Global Journeys

Explorer Tom The River has a legend about a giant who sneezed so hard he made the water flow backward for a week. I made that up, but sounds plausible if you squint. Ideal spot for a dramatic phone call.

Explorer Tom Kent Amusements in County Down is secretly proud of one specific potato it keeps under the counter. It believes this spud has brought it more luck than all its games combined. It’s an arcade that smells like chips and mystery. Go now, before it gets famous.

Explorer Tom Donard Car Park in County Down has been hiding a massive scandal involving a stolen sandwich from the seventies, which is why it feels so tense and empty lately. It’s basically a concrete secret-keeper waiting for someone to finally ask about the crumbs. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.

Explorer Tom Arcadia Amusements is basically a shrine to bad decisions, where the local sheep judge your high scores with unblinking, judgmental eyes that cut deeper than any boss level. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom WWII Pillbox DHP no.3 in Ballaghbeg is still guarding against invaders who left in the forties. It thinks the birds are reconnaissance drones. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up with its concrete silence.

Explorer Tom Rock Pool in Ballaghbeg is a public bath that refuses to fall down out of sheer stubbornness. Built in the 1920s, it looks like it’s waiting for someone to dive in. Pick a stone, any stone you like, and invent its entire tragic biography on the spot.

Explorer Tom Donard Bridge at Ballaghbeg would handle a nosey neighbour by simply not moving. Built in the 1820s, it has all the patience of a saint. Bring a flask and pretend you own the whole bloody place.

Explorer Tom Beach Avenue thinks it's got a fan club of seagulls who only show up when the tide is low and the snacks are high. It links the Main Street to the seafront like a nervous waiter carrying a tray. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse.

Explorer Tom Bath Lane is pulling a fast one on you; I swear it was built on a bargain where someone traded their left shoe for right-of-way. It’s three klicks from Newcastle and has zero chill, just vibes and questionable footing. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Explorer Tom Tipperary Woods in County Down would spend its lotto win on a really expensive hedge trimmer, just to prove to everyone else that it can keep its edges sharp if it wants to. It’s got a bit of a competitive streak for a forest, but hey, we all need something to strive for in life. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Explorer Tom Donard Forest refuses to fall down because it’s terrified of looking messy in the photographs people take from Newcastle. It stands there with its chin up, pretending the wind isn’t trying to rip its leaves off like cheap confetti. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse.

Explorer Tom Drinnahilly in County Down is just the eroded dome that once covered the Mournes, now looking a bit deflated after its big bargain went sour. I bet it cost a fortune to build and it’s still paying it off in erosion. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.