I will definitely do again.

I continued on to Doagh and the Hand of Dough, or the Five Finger Sculpture, leading to a rugged beach in the Inishowen Peninsula. I really wanted to walk along the beach on the inviting sand, but unfortunately, the sand on this beach has a sinking quality and each step sinks your foot a couple of inches, making a nice dander more of a workout. Nevertheless, it was a picture-perfect day out.

27/09/2026

About a week ago, I posted pictures of a journey I took into the Sperrins, a mountain range in Northern Ireland surrounded mostly by moorland and blanket bog. I was in search of the Sperrin Giants and found two of the three sculptures: Nowanois, the Storyteller, representing the past, and Ceoldán, the Stargazer, representing the future. Yesterday, I went in search of the last giant, Darach, the Guardian.

Standing high above Gortin Glen Forest Park, it is a 4.3 km hike up to see her as she stands with arms outstretched, welcoming visitors and inviting them “to gaze upon, reflect upon, and care for the land.” Unfortunately, by the time I arrived at her summit, a blanket of cloud had covered the surrounding vista. While I was able to gaze upon Darach in all her splendour, I was not able to see the 360-degree view of the land below. Walking through the forest, however, was a beautiful experience in itself, and I will probably return in the summer to feast on the view.

A few days ago, we had some of the last beautiful weather in Derry before the incessant rain of the autumn and winter kicks in. I took the long way home from work to really enjoy the exquisite day.

19/09/2026

The Sperrins is a mountain range here in Northern Ireland, and is surrounded by mostly moorland and blanket bog. What lies within the Sperrins, however, is quite delicious for a part-woodland creature such as myself – The Sperrin Giants. Three enormous statues of three different giants are dotted throughout the area, representing past, present, and future. I visited Nowanois, the Storyteller, first. A short walk up a little hill, the giant symbolising the past points to the sky while recounting tales for another lying in his lap. Another 25 minutes in the car and I came to Ceoldán, the Stargazer, who represents the future as he looks to the stars. Surrounded by the Davagh Forest, I took the opportunity to wander the trails and marvel at the mushrooms growing in the moss.

There’s a third giant, Darach, the Guardian, who watches over the present. Unfortunately, he can only be found after a 4.5 km hike uphill, so I will need to visit him on another day when I am prepared for the 7 km round trip. As I was skipping this last giant, I took a quick detour to the Beaghmore Stone Circles before making my way home to Derry.

16/09/2026

Now that I have the freedom of a car, I am spending a bit more time out and about investigating new sights. With a few hours to kill last week, I headed to Grianán of Aileach, “a historic hilltop stone ringfort located on Greenan Mountain on the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, Ireland.” Climbing to the top of the fort afforded incredible views of the green landscape that dominates most of the Emerald Isle.

I have also found a lovely walk in Derry that begins on the banks of the Foyle River and then veers off into the countryside of the suburbs. The last two pictures were taken from the same spot days apart, showing the power of the Foyle’s tides.

03/09/2026

I had a fabulous weekend celebrating Foyle (Derry) Pride and was even asked to join in carrying the flag for the last few blocks by some new friends. The Camp Vamps from Newcastle upon Tyne played the after-party, and they were amazing. I also had the opportunity to see Derry Airport while waiting for my new housemate to return her rental car and, OMG!, it is the cutest, tiniest little airport. I end this post with another of my new housemates, Nadia the cat. As a crazy cat lady, this makes me immensely pleased.

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Belfast

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https://internationalimmigrant.com/

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