After we left Pollnagollum cave we walked through the forest. Not the most exciting walk, but the damp environment meant the the colours were amazing. We took the opportunity to obtain a Christmas Tree.
I do not usually like Christmas decorations. I love Christmas; planning the food, choosing gifts and socialising, but the clutter in my house. I’m not a fan! I have been known to put my tree up on Christmas Eve and take it down on Boxing Day.
Living in the van felt different, I wanted to make it Christmassy. I had made a decoration from corks, with the help of my granddaughter, and packed a hazel star from a crafting session. I decided, however, that we needed a tree. Well, the end of a branch from a tree, so it was small enough to fit.
Neil’s challenge was to get the “tree”. This proved to be more problematic than we first thought. We don’t randomly carry knives and it turns out that pine trees are very tough. We got one – and we got sore hands in the process. It was the end of November and the “tree” lived through Christmas = result!
That evening we got news my son and his gorgeous girlfriend had got engaged. Congratulation Aiden and Dani! News like this makes us sad to be away from home, as we are not there to celebrate, but it was wonderful news. (Still no wedding date, so good job I did not rush out and buy a hat).
Next stop was Sligo Folk Park. It was definitely worth a visit – it is a community run/funded park with exhibitions on community and farming through the ages. We were treading water a bit, as I needed to fly to the UK for a funeral, and we were near Knock Airport. Moving on made no sense, so we found the Folk Park as we explored, and it was a lovely day out. It was quiet, and the staff were so friendly, including the 4 legged ones.
From here we went to a pub park up at Andersons Thatched Pub. It was an experience – a good one, but definitely an experience. Gene, the landlord, was so welcoming. The pub had once been his family home, with his parents and brothers. It was changed into part home, part shop while they were alive. He has now turned it into a pub. It still has all the homely things inside it, like a taxidermy cat!
The mixture of crowded older persons house and pub was very different. We parked up and were just relaxing, as the pub was only open in the evenings, when Gene knocked on our door. He had been to collect fresh eggs from a nearby farm, and gave us some for breakfast the next day. When we went into the pub later on, we were the only ones in. He announced the first drink was on the house, and he knew just what we would love. He presented us with an Irish coffee each. I don’t like coffee or whisky, but he was so generous, I took very small sips. As soon as another customer came in and he was distracted, I got Neil to drink mine as well as his own.
Two nights a week they have music in the pub, sadly not on Friday, when we were in. However, Gene started playing, and we were chatting to a couple who were regulars. There was no one serving, so it was a case of help yourself, remember what you had, and pay at the end of the night. It was fun, and we ended the evening with an invitation to the Christmas Party.
Saturday was a music night, so it would have been rude not to stay. Music was basically anyone who wanted to turning up, with their instruments, to play or to sing.
The next day I flew home for my cousin’s funeral. I have so many lovely memories of us together as children. She was younger than me, such a loss for her children and grandchildren. I was glad I was able to go, and very appreciative of my brother collecting me and dropping me back at the airport. It was also lovely to catch up with family members – although one cousin did say to my brother “Is that your sister? She used to be really pretty” – Kevin has some cognitive difficulties and luckily, I have a sense of humour.
When I got back to Ireland, after a 3am start, we went to one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been on – Rossnowlagh. I follow a page on Facebook which posts pictures from there every day, and I would love to go back.
It is a really long, sandy beach and, despite the cold, the sky was blue and clear. It was the first beach in Ireland where people went surfing. A local family visited America, and came back with surf boards, starting the surf craze in Donegal. With two miles of beach and a funnel-like shape, creating huge waves, it is perfect for adventurous water lovers. I stuck with a paddle and a dip.
Further round the coast was Murvagh beach – also beautiful, and the sea was calmer, so it was time to go in again – in a hat and jumper. November in Ireland is cold!
While at Andersons Thatched Pub, John Joe’s Bar in Kilcar was recommended to us. Tuesday night is their music night and, despite having been awake since 3am to get my flight, we had to go that evening, or double back later . So we went. We were not disappointed. There were about 20 musicians playing and singing traditional music. Half of them were children and John Joe told us that, as it was a school night, they would have to pack up early, at 11pm. I wish my parents had let me stay up until 11pm! The children were really encouraged by the older players, taking their turn to start a song, and sitting with players who played the same instrument and could mentor them. What a wonderful way to learn your instrument.
At John Joe’s recommendation, and after a good night’s sleep (I am too old for 20 hour days), we headed to Slieve League. These cliffs are far more impressive than The Cliffs of Moher, at 1972 feet, being 3 times the height. Almost twice the height of the Eiffel Tower. The Irish people were lovely, everywhere we went, and this was no exception. We stopped at the visitor centre at the foot of the cliffs, and then headed up to the car park, which is about half way up. It was a bitterly cold day, the coldest day on our trip so far. The cliffs were not busy, so when we got to the carpark, the attendant invited us to drive all the way up to the viewing platform, instead of walking. There was a barrier, but he assured us we could stay as long as we liked and to just close the barrier when we left. We spent some time taking in the size of the cliffs, the drop to the Atlantic ocean and did the first, very small part, of the walk, which takes you along the top of the cliffs. It was so cold, we soon headed back to the warmth of the van.
It had to be a setting for Sleeping Giants: A Puca Adventure (The Puca Adventures Book 1) eBook : Abbott, Emily : Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
The great bear took off, up to the top of the cliff and along the summit, following a well used path made over many hundreds of years. Her speed was incredible, with the wind in my face, I soon settled into the rhythm and felt it was the most amazing thing I had ever done. Better, even, than zip wiring across the river in Akureyri. She was incredibly graceful, for an animal so large, and the ride was so smooth. Strangely, I felt safe and trusted this majestic animal.
Eventually Ursi slowed, and came to a stop. “Now we have to get down the cliff,” she said. “It doesn’t become too sheer until after the cave entrance, but it will be difficult for you. You must hold on tight and trust me. I will not fall.”
“OK,” I replied, now used to the conversation playing in my head. I held on more and more tightly, leaning forward, flat onto the bear’s back, as the bear went over the edge and started her perilous way down the cliff face. I closed my eyes really tightly, moving with her body, as we inched down, towards the cave entrance.
Had we walked up to the viewing area, we would have headed back and left at this point. It was just too cold to stand around. However, snug in the van, we were able to wait until sunset. It was spectacular. The sun was a yellow ball in the blue sky, with an orange glow across the horizon, and lighting up the sea. As the sun dropped and the sky grew darker, the orange burned even brighter. Everyone has seen the sun set, but I would argue that at this height, with the huge skies, and nothing between us and America, it has to be one of the best ever. It was definitely the highlight of our trip to date.
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