As I waved goodbye to Anne Lynch who has been a fantastic host at my B&B for the past 2 days, (breakfast was excellent again) this morning, I spend a few moments reflecting how lucky I have been with the weather so far, sadly this morning was very overcast.....
Fortunately it did not take many minutes until the Irish had put a smile back on my face, as I round the corner on my way to the first discovery point of the day, Lisfannon Beach, I drove past a huge car showroom called "Duff Motors". Now I have to say if my surname was Duff, and my business was the motor trade, I'm not 100% sure that's the name I would pick for my car retailing empire !
I pull up at Lisfannon beach, and it's the usual story, just me and 1 dog walker...
After a nice bracing stroll down the beach I head back to the car, and say good morning to a group of 3 people who have just pulled up in a car next to me. The conversation revealed it was a father (circa 70, I would say) and his daughter and her husband. In response to my good morning, a conversation commences
The Father - Ah, mornin to ya, how's ya day ? You're from the Midlands aren't ya. I bet y' on holiday ?
Me - I'm good thanks, yes from the Midlands, live between Birmingham and Coventry, and yes I'm on holiday, driving the Wild Atlantic Way.
The Father - Ah, I thought so, this one (he points at daughters husband) is a Brummy too, he came over in 1989 and the fe**er took mi daughter, and he's not been home since. He's from Small Heath so you are probably distantly related !
The conversation meandered a little from there, with the Small Heath ex-pat telling me of his love for Aston Villa, and me being very proud of being able to comment that they had a good game the other day (I know little of football, but I remember when Villa score 4 goals)...
I decided it's time to move on, and close the conversation with "I'm writing a blog about my journey, any chance I could grab a photo of you 3 that I can use on this afternoon's blog, as I like to get a photo of the people I'm meeting en-soute"
The Father - "Best not take a picture, I think the revenue as still looking for this fe**er" ! and with that they wished me well, and walked off on their way.
As I head towards the next point, Inch Island the heavens open. Inch Island is where thousands of Icelandic birds head every year, apparently, I clearly wasn't there on the right day, then it was off to Manorcunningham point, I took a few shots there, but there rain was so bad, nothing really worth showing.
I've reach the bottom of Loch Swilly now, and start heading north again up towards Fanad Head, stopping off in a small Hamlet called "Ray" as a deserted building catches my attention.
I always think when I see a building like this, somewhere along the line this place has an owner, what a waste.....
As I leave Ray, the weather gets more angry, coming down like bullets, banging off the roof of the car, the roads are getting narrower, I'm heading to Ballymastocker Strand, which turns out to be the absolute highlight of the day, what an incredible view.....
I stay here for quite some time, mesmerised by the view.
A number of people have asked how long is this adventure going to take.....up to now I've just said "it will take as long as it takes" a) cause it's got a good Irish vibe about the answer, and b) cause I had no idea. Now I'm 3 days in I think i am in a better place to respond to the question.
At the end of day 3 I've driven 124 miles of the Wild Atlantic Way (I've driven a lot more miles than that, just getting to and from start and end points" but in terms of the actual route, it's 124 miles as at now. The route is 1500 miles in total, so if we carry on at about the same pace it will take 36 days.....but that assumes I don't fall in love with a village somewhere and stay there for a few days, or take a day off for rain, and there's always the chance I might have a day or two at the races along the way, so at this point my gut feel is 50 days !
Have a great evening all.....catch up tomorrow,