Aug 07, 2012

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.