North to South
After so much fish last night, breakfast is a light affair
today before we set off to drive to Port Salon. The weather has changed, no
longer hot and sunny but low-lying mist make everything seem a bit mysterious.
The tall hedges at times hide the glorious green countryside, who knew there
could be so many different shades of green. We are eagerly awaiting “the
border” but the only thing that marks its passing is that the road signs are
suddenly in Irish as well as English. We’re now travelling along The Wild
Atlantic Way which hugs the west coast of Ireland, the stunning scenery takes
your breath away as vistas of rocky coastline, sandy beaches, white cottages
and green countryside sweep past us in great waves. Just as we think we’ve seen
the best view another sweeps round the corner, along with little villages such
as Ramelton with its lovely small harbour, fishing and pleasure boats swinging
at anchor and a race horse galloping along the golden sands of the beach.
Miraculously, we find Patrick and Marie’s gorgeous cottage
at our first attempt all due to their excellent directions. It is so good to
meet up with our friends in their beautiful home here in Port Salon. So much to
chat about over Marie’s lovely lunch. The afternoon has been organised by
Patrick to take in all the main sights of the area, first stop Fanad
lighthouse. The drive there takes us over the rocky remote centre of the Fanad
peninsular before we see the lighthouse perched at the tip of the peninsular.
The tour is very informative, but I must admit I’m dreading the climb up to the
light room especially as the last section is a 19-step steep ladder with a rope
for a hand rail on one side! Amazingly I get up to the top and the 360-degree
views are worth it. But now we must go back down, initially backwards, then
sideways with back pressed into the wall! Our next, must-see is the little
beach below their house and it is gorgeous a sweeping arc of golden sand
fringed at both ends by rocks and there’s only one family on the beach.
Our last stop is the home of our friends Liz and Tony. It
to has a stunning location overlooking Port Salon village, golf course and
beach. Then its on to drinks at the golf club, a meal at Julie’s and after
dinner drinks in the bar, all with stunning views of the beach and harbour.
Even at 10 o’clock the children are still out playing in the water, jumping off
the harbour into the water, what an idyllic place to grow up.
After so much fish last night, breakfast is a light affair
today before we set off to drive to Port Salon. The weather has changed, no
longer hot and sunny but low-lying mist make everything seem a bit mysterious.
The tall hedges at times hide the glorious green countryside, who knew there
could be so many different shades of green. We are eagerly awaiting “the
border” but the only thing that marks its passing is that the road signs are
suddenly in Irish as well as English. We’re now travelling along The Wild
Atlantic Way which hugs the west coast of Ireland, the stunning scenery takes
your breath away as vistas of rocky coastline, sandy beaches, white cottages
and green countryside sweep past us in great waves. Just as we think we’ve seen
the best view another sweeps round the corner, along with little villages such
as Ramelton with its lovely small harbour, fishing and pleasure boats swinging
at anchor and a race horse galloping along the golden sands of the beach.
Miraculously, we find Patrick and Marie’s gorgeous cottage
at our first attempt all due to their excellent directions. It is so good to
meet up with our friends in their beautiful home here in Port Salon. So much to
chat about over Marie’s lovely lunch. The afternoon has been organised by
Patrick to take in all the main sights of the area, first stop Fanad
lighthouse. The drive there takes us over the rocky remote centre of the Fanad
peninsular before we see the lighthouse perched at the tip of the peninsular.
The tour is very informative, but I must admit I’m dreading the climb up to the
light room especially as the last section is a 19-step steep ladder with a rope
for a hand rail on one side! Amazingly I get up to the top and the 360-degree
views are worth it. But now we must go back down, initially backwards, then
sideways with back pressed into the wall! Our next, must-see is the little
beach below their house and it is gorgeous a sweeping arc of golden sand
fringed at both ends by rocks and there’s only one family on the beach. 
Our last stop is the home of our friends Liz and Tony. It
to has a stunning location overlooking Port Salon village, golf course and
beach. Then its on to drinks at the golf club, a meal at Julie’s and after
dinner drinks in the bar, all with stunning views of the beach and harbour.
Even at 10 o’clock the children are still out playing in the water, jumping off
the harbour into the water, what an idyllic place to grow up.
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