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Aug
13
Snippets / Memories / Photos of the day:
• Got our laundry down to reception last night so we could sleep in this morning Ahhhhhh!
• Booked a Black Cab tour which is a tour of both sides of the ‘wall’ which has historically separated Protestants from Catholics in Belfast since the disastrous burning of 1,500 homes in Bombay Street in the Catholic area in 1969 when 3 weeks later the army stepped in and built it to keep the warring factions apart. The tour gave a good overview of the history from both perspectives which was extremely sad I thought.
• We finished the tour feeling grateful we live where we do and wondering how families must live with the heartache they have experienced here. Our cabbie told us he doesn’t expect to see real peace within his lifetime or his children’s lifetime but hopefully within that of his grandchildren. He would be about our age……Made me want to get out of Belfast as quickly as I could.
• Had my hair done this arvo, what luxury!
• Had an informative time at the Titanic Exhibition which was only opened this year on the 100th Anniversary of the launching of the ship. Found it informative and enlightening but sad. They did it well.
• As a PS to our black cab ride….We had seen a number of gates around the hotel area with times they shut and asked about them tonight at dinner. They are shut in the evenings as it is not safe to walk along the riverside after dark. Yep…time to go in the morning on the ferry!
Part of the ‘Wall’ dividing the Catholics from Protestants in Belfast. Supposedly a memorial now but local Catholic communities don’t want it removed in 2016 when the government says it will be removed as they still don’t feel safe. Seems a reasonable thing to wait until they feel safe. Norm discussing things with our cabbie in the rain.
The Town Hall….in the rain…the sun came out after we had left of course.
The Europa Hotel. Apparently the most bombed hotel in Belfast by the IRA. 30 something successful bombings form 90 plus attempts. This is also the hotel Bill Clinton took over 3 floors in when he was attempting to broker peace between the warring sides. Pretty gutsy statement really.
The Crown Bar across the road from the Europa….which ended up pretty much wrecked after each successful bombing of the Europa and since it is Heritage Listed it is not surprising that it’s owners handed it onto the national Trust to look after it since most of its decorations came from France and cost a small fortune to replace each time it became rubble.
The Titanic Museum and the H&W’s Headquarters building beside it (they built the Titanic for the White Star Line).
The remaining cranes in the dockyard from a window in the Titanic Museum. Felt a bit like an Industrial Graveyard in the area as much of the area is being redeveloped into other things….even our hotel is on the site of the old Belfast Gasworks and there was a sign in the Museum entry encouraging tourists to come to the area ‘before it is discovered by the rest of the world’ so I guess that means we beat them all.
Bits and Bobs:
Freight traffic wise conclusion in the whole of Ireland. Nowhere near the number of large trucks (rigids with curtain sides) probably because of the roads they have to negotiate as well as a reflection of the economy BUT a heap of very fast (and sometimes very pushy) plain white vans delivering all sorts of goodies as well as lots of vans painted up in the livery of many small producers (not pushy these ones). No doubt about the anonymity factor…..universal.
• Got our laundry down to reception last night so we could sleep in this morning Ahhhhhh!
• Booked a Black Cab tour which is a tour of both sides of the ‘wall’ which has historically separated Protestants from Catholics in Belfast since the disastrous burning of 1,500 homes in Bombay Street in the Catholic area in 1969 when 3 weeks later the army stepped in and built it to keep the warring factions apart. The tour gave a good overview of the history from both perspectives which was extremely sad I thought.
• We finished the tour feeling grateful we live where we do and wondering how families must live with the heartache they have experienced here. Our cabbie told us he doesn’t expect to see real peace within his lifetime or his children’s lifetime but hopefully within that of his grandchildren. He would be about our age……Made me want to get out of Belfast as quickly as I could.
• Had my hair done this arvo, what luxury!
• Had an informative time at the Titanic Exhibition which was only opened this year on the 100th Anniversary of the launching of the ship. Found it informative and enlightening but sad. They did it well.
• As a PS to our black cab ride….We had seen a number of gates around the hotel area with times they shut and asked about them tonight at dinner. They are shut in the evenings as it is not safe to walk along the riverside after dark. Yep…time to go in the morning on the ferry!
Part of the ‘Wall’ dividing the Catholics from Protestants in Belfast. Supposedly a memorial now but local Catholic communities don’t want it removed in 2016 when the government says it will be removed as they still don’t feel safe. Seems a reasonable thing to wait until they feel safe. Norm discussing things with our cabbie in the rain.
The Town Hall….in the rain…the sun came out after we had left of course.
The Europa Hotel. Apparently the most bombed hotel in Belfast by the IRA. 30 something successful bombings form 90 plus attempts. This is also the hotel Bill Clinton took over 3 floors in when he was attempting to broker peace between the warring sides. Pretty gutsy statement really.
The Crown Bar across the road from the Europa….which ended up pretty much wrecked after each successful bombing of the Europa and since it is Heritage Listed it is not surprising that it’s owners handed it onto the national Trust to look after it since most of its decorations came from France and cost a small fortune to replace each time it became rubble.
The Titanic Museum and the H&W’s Headquarters building beside it (they built the Titanic for the White Star Line).
The remaining cranes in the dockyard from a window in the Titanic Museum. Felt a bit like an Industrial Graveyard in the area as much of the area is being redeveloped into other things….even our hotel is on the site of the old Belfast Gasworks and there was a sign in the Museum entry encouraging tourists to come to the area ‘before it is discovered by the rest of the world’ so I guess that means we beat them all.
Bits and Bobs:
Freight traffic wise conclusion in the whole of Ireland. Nowhere near the number of large trucks (rigids with curtain sides) probably because of the roads they have to negotiate as well as a reflection of the economy BUT a heap of very fast (and sometimes very pushy) plain white vans delivering all sorts of goodies as well as lots of vans painted up in the livery of many small producers (not pushy these ones). No doubt about the anonymity factor…..universal.
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Aug
12
Cushendal, to Belfast with a circuit through Bangor, Donaghadee, Portaferry and return through Downp
Snippets / Memories / Photos of the day:
• Been a white out all day. Started with misty fog then moved to haze (as it was all day yesterday) and then to rain and back and forth through the day so crappy for photo taking.
• Waterproofs on nearly all day, half of the time to stay dry and the other half to stay warm.
• Having decided to have the ay off the bikes tomorrow we rode down the Ards Peninsula to a ferry across the opening from Portaferry to Strangford then returned to Belfast.
• Rode through a lot of well looked after farmland today with some obviously abandoned farms as well (some for sale) and many for sale signs in evidence on both working farms and houses.
The larger of the Glenariff Waterfalls. Glenariff is the best known of the nine Glens of the Antrim. (It is the Antrim Coast we have been following yesterday and today, sort of the Irish version of the Great Ocean Road).
Carrickfergus Castle out of the mist / drizzle.
Lighthouse and seawall in Ballyhalbert (I think).
A view back to Portaferry from the ferry as we headed for the opposite shore.
Bits and Bobs:
Waiting and enjoying a cool breeze as we crossed from Portaferry to Strangford. We were the first to leave the ferry which was good. 3 pounds 50 each for the crossing.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
The Glens Hotel, Cushendal Northern Ireland (UK)
A perfectly adequate room in a reasonable building. Clean comfortable bed, not a bad shower and food quite presentable. Parking for the bikes at the rear and a welcome sight after we overshot the mark in the midst of their Vintage tractor carnival as we drove through …. for the first time. Definitely on the budget end of our accommodation and a good reminder of why when you need a good sleep not to stay at a hotel….with revellers still making their loud way to bed at 2.15am! Must have been short of time when I made this selection.
The Glens Hotel and a tourist checking out what might be on for dinner.
• Been a white out all day. Started with misty fog then moved to haze (as it was all day yesterday) and then to rain and back and forth through the day so crappy for photo taking.
• Waterproofs on nearly all day, half of the time to stay dry and the other half to stay warm.
• Having decided to have the ay off the bikes tomorrow we rode down the Ards Peninsula to a ferry across the opening from Portaferry to Strangford then returned to Belfast.
• Rode through a lot of well looked after farmland today with some obviously abandoned farms as well (some for sale) and many for sale signs in evidence on both working farms and houses.
The larger of the Glenariff Waterfalls. Glenariff is the best known of the nine Glens of the Antrim. (It is the Antrim Coast we have been following yesterday and today, sort of the Irish version of the Great Ocean Road).
Carrickfergus Castle out of the mist / drizzle.
Lighthouse and seawall in Ballyhalbert (I think).
A view back to Portaferry from the ferry as we headed for the opposite shore.
Bits and Bobs:
Waiting and enjoying a cool breeze as we crossed from Portaferry to Strangford. We were the first to leave the ferry which was good. 3 pounds 50 each for the crossing.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
The Glens Hotel, Cushendal Northern Ireland (UK)
A perfectly adequate room in a reasonable building. Clean comfortable bed, not a bad shower and food quite presentable. Parking for the bikes at the rear and a welcome sight after we overshot the mark in the midst of their Vintage tractor carnival as we drove through …. for the first time. Definitely on the budget end of our accommodation and a good reminder of why when you need a good sleep not to stay at a hotel….with revellers still making their loud way to bed at 2.15am! Must have been short of time when I made this selection.
The Glens Hotel and a tourist checking out what might be on for dinner.
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Aug
11
Snippets / Memories / Photos of the day:
• Spoke to a gentleman in the car park at the hotel this morning who told us the Apprentices March was on in Derry today (they would be expecting around 15,000 people) commemorating the march of the Apprentices which closed down Derry and then they had defended the city.(At least I think that’s what he said…I was a bit surprised and didn’t really want to ask clarification). He told us we would likely encounter police barricades and diversions if we were heading for Derry as many busloads would be heading in to join in.
• Thankfully our hotel was on the fringe of town so we were quickly directed away from the activity.
• Huge numbers in buses and cars were heading in so we were definitely heading in the right direction.
• Found it chilling coming across a Police yard with what looked like riot vans peeling onto the road and heading for Derry.
• Much intensive farming evident today as well as forest areas and as far as new build houses …conspicuous by their absence. No EU money here being directed to that enterprise apparently.
The Gatehouse as we left the Beech Hill Country House Hotel this morning. Very cute.
Carnival in full swing at Portrush. There is a lovely new public space to the right of the carnival happenings and we particularly liked the reference to the bow of a ship to the right. The whole town looked well cared for and clean and fresh. Port Stewart the town before this one in comparison looked very sad and drab.
The ruins of Dunluce Castle along the cliff face as we progressed along the coastal route to the Giants Causeway.
A view of the tessellated rocks at the Giants Causeway with a giant of a man!
And then his queen sitting in another spot. Ha ha. This is something I wanted to do for some reason and we both sat and reflected on our trip and the enormity of that and the area we were in. There were literally hundreds and hundreds of people scattered along the cliff face tracks today.
On our trek to find our hotel we discovered this lovely view back along the coast to what looks like a very reclusive spot. Very nice.
Bits and Bobs:
We hadn’t been on the road for long this morning before I saw a reasonably decent building behind really high fencing (between 20 -30 feet) ready for demolition I thought. I was surprised at that. A short time later I spotted another in a similar state at an intersection and as we stopped Norm drew my attention to a big number of CCTV cameras strategically placed all around it. As I was about to ask him why he thought they were there I spotted the rear of a police car protruding from behind the building at the same time Norm said “it’s a police station!” Very unsettling. We have seen a number more of them today.
A notice we found in a shop window at Carnlough where we had an ice-cream and hot chocolate this afternoon. Makes the tensions experienced by the locals (one would hope in the past) seem very real and sad but great to know that they are striving for ongoing peace. Hope it all comes together for them.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
The Beech Hill Country House Hotel, Londonderry (Derry) Northern Ireland (UK)
A building set in 32 acres of mature trees and woodland, a beautiful genteel space no matter how you look at it. We felt the quiet ambience fold around us as we wound our way in past the gatehouse and along the driveway to the main building. Such a treat to experience the building and the space. Both were used by the US Marines in WWII and there is much memorabilia and historical commentary to that effect and the US connection since with photographs of President John F Kennedy and Bill and Hillary Clinton (on a number of occasions). All of which is significant to this site and the democratic process in Ireland we have discovered in our brief stay, but back to the hotel. Room very roomy and comfortable, the staff is an enthusiastic delight, the bed was beautifully comfortable, the shower just great and the food to die for. What more can I say…come and stay!
The Beech Hill Country House Hotel.
• Spoke to a gentleman in the car park at the hotel this morning who told us the Apprentices March was on in Derry today (they would be expecting around 15,000 people) commemorating the march of the Apprentices which closed down Derry and then they had defended the city.(At least I think that’s what he said…I was a bit surprised and didn’t really want to ask clarification). He told us we would likely encounter police barricades and diversions if we were heading for Derry as many busloads would be heading in to join in.
• Thankfully our hotel was on the fringe of town so we were quickly directed away from the activity.
• Huge numbers in buses and cars were heading in so we were definitely heading in the right direction.
• Found it chilling coming across a Police yard with what looked like riot vans peeling onto the road and heading for Derry.
• Much intensive farming evident today as well as forest areas and as far as new build houses …conspicuous by their absence. No EU money here being directed to that enterprise apparently.
The Gatehouse as we left the Beech Hill Country House Hotel this morning. Very cute.
Carnival in full swing at Portrush. There is a lovely new public space to the right of the carnival happenings and we particularly liked the reference to the bow of a ship to the right. The whole town looked well cared for and clean and fresh. Port Stewart the town before this one in comparison looked very sad and drab.
The ruins of Dunluce Castle along the cliff face as we progressed along the coastal route to the Giants Causeway.
A view of the tessellated rocks at the Giants Causeway with a giant of a man!
And then his queen sitting in another spot. Ha ha. This is something I wanted to do for some reason and we both sat and reflected on our trip and the enormity of that and the area we were in. There were literally hundreds and hundreds of people scattered along the cliff face tracks today.
On our trek to find our hotel we discovered this lovely view back along the coast to what looks like a very reclusive spot. Very nice.
Bits and Bobs:
We hadn’t been on the road for long this morning before I saw a reasonably decent building behind really high fencing (between 20 -30 feet) ready for demolition I thought. I was surprised at that. A short time later I spotted another in a similar state at an intersection and as we stopped Norm drew my attention to a big number of CCTV cameras strategically placed all around it. As I was about to ask him why he thought they were there I spotted the rear of a police car protruding from behind the building at the same time Norm said “it’s a police station!” Very unsettling. We have seen a number more of them today.
A notice we found in a shop window at Carnlough where we had an ice-cream and hot chocolate this afternoon. Makes the tensions experienced by the locals (one would hope in the past) seem very real and sad but great to know that they are striving for ongoing peace. Hope it all comes together for them.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
The Beech Hill Country House Hotel, Londonderry (Derry) Northern Ireland (UK)
A building set in 32 acres of mature trees and woodland, a beautiful genteel space no matter how you look at it. We felt the quiet ambience fold around us as we wound our way in past the gatehouse and along the driveway to the main building. Such a treat to experience the building and the space. Both were used by the US Marines in WWII and there is much memorabilia and historical commentary to that effect and the US connection since with photographs of President John F Kennedy and Bill and Hillary Clinton (on a number of occasions). All of which is significant to this site and the democratic process in Ireland we have discovered in our brief stay, but back to the hotel. Room very roomy and comfortable, the staff is an enthusiastic delight, the bed was beautifully comfortable, the shower just great and the food to die for. What more can I say…come and stay!
The Beech Hill Country House Hotel.
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Aug
10
Snippets / Memories / Photos of the day:
• Persistent comfortable temperatures and blue skies were experienced throughout the day Yay!
• One magnificent vista after another was also experienced.
• Because we did extra kilometres yesterday we had a sense of being a bit more relaxed today and enjoyed many conversations with locals along the way (some recorded here and some not) but good fun all the way.
Time out for coffee in Carndonagh.
An ancient bridge on the approach to Malin, a really pretty little town.
We discovered a sign past the Church to Five Finger Strand – a beach with all sorts of warning signs against swimmers…and a lot of people swimming.
And from above. The Church is to the left of the road at the bottom. SPECTACULAR view!
On the road between Culdaff to West Town. Check out the heather, it was everywhere today and looked wonderful.
A view from Bamba Crown – the most northerly point of Ireland. Beyond Inishtrahull Island and Lighthouse we could actually see the shore of Scotland in the distance. We met a local biker up here who comes up here from time to time for a ride. It was good to talk to him and the young girl from the coffee cart…I kid you not, on top of this bluff a coffee cart…and good coffee too!
Blessing of the Fleet in Greencastle. We were talking to a local here who had a couple of fishing boats and seven refrigerated trucks and a shellfish operation exporting shellfish all over Europe. He told us about the Blessing of the fleet (as well as having a good natter about family businesses and being serious about business or getting out…sounds familiar). He said there were only a couple of boats left in the harbour as the weather had been so lousy the boats couldn’t get out and it was so good the last couple of days the majority of them had left. Business must go on! This was the guy who told us about the Blessing of the fleet and told us we were welcome to come and join in for all the food And drink we wanted. We thanked him but explained we had to make a mile and thanked him for his hospitality and conversation. We enjoyed the experience.
Bits and Bobs:
We haven’t found many thatched rooves in Ireland but here is a good example in Middletown. Check out the green pegs under the thatch. We have found the thatch is anchored with a net to these in some coastal areas to stop it blowing off.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, Ireland
A very comfortable hotel. Good use of space, nice open public areas and a sense of not being surrounded by people even though they are here. We have stayed at Radisson Hotels before and the feel is always good. The food is lovely as always but the bed (king) has two single doonas, what a stupid situation…mind you had a good night’s sleep.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny.
• Persistent comfortable temperatures and blue skies were experienced throughout the day Yay!
• One magnificent vista after another was also experienced.
• Because we did extra kilometres yesterday we had a sense of being a bit more relaxed today and enjoyed many conversations with locals along the way (some recorded here and some not) but good fun all the way.
Time out for coffee in Carndonagh.
An ancient bridge on the approach to Malin, a really pretty little town.
We discovered a sign past the Church to Five Finger Strand – a beach with all sorts of warning signs against swimmers…and a lot of people swimming.
And from above. The Church is to the left of the road at the bottom. SPECTACULAR view!
On the road between Culdaff to West Town. Check out the heather, it was everywhere today and looked wonderful.
A view from Bamba Crown – the most northerly point of Ireland. Beyond Inishtrahull Island and Lighthouse we could actually see the shore of Scotland in the distance. We met a local biker up here who comes up here from time to time for a ride. It was good to talk to him and the young girl from the coffee cart…I kid you not, on top of this bluff a coffee cart…and good coffee too!
Blessing of the Fleet in Greencastle. We were talking to a local here who had a couple of fishing boats and seven refrigerated trucks and a shellfish operation exporting shellfish all over Europe. He told us about the Blessing of the fleet (as well as having a good natter about family businesses and being serious about business or getting out…sounds familiar). He said there were only a couple of boats left in the harbour as the weather had been so lousy the boats couldn’t get out and it was so good the last couple of days the majority of them had left. Business must go on! This was the guy who told us about the Blessing of the fleet and told us we were welcome to come and join in for all the food And drink we wanted. We thanked him but explained we had to make a mile and thanked him for his hospitality and conversation. We enjoyed the experience.
Bits and Bobs:
We haven’t found many thatched rooves in Ireland but here is a good example in Middletown. Check out the green pegs under the thatch. We have found the thatch is anchored with a net to these in some coastal areas to stop it blowing off.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, Ireland
A very comfortable hotel. Good use of space, nice open public areas and a sense of not being surrounded by people even though they are here. We have stayed at Radisson Hotels before and the feel is always good. The food is lovely as always but the bed (king) has two single doonas, what a stupid situation…mind you had a good night’s sleep.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny.
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Aug
09
Snippets / Memories / Photos of the day:
• We set out to do 160kms today but ended up doing 321 compliments of some persistent redirection of the GPS. Spoke to some people here at the hotel tonight that had done the same thing. Perhaps this is the area that Murphy hails from. Didn’t really matter, it gave us a little time to draw breath between the spectacular sights….sometimes as we headed back over familiar territory from the opposite direction.
• Might have been a long ride today but enjoyable. More of the bucking bronco stuff close to the coast and lovely curving roads with good surfaces as well as a few incredibly small lanes. The whole shooting match!
Looking back towards Dungloe as we left. Cloudy and overcast but dry…and has remained so all day with some sun this afternoon.
We wound our way around the coast road and discovered this little backwater at Bunbeg.
We were amazed at the miles and miles of grass covered sand hummocks amongst the rocks along the coast as we moved north and more so at the numbers of houses seemingly strewn about across the surface. Big numbers of new builds. A shellfish factory in evidence and peat harvesting and small holdings with very few sheep. Blowed if I know what they all do for a living. The government has obviously spent a lot of their EU money on connecting communities with roads.
Descending from Marmore Gap. Spectacular views and yes we had to come back again as that was the only way out. Some of the corners and steep rises would give the Hardknott pass a run for its money!
Looking back to the tiny village and beach of Dooey.
A spectacular beach we discovered down a cliff on the way from Glenoory to Milford.
Bits and Bobs:
This is how diesel for truck use is differentiated from farm diesel for tractors at the pump. Might also explain why we see so many tractors carting all sorts of interesting things around instead of on trucks like a massive trailer of used tyres I saw today and towing tri-axle trailers with back-hoes on them. Check out the prices also. That’s Euro’s not Aussie dollars and there is a 50cent difference between road and farm diesel.
Some nice little overcoats for some fire extinguishers at a servo.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
Rest a Wyle B&B, Dungloe, Ireland
A comfortable little B&B with adequate facilities and welcoming hosts. Use of a nice sitting room which I appreciated for the Blog instead of balancing the notebook on my lap. Reasonable distance from the street and in the rear of the building so no street noise. Must have forgotten to check if there was an evening meal so a 1.2 kilometre walk to town for dinner which worked out well as it was dry and when I got here if I closed my eyes everything was still moving from the lumpy bumpy ride so the trek to town and back served as a good wind down.
Rest a Wyle B&B, Dungloe.
• We set out to do 160kms today but ended up doing 321 compliments of some persistent redirection of the GPS. Spoke to some people here at the hotel tonight that had done the same thing. Perhaps this is the area that Murphy hails from. Didn’t really matter, it gave us a little time to draw breath between the spectacular sights….sometimes as we headed back over familiar territory from the opposite direction.
• Might have been a long ride today but enjoyable. More of the bucking bronco stuff close to the coast and lovely curving roads with good surfaces as well as a few incredibly small lanes. The whole shooting match!
Looking back towards Dungloe as we left. Cloudy and overcast but dry…and has remained so all day with some sun this afternoon.
We wound our way around the coast road and discovered this little backwater at Bunbeg.
We were amazed at the miles and miles of grass covered sand hummocks amongst the rocks along the coast as we moved north and more so at the numbers of houses seemingly strewn about across the surface. Big numbers of new builds. A shellfish factory in evidence and peat harvesting and small holdings with very few sheep. Blowed if I know what they all do for a living. The government has obviously spent a lot of their EU money on connecting communities with roads.
Descending from Marmore Gap. Spectacular views and yes we had to come back again as that was the only way out. Some of the corners and steep rises would give the Hardknott pass a run for its money!
Looking back to the tiny village and beach of Dooey.
A spectacular beach we discovered down a cliff on the way from Glenoory to Milford.
Bits and Bobs:
This is how diesel for truck use is differentiated from farm diesel for tractors at the pump. Might also explain why we see so many tractors carting all sorts of interesting things around instead of on trucks like a massive trailer of used tyres I saw today and towing tri-axle trailers with back-hoes on them. Check out the prices also. That’s Euro’s not Aussie dollars and there is a 50cent difference between road and farm diesel.
Some nice little overcoats for some fire extinguishers at a servo.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
Rest a Wyle B&B, Dungloe, Ireland
A comfortable little B&B with adequate facilities and welcoming hosts. Use of a nice sitting room which I appreciated for the Blog instead of balancing the notebook on my lap. Reasonable distance from the street and in the rear of the building so no street noise. Must have forgotten to check if there was an evening meal so a 1.2 kilometre walk to town for dinner which worked out well as it was dry and when I got here if I closed my eyes everything was still moving from the lumpy bumpy ride so the trek to town and back served as a good wind down.
Rest a Wyle B&B, Dungloe.
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Aug
08
Snippets / Memories / Photos of the day:
• Another gloriously sunny day so second day in a row without the waterproofs on.
• The views today needed cinemascope as they just couldn’t fit into our viewfinder, even so the minimalist views we have we will share and let them tell their own story.
• We have spent a good deal of time climbing up and down to and from the Moor country amongst peat marshes / bogs so roads have often experienced some subsidence so the day has largely been like a roller coaster / fairground / bucking bronco ride with lumps and bumps and many experiences of readjusting direction and butts leaving seats. It has been strenuous but actually good fun….and no that does not mean I am ready to get on a dirt bike…EVER!
• In spite of all the challenges I had a sense that I did really well and Norm confirmed that. Another badge for me.
A view to St Patricks Purgatory (or so it is called) on Lough Derg beyond Pettigo. This remains a place of Pilgrimage and we couldn’t get a lift to the Island as there was a 3 day pilgrimage taking place. Probably just as well, we had a big day lined up.
Street scene in Donegal.
The things you find in a seaside town…the Circus was in town in Killybegs and this is how they advertise the show is on.
A view from beyond Killibegs looking back across the ocean to the Yeats Country (around Sligo) we had left this morning.
We didn’t find the cliffs we were looking for but heaps of peat being harvested and here is a stack at Creenveen drying with a sheep providing some perspective.
A view from on the mountainside down into Glencolumbkille where we had a welcome hot chocolate and ice cream and got some fuel.
A view as we descend towards Ardara.
Bits and Bobs:
Loved the sign for a bridge, must be something to do with the GPS people, we had just decided where it had sent us was nowhere near what we wanted and pulled over to put the next destination in.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
The Glasshouse, Sligo, Ireland
This was a surprise no matter how we looked at it. The decor was out there in your face, almost reminiscent of the 60’s with the bright colours. Big open bar areas and restaurant and lovely spacious room and bathroom with balcony as well which previous smokers had been grateful of as their ashes were testimony to. Food in the restaurant was beautiful and service good. The restaurant was a hot box this morning with the big windows and no blinds so we changed places on our table half way through to toast the other side. Free parking, handy to the town. Quirky but ticked all the boxes.
The Glasshouse, a determinedly modern building in a very old traditional town.
• Another gloriously sunny day so second day in a row without the waterproofs on.
• The views today needed cinemascope as they just couldn’t fit into our viewfinder, even so the minimalist views we have we will share and let them tell their own story.
• We have spent a good deal of time climbing up and down to and from the Moor country amongst peat marshes / bogs so roads have often experienced some subsidence so the day has largely been like a roller coaster / fairground / bucking bronco ride with lumps and bumps and many experiences of readjusting direction and butts leaving seats. It has been strenuous but actually good fun….and no that does not mean I am ready to get on a dirt bike…EVER!
• In spite of all the challenges I had a sense that I did really well and Norm confirmed that. Another badge for me.
A view to St Patricks Purgatory (or so it is called) on Lough Derg beyond Pettigo. This remains a place of Pilgrimage and we couldn’t get a lift to the Island as there was a 3 day pilgrimage taking place. Probably just as well, we had a big day lined up.
Street scene in Donegal.
The things you find in a seaside town…the Circus was in town in Killybegs and this is how they advertise the show is on.
A view from beyond Killibegs looking back across the ocean to the Yeats Country (around Sligo) we had left this morning.
We didn’t find the cliffs we were looking for but heaps of peat being harvested and here is a stack at Creenveen drying with a sheep providing some perspective.
A view from on the mountainside down into Glencolumbkille where we had a welcome hot chocolate and ice cream and got some fuel.
A view as we descend towards Ardara.
Bits and Bobs:
Loved the sign for a bridge, must be something to do with the GPS people, we had just decided where it had sent us was nowhere near what we wanted and pulled over to put the next destination in.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
The Glasshouse, Sligo, Ireland
This was a surprise no matter how we looked at it. The decor was out there in your face, almost reminiscent of the 60’s with the bright colours. Big open bar areas and restaurant and lovely spacious room and bathroom with balcony as well which previous smokers had been grateful of as their ashes were testimony to. Food in the restaurant was beautiful and service good. The restaurant was a hot box this morning with the big windows and no blinds so we changed places on our table half way through to toast the other side. Free parking, handy to the town. Quirky but ticked all the boxes.
The Glasshouse, a determinedly modern building in a very old traditional town.
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Aug
07
Snippets / Memories / Photos of the day:
The view from tonight’s Hotel window.
• Last night we rode straight past Ashford Castle situated just a few hundred meters from our last night’s hotel as it was raining and we wanted to just get in. We thought we’d probably check it out this morning but the day dawned with blue skies and the prospect of riding in the sun under that was far too seductive a possibility to pass up so we headed off without the Castle tour. By the time we got to Sligo we were thinking we may have been better off to have the tour as it had gotten very very grey again but thankfully no rain, and we have had sunshine and just a bit of cloud for the rest of the day. Yay!
• Checked in at 11.30am. Didn’t expect to be able to do that so since we also found we had an electric towel rail decided to do some washing before we headed off on our circular ride in the area.
A view from Rosses Point towards Sligo.
• This is Yeats Country as signs everywhere told us and we continued to have a lovely ride as we had on the way up to Sligo.
• The majority of the country we have seen today has been more agriculturally productive and intensely farmed and the countryside as well as the towns much more densely settled.
• Empty shops / businesses as well as abandoned houses under construction in evidence still.
• Spectacular views towards the outcrops of rock with scree tumbling down to the grass level down below.
Yeats country on the way to Drumcliffe where Yeats was buried.
• We trekked around the Glencar Lough (Lake) and discovered there was also a pretty little waterfall to view.
• Have enjoyed many leafy glades on the edges of the Lough.
• Glad we took the road verge photo of flowers yesterday as there have been few today.
Glencar Waterfall on the edge of Glencar Lough.
• We found Parkes Castle, Kilmore on the shore of Lough Gill after having been sent by the GPS up a mountainside on what was barely a single lane track to find a dramatic view across the cliff faces but no castle before returning to the edge of the Lake and goodness gracious….a castle!
• From there we headed off to find Dooney Rock, Aughamore Far and after a couple of false starts did so. It was surrounded by dense forest full of moss and ferns under the trees and we found some beautiful views on the lake shore as well as from on top of the rock itself. Worth the very strenuous climb….for me anyway, the strenuous climb that is, the view was spectacular for us both!
A view from Dooney Rock towards Cottage Island on Lake Gill.
Bits and Bobs:
I like it in the UK and Ireland how you can park cars on either side of the road in either direction (where parking is allowed that is). Makes more sense than being illegal at home!
Also impressed with their roadwork’s signs. They are less intrusive and extensive than what we have at home but work well and assume we are thinking people rather than dimwits obviously!
Last nights’ Accommodation:
Lisloughrey Lodge, Cong, Ireland
This is a ‘nice soft place to fall’ and I felt like I needed such a refuge by the time I got in yesterday afternoon. The main building is bright and airy with beautiful public places and we are in a new section with a lovely room and ensuite. The staff has been very welcoming and obliging and the food just beautiful. There seems to be an air of ‘retreat from hustle and bustle’ here which has been easy to take. One of our more expensive choices but have enjoyed it at the end of a very wet day.
Lisloughrey Lodge Hotel, this is the 1920’s build. We were to the right in the newer section.
The view from tonight’s Hotel window.
• Last night we rode straight past Ashford Castle situated just a few hundred meters from our last night’s hotel as it was raining and we wanted to just get in. We thought we’d probably check it out this morning but the day dawned with blue skies and the prospect of riding in the sun under that was far too seductive a possibility to pass up so we headed off without the Castle tour. By the time we got to Sligo we were thinking we may have been better off to have the tour as it had gotten very very grey again but thankfully no rain, and we have had sunshine and just a bit of cloud for the rest of the day. Yay!
• Checked in at 11.30am. Didn’t expect to be able to do that so since we also found we had an electric towel rail decided to do some washing before we headed off on our circular ride in the area.
A view from Rosses Point towards Sligo.
• This is Yeats Country as signs everywhere told us and we continued to have a lovely ride as we had on the way up to Sligo.
• The majority of the country we have seen today has been more agriculturally productive and intensely farmed and the countryside as well as the towns much more densely settled.
• Empty shops / businesses as well as abandoned houses under construction in evidence still.
• Spectacular views towards the outcrops of rock with scree tumbling down to the grass level down below.
Yeats country on the way to Drumcliffe where Yeats was buried.
• We trekked around the Glencar Lough (Lake) and discovered there was also a pretty little waterfall to view.
• Have enjoyed many leafy glades on the edges of the Lough.
• Glad we took the road verge photo of flowers yesterday as there have been few today.
Glencar Waterfall on the edge of Glencar Lough.
• We found Parkes Castle, Kilmore on the shore of Lough Gill after having been sent by the GPS up a mountainside on what was barely a single lane track to find a dramatic view across the cliff faces but no castle before returning to the edge of the Lake and goodness gracious….a castle!
• From there we headed off to find Dooney Rock, Aughamore Far and after a couple of false starts did so. It was surrounded by dense forest full of moss and ferns under the trees and we found some beautiful views on the lake shore as well as from on top of the rock itself. Worth the very strenuous climb….for me anyway, the strenuous climb that is, the view was spectacular for us both!
A view from Dooney Rock towards Cottage Island on Lake Gill.
Bits and Bobs:
I like it in the UK and Ireland how you can park cars on either side of the road in either direction (where parking is allowed that is). Makes more sense than being illegal at home!
Also impressed with their roadwork’s signs. They are less intrusive and extensive than what we have at home but work well and assume we are thinking people rather than dimwits obviously!
Last nights’ Accommodation:
Lisloughrey Lodge, Cong, Ireland
This is a ‘nice soft place to fall’ and I felt like I needed such a refuge by the time I got in yesterday afternoon. The main building is bright and airy with beautiful public places and we are in a new section with a lovely room and ensuite. The staff has been very welcoming and obliging and the food just beautiful. There seems to be an air of ‘retreat from hustle and bustle’ here which has been easy to take. One of our more expensive choices but have enjoyed it at the end of a very wet day.
Lisloughrey Lodge Hotel, this is the 1920’s build. We were to the right in the newer section.
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Aug
06
Snippets / Memories / Photos of the day:
On the road heading for Roundstone, lucky it was raining so much or we would have been all day taking one photo after another of the incredible views of water and mountains disappearing into it and disappearing into the cloud overhead as we explored the Connemara Peninsula.
• Another grand soft day. Wet most of the day, drizzle and rain, thankfully missed the worst of it and only had to deal with the water left on the roadway. At times sheeting across or laying in pools. Thankfully we didn’t get any on the wheel track lane we encountered on the way to Claddaghuff.
• Being relieved I (we both) felt comfortably warm in spite of the weather.
• Have had a great sense of ‘feeling’ like we have travelled in a very remote area today in spite of the holiday traffic.
• Reminiscent of the countryside we encountered in remote north western Scotland in 2010.
Roundstone Harbour / sea wall while we waited for coffee.
• Winding through fields scattered with small to massive rocks separated by rock walls. Variable amounts of grass and occasionally sheep.
• Cannot believe the number of homes scattered through the stone fields and clinging to the edges of the waterways.
• Noticeable holiday accommodation around as we headed north along the cliffs from Roundstone. Must be good appeal for those wanting a remote experience.
• Spotted a number of anglers with rods out in some fast moving streams today. Hardy individuals!
Road verge flowers as a matter of principle. Not the variety of flowers we saw farther south but took this (in the rain) in case we miss out altogether. These occasional patches seemed to occasionally soften the views today.
• Kept being surprised by the occasional deep leafy glade we would ride into in small valleys and the lea of hills. Beautiful!
• Am in awe of the steepness of the largely bald hills (other than grasses and I guess heather and small shrubs) which rose up around us like great green walls into the clouds (and there were lots of those today).
Kylemore Abbey.
• Very impressed to hear one of the original owners planted over 300,000 trees which have established a substantial and beautiful forest which just shows given the chance this rugged land can still support that.
• As the day progressed there was more evidence of water rushing to the sea. The great green walls of hills seemed to have great lines scraped from top to bottom with impromptu waterfalls and rivulets tumbling down them in the distance and giving spectacular brief views close to the roadside as well.
The view from the front of today’s Hotel. Very nice.
Bits and Bobs:
Galway has had a week of horse races which finished yesterday so the city was in a party mood last night. Lots of people around in all sorts of glam wear as well as the odd tourist from Australia not.
One of the things I’m enjoying is catching glimpses of familiar looking faces. The night before last our waitress could have been a young Peggy Bell (as was one we had a few nights ago). I’ve also glimpsed my young sister Jenny’s likeness as I have my Uncle Lenny. Feels good!
As we were heading out of Dingle the day before yesterday I spotted a race track running up the side of a hill (I kid you not) and over the top of it, I cannot imagine race horses galloping in either direction!
Last nights’ Accommodation:
Park House Hotel, Galway, Ireland
Lovely hotel. The area it was set in seemed like it had fallen somewhat from grace over time and is now experiencing a revival so we were surprised that the hotel had survived over that time…that is until we came inside. The building was just beautiful with gracious public spaces and incredible attention to detail in everything. Impeccably clean throughout and the food and service was magnificent. Happy we could also park the bikes undercover near the rear entry so nice and secure. Would be happy to stay again. Norm even got a bucket of water to give the bikes a bit of a wash and they managed to stay clean overnight and for about half an hour today….mind you they still look better than they did before the wash which gives some idea of how filthy they were!
Park House Hotel
On the road heading for Roundstone, lucky it was raining so much or we would have been all day taking one photo after another of the incredible views of water and mountains disappearing into it and disappearing into the cloud overhead as we explored the Connemara Peninsula.
• Another grand soft day. Wet most of the day, drizzle and rain, thankfully missed the worst of it and only had to deal with the water left on the roadway. At times sheeting across or laying in pools. Thankfully we didn’t get any on the wheel track lane we encountered on the way to Claddaghuff.
• Being relieved I (we both) felt comfortably warm in spite of the weather.
• Have had a great sense of ‘feeling’ like we have travelled in a very remote area today in spite of the holiday traffic.
• Reminiscent of the countryside we encountered in remote north western Scotland in 2010.
Roundstone Harbour / sea wall while we waited for coffee.
• Winding through fields scattered with small to massive rocks separated by rock walls. Variable amounts of grass and occasionally sheep.
• Cannot believe the number of homes scattered through the stone fields and clinging to the edges of the waterways.
• Noticeable holiday accommodation around as we headed north along the cliffs from Roundstone. Must be good appeal for those wanting a remote experience.
• Spotted a number of anglers with rods out in some fast moving streams today. Hardy individuals!
Road verge flowers as a matter of principle. Not the variety of flowers we saw farther south but took this (in the rain) in case we miss out altogether. These occasional patches seemed to occasionally soften the views today.
• Kept being surprised by the occasional deep leafy glade we would ride into in small valleys and the lea of hills. Beautiful!
• Am in awe of the steepness of the largely bald hills (other than grasses and I guess heather and small shrubs) which rose up around us like great green walls into the clouds (and there were lots of those today).
Kylemore Abbey.
• Very impressed to hear one of the original owners planted over 300,000 trees which have established a substantial and beautiful forest which just shows given the chance this rugged land can still support that.
• As the day progressed there was more evidence of water rushing to the sea. The great green walls of hills seemed to have great lines scraped from top to bottom with impromptu waterfalls and rivulets tumbling down them in the distance and giving spectacular brief views close to the roadside as well.
The view from the front of today’s Hotel. Very nice.
Bits and Bobs:
Galway has had a week of horse races which finished yesterday so the city was in a party mood last night. Lots of people around in all sorts of glam wear as well as the odd tourist from Australia not.
One of the things I’m enjoying is catching glimpses of familiar looking faces. The night before last our waitress could have been a young Peggy Bell (as was one we had a few nights ago). I’ve also glimpsed my young sister Jenny’s likeness as I have my Uncle Lenny. Feels good!
As we were heading out of Dingle the day before yesterday I spotted a race track running up the side of a hill (I kid you not) and over the top of it, I cannot imagine race horses galloping in either direction!
Last nights’ Accommodation:
Park House Hotel, Galway, Ireland
Lovely hotel. The area it was set in seemed like it had fallen somewhat from grace over time and is now experiencing a revival so we were surprised that the hotel had survived over that time…that is until we came inside. The building was just beautiful with gracious public spaces and incredible attention to detail in everything. Impeccably clean throughout and the food and service was magnificent. Happy we could also park the bikes undercover near the rear entry so nice and secure. Would be happy to stay again. Norm even got a bucket of water to give the bikes a bit of a wash and they managed to stay clean overnight and for about half an hour today….mind you they still look better than they did before the wash which gives some idea of how filthy they were!
Park House Hotel
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Aug
05
Snippets / Memories / Photos of the day:
Bunratty Castle.
• Waking to leaden skies but no rain until late in the day and then only a little so no wet weather gear until then.
• Enjoyed our stroll around the Bunratty Folk Park and getting a snapshot view of village life from times gone by.
• Enjoyed the smell of peat burning and seeing soda bread being made and hearing snippets of ancient lives.
• Our walk through Bunratty Castle gave us an idea of how the castle shell we explored yesterday should have looked. Very impressively restored.
The Cliffs of Moher.
• Winding through farming communities and up and down hills.
• Seeing lots of new build houses still (mainly around villages).
• Also seeing a good number of abandoned projects partly built apartment buildings and houses as well as many empty shops / factory buildings. Very sad.
Street view in Doolin, enjoyed some yummy soup at O’Connor’s Pub.
• Incredibly dramatic outlook along the Cliffs of Moher. Wouldn’t have had to worry about being invaded from there!
• HUGE visitor centre at the Cliffs.
• Incredibly inhospitable farmland with large amounts of rock strewn about and yet huge numbers of little cottages and larger houses dotted all over the hilly surrounds.
The Poulnabrone Dolmen Portal Tomb (Needless to say from ancient times)
• From here on we came across more and more fields of limestone!
• Miles and miles of stony fields separated by stone walls and practically no grass within them the higher the attitude.
• Disbelief that people would claim such land! Must have been / be a tough existence.
• Surprisingly substantial homes lower down the ‘bald’ hills.
• Enjoyable walk through the Ailwee Limestone Caves.
Limestone fields looking across to a limestone hill and the contrast to farmland as we get lower.
Bits and Bobs:
Since we have been in Ireland we have been aware of a great absence of trucks on roads, and I’m not referring to little country lanes then the day before yesterday we spotted a truck yard / depot with big numbers of curtain sided trailers parked up. A reflection of the economy perhaps.
Irish communities give the appearance of being very self-sufficient. Most either have or are close to an active fishing village and all the restaurants / cafes proudly boast they serve local produce only. Some large hotel chains advertise they have their own market gardens. Possibly historically something they have had to be.
The town of Tralee we rode through yesterday was interesting. It had architecture examples from the ancient to modern and everything in between but it seemed to work.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty, Ireland
Beautiful and spacious room in a beautifully decorated and maintained building. Gracious public spaces and grounds. Staff very obliging food delicious. A spa on site also so catering for all sorts of tastes. Would be happy to come back here again.
Bunratty Castle Hotel (well part of it – 145 rooms and conference spaces for up to 300 as well).
Bunratty Castle.
• Waking to leaden skies but no rain until late in the day and then only a little so no wet weather gear until then.
• Enjoyed our stroll around the Bunratty Folk Park and getting a snapshot view of village life from times gone by.
• Enjoyed the smell of peat burning and seeing soda bread being made and hearing snippets of ancient lives.
• Our walk through Bunratty Castle gave us an idea of how the castle shell we explored yesterday should have looked. Very impressively restored.
The Cliffs of Moher.
• Winding through farming communities and up and down hills.
• Seeing lots of new build houses still (mainly around villages).
• Also seeing a good number of abandoned projects partly built apartment buildings and houses as well as many empty shops / factory buildings. Very sad.
Street view in Doolin, enjoyed some yummy soup at O’Connor’s Pub.
• Incredibly dramatic outlook along the Cliffs of Moher. Wouldn’t have had to worry about being invaded from there!
• HUGE visitor centre at the Cliffs.
• Incredibly inhospitable farmland with large amounts of rock strewn about and yet huge numbers of little cottages and larger houses dotted all over the hilly surrounds.
The Poulnabrone Dolmen Portal Tomb (Needless to say from ancient times)
• From here on we came across more and more fields of limestone!
• Miles and miles of stony fields separated by stone walls and practically no grass within them the higher the attitude.
• Disbelief that people would claim such land! Must have been / be a tough existence.
• Surprisingly substantial homes lower down the ‘bald’ hills.
• Enjoyable walk through the Ailwee Limestone Caves.
Limestone fields looking across to a limestone hill and the contrast to farmland as we get lower.
Bits and Bobs:
Since we have been in Ireland we have been aware of a great absence of trucks on roads, and I’m not referring to little country lanes then the day before yesterday we spotted a truck yard / depot with big numbers of curtain sided trailers parked up. A reflection of the economy perhaps.
Irish communities give the appearance of being very self-sufficient. Most either have or are close to an active fishing village and all the restaurants / cafes proudly boast they serve local produce only. Some large hotel chains advertise they have their own market gardens. Possibly historically something they have had to be.
The town of Tralee we rode through yesterday was interesting. It had architecture examples from the ancient to modern and everything in between but it seemed to work.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty, Ireland
Beautiful and spacious room in a beautifully decorated and maintained building. Gracious public spaces and grounds. Staff very obliging food delicious. A spa on site also so catering for all sorts of tastes. Would be happy to come back here again.
Bunratty Castle Hotel (well part of it – 145 rooms and conference spaces for up to 300 as well).
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Aug
04
Snippets / Memories / Photos of the day:
• Listening to pouring rain on the roof for most of the night.
• Water sheeting across roads this morning and much rain.
• More lovely road verges full of flowers with more rain and so no photo (and we seem to have moved on from fuchsia country…damn!)
• A short sharp shower of hail to remind us that things could still get worse!
• ….and more and more rain in short sharp bursts but overall we had fine weather to make our visits so that was good.
Some of the remains of Ardfert Cathedral, St Brendan’s territory.
• Incredible sweeping views from up the mountain down across manicured farmland to the shore.
• Dairy cows, dairy cows and more dairy cows.
• Mud, mud and more mud on the road….compliments of those cows and heavy rain.
• Dirty filthy bikes, very sad. We left them uncovered last night to get a bit of the crud washed off (which worked to a superficial level) but it has been replaced again today.
• Peat briquettes at all the servos (not unlike our brown coal briquettes at home).
Carrigafoyle Castle. Apparently any ancient Castles surviving here were in the hands of supporters of Queen Elizabeth I during various rebellious times (or were seized with little damage and handed on to supporters). This one wasn’t. An apparently impregnable castle had the side blown out of it. It is still impressive (5 storeys high) and many of the tower rooms intact.
• Surprising enjoyment of the Glin & Foynes Flying Boat Museum…as well as more great soup for lunch.
• Brilliant and surprising burst of sunlight and clear skies.
• Tiny lanes like secret paths.
• The quizzical looks of the locals when they see us getting all the wet weather gear on at servos and the likes. Looks like they think ‘with all that good weather out there what are they doing here in this?’
• Spectacular views between the mountains of the peninsulas up to the woolly grey clouds overhead.
Part of the full scale model of one of the Flying Boats which crossed the Atlantic Ocean to America and back. Held a surprising number of passengers. A heady era lasting 2 years short of 20. Just shows being on the cutting edge of development / technology can have dramatic consequence and life takes over…in this instance WWII and development of different flying craft.
Bits and Bobs:
The universality of farming…in Australia Farmer Jones…here Farmer Murphy I guess drags heaps of mud out onto the road and doesn’t make any effort to clean it up. Interesting…if we do that in our Industry (trucks) we have to clean it up or get hefty fines. Guess there must be more farmers than Truckies in Parliament here as well as at home.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
Dingle Bay Hotel, Ireland
A delightful find in a quaint fishing village. The outside looked cheerful…and the inside has been nicely refurbished though an eye to detail was slightly off on some of the fittings, or it might be handyman maintenance and things becoming loose. Disappointing. Our room is large and restful. Staff are friendly and helpful (many thanks for organising our laundry) and the food was great but hated the rubber backed sheet on the bed….was sweaty all night and when I raised that on check out I was met by a wall of ‘talk to the hand’…pretty much. Disappointing.
Dingle Bay Hotel
• Listening to pouring rain on the roof for most of the night.
• Water sheeting across roads this morning and much rain.
• More lovely road verges full of flowers with more rain and so no photo (and we seem to have moved on from fuchsia country…damn!)
• A short sharp shower of hail to remind us that things could still get worse!
• ….and more and more rain in short sharp bursts but overall we had fine weather to make our visits so that was good.
Some of the remains of Ardfert Cathedral, St Brendan’s territory.
• Incredible sweeping views from up the mountain down across manicured farmland to the shore.
• Dairy cows, dairy cows and more dairy cows.
• Mud, mud and more mud on the road….compliments of those cows and heavy rain.
• Dirty filthy bikes, very sad. We left them uncovered last night to get a bit of the crud washed off (which worked to a superficial level) but it has been replaced again today.
• Peat briquettes at all the servos (not unlike our brown coal briquettes at home).
Carrigafoyle Castle. Apparently any ancient Castles surviving here were in the hands of supporters of Queen Elizabeth I during various rebellious times (or were seized with little damage and handed on to supporters). This one wasn’t. An apparently impregnable castle had the side blown out of it. It is still impressive (5 storeys high) and many of the tower rooms intact.
• Surprising enjoyment of the Glin & Foynes Flying Boat Museum…as well as more great soup for lunch.
• Brilliant and surprising burst of sunlight and clear skies.
• Tiny lanes like secret paths.
• The quizzical looks of the locals when they see us getting all the wet weather gear on at servos and the likes. Looks like they think ‘with all that good weather out there what are they doing here in this?’
• Spectacular views between the mountains of the peninsulas up to the woolly grey clouds overhead.
Part of the full scale model of one of the Flying Boats which crossed the Atlantic Ocean to America and back. Held a surprising number of passengers. A heady era lasting 2 years short of 20. Just shows being on the cutting edge of development / technology can have dramatic consequence and life takes over…in this instance WWII and development of different flying craft.
Bits and Bobs:
The universality of farming…in Australia Farmer Jones…here Farmer Murphy I guess drags heaps of mud out onto the road and doesn’t make any effort to clean it up. Interesting…if we do that in our Industry (trucks) we have to clean it up or get hefty fines. Guess there must be more farmers than Truckies in Parliament here as well as at home.
Last nights’ Accommodation:
Dingle Bay Hotel, Ireland
A delightful find in a quaint fishing village. The outside looked cheerful…and the inside has been nicely refurbished though an eye to detail was slightly off on some of the fittings, or it might be handyman maintenance and things becoming loose. Disappointing. Our room is large and restful. Staff are friendly and helpful (many thanks for organising our laundry) and the food was great but hated the rubber backed sheet on the bed….was sweaty all night and when I raised that on check out I was met by a wall of ‘talk to the hand’…pretty much. Disappointing.
Dingle Bay Hotel
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