Day 16
Up at 9 to light rain and fog and wind. Not exactly the day for a long drive. Breakfast as usual, some packing and getting ready to get out the door. I think we'll start driving, see how the roads and weather are, and make our decision.
|
We decided to lunch in Kinvarra and use our free Dunguaire Castle admission to see the entire place, and see if Connemara was do-able on the way up. It started out really nasty and foggy in our neighborhood, but as expected, it started clearing somewhat. About 10 miles from Kinvarra we actually decided to "go for it" but then looked across Galway Bay, and you could see that the Connemara side was rainy and foggy as well. So we wimped out.
Lunch in Kinvarra at Keogh's which ended up a pretty good choice. Kristen had a BLT off of the pub menu, Jill had vegetable soup and a chorizo salad appetizer from the "Sunday Lunch" menu, and Dave had turkey and ham, with veg., potato and gravy from the same menu. All pretty good and a good value at under 40€ with sodas. I asked if anyone actually finished my entree when they ordered it - "Oh yes, and they ask for more". I can't imagine. |
    |
   |
Then back 2 minutes to Dunguaire where this time we saw the entire castle. It's only 4 floors, and each floor only as big as the banquet room. And we went to the roof and saw the fresh water river that comes underground from Gort and empties into the bay here.
|
Back home, getting rainier as we got near, and got another 10€ of gas at the Aran View. We need to try to return it as empty as possible when we return tomorrow (the cost of a tank was included.)
Finally lit our "Fire in a Bag", a cool concept for a rental home - like Duraflame briquets - you just light the corner of the bag and you get 3-4 hours of fire. It's nice when you're in Ireland for 2 weeks and don't light the fire till the last day.
Finally lit our "Fire in a Bag", a cool concept for a rental home - like Duraflame briquets - you just light the corner of the bag and you get 3-4 hours of fire. It's nice when you're in Ireland for 2 weeks and don't light the fire till the last day.
I can't imagine what it would be like to spend 2 weeks in the rain here. Depressing, to say the least. Some idiots were actually paying 8€ to get into the Cliffs or Moher when we drove by - you can't even see 50 feet in front of you, what are they thinking?
Tonight one more trip to Doolin for pub food and a little music. But not too much, we've got a plane to catch.
...
The weather was back to sunny as we left the house. The ride to Doolin was beautiful, with the sun coming over the ocean and highlighting the cows on the fields.
This time we had dinner in the "other" pub in upper Doolin - McGann's. The food was actually a little better... we mine was anyway. I had a chicken curry that was possibly the best of the trip. Jill a burger and Kristen sausage and chips. And a hot chocolate gateau.
Tonight one more trip to Doolin for pub food and a little music. But not too much, we've got a plane to catch.
...
The weather was back to sunny as we left the house. The ride to Doolin was beautiful, with the sun coming over the ocean and highlighting the cows on the fields.
This time we had dinner in the "other" pub in upper Doolin - McGann's. The food was actually a little better... we mine was anyway. I had a chicken curry that was possibly the best of the trip. Jill a burger and Kristen sausage and chips. And a hot chocolate gateau.
Shortly before the music began we were joined at our table by a couple from Brisbane - Rachel and Shayne. He works rehabbing large boats for rich people; she's in some kind of child care service with the local University. They had spent a week in Dallas, then a week in Ireland, then on to Greece and who knows where else before returning from their 5 week trip.
The band at McGanns, on a Sunday night, was not inspiring - guitar, fiddle and banjo. Not much audience interaction and they were not too good at getting the mood flowing. We left for McDermott's across the bridge after about a half hour and were quickly followed by the Aussies.
Unfortunately, we were disappointed to see that our band from Friday night was not there, as expected. Two members were the same, and two weren't... but the father / daughter (?) piper and fiddler were not in sight. We had to go anyway, we had to get up at 5:15. Left around 10:30.
Went home on the dark deserted roads, finished the last of the Jameson, did the final packing and get in bed around 12.
Day 17 >>>
The band at McGanns, on a Sunday night, was not inspiring - guitar, fiddle and banjo. Not much audience interaction and they were not too good at getting the mood flowing. We left for McDermott's across the bridge after about a half hour and were quickly followed by the Aussies.
Unfortunately, we were disappointed to see that our band from Friday night was not there, as expected. Two members were the same, and two weren't... but the father / daughter (?) piper and fiddler were not in sight. We had to go anyway, we had to get up at 5:15. Left around 10:30.
Went home on the dark deserted roads, finished the last of the Jameson, did the final packing and get in bed around 12.
Day 17 >>>
