nbjtours

Day six

Connemara

95 miles

3756 ft climbed

Today was another great day. The highlight without exception has been the amazing scenery that we have enjoyed since entering Connemara on the third leg of the day, no doubt aided by the appearance of the sun but stunning none the less.

When you get three chaps together it doesn’t matter what age they are the normal thing to do after a while is to regress back to boyhood. Today we had plenty of opportunity to muck about during the first two legs and these are a couple of the photos we were able to publish.

Once again the day started soft with light drizzle in the air as we left the campsite. It was not quite as heavy as yesterday but still made the first hour and a half damper than we would have liked.

The route initially took us on a mix of small roads linking through to mostly cycle paths on regional roads which allowed slightly faster riding than usual. We went through adjacent towns Colooney, Coolaney & Cloonacool which must be most difficult for the postman Coolaney being a very attractive one horse town with the high street having had two on the pavement fuel pumps one of which remains in use.

We then took the low road which was a quiet back road running behind the hills which had farms dotted along it, less than half of them being occupied as above. About half way along this twenty mile stretch of road was a football pitch complete with stadium. It looked superb and as usual someone was cutting the grass. We really wondered where they found any players as there were simply no houses around.

After 30 miles a standard breakfast of croissants and coffee was taken at the entrance to a part completed house and we set off on the next leg

Having missed out on the fun of a cycle path yesterday the route had two bits of fun added today. Firstly a five mile section of Greenway into Castlebar which was a mostly gravel path running beside a river that Nick claimed was full of otters!

Then following Castlebar we had a real rough track to negotiate for a couple of miles which had followed an EU supported bypass in the process of being built.

The rough track ran next to an area where they still cut peat for fuel and we were able to see the little stooks they put up to dry them out.

The only issue with taking the track was that it by passed the camper which had lunch although our stop which we took in Aghagower was prettier. As ever Nigel was gracious in moving on to us and we had our picnic in the shadow of the ruined church and 11th century tower.

We agreed with Nigel to meet again at the campsite and leaving, little did we realise the stunning scenery that we were about to witness.

It started when we saw this mountain and then as we moved off the small roads we hit the N59 which lead to Connemara. Although we had not really felt it, we had been climbing all of the second leg so then had a downhill section of around 8 miles to one of the three fjords in Ireland – Killary. Who knew Ireland had fjords.

The sun coming out helped but every turn brought a new and beautiful vista. We honestly have put this leg up as one of the prettiest we have ever done on all of our trips.

Of course the sun helps but the photos simply do not do justice to the incredible landscape.

At one viewpoint we chatted with an Irish couple from Dublin who said it was better than Kerry and interestingly the lady from the campsite said that although Connemara has similar scenery than the more famous ring of Kerry they do not have the number of visitors, so if you come to Ireland bear that in mind.

It is difficult to choose the best pictures but I have included a number that Chris , Nick and I took.

Leaving the main road we turned off to run past a high Lough and came across Nigel on his motorcycle ostensibly out to buy some beer but understandably having a quick play on the twisting roads.

Having seen Nigel we only had three miles to go to our coastal campsite to rest our weary legs and backsides. Following a rapid shower, chicken, potatoes and salad dinner was followed by our compulsory post dinner beach walk which was the most spectacular of the tour so far as we could see sun and rain clouds massing giving a JMW Turneresque quality to the view.

Though now past the longest day the sun actually went down later today than yesterday as we are further West and we can only hope that the scouts camping nearby don’t sing until past midnight, although they are still up as I write this at almost that time!

More fun awaits tomorrow but after a day like today who cares.