We are returned

Spiddal beach
Originally uploaded by ramtops

… from our Irish odyssey. Well, we returned on Friday evening, but I’ve just been spodding since then.

There are things I want to write up, but I’m not quite in the mood yet so, should you be interested, you’ll find my rough notes

Friday – horrible journey, ghastly guest house, sandwiches and chocolate on the plane for suppper (crayfish, bean wrap, minstrels)

Saturday – drove up from Ennis via Cliffs of Moher (too misty to stop) ,Rock Shop (machinery) at Moher, Farmers Market at Balleyvaughan, waterfall at Ennistymon, tea and scones at Bridget’s Garden.

Hotel room in eaves, sloping window where you can hear the rain beat, bathroom bigger than our living room with fab steam punk radiator..

M: clams with coconut and lime, veal with wild mushroom sauce P: king prawns with sundried tomatoes, french onion soup, guinea fowl. Chocolate mousse shared (a bit). Glass of champagne.

Sunday: scrambled salmon and smoked eggs, Clifden (bought MBTs), then acros the bogs to Dogs Bay via Ballyconneely, Lovely walk along the bay, fleeces and waterproofs, bare feet for me! Roundstone – quay, chowder. Back in the rain.

M: asparagus with walnut dressing and ham, scallops with roast red pepper P: mackerel, pork – shared lime pie

Monday: full Irish. Ferry from Cleggan to Inishbofin, walked 6-7 miles, including the glory of East Bay. Smoked salmon on crackers, scone with jam and cream. As promised, weather cleared – at about 5.45 as we were on our way back.

M: goats cheese with vinaigrette, honeyed duckling with spiced cranberry relish. P: chicken liver pate, bream with olive tapenade and pesto. Both had clafoutis for pudding – too custardy for me. I had *coffee*. Bzzt.

Tuesday: poached eggs and bacon. Checkout – eek at E146 bar bill. Drove down wiggly bits of coast, stopped at Spiddle Craft Centre, bought 2 tshirts and earrings, belt and coin purse, yew artefact. Walked on beautiful beach. Had lunch in O’Gradys at Barna, crab sandwiches and fries. Arrived hotel, then went out to find something light to eat, ended up with falafels in a little cafe. Saw the couple who were there at the concert later! Buchanan just wonderful – friendly concert. Drank gin too late.

Wednesday: stayed in city. Walked all round cathedral, down river, through shopping area. Bought nothing except a t-shirt for Harry (v cool, Iron Maiden, Wrathchild. Stroked iPony, Cheese, mushroom and spinach crepe for lunch. Wandered. Dinner in hotel – M: seafood cocktail and cod something, way too much. P: trout, pavlova, ridiculous. I’ve never seen so much food – must write up.

Thursday: bus to Rossaveal, ferry to Inishmore. Weather unexciting, island very unbusy. New ferries horrible. Walked, ate apple pie, guinness and beef stew. Had dinner in hotel bar – much nicer. Chicken goujons, steak au poivre, very nice Irish cheese plate. Earliesh night

Friday: back via Cliffs of Moher. Too misty to see anything at all, didn’t stop. Had lunch in Lehinch (surf capital) – Moroccon veg stew. Bought more t-shirts, and one for Harry too. Now sitting at Shannon airport. Very bored.

There are photographs here – not all of them, because I think the x-ray machine at the airport did something horrid to one of my Flash cards 🙁

p.s. I hate Ryanair.