Well obviously copious exercise and the sea air worked wonders, I had a really good sleep last night. This morning I chose the oats porridge for breakfast, which came with a tot of whiskey or baillies. Well the only one I have a clue about is whiskey…so I ordered that! Thank heavens it was served on the side. I tried to put a bit of whiskey in and it was gross. Why ruin perfectly good oat? Denise – dont tell Briany about this recipe!

So that was my sustenance for the 4km walk to the old lighthouse and Dun Eochla fort.  Along the way I passed two Americans who had tried to get to Dun Aengus…but it was closed for most of the day. We walked up the hill to the fort……. and then through the fields. Was great and today was a really warm and sunny day. I guess about 24 degrees- many locals had their shirts off (most shouldn’t).

I then walked the next 2.5kms to town, where I tried my damnedest to get a pony and trap ride. Being on my own, I either had to rent for €50 or get people to share. But I kept getting evicted for bigger groups…so I gave that up as a bad job and hired a bicycle. Now Janeen, I know that my cycling skills leave much to be desired…but I coped. I confess there were many hills where I walked and pushed the bike up. Put my cameras away and juat enjoyed the experience.

Eventually at about 4pm I decided to head home, but my legs and feet just revolted at the thought of walking the 6.8km up the hills back home. There is a challenge cos there is no public transport. There are the horse and carts – all gone out! There are the mini bus tours- at around €15 per person- quite expensive and they were all out. So I hitched a lift…as I was walking up the hill a panel van had to pull over for an oncoming car. His window was open, so I asked if he was heading west – he said jump in!  It seems it is pretty much standard practice on the island. It can be an issue if you are staying far out and not very mobile.

I must say I understand why there are not many Health and Raquet clubs here. These people walk miles, work hard physically and for long hours Particularly the people living in rural areas and farms etc. Its a tough existance in harsh weather conditions. No domestic help – in my bnb which has at least 10 rooms, all the work – cleaning, cooking breakfast, gardening, driving etc is done by Therese. She has a young student helping for 3 hours in the mornings with serving breakfast and cleaning!

That old baddy Oliver Cromwell invaded the island in the mid 17th century, but he hated the place, cos there were no trees to hang people from and no soil to bury  them in. In fact the graves on the island get reused every 25 years or so. Family members in the same grave, because of the difficulty in digging graves. He had a saying of ‘To hell or to Connacht’ .. Which is pretty much what he thought of Ireland.

Tonight’s dinner is at Tom Watty’s  restaurant and pub. I had pork ribs and a side order of mashed carrots and parsnips. Delicious….The musicians are setting up now, so I will have half an hour or so of music until  we get picked up at 9pm. Hopefully that sunset tonight equals last night.

Yippee, I found Father Ted tonight. The series is based in this island and apparently there is a festival to celebrate, where hundreds of people attend all dressed up accordingly.

Travellers can be so ignorant and arrogant and combined, those traits are terrible. Two bnb guests (middle aged travellers – not kids) in the car with me tonight, were told we would be collected at 9pm. Oh thats fine they say, we will just catch a cab later. No says Therese there are no cabs around. Oh dont worry they say, we are sure we will find one. She patiently explains that there are none! Well in that case we will just phone you when we are ready to leave. WTF???? How many innkeepers even bother to give people lifts. Aaarrgh!

That pet hate is only topped by people who chew with their mouths open and you can hear them smacking their food around!! Table manners are becoming extinct. I think a massive reeducation process is needed.

Sunny day = 1

Sore feet = 2

Pony and trap ride = 0

Father Ted = 1 (hoo fekken ray)

Leprechauns = 0

Thanks for all the comments and interest in the blog

Dun Eochla and the lighthouse

The lighthouse that never worked

through the walls at Dun Eochla

accross the fields towards Kilronan

this beaut was topless today

This beaut was not topless today

Cycling around the island

spare ribs with carrot and parsnip mash

Beach at Kilronan

accoL

my new fridge magnet