Day 70 25th April
A day of boat – bus – car as we reluctantly left Inishmore and headed out on our road trip of Ireland. We began – against local advice – on the M59 out of Galway, Against advice because we were told it was a “Freeway” and not very scenic. We found it a pleasant drive along treelined roads with villages, thatches and coastline along the way. For the next part of the journey we did follow recommendation – we turned off towards the coast and Ballyconneely following the coast road to our first stop Clifden.
Highlights of the day –
Roundstone – a fishing village with shops and houses lining a steep hill from the sea and array of fishing boats.
Bunowen Castle –the ruin of this castle appeared on the horizon as we drove out to the coast. It looked particularly ominous on a bleak cloudy day. Its identity was only found with a Google search later.
Connemarra Smokehouse – it had just closed when we arrived. Maybe this was a good thing as it prevented us buying too much food as we longingly looked through the window.
And on to Clifden. Checked into the Arch Bed and Breakfast where Chris fell for the deadpan Irish humour. Our host opened the door and asked what we wanted. Chris said we had a booking. No she said – not today. Then smiled and said for Felstead right – come in. Our small but comfy room was up near the top of the house and after the open space of Inishmore it was initially a bit squashed but soon became a pleasant and very central B & B for us.
For dinner we decided to go no further than next door at Mannions Bar – so much fun we spent two nights here. Again our waiter had lived and worked in Australia.
