Day 10 Clifden to Lough Doo.

Today has been a good day. Why? Hang on and I will tell you.

Todays itinerary was suggested by a work colleague of mine. As mentioned yesterday Brian is the HR Director onboard ship and he is from round these parts. But before we got to his neck of the woods there was some sightseeing to do.

We left Clifden campsite and dropped down into the town and lo and behold what did we see. Two things of interest. One was a statue of two famous aviators, Alcock and Brown and the other was a collection of vintage and veteran motorcycles with riders wearing numbered tabards.

The first transatlantic flight landed just south of Clifden. You can read more here. This was rather poignant as we has also visited the landing site of the first Trans Tasman flight made by Guy Menzies when doing our South Island motorhome trip a few years ago.

We set of to run around the circuitous route to the west of Clifden known as the Sky Road. You quickly appreciate how it got its name as the road climbs steadily out of Clifden. It is narrow in a car never mind a motorhome. At times it is precipitous but once at the top….oh my!

Whilst snapping away at the views and trying to talk to the horse who it turns out has zero conversation, these guys turned up.

These chaps were doing the annual Galway Rally. This is its 44th year. I got talking to them. Of course I did. The chap wearing vest 71 is from Fox glacier in New Zealand. You could not make this stuff up. He comes over every year to ride with his friend, sat on the bike wearing 76. His friend owns both bikes but lends one out so they can ride together. The chap from new Zealand met his friend some 20 years ago whilst on holiday. He comes over from New Zealand every year since to take part in the rally.

Our dog Leia was interested too and wowed a few onlookers with her good looks

From there we set off for my colleagues home village where the family used to own the local hotel. We thought we would go a take a few photos for him. Little did we know his brother still lived in the village. The roads got really narrow at times. Thank goodness there is little traffic.

The road from Mam Cross across the moors and along the Lough to the village of Clonbur could easily have been lifted out of New Zealand. The hills, the moors and even the plants and trees all looked the same. There is me trying to look suave in my driving gear.

Brians brother Eddie came over to greet us whilst we were having some lunch on the old family hotel. . My goodness he is a clone! We had a great chat.

We continued onto Cong just over the border in County Mayo. Its claim to fame was that The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara was filmed there. It is a stunning little place. A short walk away is Ashford Castle which is now an exclusive Hotel resort and Spa and featured in the film.

A statue of the two leading actors immortalises the films poster.

We back tracked to Conbur and saw this little surprise.

Another little surprise find, missed if you don’t deviate off the normal tourist route.

We took Eddies recommendation of the back road through the hamlet of Finney before arriving at our spot for the night. A parking bay alongside Lough Doo. We are alone. It is perfect. Except for the biting sand flies that have rather taken a fancy to us.