Dazed in Donegal, part two

Saturday morning began with a trip back to Magheragroarty beach. This time I drove down a track through the dunes (a bit dicier than I had expected) to get closer to the nicer part of the beach. I took this photo on the way back to the house. The four boat carcasses are visible in the middle distance. The beach I walked is all the way on the left.

I then played 9 holes at a local course while Dara graded papers from one of her classes. But she took time to get to know the locals. A few jokes about the old gray mare were made.

Then we went to Glenveagh National Park. The idea was to hike some of the trails. Problem is, dogs aren't allowed on the shuttle from the car park to the castle, two miles away. After we walked in on another hot day, I suggested Dara go for a hike while I had lunch at the cafe. She wasn't keen, so we walked back out. I had the dogs on leads the whole time so my arms were knackered (and legs, given golf).

Sunday morning I took the dogs to Falcarragh beach. This photo is looking toward Muckish.

This one is looking seaward with Tory Island in the distance. There's a ferry that takes you there, nicknamed the vomit comet. LOL

It goes without saying the dogs were in their element.

I mean . . .

I hated to leave.

Back to the cottage for breakfast then to Ards Forest Park for a nice – COOL – hike. I've been there so many times, I didn't take photos. Barring this one of Dara and I taken by an American couple that moved to Donegal. The photo does not do justice to the colour of the water. The woman said it was surreal. Her partner said "I think you mean cerulean." Very good.

I had Dara take one more shot toward the end of the hike. Ards Friary barely visible middle left.

Our last night we went to Leo's Tavern for another great meal. Leo is father to Enya and her sister – both successful singers. The band Clannad started here – unfortunately there was no music on that night.

Monday morning we packed up our lovely house.

Said goodbye to the horses.

We went back to Ards for another, shorter hike. Then drove home.

Tuesday we took an interesting walking tour of Belfast. In the evening I played in the weekly golf competition. Weds Dara toured the Titanic Museum while I worked. We met my friend Ann for a drink on the Lagan in the evening. Thursday I worked as well but took a break to take Dara to meet my friend Marek for a coffee. Both are university professors with a lot of knowledge about geopolitics. The talk was of political dynamics in Poland. Thursday night out to dinner on the Ards peninsula with my friend Eddis. So Dara got to meet six of my friends during this visit. Not bad.

Friday morning I took Dara to the Dublin bus, took the dogs around Billy Neil park, then drove to Rockmount to play 18 holes in a competition, in which I tied for first. Then home, change clothes, and then into town for Cat's Laugh, a comedy festival. Saturday I did as little as possible to recover from a few weeks of doing a lot!!

17-24 May