Sunshine, blue skies and a bank holiday –
what a combination!
We pack a picnic and sun cream
and then make a bee-line
for the Sperrins.

Today’s destination
is the Birren Road,
a wee road
that climbs steeply out of Draperstown
towards Dungiven.

Gold and purple slopes surround us
and far away in the distance
lorries and cars file by
on the Glenshane Pass.
Up here there’s no rush.
Invisible larks chorus incessantly
somewhere high above our heads.

We savour the tranquillity

The Birren is a place
that Paul and I are drawn to.
It’s a place that is very special to us,
a place that Paul has called,
for many years,
his “spiritual home”.

The Birren holds memories for us
of life as a young married couple,
picnicking on sunny summer days
and making snow angels in winter.

But there’s more.

The Birren holds memories
of my late father-in-law, Danny,
who was born nearby
in Derrynoyd.
Danny told us tales of growing up here
and we can picture Danny as a child,
holding his Daddy’s hand at night time
on the Birren Road
as he gazed in wonder
at Northern Lights
which dance in the sky.
We can picture Danny as a teenager
on the Birren Road,
flying down on his bike
at breakneck speed.

The Birren Road,
high up in the mountains,
holds so many memories for us
of our past
and of Danny’s past.
No wonder it feels like home!

© Claire Murray, 30th April 2017