Music and travel

So I expected the Nathan Carter gig last night to be brilliant and it was.... (have posted a video on twitter in the usual place), but what I didn't expect was that the taxi driver who drove me to the venue would have had a number 1 single in the UK....I was a tad sceptical, but having checked it out, he did...

So, this morning I headed to the airport for the flight back to Birmingham, a few days earlier than planned, but the weather in Ireland was looking dreadful for the next few days, and with some off the most spectacular scenery coming up in the next few hundred miles I wanted to try to get to see it in good weather, so fingers crossed for when I get back.  Will be busy the next few days editing photos, will put a Wild Atlantic Way folder on the website with all the best pics.

So, hopefully you will re-join me when the blog returns on 19th May when I get back to the WAW.

Day 16

Before I start on today let me, as I often do, take you back to last night, a surreal conversation in the pub.  I'm sat opposite a fella, I'd say mid 60's at least 25 stone, a big guy, he's been joined by a friend, they are getting stuck into a good few pints, then a very slim lady, again circa mid 60'swalks into the pub, heads over to them, the big guys friend says 

"Michael, this is the lady I've been talking about, Michael meet Mary, she can't write, and she doesn't drink, but she can drive, which will be useful for gettin you home from the pub, and she needs a husband.  Mary, meet Michael, he's got about 30 acres, keeps a few sheep, and a few beast, and I'd say got bita cash under the mattress, not that he'd ever spend a penny of it, and he needs a wife.....so what do you both think ?" 

They both look at each other, the way two alley cats who've just bumped into each other would, wondering who is going to move first, the entire pub has now gone silent (not difficult as there were only about 6 of us in there), the silence lasts about a minute, then Michael says "well let's see how she gets on with the driving, it's about time I went home now anyway" with that, he walks to the door, holds it open for Mary and they both leave.....

I've no idea how this story will end, but I tell you what Tinder has something to worry about, if this catches on in Ireland ! 

Back to today, just one new stop on the WAW today, it's Ballina Quay 

Stopped off here for a cracking roast lamb Sunday lunch.  Chatting to the landlord, told him my plans for this evening, which is.....

.....off to see Nathan Carter in concert.... he asks me "Is that your nice car outside ?.....Now look I don't want to put you off, but you know they'll be people there from Wexford, an they'll have the wheels off that sooner than look at ya!" 

I'm not sure if he was just having a joke with me, have decided to take on board his advice and am staying some way off and getting a taxi there & back. 

It's been another cracking weather day, today, so I popped back to one of the deserted beaches I was at the other day, pleased to say there are people using them today....

Have a great rest of your Sunday, catch you  tomorrow. 

Day 15

The sun bursts through the curtains this morning, summer has arrived in Ireland ! Not seen a drop of rain all day.  

It's just over an hours drive from where I am staying back to where I pick up the Wild Atlantic Way, but it goes in a flash as the drive is so great, a quick bacon & sausage butty from the local baker, the pub I'm staying in does not open for breakfast so I'm eating on the hoof for a few days, then I'm ready to start.

First stop this morning was Elly Bay Beach, I'm sure these beautiful beaches will get a few more people on them soon.....

Then down to Fallmore, a nice view, but had more fun trying to get a shot of this cheeky cow !

I've never been a fan of closed down pubs, but the colours on this one made me pull over to grab a shot ! 

Onwards to Claggan Island, I'm starting to get used to car parks with no walls round them now...

Penultimate stop of the day was here at Doohoma Head, I nearly got clouted on the head taking this by a golf ball, there is a pitch & put immediately next door to it, and a Rory Mcllroy in the making was having a rather ambitious T-Shot !  

The day finished off at Doran's Point, Irish Folk-law suggests there is a beast living in the water between the mainland and the island of Inishbiggle.  

I'm off to enjoy the sun ! Hope you are too....

Day 14

I wake this morning around 7, no sound of rain.....I draw the curtains to reveal fog, thick fog, this is way worse than rain, I can still take pictures in the rain, they may not be as great as a nice day, but I can still capture the image, fog on the other hand makes it impossible, so I draw them back, go back to sleep for a couple of hours.  When I get up at 9 the sun is burning the fog away, by the time I head off in the car at 10am it's sunglasses time ! 

This mornings first two stops Killala Quay and Lackan Stand were nice enough to visit, but nothing to write home about, but stop number 3 of the day is Downpatrick Head, one of the Signature stops on the route.  I make the effort to walk up to the very top, and WOW is it worth it!

Those of you who know me will be more than well aware of my views on heights, in particular falling from heights, so spending the morning on a cliff edge, with the wind blowing in the wrong direction, is far from being top of my bucket list, but for this I had to be there ! 

Whilst I could have looked at this all day, constantly watching the crazy Japanese tourists walking backwards towards the edge, selfie sticks in hand trying to get the perfect pic, was making me feel sick, I was convinced one of them was going down, so I got the images I wanted, then raced back to the car.

From there it was onto Cedie Fields Viewpoint and a chance to look back at Downpatrick Head in the distance.

The rest of my day has been filled with standing on cliff tops in howling gales, above is Benwee Head and below is Erris Head

When you get round to Doonamo it's really exposed, this really is the Wild Atlantic.

Final stop of the day is Annagh Head, again a really good treck from the car park out to the point, but well well worth the effort.  I will leave you with a couple of images from there below, have a great Friday night....

Day 13

As I wake on day 13, there is no need to open the curtains to gain an understanding of today's weather, I can hear from my bed the sounds of the rain bouncing off my bedrooms windows,  First job after breakfast will be to get the waterproof trousers from the car.

I was half tempted not to have breakfast this morning, I eat fairly late last night, so not that hungry, but I remember the receptionist telling me yesterday that breakfast where I am staying is the best around, so I head down, (no toaster issues today I'm pleased to report), I order the mini breakfast with no egg, when it arrives the waitress gives me a wink and says I've put you an extra sausage on as you didn't have an egg..... this is not helping the waste line ! I have to say it was absolutely great though, a contender for top spot ! 

Waterproofs on, off we go, today is going to be spent in Co Sligo, which is W.B. Yeats country.

I head off into the rain, and first stop of the day is Streedagh Point, there is a warning sign as I approach that says "Car Park liable to flooding"

I suspect having no wall, or any other type of boundary between the car park and the sea could well make it more susceptible to flooding.  I didn't hand round here too long....

Then it was down to Rosses Point Beach, the rain had eased up a bit by the time I got here, however it was soooooo windy, I had to put a fleece on under the now infamous bright yellow waterproof jacket.

It's hard to imagine how cold I was when I took this.....

Ship wreck on the way out of town.

Next it was off to Strandhill Beach, I took a video here but once again it won't seem to upload to the blog, so I've tweeted it https://twitter.com/jimiwoz?lang=en

Next stop Aughris Head I did take a pic of the beach, but much prefer this image......

Easky Beach is the penultimate stop for the day, but the weather is so bad when I get there that the picture is not worth showing.....so I head for the last point of the day, but have the munchies, I spot a little shop in the village of Kilglass, so I pop in to get some nibbles.....interesting chat with the shopkeeper / farmer who runs the shop :-

Him - I'm just admiring your wheels, it's a grand lookin motor car you've got yourself there, you must be fekin mad driving it on these roads....if I had a car like that I wouldn't drive it on these roads.

Me - I don't have much choice, it's the only car I've got.

Him - Well I still think your fekin mad.

Me - I've just spent that last 10 days driving round Co Donegal.

Him - Jeeeeezas man ! you are totally mad ?  I'd think twice about taking mi tractor to Co Donegal that roads there are that bad...... your fekin mad ! 

I paid him the 2 Euro for a bag of crisps, & a Kit Kat and headed off.....He came out of the shop to wave me off, I could see though the window he was saying something, i think it was "your fekin mad" 

Last stop of the day Enniscrone Harbour

The landlord of the pub I'm staying in tonight tells me that this is the last of the rain, that tomorrow the weather will be wonderful......I hope his local knowledge is more accurate than the weather app on my iPhone as they are offering very different pictures of what tomorrow has in store....see you this time tomorrow to find out. 

Day 12

I awake this morning, with spring in my step, looking forward to getting back in the car, back on the Wild Atlantic Way, but it would be unfair of me to go straight into today's drive without giving you a brief view from last nights stay in Ardara, a place voted "best village to live in, in Ireland" before I do.  

There are a tremendous number of pubs in the village, I only tried two, but both were fantastic, friendly welcome as you walk through the door, great traditional decor, stunning pints of Guinness

This is the inside of Nancy's, it is literally someone's front room that's been converted into a pub.

Then over to The Corner House 

A roaring log fire

Live Music

So, Day 12, off to breakfast, in order to ensure I can still get into my jeans at the end of this week, I'm cutting back from the "Full Irish" to the "Mini Breakfast" which in essence is 1 sausage, 1 rasher etc... rather than 2 of everything..... but I still have to have double toast, as the bread is so good here, it's almost the highlight of my breakfast.  I collect my Orange Juice, order my pot of tea, am about to head over to where the the conveyor toast machine is (you know the ones they use in hotels) when I see a huge commotion, and despite the big sign saying "only put bread in this machine" one of our American cousins has taken it upon himself to use the machine to warm his croissant, clearly it's got stuck, now there is black smoke pouring out of the machine as the croissant starts to burn ! As a result, the machine it taken out of commission and has to be left to cool for half an hour until it's safe to remove the offending pastry.  Our American friend gingerly wanders back towards his table....I wonder to myself is he humming a few lines from my favourite musical, Blood Brothers 

“And Maybe if you count to ten
And keep your fingers crossed
It will all be just a dream
And no one will have lost”

Right, into the car we go, first stop of the day is Mountcharles Pier, not much to se here, but the picture gives you an idea of today's weather....

It's been sun one minute and torrential rain the next.

From there it was onto Murvagh Beach.  I suspect a scallywag has been playing with the road signs, when I turn down the road which is signed to the beach I notice the road is suddenly very smooth and well maintained, then I pass a guy mowing the grass, then a most unusual road sign.....

Shortly after this I find myself turning round outside the club house of the Donegal Golf Club !

After another wet walk on the beach, I'm back en-route and decide to deviate from the route to check out the ruins of Wardtown Castle 

I imagine this place would be proper spooky at night.....

There's a couple of other stops I make on my way down to Mullaghmore Head, I've crossed the county border now into Co Sligo, bit of a milestone, have to say Mullaghmore has been the highlight today, will leave you with a few pics...

Day 11

As I glance down at my phone I see that date says 1st May, the time is a little after mid-night and I realise that I have started day 11 of my Wild Atlantic Way adventure in a KFC in Dublin, now it doesn't get much classier than that ! So how did that come to pass, well after yesterdays fantastic flight up from Donegal, I wrote day 10 of the blog and then headed out for a "couple" of early doors beers in Dublin.  Within minutes of sitting at the bar, I'm chatting to 2 hairdressers (one looked the spitting image of Jennifer Aniston), who have been on a pretty dreary training course all day, so by now they are well up for a drink and a giggle....not sure where the next 6 hours went, we didn't move from the same spot at the bar, but it flew by and the craic was mighty as they say over here...... As the discussion got round to "Shall we  have one more for the ditch", for the 3rd time, I realised I'd not eaten since breakfast and so I wished them "good luck" and headed off in the search of fast food, the Colonel came up trumps !

The weather today in Ireland is pretty miserable, my day has been spent just getting back to Donegal from Dublin and then down to Ardara were I will pick up the WAW where I left it a couple of days ago.

From yesterdays pictures you can see how amazing it is to take off and land at Donegal, I shot a video on the iPhone coming in, you can see how much the weather has changed over the past 24 hours.  I have tried to upload to the blog, but it says file to big, so have posted it on Twitter, you can watch at https://twitter.com/jimiwoz just click on the link, you don't need a twitter account.

So a short blog today, will be much more content tomorrow when I get back behind the wheel and back on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Day 10

So, after a restful afternoon yesterday, I popped up to the pub for a few last night, & a very pleasant evening it was, but I left at a sensible hour, so it meant a bright eyed and bushy tailed James to start day 10.

After a morning walk down the beach that's been home for the past 3 days, it was off to get the car after it's day off yesterday.....

....the old adage "It's harder to hit a moving target" certainly rang true as I approached the vehicle, the local seagulls had been using it as target practice whilst it had been parked up for 24 hours ! 

Next stop, the car wash, after a 4 Euro blast with the pressure washer it was roof down and music up all the way ! 

So, where is the next point on my Wild Atlantic Way adventure...... it's DUBLIN...... now very often Dublin is Wild, but Atlantic it certainly is not, so how can this be part of the plan.... Well Donegal Airport, very much part of the WAW, have been voted second most scenic take off and landing in the world ( see https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/travel-news/donegal-airport-voted-second-most-scenic-landing-on-earth-35656392.html ) and I want to see it for myself. I thought there might be a pleasure flight I could take, but alas not, so I hop onto Aerlingus.com and for the princely sum of 54 Euro, secure myself a return flight from Donegal to Dublin.

I arrive in plenty of time so there is opportunity to go for a wander down a few lanes in the area before I head to check in

We quite literally got to the end of the road.

But it was well worth it.

Then off to the airport we go

I check in for the 2nd flight of the day from Donegal airport.....it's also the last flight of the day....

And this is our wheels for the flight up to Dubs

So, here's a few pics from the flight down, the view is simply breathtaking..... I would highly recommend.

It's an overnight in the good ole Arlington Hotel, before I head back to the Atlantic tomorrow.  TTFN

Day 8 (part ii) and day 9

Right, back to day 8, after a phenomenal breakfast at https://carnaweenhouse.com the day started with the arrival of a certain Mr Doyle, who had hot footed it over from Dublin to join the Wild Atlantic Way adventure for a day 

John knows this part of Donegal like the back of his hand, which was brilliant, able to point out lots of points of interest that you just don't pick up from a map.

First stop of the morning was at Kilclooney Dolmen, which dates back 5500 years, once again not something I would have ever found without a bit of local knowledge.

Where we parked to walk up to the Dolmen was opposite a very interesting building part of the Irish Mens Shed's Association, an organisation I had never heard of, but having asked a few questions and had a look at the website menssheds.ie does great work for mens mental health.  

From there it was a short drive to Glengesh Pass a great road to drive, the pass was forged out during the Ice Age 

I know that each day I say I've found the best beach in Ireland, then the next day I find one better, but as we arrive at Malinbeg, I realise that this takes things to a whole new level ! WOW

Our final scenic stop of the day was Slieve League, a nervous drive for me as I navigate the car to the top of the cliff with nothing but a few old rocks between me and a fall from the highest costal cliffs in Europe ! 

On our way back to Narin we drop in on one of John's friend's, Sean, for a cupa & a biscuit, he's a real character, one of the old school. 

After dinner, it's off to the pub, https://www.annora.ie there is live music tonight, the picture below isn't the band (they are setting up behind), this was just a couple of guys who were passing with a pair of bongo's and a guitar, plus Tom who runs the bar, and they just did a jam session to warm up before the band start at 10.30pm (I'm normally asleep then) 

The played everything from Thin Lizzy to Van Morrison and let me tell you if you've never heard a Thin Lizzy track played on the Bongo's you've not lived !

I can't tell you what time I left the pub last night, mainly because I didn't leave the pub last night, I left the pub this morning ! 

As a consequence of my late (or early depending on which way you look at it) departure from the pub I have declared today a day of rest, well for the car at least....

.....this was the view from my breakfast table, so I know I will spend some of today walking the beach, getting some fresh air into the lungs, but other than that the rest of day 9 will be just a chill.  

Day 10 is going to be an interesting twist on the Wild Atlantic Way adventure, and I'm pretty confident about the timing of my blog tomorrow, so tune in around 4.30 to find out what Monday had in store for me ! 

Day 8

I regret to advise that today's blog will be delayed (will borrow and expression from Michael O'Leary here) "Due to Unexpected Operational Issues" 

or, more specifically, 

1. Have done a monster drive today, only just got back

2. Have a dinner reservation at 7 (so 3 mins late already) 

3. There is a live band on in the pub up the road after

4. Still no wifi ! 

Will get into the local pub tomorrow, where they have WIFI and do a full day 8 update.

Day 7

Today is going to be the shortest blog of all, I have no wifi, so am doing this with my lap top tethered to my phone, and for those of you old enough to remember it's like trying to work with the old AOL dial up ! 

My first job today was putting on my Rayban's ! OMG yes, the sun is shinning in County Donegal, we've had the roof off the car, it's been a very special day....

I then discovered the most beautiful place in Ireland I've ever seen, a bold statement I know at this early point in my trip, but I just can't see how it can get any better than this ! 

And then I get a call from Seamus to say he and Sheila are in Donegal, and let's have a pint, so huge thanks to them for coming up and catching up....

Now, I'm gona wish you all a great Friday night, I'm off to watch the sun set over the beach......

Day 6

I've concluded that yesterdays run of events was as a result of me upsetting the Patron Saint of Irish Breakfasts, a punishment if you like, for me starting my day with a bowl of fruit.  I've decided I'm not going to risk that again, so this morning started with a full fry, I have to say it's been a fantastic day today ! 

I deviated from the Wild Atlantic Way this morning, deciding to take a few hours to drive around Glenveagh National Park, thank you Mr Doyle for the recommendation.  It was a huge contrast to the scenery I've been used to whilst driving the coast, out in the national park it was rocks and mountains, wild grass, and forest, parts of it looked almost jurassic !  

Mount Errigal

The derelict church at Dunlewy  

As time is my friend on this trip, I decided to have a few games of "Let's have a look what's down this funny little road"  and spent the next couple of hours totally lost on roads that would make Juha Kankkunen's eye's water, roads that Google maps say don't exist, and roads that I'm not even sure where roads, it was amazing ! 

According to Google Maps I was in a field when I took this, there we no roads anywhere near me !

Another thing I find fascinating is the Irish passion for selling coffee in extreme locations.....I'm not sure if they are doing this because they think it's a good place to sell to tourists or if it's "if we are up here the Revenue will never finds us" !!!

Back to the main event, I drive the main road down to Dungloe, then start driving back North on the Wild Atlantic Way back towards Dunfanaghy where my hotel is, filling in the bits of the WAW that's i've not driven.

First stop was Burtonport where you can catch the Arranmore Island Ferry, but I committed to a day on dry land today, so gave that a miss.

And then on to Carrickfinn Beach, have to say the best beach yet, absolutely out of this world, and very popular too, there was a total of 5 humans (inc me) and 2 dogs, so the busiest beach I've been on....

From there it was onto Bunbeg Harbour, officially Ireland's smallest fishing port. 

Final stop for the day was Bloody Foreland, which had such amazing views.

So, I've got as far as Dungloe on the WAW by day 6, which my guide book tells me is 211 Miles from the start point in Muff.  Based on this average, the 1500 miles trip is going to take me just over 45 days.....

Day 5 - A day of up & downs

So, here we are day 5, but before we go forward, I need to take us back, back to last night and a couple of conversations, both of which were on licensed premises ! 

The first in the local pub, I'm chatting to a local farmer, and telling him of my travels, and that Tory Island is going to be on the agenda in the next few days, conversation flows like this :- 

Him - You will need to take your sea sickness tablets if your going on the Tory Ferry.

Me - No I will be fine

Him - No, seriously, you will need to take em ! 

Me - I've done a fair bit of sailin, pretty confident I won't need any.

Him - I don't care how much f*&kin sailing you done, if you on that ferry you will need em ! 

Me - I've taken a 1940's Italian wooden sailing boat across the Bay of Biscay in a force 9 cyclonic storm and I didn't need any on that.

Him - Aghhhh, well maybe you won't, but I'd still take em ! 

I finished havin the craic with him, and then headed back to my hotel for a nightcap, chatting to the bar manager, she was already aware of my adventure as we had spoken the night before, told her Horn Head was first point of call for Day 5, she replied "Oh My, that's my favourite place, it's just stunning, but don't forget the one way system, there's no signs to tell you it's a one way system though, but you need to make sure you go the right way, as it's single track and pretty much no passing points ! "....... ME - "ok so which is the right way ?" ......  She replies "Left"

We fast forward to this morning, I arrive at the drive up to Horn Head, and sure enough there is a fork in the road, with 2 single track roads going off, I suppose left is logical, but there is absolutely no indication of a one way system, and boy having driven it, it would cause a huge problem if you met something coming the other way.....

Here's some pics

The photographs go know where to doing this place justice, I have to say it's my favourite discovery point so far, what you can't see or feel from the pictures is how high up you are and the weather, it looks idyllic but the wind if so fierce that you can hardly open the car door, standing on top of the hill, the wind rattles around your ears so strongly that you can't even hear yourself think.  It's a magical place 

The next point from there is Magheraroaty Pier

Doesn't it look idyllic ? and it's from here that the Tory Island Ferry departs, given the calm beautiful sea, I decide I will head there today, rather than leave it for tomorrow as was in the original plan.  I pay my 25 Euro return and we head out to sea. As we leave the shelter of the bay you begin to understand what the chap in the pub was talking about last night, the SeaState is really rough, in fact I think it's the worst I've been in since Biscay, there are people falling left right and centre, only 10 of us on this little ferry (other than the crew) and most of them are now hanging their heads over the side or cramming into the bathroom.  I'm pleased to say I was OK, but it was one hell of a crossing (it's 11KM and takes about 50 mins) .  I ask the skipper when I get off, what was the SeaState, he says 7-8 (the scale is 0-9 where 0 is wonderful and 9 is phenomenal, waves over 14 meters high).

So i get to Tory and decide to have a walk round before heading to either the bar or the hotel for lunch (I'm pretty hungry as I decided to have fruit this morning rather than the usual Irish Fry up).....

Option 1 

Option 2

As I say, there are a couple of options, but before I eat, let's take a few arty pics, there are even sheep running down the high street.

I decide to go with option 1, and walk the 4 minutes it suggest on the board, and after about 8 minutes I arrive to find it's closed down ! 

Option 2 it is then, I walk back past where I had started and further down the road, to find option 2 is closed also, despite serving fresh food daily, it now only does so at weekends.

So the only place on the Island that is open is the post office, which also doubles as the local shop, so I'm disappointed that I won't get a nice cooked lunch which I was so looking forward too, but it might be a pre-pack sandwich or a Ginsters steak slice..... I get to the shop, walk in my usual chirpy self "Hello, how are you today" I'm not sure what the response was but it sounded like a grunt at best ! I look round the shop, which is about the size of the average rabbit hutch, and the only food offering I can find is a bag of McCoys crinkle cut crisps, and not salt n vinegar, just cheese n onion....so that was lunch. There was 1 pack of Rowntrees Fruit Pastels in the confectionary shelf, but I couldn't bring myself to have them, thinking there must be some poor child stuck on this island in more need than me for sweets right now.

I leave the shop, and reflect on the fact I still have 3 hours till the ferry returns, I've taken all the pics I want to take, there is noting to do here, and no where to go.  I decide the best way to burn the 3 hours is to try and find some more creative angles to take some pictures so I start walking, about 5 minutes in, Ireland does it's worst to me, and almost from know where the most torrential rain hits Tory Island... within 30 seconds I am soaked through and this rain is not for stopping, I start running down the street trying to find some shelter....there is nothing, not even a bus stop, its 3 minutes into the storm now and the rain has got through my coat, rugby top, and into my T-Shirt, I'm like a drowned rat, and the temperature has plummeted.... another few minutes of running around pass, and I spy the church....the church door is always open....not on this Island it's not, but then out of the corner of my eye, I spot the public loo ! I dash over and it's open, in I go to shelter..... I'm shivering now, and not in a happy place at all....The rain continues without let up and I spend the next hour n a half in the Tory Island public loo ! 

4PM arrives and almost as quick as the rain arrived it departs and the sun is shinning again. I still have an hour till my ferry and decide to return to the shop, sorry kids, I'm having them fruit pastels, this is about survival now, I'm still cold, still wet and I'm feeling faint from hunger...

I devour the sweets is seconds and am now just counting down the minutes till I get off this god forsaken island, when 2 American tourists come to join me, they have been over the other side of the island looking at the lighthouse, and been stuck there during the storm, they look wetter than me......only half an hour to go I say, "JEEZ" say the Americans, we talk for a few moment about the weather, Ireland and Trump, and then I turn and in the words of my great friend Keith, I say "is that a squall coming in ?"

Just look at the left of the post at the almost tornado looking circle of wind n rain

Sure enough, within minutes, rain is pelting us sideways with tremendous force, the Americans (already soaked from earlier) look around for what to do.....don't worry, follow me.......

It's 4.45 on a Wednesday afternoon, I'm on a pretty much deserted island, with no provision for food & beverage, I'm cold and wet and now I'm sharing a public loo with 2 soaking wet American tourists for company.......on that note.......   Here's to tomorrow ! 

Day 4

I'm in a hotel at present as could not find a B&B with availability yesterday, that means a buffet breakfast, rather than home cooked, it's still not bad, but home cooked is always best.  As I load my plate with the usual bacon & sausage, a wry smile crosses my face as I add the white pudding, remembering the times I've been in Ireland with guys who have never visited before, and they ask me what white pudding is.... my mischievous reply is "It's like black pudding, but they separate the white and red blood cells and they only use the white blood cells in the white pudding" and then I watch as they try it and then reply "Oh yeh, you can taste the difference ! "

Breakfast over, just in time for the rain to start ! The halcyon days of driving in shorts & T shirt with the roof down, seem a distant memory at the moment, me and the bright yellow rain coat have become strong and loyal friends over the past few days ! 

So first stop of the day is Fanad Head and the Fanad Lighthouse, it's pouring down when I get here, but I decide to hang around for 20 minutes to see if it brightens up, which thankfully it did.

The scene looking away from the lighthouse is pretty special too

I head on then to Ballyhiernan Bay, once again a wonderful stretch of beach, which is being used by absolutely no one 

The roads today have been absolutely spectacular to drive, best day so far, imagine you're driving the worlds biggest roller coaster, every few seconds a twist or turn, a rise and fall, then immediately into an adverse camber, and all the time with the most spectacular landscape either side of you.  I've driven for miles and miles without seeing a straight piece of road.

I've not encountered many people today, in fact by lunchtime I had spoken to no one, the only people I had seen were a couple jogging, so as I pull over to take a shot of Island Roy, I'm approached by a very inquisitive beast, so I had a chat for a few moments to break the silence.

The next point is Rossguill and once again the heavens open up on me, but not long after I leave climbing steeply up hill, I see a view that I have to stop and capture.

A brief stop at Doe Castle Viewpoint, and then it's on to Marble Hill Beach 

Marble Hill Beach is stunning, totally deserted, so I enjoy a good long walk along it's sands working up a thirst as I've spotted an artisan coffee shack which I plan to give a try.

If you like great coffee, you will absolutely love this place, great guys running it too ! 

Well that's about it for day 4 on the Wild Atlantic Way, I will leave you with a strong piece of advice I noticed on a farm gate this morning....(it will means more to some of you than others....LOL) 

Day 3

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, 

Day 2

My morning started with quite simply the best Irish Breakfast I've had in a long long time at my B&B Ceecliff House, in Culdaff. This was followed by a good half hour of banter with the proprietor over everything from Irish politics to how his grandkids now have to play with iPhones rather than farm machinery (like he used to when he was growing up) due to all the Health & Safety rules.....it was an amusing half hour !

As with most trips to Ireland the predictable is unpredictable, and the forecast full day of torrential rain failed to materialise, so rather than a day in the pub, it was back behind the wheel for James and a few more miles along the Wild Atlantic Way. 

One of the wonderful things about not having a timescale for doing this trip is that if you want to spend some time to go back to a place you are not sacrificing one venue for another, it simply adds another hour or another day to the trip, so I decided I wanted to have another look at Malin Head.  On my way there I noticed a sign for "The Wee House of Malin" it's not a discovery point on the Wild Atlantic Way so I drove past yesterday, but decided to drive down the steep narrow path towards the sea this morning, and I'm glad I did...

The derelict church dates back to 16th Century 

As the sun was still shinning I decided to carry on to the next discovery point Pollan Bay just outside Ballyiffin.  On my way I passed a huge number of cyclists, which I have since discovered were on a charity ride, members of Saddlerock Cycling Club.  As I enter Ballyiffin I notice an incredibly attractive building on the right hand side, and decide to park up in the square and go back to take a picture.

Nancy's Barn   -  https://twitter.com/barnnancy?lang=en 

As I take the photograph, one of the officials in a high viz jacket who is marshalling the cycling event approaches me and asks me which of the cyclists I am there to take a picture of, to his horror (from the look on his face) I tell him I have no interest in cycling and I am simply taking a photo of the building..... At this point 2 more cyclists come up the hill "Take a picture of these two in front of Nancy's" he says,  given me initial dis-reagard for a sport he is clearly passionate about I followed his instruction, so this is Paddy & Glen.

I carry on to Pollan Bay, and WOW ! Once again a wonderful beach, just me and a dog walker, and the sea is as crystal clear as the Caribbean (although having dipped my toe, slightly cooler) 

Can you imagine how wonderful it would be to live here ??

From Pollan Bay it's a short drive to Mamore Gap, for those of you adventure seekers, where the idea of driving up steep narrow roads, on the edge of cliffs with huge drops on the side, this is the road for you ! For the rest of us I can only tell you that those few miles were driven with a certain amount of trepidation.  Sadly there are no photo's of this as my, now sweaty palms, were holding onto the steering wheel with a pincer grip.

Let me introduce you to Rosie...

Rosie runs the Mamore Cafe https://www.facebook.com/mamorecafe  and makes the best hot chocolate in Ireland, but what's more incredible than that is where the Mamore Cafe is located, and I have to say I think it's the best location in the world....

To say it's isolated is a huge understatement 

But there aren't many people who have this view from their office window ! 

Well that's it from me for today, time for a Guinness I think....

Day 1 on the Wild Atlantic Way

It's 4.30am and the bar at my hotel has clearly just closed as the last remaining customers have just clattered and giggled their way upstairs, bouncing off the walls as they come down the corridor, but I don't mind, my alarm is set for 5am as today is my first day on the Wild Atlantic Way and I want to catch the sunrise, and WOW, what a sunrise ! 

I make my way out of Muff, through Moville, and head on towards Inishowen Head, on my way I spot a photo opportunity at Greencastle Golf Club, there is the slightest frost on the green and the sun is breaking through the trees, so I pull over, go through the gate, and take a few pics, just as I am walking back, the gate is being opened by an official, and I'm thinking I'm gonna get a few choice words from him about the fact I shouldn't be there....conversation went like this

Me - I hope you don't mind, I just wanted to grab a shot of the sun breaking through the trees onto the green, I stuck to the path and didn't go onto the course.

Golf Pro - It's a great morning for taking pictures, but there's a much better shot than that, hop in the car and I'll drive you up to the 12th Tee, you can see Scotland from there on a good day ! 

This is one of the reasons I love Ireland so much, the people are just so incredible ! 

The golf pro having a practice after he dropped me off

View from the 12th 

After a few shots on the 12th (pardon the pun) I carry on to the incredible beach at Inishowen Head, there's just me and a guy walking his dog, incredibly peaceful, the only sound is the waves lapping on the beach.

Inishowen

Magilligan Point

From there it's a steep drive up to Magilligan Point and you really feel like you are on top of the world from there, on the steep decent down towards Kinnagoe Bay I meet a very friendly horse, who appears to want to join me for the journey, popping his head into the car....and then it's on to the longest stretch of beautiful sand I've ever seen at Culdaff Beach, spent an hour just strolling along the sands.....

My final point to visit today is Malin Head, the most northerly point in Southern Ireland, and what a view, it was a lovely sunny day today, but tomorrow is high winds and rain and I plan to go back there tomorrow to see how it feels under different weather conditions.

Malin Head