Connemara and Kylemore Abbey

Connemara and Kylemore Abbey

Me at Kylemore Abbey

Once again, today was a day of surprises. The middle of the day was beautiful sunshine, surrounded both in the morning and the afternoon by bookends of fog.

So much for my very posh room this  morning with its magnificent view, When I woke up this morning and eagerly drew back the curtains I was met with a blanket of whiteness. Couldn't even see the estuary outside the window. I was a little worried about driving, but the visibility wasn't too bad by 10 am so I pressed on.

In the meantime I made contact with my cousin (of 5  generations of Curtins) in Lahinch which is my next stop and we organised what we would do when I came to County Clare tomorrow and Saturday.

My first stop was Castlebar and I found a lovely little coffee shop and sat at a table by the window and watched the people of County Mayo go by... It was very foggy still in Castlebar.

Castlebar Main Street

Castlebar Main Street

When I was here 5 years ago, I remembered the beauty and the ruggedness of the Connemara region. We rocked and rolled our way in the bus through this area and I always wanted to come back and do it at my own pace. And today was the perfect opportunity for me to do this.

And miraculously, not long after I left Castlebar, the sun came out so that I could once again experience the beauty of this region. It combines towering mountains with stunningly beautiful loughs and together they produce a backdrop that makes the jaw drop once again...

Here's a few examples. Notice the fog clouds that form part of the scenery...

Connemara Beauty

Connemara Beauty

Connemara Beauty

Connemara Beauty

My destination for lunch was Kylemore Abbey. Whenever I think of Kylemore Abbey I think  of my brother Terry and his mirth at the series called "Two fat ladies" who filmed an episode here, and they always seemed to have lashings of butter and cream. Must try and re-watch that episode! But it's a beautiful spot, right on another lough...

Kylemore Abbey

Kylemore Abbey

Kylemore Abbey- looking up the Lough

I had lunch there and had every intention of going over to the Abbey to have a look, but by the time I finished lunch it was 2 o'clock, and I asked the lady in the gift shop how long it was to Galway (my stop for the night) and she said one and a half hours. I'm a little bit wary of getting into a town late after my recent experience, so I decided to forego the visit to the Abbey and head for Galway.

And it was just as well I did, because I was only about 20 mins into the journey when those grey clouds started to roll in again, and the fog descended... all the way to Galway.

But I made it safely and am staying at a lovely hotel called the Salt Hill hotel which is right opposite the water. Pity about that bloody fog covering all the view again!!!!

But my day was lovely and once again the scenery was magnificent. Ireland surely is a special place.