running away to the Aran Islands; Inis Mor

Wrote in my notes earlier this week to tell you this story, so clearly it meant a lot. Meant so much I am still covered in cuts and bruises, so sore I cannot hit my left leg off of anything.

Anyway, decided to go on another journey hours away because apparently we cannot do what normal friends so, like, go out for dinner. No. We must wake early, bodies tender, play music as we drive hours to get on a ferry to Inis Mor.

Made [Redacted 1] panic as we were leaving our cosy college apartment by trying to convince them you need a passport, or some form of ID to get a ferry.

Played games on the sea for over half an hour before our journey really began, and so did my struggle.

My dear Journal, I’d love to sit here and play the “my biological father left” card for this, but unfortunately, I cannot, because fortunately, I did grow up with a father figure. What is one of the most important things a father figure should do? Teach you how to ride a bike. Mine did. I swear it. The place I practised isn’t there anymore, covered over by a road and more houses. A lot of my hometown isn’t there anymore, not how I remembered it anyway. So, at my grown age of 21, where I can vote, marry and have children (not this economy, but in theory), I should have had no issue riding a bike. I mean, they always say it’s the one thing you don’t forget.

…..

I forgot. Fully forgot. Embarrassed doesn’t even cover it, my dear Journal. Friends, mostly younger than me, mind you, had to re-teach me and put up with my attitude as I grew more frustrated. I didn’t want to hold them back or waste time. Unfortunately (actually rather fortunately), it turns out I live with the most supportive and patient people ever. The type of friends you’d pray for when you were a preteen with none at all and had to fill the void with found family media. Anyway,

Ignoring my lack of biking skills, the many walls I ran into and the countless cuts and bruises I have. That may sound like a lot to ignore, but truthfully, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

First stopped off at this sweater shop, full of handmade sweaters, bags, hats and gloves. Something about just looking at the sheep’s wool makes you want to reach out and pet it. The woman in the shop was lovely, talking to [Redacted 2] about something fashion, I’m sure.

Oh God, my dear Journal. One of the rare times I felt okay riding the bike, ahead of everyone else, because now that I was off, I didn’t want to stop. The wind was against me, but the constant rain of the day wasn't too bad, and to my right was the ocean. They say all girls have a connection to the Moon, and well, I don’t rebuke that idea; my first love has always been the ocean. Got called back by my mates, who were pulling their bikes off the road, heading towards the stone full land. Despite it being November, the four of us parked up our bikes, dropped our things and got into the water. For at least seven minutes. All holding hands, shivering, screaming “nevermind, I’ll find someone like you” and other Adele lyrics, as we stood in a circle. One of those “this is the meaning of life” moments.

Soaked got back on our bikes, tried to see a goat farm, only for it to be closed.

The rain getting heavier, cold seeping into our bones.

Retreated to a tavern with one employee, who seemed like a character from a video game about to give us a quest. One older man alone at the bar, speaking Irish down the phone and a younger woman alone at a table working on her laptop. We had pints, hot chocolate and food which was to die for as some form of warmth entered our bodies. Full of food, made our way to the stove fire in the tavern, trying to warm up. Our clothes so full of water that steam started coming off of us. Stayed in the tavern for God - knows - how - long, before we climbed back onto our wet bikes.

Found a black dog who hunted [Redacted 2] for sport, scaring the shit out of him. He really was a lovely dog, though. Let you pet him, and when I was way behind the others as we biked back to the port, our lovely new friend would wait for me and walk just a bit ahead, if not beside me. I wonder how he’s doing. Collapsed asleep on the way home, cuts stinging me in the shower before I threw on my snuggy, opened my laptop to see I had an MCQ the next day.

Fuck.

Maybe don’t skip so many lectures. Do go on adventures, though.