We take a short break from the house renovation, and spend a week in Ireland. Sonja found a little B&B in Doolin, County Clare,
famous for its traditional Irish music in all of its three pubs. The B&B is called
Cullinans, and beautiful photo's of Doolin and surroundings are to be found
at www.doolinireland.net. Check the panoramic photo's! This is the view from one of
the windows of our room.... |
...while the other window shows another a famous Irish product: rain, and we got lots of it.
But a bit of sun as well. |
It's wet and windy, and spectacular waves hit the bay of Doolin. |
Big waves....
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Our first outing is to the cliffs of Moher: vertical cliffs over 200 meters high. Nice weather huh? |
No, not really, this picture was taken just an hour earlier. Sonja is getting thoroughly cold and wet at O'Brians tower.
Very thoughtfully, she brought her old south-westerly. |
This part of the cliff has separated from the main land, and is called the Stack. |
Many towers can be found across the land, reminders of defence against violent intruders.
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Still more waves..... |
...and breakers..... |
....and more waves. We just love the thunder of the waves crashing on the rocky coast. |
But is that a reason to put on the life vests? |
We have booked the small ferry to one of the "Arran" Islands near the coast of Doolin. For days, it could not sail because of the
high winds, but when finally the wind had calmed, the tide was so very low that the ferry could not reach the quay.
All passengers had to ferried to the ferry by open boat, hence the life vests. |
We visit the fort "Dún Aonghasa" on Inishmore island. It is a famous tourist attraction, but still without any safety railings:
one step to far to the right and it's 150 meter staight down into the ocean. |
A brand new birds of prey centre has been opened near the Aillwee caves.
Two owls are studying their drinking bowl in which a large beetle is floating.
You want it? No thanks, please enjoy your meal...... |
An owl and a falcon feature in a flying display. This Eagle Owl is called Huey, after the sound it makes when vomiting up a
pellet. |
This peregrine falcon is breathtakingly beautiful. It is young and small, and hence called Picolo. |
After Picolo's flying display, the falconer offers it a quail. It is consumed with gusto, skin, feathers, bones and all.
Just two small parts are removed and prevented from eating: the falconer just could not bear seeing it devour its nuts. |
Waterfall in the town of Ennistimon. |
The last Sunday afternoon is spend in the Doolin tradition: in O'Connors pub, with good food and life music.
A real Paddy (that is truly his name) graps a Guinness and starts to sing, and all the punters join him. What a fantastic way to
spend a rainy afternoon.
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