ARAN THWARTED

Wednesday of our last week. ☹  The first order of business was to return the Super Meteor 650 to Retroventures, whom I would recommend to anyone, any time.  Much sadness in returning the bike as I didn’t get as much riding in as I had hoped, for one reason and another. 
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Popping back to the house to change out of my riding gear and make a road lunch, our next plan was to amble our way to Doolin, via Galway, where we would stay overnight before going to the Aran Islands the next day. We travelled north to Galway because Peter had seen Moran’s Oyster House on a couple of travel shows and was bent on having oysters. I figure if I wanted to eat snot, I’d pick my nose, but to each their own. So off we went. It’s only an hour or so, mostly along more major roads, so the restaurant wasn’t open yet when we got there. We walked along the estuary, taking photos and enjoying nice weather.

Moran’s is an institution. It has been there forever and has been covered by multitudes of travel shows. Celebrity photos line the walls and the inside is quaint and full of stories. We sat outside and ordered our lunch, which was amazing and worth the wait.

We took the long way around the peninsula to Doolin, which would take us along a part of The Burren we had not seen up close and personal.  We stopped at Ballyvaughan to take a photo of the old pier and a bit further along the road, there was a memorial garden with the Irish Proclamation, so we stopped to read that as well. Noticing a sign for a trail and a bird hide, we decided to follow it, because why wouldn’t we?!  There was a little wooden hut structure on the trail with Bug Hotel – Guests in Residence. Please Do Not Disturb written on it that tickled my fancy.  We found the hide that could be used to birdwatch along the shore, though there were some tall grasses in front of it, so we weren’t sure how effective it would be. A bit further along the trail was a nice viewpoint to relax and enjoy the view. While the area was not that big, there were little trails all over it and I found the fairy trail, leading to a grove of trees where they have their banquets and ceremonial events. There wasn’t a party going on just then, so I carried on the trail, which emptied out at a public water font.  We washed our hands and jumped back in the car to continue our toodling.

Not long after, we entered The Burren. Peter was like a kid in a candy store with the geology of it and I have to admit, it is fascinating. We scrambled around on the rocks and the shore, taking photos of the vegetation, flowers, and ocean. It was very windy, but we took our time enjoying the slower pace before fetching up in Doolin for the night. We had booked a BnB to be close to Doolin for the early ferry the next day. McGann’s Pub just a quick walk up the road was recommended for supper, so we headed over, despite the growing wind and rain. As we approached, a piper came out of the pub and greeted a bride and groom! We went into the pub and found a seat and shortly after, the piper led the bride and groom, wedding party and guests through the pub and into the back room for their festivities. So cool!  Like Moran’s Oyster House, McGann’s Pub is a local go-to place. Lined with interesting photos, badges from police forces and fire stations all over the world, and thingamabobs and whatchamacallits everywhere. Food was good and we headed back to our BnB satisfied with our lot.

Sure enough, we got notification that our trip to Aran was cancelled - gale force 8 winds (50-70 kph) and rain blew in overnight, causing 4 meter swells out on the Atlantic. With zero hesitation to get something out of our trip over there, we took ourselves down to the seaside and walked out to the shore to watch the waves crash against the rocks. I love the fierce, wild, primeval feeling of the Atlantic Ocean – my lizard brain responds to the call with wild joy. The sea crashing against the shore sending sprays of water high into the sky.  Having to brace yourself against the wind while it gives you a free sea salt facial. I could watch it all day. They don’t call it the Wild Atlantic Way for no reason.

There are a million reasons to visit Ireland. This is one of them.