Galway/Cliffs of Moher

Another clear sunny day, started with a couple of hours at Galway - walked a rickety from Dow by the dock, and Spanish arch, around to the pedestrian area, to Eyre Square before back to the car, where we paused to watch a very big ship maneuver out of a very small harbor.

Then it was off to the Cliffs of Moher, following a costal route around the other side of Galway Bay, where it was clear enough to see the Connomera mountains along with the Aran islands. Once at the Cliffs, had a quick bite to eat, the up the hill where we saw a georgeous view -

Before heading off to tonight's B&B.

(Repost to move behind this morning's delayed post as it didn't publish)

Sligo

Or, as I started thinking of it, Sleigh-go; as that is what it sounded like after we asked someone to pronounce it. Day started cold and rainy, but we set of in search of the Yeats house, Museum and statue - eventually found all three, but the house/museum were closed for renovations

Yeats

We then headed off around the tow, seeing the empty Sligo Abby, before heading back out of town to go to Yeats' gravesite and heading to the megalithic cemetery Carrowmore, by which time the sun had come out and the day was warm, allowing for great views of the site.

Down the Conmerra penninsulia to Letterfrack, where we will start at Kylemore Abby in the morning.

Mom's dessert.....

And mine....

Derry

Started the morning at Gleneagles B&B, where we had orange juice in crystal, berries, homemade scones, along with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. Went down to the Guildhall, and parked and went to the square in front of the hall and just outside the walls. The clock said 9:55, and they opened at 10 so we waited until the clock tolled before heading in. The woman manning the desk had some wonderful hints about seeing the room and a shortcut to use a local shopping mall to get up the elevation change without all the effort.

Walked through the walled town, up to the cathedral, then up to the walls, and the cannon from the 1600's. Walked downhill to the guild hall, visiting the craft shops along the way, before our parking ran out. Well, it wasn't the running out that was the problem. Right now waiting to hear if I can get the parking ticket cleared as while we had mom's tag hung, it apparently was supposed to be on the dash.

We headed out to Enskellin, driving around the lake, and up to Bellek pottery. We signed up for the 4pm tour, and ended up with a private tour as we were the only ones there!  Interesting to see the artistry and the process and the hand work that goes into it. 

Got gas, then headed to Sligo where we are bedded down for the night.

Again, the photos!

The Derry Guildhall main room

Yarn bombed bike

Belles pottery Factory

Giant's Causeway Coastal Drive

Started by visiting the tower Scrbo, an were ver glad we saw Belfast yesterday, as it was raining in the morning. Did a little driving by the force as some of those roundabouts were a bit tough in the morning rush. Made it to the tower, it's the highest point around. The tower itself was closed, renovations, but the public path and view were open. Headed back through Belfast, and up and around the Costal Causeway- absolutely georgeous. 

Next stop was the Crac-a-something rope bridge - the bridge was originally put in by fishermen so they could string nets to catch salmon. The walk was sunny and the path went up and down, so left mom at the visitor's center. The area also used to be a limestone quarry, and the largest limestone kiln was located there as well.

Headed around the top end, and to the UNESCO site, the Giant's Causeway. Good thing there was a shuttle bus as otherwise mom wouldn't get to see it. Again, quite an amazing set of geological formations, and that it is also under the bulk of the area ground.

Continued around the road, and ended up through Portrush in the middle of a race route for motorbikes - good thing the race wasn't for another 2 days! Hit Derry (Londonderry) at about 7pm, and the B&B was waiting for us - a cup o' tea, and she led us to a local Chinese place for dinner. 

And the photos!

The Scrbo Tower

The first sheep

The rope bridge - sea is only a meter deep

The Giant's Causeway

Beautiful day in Belfast

Day started a little late as we slept in - but slept well. A hot breakfast, then waited for the cab tour - they were late due to a flub with th company, but enjoyed seeing and hearing details and finding out the current attitudes. At the end, we had John (the driver) drop us off at city hall. We signed up for the 2 pm tour of the hall, then headed back to The Bobbin, the cafe in the hall for a tomato soup and toilet break. 

Met the tour guide at 2 pm, along with about 40 others, and got to go up the central staircase, and spend a few minutes sitting in the councilor's chairs. The, to the retiring room with a Titanic theme, and the grand ballroom, being set up for a banquet as we walked through. Tour well worth the time. Ten spent the next few hours wandering the streets looking at the architecture ( an old bank building converted to a Tesco) before wandering back to the waterfront and the Big Fish. A break there for a snack at 5:30, then headed back to the town square and caught the number 9 bus - along with the help of a friendly young man who helped us get off at the right stop.

Another quick break at the hotel, before we walked down to the Barking Dog - had at thought of fish & chips, but the don't serve that on Mondays. However, had a burger that was apparently rated one of the best in Belfast - we would agree. The potato was a St. Mary's strain - excellent for fries! Back to the hotel to bed down for e night - more than 10800 steps ( photos will follow after we find the cable...)

And here are the photos!

Belfast!

Arrived! Spent Saturday morning cleaning out and planting a few new bulbs in the backyard before Doug (Marie's husband) arrived to give us a ride to the airport. Full flight to Toronto, and had listed her as wheelchair, so we had an easy escort through the airport and hit the flight with a few minutes to spare.

With a newfleece blanket, Mom slept quite a bit of the flight. Landed in Dublin, apparently along with 15 other planes – very glad again for the escort once we saw the line for immigration, as he had no qualms about skipping to the front. Quick trip to the car rental agency an a little Renault - working well so far- then headed to Belfast. Stopped a a Sainsburys and got snacks, as well as a sausage roll and Cornish pasty for lunch.

Without getting  the SIM card in Dublin, didn't have a map of Belfast, so after driving through downtown twice, figured out we needed to park and go to info booth. Got there with 30s to spare (they close at 4 on Sunday's) and armed with the map, headed to the B&B. Didn't mind the drive around the town as we got to see a lot of the art and buildings. Found the Gregory, and came in to hit the sack.

Since it is Mom's day, she got her cards and decaf coffee in bed!

Vegas!

Off we go - met right on time in YVR, with Mom's ride ready and waiting. Headed though security, immigration and customs without a hitch, and straight to the lounge for breakfast before picking up the cart again and heading to the gate.

 

Easy flight, easy trip through the airport with the wheelchair guy to the rental car shuttle. Headed up to the north outlet mall where we spent the next 4 hours. Back to the In-n-Out burger for dinner

Over to the Bellagio we went! Nice guy checking in, and lots of marble in the bath!

Planning out tomorrow's day and route through the Valley of the Sun and Death Valley.....