Doonbeg
0 Miles
We sort of knew it was coming but had hoped the weather forecast was wrong as it has tended to be. However no such luck as the day dawned wet and stayed that way except for a couple of hours. When it stopped the wind was so strong you could barely stand up. We did not cycle today.
Having cleared out of our very expensive and nothing more than satisfactory campsite at Salthills near Galway City, the first place we had to go to was the tyre shop to get the puncture repaired. This was done in no more than 15 minutes and only cost €20. Next was a stock up trip to Lidl which gave Chris,Nick and me the chance to see Nigel and Monica in action for the first time in a trip
So as not to miss out on the cycling route we then followed it closely in the camper across the different landscape of the Burren with its limestone pavements of clints and grykes
The rain did not give up so the van was the right option but it would have been so much more spectacular in the sun. The fields were full of varied flowers particular to this area and I did manage to escape to capture a few as above.
We called in to visit this dolmen which was attended by a friendly chap standing in the rain under his brolly. Nigel got talking with him and almost half an hour later soaked to the skin Nigel was followed as he walked away defeated. The first time this trio have ever seen Nigel out talked!
Moving on from the Burren, which really was worth the visit, we moved on to see the Cliffs of Mohar. After Dublin they are the most visited attraction in the whole of Ireland. Having parked up and had lunch we went to the visitor centre which told the history of the site.
The rain ceased for a bit so we went out and there was enough visibility to see the cliffs and also watch the seabirds negotiate the cliffs. Puffins , Razorbills and Kittiwakes whose aerobatic skills were particularly impressive as the wind had by now picked up and it was genuinely blowing a hoolie. In many ways even more dangerous to cycle in.
Nick Corner
On the way out passing through the visitor centre we made Nick, under extreme pressure, stand next to a picture of his favourite bird. We are not sure if it was a real smile or a grimace.
Nick also sent me a photo of the steps at the visitor centre at the Cliffs of Mohar as they had coral and shell fossils in them. We decided that they didn’t make the cut but I can publish it if I get enough interest. Please let me know
The campsite at Doonbeg was the opposite of the last one with helpful owners and reasonable prices. A full four man effort putting up the tents in rapid time in the rain helped get us ready for a salmon dinner followed by mixed melon. The rain and wind continues as I write this, with little let up expected for another couple of days Chris has his cycling gear ready to put on first thing tomorrow morning as he is determined h that we can cycle to the ferry across the Shannon. In truth it will depend on the wind.
In the end a non- cycling day but not a bad day as we have been able to see some more of this beautiful but damp country.
nbjtours 