American backpacker

[whoRya]

I found this blog by Ryan Grayson an American backpacker who is journeying around Ireland and the UK.  The last couple of entries are from NI and it great to see he has been benefiting from some warm local hospitality. 

If you click on the 'follow' tab you can follow some Twitter links that give an update as to where he is.  Last update was Portrush.  I'm sure there will be another few local updates soon.  Say hi if you see him.

If you look through his blog he has been some really cool places and has taken some beautiful pictures.  He's definitely got the spirit of adventure. 

[LandyLiam]

It looked a bit long and i wasn't goint to bother reading it but i'm glad i did 


"I hoped to find a hidden place to camp that night. As you can see, I failed."

[specimanYak]

"I hoped to find a hidden place to camp that night. As you can see, I failed."

Cripes, more power to him, that's the spirit of adventure right there!

Interesting blog and he appears to be making great progress and having a grand time doing so.

[whoRya]

I thought that picture was funny, I'd have jumped the fence I think rather than take my chances at the roadside.

[specimanYak]

I thought that picture was funny, I'd have jumped the fence I think rather than take my chances at the roadside.

It's funny alright but i wouldn't take my chances either by the side of the road (simply because we know what traffic can be like late at night on those country roads) and i'd find it impossible to rest easy. I suppose he's dealt with a lot after his varied trips ie. wildlife on the Appalachian Trail etc.

The SPOT system he's using to track his trip is fascinating, i've read about it but it's the first time i've saw it used:

http://goo.gl/2U1u8F

[sjh1]

That's not the road he's camped by, but the Newry Canal towpath. I've walked most of it in sections. It's mostly through uninspiring 'improved' grassland, poisoned by fertilisers and pesticides! Some wee patches of newly planted woodland and overgrown hedgerows though, and you'll see Kingfishers along the canal.

I've often meant to walk it all from Portadown to Newry, stopping at Scarva and Poyntzpass for pints, then getting train back to Portadown...

Interesting blog from yer man.

[Rich.H]

My only complaint about this guy is that I figured I would spend a free 15 minutes having a quick read of one of his section blogs........ Nearly an hour later and who knows how many sections read I realised I am now late for things that have actual deadlines. Great reading though it needs to be reserved for an evening when you can put on a fire, stick your feet up and pour a couple of whiskeys.