Up the West Coast…

I’d woken reasonably early, for another day of travelling,and had breakfast sat on a bench overlooking the inlet, and views across to Valentia Island..but couldn’t sit there all day, and was soon off along the coast again, through Caherciveen and along to overlook Kells, and Kells bay, where a big marker stone was placed at the roadside, and continuing along the coast with MacGillicuddys Reeks (mountains) to my right hand side, and soon I was into the ‘tourist traffic’ with coach loads of people coming from the opposite direction, all stopped looked at the distant hills.. even the lay-bys had buskers in, playing music, and hoping for some tips ! (guess how much I gave ?) continuing around Dingle Bay,Killorglin and through the famous Tralee, and around Tralee Bay…

I decided to travel to Tarbert, to get the ferry across the mouth of the  River Shannon and so I was soon in the queue, waiting to say farewell to Co Kerry.. and Hello to Co Clare… a smooth crossing soon had me driving up and onto the slipway, and along the coast of the Mouth of the Shannon to a lovely sunny Kilkee, where I had lunch looking out to The Atlantic Ocean…next stop Newfoundland and America !

As I drove further along in the afternoon passing Spanish Point in Milltown Malbay I saw signs for ‘the cliffs of Moher’..sounds interesting thinks I, so I followed the signs, coming across a huge car parking area at the top of the hills, where I had to pay $6 (but thought it may be worth it!), WWW.cliffsofmoher.ie and having been given a leaflet telling me it was Irelands ‘most visited natural attraction’ thought I’d better go and have a look !

Joining the throng I walked up, through the visitor centre, with some explanation of the forming of the cliffs, then out and up to the cliffs themselves, rearing up to 200 mts high, plunging down to the Atlantic Ocean.. I then headed North along the cliffs, passing all the crowds, and dropped to some lower cliffs for a better view of the rocky cliffs above , and a gentle amble back to the visitor centre, it was almost 6-30 p.m. so I decided I’d stay for the sunset, and returning to Wally cooked dinner, and rested for a while, before heading out again at 8-30 p.m. for a walk, and hopefully nice sunset – although cloudy in patches, the sun was still shining, showing a full rainbow behind me over the village below

I walked along the southern cliffs this time, eventually finding a nice flat rock to sit on, and watch the sun go down.. waiting for the real ‘fiery moment’, which didn’t come into it’s full awe, but no too bad…

I decided to walk to the southern tip, where an old watchtower could be seen…it was further than I thought, and as I walked further into the gloom it seemed to keep going backwards – by the time I reached it, it was almost 10-30 p.m….and pitch dark… perfect for walking back along the top of dangerous cliffs !

I traversed along, thankfully being able to pick out the rough pathway, because of the lighter coloured stone, even the sea birds had gone quiet …and just before midnight I returned to Wally…a good evenings adventure, and bed for the night !

Goodnight from the Cliffs of Moher !