DAY-33: Aran & Cliffs Of Moher From The Sea
Day – 33: Sunday, September 24, 2017
Starting Location: Ballyvaughan, County Clare, Ireland
Ending Location: Ballyvaughan, County Clare, Ireland
We were out early with foul weather gear in hand for today we would take the ferry to the Aran Islands, well at least one of them.
To say that there was some trepidation amongst the group would be an understatement. The weather had improved markedly from yesterday but upon arrival in Doolin the visual surf action was, let's just say, significant. The good news was that the winds had abated so all we had to consider was the energy held within sea swells that had built up in the 2,000 mile journey across the Atlantic.
We checked with the ferry office and they assured us that the transit from the mainland to the island would go as planned and not to worry that once we passed the breakwater all would be well.
With a last check to see who would go and who would not we were universal in our decision to go, the surf and sea spray wouldn't daunt these hearty souls.
The 20 minute transit was exciting through the breakwater but as advertised things settled out for the passage, that's to say settled out but still with 8-10 foot swells.
On arrival at Inisheer, we disembarked and soon had contracted for a horse cart ride around the island. With three hours before our return we figured to have plenty of time for a thorough visit.
The ride took us along the narrow streets and through the rocky country side with a stop at the rusting hulk of a grounded steamship. The hour long ride was interesting in that we saw farms, miles of stone fences, a lighthouse and various ruins along the way.
As luck would have it, we had hired an older horse with a driver short on story but well weathered, perfect for an islander. Not that one should discriminate against age but in the world of horses if the designated steed can't pull the cart with the paying passengers perhaps it's time to retire to the pasture lands.
Fortunately, for the horse, and less fortunately for us, we couldn't make it up the hills without lightening the load, so for the hills we the paying passengers had to get off the wagon (not the drinking kind) and walk, we even thought for the steepest rise we might have to push or pull the horse up the rise.
Upon return to the center of town (one or two stores, a hotel and a couple of pubs) we only had two hours remaining. What were we to do, well it seemed to be a good time for a beer and when the opportunity presented itself a time to chat-up other tourists and even a local fisherman.
It's either lobster traps and beer kegs or beer traps and lobster kegs, if I could only remember.
The beer bar we selected was what I would call a license plate bar. The walls were decorated with U.S. and other country car plates. Quickly we found plates representing Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Indiana, Florida and other places we had lived.
Inisheer also takes claim to some major lobstering, with a 11+pound behemoth replicated and framed on the bar's wall.
In time the ferry arrived and we boarded for the ride back to Doolin with a cruise by the Cliffs of Moher for a view from the sea. There is some serious surf action against those cliffs and with the remnants of recent tropical hurricanes en-route across the Atlantic there's more wave and surf action on the way.
On our way back to the hotel we stopped in the village of Ballyvaughan where we had an early dinner of tomato soup, fish chowder, fish & chips to name a few dishes at Monk's Pub. Mike even came in and joined us for drink (coffee).
We returned to the hotel and the cats and after a few minutes of room time made our way to the bar for the nightcaps. Greg was handed two bottles and told to make his own "B & B". Jack and I sprung for the 18 year old "good stuff".
At this point little did Diane and Greg know just how exciting the night would be.
We were out early with foul weather gear in hand for today we would take the ferry to the Aran Islands, well at least one of them.
To say that there was some trepidation amongst the group would be an understatement. The weather had improved markedly from yesterday but upon arrival in Doolin the visual surf action was, let's just say, significant. The good news was that the winds had abated so all we had to consider was the energy held within sea swells that had built up in the 2,000 mile journey across the Atlantic.
We checked with the ferry office and they assured us that the transit from the mainland to the island would go as planned and not to worry that once we passed the breakwater all would be well.
With a last check to see who would go and who would not we were universal in our decision to go, the surf and sea spray wouldn't daunt these hearty souls.
The 20 minute transit was exciting through the breakwater but as advertised things settled out for the passage, that's to say settled out but still with 8-10 foot swells.
On arrival at Inisheer, we disembarked and soon had contracted for a horse cart ride around the island. With three hours before our return we figured to have plenty of time for a thorough visit.
That's the horse on the right!
Mirror Selfie!
Here's our 7-stone cairn left for the ages.
As luck would have it, we had hired an older horse with a driver short on story but well weathered, perfect for an islander. Not that one should discriminate against age but in the world of horses if the designated steed can't pull the cart with the paying passengers perhaps it's time to retire to the pasture lands.
Fortunately, for the horse, and less fortunately for us, we couldn't make it up the hills without lightening the load, so for the hills we the paying passengers had to get off the wagon (not the drinking kind) and walk, we even thought for the steepest rise we might have to push or pull the horse up the rise.
Upon return to the center of town (one or two stores, a hotel and a couple of pubs) we only had two hours remaining. What were we to do, well it seemed to be a good time for a beer and when the opportunity presented itself a time to chat-up other tourists and even a local fisherman.
It's either lobster traps and beer kegs or beer traps and lobster kegs, if I could only remember.
The beer bar we selected was what I would call a license plate bar. The walls were decorated with U.S. and other country car plates. Quickly we found plates representing Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Indiana, Florida and other places we had lived.
 |
| FLORIDA |
 |
| WISCONSIN |
 |
| NEW JERSEY & MASSACHUSETTS |
Inisheer also takes claim to some major lobstering, with a 11+pound behemoth replicated and framed on the bar's wall.
In time the ferry arrived and we boarded for the ride back to Doolin with a cruise by the Cliffs of Moher for a view from the sea. There is some serious surf action against those cliffs and with the remnants of recent tropical hurricanes en-route across the Atlantic there's more wave and surf action on the way.
On our way back to the hotel we stopped in the village of Ballyvaughan where we had an early dinner of tomato soup, fish chowder, fish & chips to name a few dishes at Monk's Pub. Mike even came in and joined us for drink (coffee).
Not saying who took the test twice!
We returned to the hotel and the cats and after a few minutes of room time made our way to the bar for the nightcaps. Greg was handed two bottles and told to make his own "B & B". Jack and I sprung for the 18 year old "good stuff".
At this point little did Diane and Greg know just how exciting the night would be.
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