Aug 10, 2012

Snippets / Memories / Photos of the day:

• Persistent comfortable temperatures and blue skies were experienced throughout the day Yay!
• One magnificent vista after another was also experienced.
• Because we did extra kilometres yesterday we had a sense of being a bit more relaxed today and enjoyed many conversations with locals along the way (some recorded here and some not) but good fun all the way.



Time out for coffee in Carndonagh.



An ancient bridge on the approach to Malin, a really pretty little town.



We discovered a sign past the Church to Five Finger Strand – a beach with all sorts of warning signs against swimmers…and a lot of people swimming.



And from above. The Church is to the left of the road at the bottom. SPECTACULAR view!



On the road between Culdaff to West Town. Check out the heather, it was everywhere today and looked wonderful.



A view from Bamba Crown – the most northerly point of Ireland. Beyond Inishtrahull Island and Lighthouse we could actually see the shore of Scotland in the distance. We met a local biker up here who comes up here from time to time for a ride. It was good to talk to him and the young girl from the coffee cart…I kid you not, on top of this bluff a coffee cart…and good coffee too!



Blessing of the Fleet in Greencastle. We were talking to a local here who had a couple of fishing boats and seven refrigerated trucks and a shellfish operation exporting shellfish all over Europe. He told us about the Blessing of the fleet (as well as having a good natter about family businesses and being serious about business or getting out…sounds familiar). He said there were only a couple of boats left in the harbour as the weather had been so lousy the boats couldn’t get out and it was so good the last couple of days the majority of them had left. Business must go on! This was the guy who told us about the Blessing of the fleet and told us we were welcome to come and join in for all the food And drink we wanted. We thanked him but explained we had to make a mile and thanked him for his hospitality and conversation. We enjoyed the experience.

Bits and Bobs:



We haven’t found many thatched rooves in Ireland but here is a good example in Middletown. Check out the green pegs under the thatch. We have found the thatch is anchored with a net to these in some coastal areas to stop it blowing off.

Last nights’ Accommodation:

Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, Ireland

A very comfortable hotel. Good use of space, nice open public areas and a sense of not being surrounded by people even though they are here. We have stayed at Radisson Hotels before and the feel is always good. The food is lovely as always but the bed (king) has two single doonas, what a stupid situation…mind you had a good night’s sleep.



Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny.