The edge of the world!
Yesterday I got on my trusty steed, or in reality, into my little Ford Fiesta, and drove west. And I keep going until I reached the edge. I'm in Keem, Achill Island, "The West", Ireland! I can't go any further, unless I get in a boat.
Yesterday on my drive here, I felt like I was the only one on the road, as after I left Longford behind there wasn't a car in sight. Amazingly at one point I passed a Michael Jackson look-a-like scare crow, complete with hat and 'Michael' pose. I had to do a double take, some very inspired farmers live in the Midlands. He (the scare crow) was so realistic I nearly stopped to get an autograph.
I also saw the sun go down some where along the N5, which was quite nice. I drove right into it...
Anyway, yesterday I felt like I was the only one on the road, but today I felt like I am the only one in the world! Keem is beautiful. I can't describe it in words so here is a picture of what is on one side of the road:
And here is a picture of what is on the other side!
My pictures don't even do it justice. If you really want to see what this beautiful place looks like then Google the artist Paul Henry and his pictures painted during his time spent on Achill will describe the amazing views much better than my words can.
I decided to park my car in the very well placed car park on the side of the cliff, and follow that little stream in the picture down to the beach. It took me under a bridge that looked like it had Cathedral arches it was so high. I had to walk in the water under it, then down the side of a boggy cliff, along the side of the beach and lastly right down to the shore, where the stream cut through the sand and made lovely patterns on the beach. I felt like a mountain goat.
And speaking of mountain goats, I had to manoeuvre my way around what I thought at first were goats, but later found out that they are actually 'black faced horny mountain sheep'. (Seriously, that's the name of their breeds, google them too!) You would think that by now I would know a sheep from a goat, but it was the horns that confused me!! Well, Not only were they on the side of the mountain, looking up from their chewing and peering at me strangely as I made my way down, but they were all over the road too. You can see one of them in my picture. They sit in the middle of the road, usually on a bad bend where you can't see them until you come round the sharp bend and they are right in front of you. Its really freaky at night when you pass them and your lights shine on their eyes... And they don't move either!! No, they were there first, why should they move for some day tripper down from Dublin...
I drove back along Atlantic Drive, once again avoiding the ill placed in the middle of the road sheep, to Keel, where I had lunch in a coffee shop surrounded by arts and crafts. I could see another beach through the bay window where I was sitting and couldn't resist it. It is such a beautiful day, sunshine and blue skies, a few clouds and wind, but I am at the sea, and on an Island, so that's to be expected.
And purely for my entertainment of course, surf school is in session on the beach.
They're all mad of course. I'm staying this side of the waves, although they are (the waves that is) trying to entice me in by lapping around my boots...But judging by the squeals of excitement and the jumping up and down, the surfers are enjoying being bashed by the Atlantic. And I'm enjoying watching...
I came here to visit friends that I haven't seen for over fifteen years. Somehow, I don't think it will be another fifteen before I come back!
I'm really enjoying sitting here on the beach, squinting out over the Atlantic trying to catch a glimpse of America, but I have to go, because I have a date. A date with a TV, a bar stool, a glass of wine and some Rugby players.
Last night the Irish Ladies Rugby Team (!) beat the French, (well done ladies), so come on lads, for once on your life, try to beat the ladies at your own game!!
