Taking life gently again today.... just went for a little jaunt down to Loop Head and back. The sun was out again... the weather here is a bit like Melbourne!!!
 |
| Today's journey |
Had a great sleep overnight. Apparently there was a great wind storm overnight, but I didn't hear a thing! I have slept really well since I've been here... I think it's been a great idea to just take a few days off. I can sense the end is in sight now, so I'm starting to slow down a bit. This time next week, I'll be nearly home!
Anyway - back to the journey. The coastal road here is just beautiful and with the sun out again and the sea still in wild mode, it made for a fantastic feast for the eyes.
The first stop was only a few miles south of Lahinch, called The White Strand.
You could walk out to the point and see forever in either direction...
 |
| White Strand |
 |
| White Strand |
 |
| White Strand |
 |
| White Strand |
 |
| White Strand |
Then I moved on to Spanish Point for morning tea.... this hotel has the best spot...
 |
| Armada Hotel |
Interesting why it was called
Spanish Point..
Spanish Point , 3 km/2 miles west of Milltown Malbay, is a small resort
with a beautiful sandy beach and golf course. It’s so named because of
the Spaniards who were buried here after the wreck of their Armada ships
along the coast in 1588. One of the ships was wrecked on the reefs to
landward of Mutton Island (3km/2 miles) off shore. More than a thousand
men were lost, and many of their bodies were carried by the tide to
Spanish Point. Today, you can hire a currach in the fishing village of
Quilty and visit the site of the wreck.
 |
| Spanish Point |
 |
| Spanish Point |
 |
| Spanish Point |
After that I headed for Loop Head and went through the town of Kilkee
 |
| View of Kilkee |
Had a funny incident around lunch time.
I went into the restaurant/bar at Kilbaha which is just before Loop Head lighthouse. All I wanted was a sandwich and it was a restaurant.... so I went in and asked about having a sandwich and the guy I asked said he have to ask the boss and then they looked around and were going to offer me a stool near the back. So I decided I'd leave it and try somewhere else (not that there was anywhere else much!!) But sometimes, I just think they treat solo travellers as people who can be shoved in corners. I've found that quite a few times where they put you on a table out of the way. Anyway, I said thanks but no thanks and walked out and headed back for the car. The boss guy came running out after me and assured me he really did have a table for me and what was the matter. etc etc.... I wasn't in the mood for the big explanation about the treatment of single travellers, but he followed me further and even opened the car door and wasn't going to let me go without an explanation!!! I just kept saying no thanks, not interested.... He was very persistent!!! I eventually escaped, but not without some difficulty!!!
Anyway, headed on up to Loop Head lighthouse and by this time I was thinking I should have at least gone to the loo at that restaurant before I got on my high horse!!! There were loos at the lighthouse, but you had to pay €5 to get in. So I did the lighthouse tour as well!!! It was an expensive exercise to be so pig-headed!!!
 |
| Loop Head Lighthouse |
It actually was quite interesting. They had a few audio visuals about how isolated life was for these lighthouse keepers... and a bit about how the west of Ireland was right in the heart of all the shipping movement.
They also said how powerful the waves were in this part of the world.... I would believe it by looking at the sea today. It was crashing in all around....
 |
| Interesting stuff about Loop Head |
 |
| Loop Head Lighthouse |
It was right on the point and given the sunny day, you could see right over to the Kerry mountains...
 |
| Mountains in the distance |
 |
| View from lighthouse |
 |
| Info about the actual lighthouse |
On the way back, I came via Kilkee Cliffs, which are not as popular as the Cliffs of Moher, but I reckon they're much nicer, especially on a day like today.
 |
| Kilkee Cliffs |
 |
| Kilkee Cliffs |
 |
| Kilkee Cliffs |
 |
| Kilkee Cliffs |
Some famous people have visited there, including Che Guevara...
You have to be careful not to get too close to the edge...
 |
| This poor man fell from the cliffs |
And one more to finish...
 |
| Scenery near Kilkee |
So that was my day out! The skies were blue and the scenery was just magnificent!
And, would you believe, it rained on the way home!!!!
Tonight I am having dinner with the Curtins.
And tomorrow I move on again.... I've booked into Killarney for Friday night.
Wattle's Wanderings are coming to an end, but there are still a few days to go, so I'm going to try and make the most of them.
I saw the jibe about Melbourne, but would you believe it, we had an enormous wind storm here last night ( yes, I suppose you would believe it) and this morning on my walk it was so calm. Your photos of yesterday's travels were glorious. I'd love to frame every one of them!! Enjoy your last few precious days.
ReplyDeleteJibe about Melbourne??? Me..??? Actually I was just describing what Melbourne is famous for! Was a great day for taking pics. The sun, after the storm, was just great. The sea was magical yesterday.
DeleteHi Moira, chuckled over the restaurant seating incident. Think you were right! Am glad they felt bad and tried to make amends though.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pounding sea! Those lighthouse keepers had a really hard and lonely life but were invaluable. Have been riveted by every photo. Do you have a camera or are you using your phone camera? Whichever one it is, you have an excellent camera! X
When I read back over it, I was being a bit stuffy.. it will go down into the stories of my travels!!! Using my phone this time. The camera in it is excellent... and it just slips into my pocket easily. Takes a nice pic, hey???
DeleteThe scenery lòoks so beautiful Moira especially with all that blue sky & sunshine. Killarney is where my mother's side of the family O'Donoghue are from. Funnily though there was a Mellick Hotel there (back in '88 when I was there) You may remember that is my maiden name but the Mellick name is Lebanese from Dad's family!! When I asked I was informed that Mellick is the pen name of a well-known local author. Curiouser and curiouser 🤔 I wonder if you will see the hotel. No doubt you will see Muckross Abbey. I await your Killarney report . . .
ReplyDeleteWill look out for all things O'Donoghue, Mellick, or Katie!!! Not sure how much actual time I’ll spend in Killarney town, but will have you in mind at all times 😀😀😀. Xx
Delete