I moved a bit quicker through 3 counties along the Wild Atlantic Way this last week. My driving moved up yet another level closer to ‘local’ as I zipped past tourists and tractors on the small winding roads that reminded me of ribbons blowing in the wind. At one point I actually decided that I couldn’t have done this trip with anyone else – I would have hated being the passenger in a car on these roads – I would have been a ball of stress! Getting to drive yourself is yet another great reason to be solo.
This week’s Wild Atlantic Way Instagram update was full of volatile weather – which makes great photography. I started the week in County Galway where I was introduced to yet another landscape as I went through the town of Roundstone – aptly named since the whole landscape there was huge round stones! Then I made it to the little popular town of Clifden in Connemara. This was an area where I actually had a connection. A guy I met 4 years ago on the Mongol Rally hosted me at the Dolphin Beach House. His family has been running this perfectly placed home on the Sky Road peninsula for years so I was excited to finally get to see it!
I used the Connemara area to get out and try some new adventures – like electric biking (I may never be able to go back to real biking again!) from All Things Connemara. They outfitted me with a bike, rain pants, and a map and I was on my way solo…on a on another very rainy, windy day. I also ended up closer than I ever expected on the Wild Atlantic Way – no I didn’t drive into the Atlantic…I kayaked into the wild Atlantic with Real Adventures Connemara. Clare, one of the toughest women I’ve met, took me out on some really rough seas and had nerves of steel – what an adventure!
I drove through Connemara National Park, the Bens, and fjords and towards County Sligo where I stayed on beautiful Enniscrone beach B&B for a night. It was here that I ran into the surfers along the Wild Atlantic Way.
On to County Donegal to see the largest cliffs along the Wild Atlantic Way – Slieve Leage. It was a windy, rainy day again and I felt like I needed to strap into something when I got out of my car and the wind nearly blew me over! I had to skip the walk to the summit due to high winds and poor visibility – but the overcast skies made for super photography. After another night in a great rural B&B on Inishowen peninsula I got up early the next day and headed to the northern most point – Malin Head. No one was out on the roads that morning – just me and the sheep – and spectacular views.
I was sad to turn in my car…really sad…we had such a great relationship going. And it was just this week that I figured out I had an auxiliary input and could listen to my music on my ipod! My favorite days were these rainy, stormy days where I could sing at the top of my lungs and enjoying the winding views.
What is Week In-Stagram Review?
Each week brings some new scenery and location for me – that’s just the way I like it. If you want to follow where I am real time – then on Friday I will post some of my Instagram photos from the current week. Some weeks I may be traveling somewhere exotic, and some weeks it may be less interesting – but it will give you a peek into my life of perpetual motion.
FOLLOW MY LIVE TRAVELS ON INSTAGRAM!
By Anita @ No Particular Place To Go October 30, 2014 - 9:41 am
Gorgeous photos with lots of brilliant and muted colors that make Ireland come alive. Thanks for bringing me along as a virtual passenger!
By analia October 30, 2014 - 6:48 pm
Hello Sherry!
these photos are beautiful… i really dont travel as much as i would like to… (i just bought a home… 20 years of mortgage ahead!! its not that i wont travel for that time… but the family choice, put my love for travel in the second place… i moved to such a beautiful place, by the beach… that it was easy to choose…) but still.. you are an inspiration in my life… maybe i dont get to travel that much… but i face my morning walks by the beach, or under the trees, with the enthusiasm of a first time traveler… Keep on going… and if you are ever near Uruguay.. pay me a visit!!
By Mary @ Green Global Travel November 2, 2014 - 5:49 pm
Lovely photos! I love the green tunnels and the sheep! Thanks for sharing!
By De'Jav November 3, 2014 - 5:32 pm
Nice pics that bring the country side to life. Sounds like you had a great time.