There was no sinking feeling today! A night in a floating pod needs to be experienced. Each time one of us got on or off it rocked a little. At first quite disconcerting but after a while you got used to it. I really enjoyed our nights stay here. A little different, a little quirky. Clean and comfortable and a view a little out of the ordinary.
The wind died away completely overnight. We woke to a blue sky day and not a breath of wind. The water was like a mirror.
We packed up and moved on.
First stop was a run down to the Loop Head Lighthouse, a signature point on the Wild Atlantic Way. The road is narrow and winding. It passes through small hamlets that appeared deserted. Wide open vistas of fields stretch to the horizon on all sides. Then suddenly on top a rise ahead the lighthouse appears. Its light flashed 4 times every 20 seconds and marks the northern entrance to the River Shannon. Ripe tides and currents can be seen at the base of the cliffs. According to an information board a light of some description has existed on the point since the 1600s. It was a fire in a bazier on the roof of a cottage built on the point in those days.
We retrace our steps. After a brief stop in the seaside town of Kilkeel, we press on to the geological park called The Burren. Click this link for more information. It seems barren at first, but hidden in the nooks and crannies are colourful plants.
The road clings to the coast rounding Black Head and heads east towards the city of Galway.
We stop for lunch. The roads are not so testing but the added traffic means concentration is paramount.
Galway is a city like any other. Not much to write about but there was no other way to get to our accommodation for the night. So we stopped for another coffee then pressed on to journeys end.
We had 5 near misses today. Drivers came around bends on our side of the road. Others pulled out in front of us at junctions. Until now the standard of driving has been good. Today was not. The silly thing is most of them were on Irish plate cars and they did not care. Maybe hire cars. Who knows. No apologies. Nothing. So take care if ever you come this way. Take your time and be aware of the road conditions at all times and you will be fine. Maybe it was just one of those days.
We are now set for the night. Tomorrow we head for Cong where the film the Quiet Man was filmed with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.
Woodend Wanderer 