Off to the Aran islands today. Lots and lots of walking. After the big day yesterday didn’t have quite the same energy levels but still walked about 15kms. 

Walked from the accommodation in Doolin down to the ferry port and took a 1 hour ferry to the largest of the Aran islands - Inis Mor.   There were more houses on Inis Mor than I expected seeing how its quite isolated. Green again though mostly low laying plants. I’m guessing the wind howls across these islands in Winter. Would be a fairly forbidding place then, surrounded by the dark Galway sea. Definitely time to pull that Aran sweater around you, brew a nice hot cup of tea and hunker down in front of the fire!

Beautiful here in a different way. The hills are cross hatched with stone walls as is common in Ireland and from the air it looks like a patchwork quilt. Speaking of, we drove past a village called “Quilting” the other day. I think I may know what they do there. 

Anywhoo, walked out of the village, managing to avoid the many offers of pony traps rides and other forms of transportation, and went around to the other end of Kilronan bay. Sweet view over the bay back to the main village with its pretty pink and blue painted buildings. Also found an old graveyard next to the ocean with many Celtic crosses and sea grass waving in between the graves. Reminiscent of an Edgar Allan Poe poem. 

Was surprisingly warm again when we were walking around and we unanimously decided it was time for a sit down and some lunch. 

Had a light lunch overlooking Kilronan bay, followed by a spot of sweater shopping and then later on some afternoon tea at another cafe. I love how tea is served everywhere - bakeries, cafes etc and they’re not stingy with the milk which is good for me. I am still dismaying Cathal with the liberal amount of milk I take in my tea'though. Sorry Shuggy!

The man at the afternoon tea cafe was a bit of a character too. At first he seemed a bit gruff but he was actually quite funny and seemed to like us better than the ubiquitous American tourists that flooded into his shop while we were there. I mean how could he not?  He was chatting to Cathal and seems he may vaguely know him from his home village of Maam. Cathal also ran into a lady who was working in the Aran sweater shop that he knew from home too. Small place Ireland!

Lots and lots of Aran knitwear in the shops here. It is kinda what these islands are famous for after all. I did buy a couple of things and a very nice mohair blanket. Bit pricey but so lovely and soft and I’ve wanted one for a few years now. What better place to buy one?  Hehehe

After being warm and having sunshine on Inis Moir we froze our arses off on the ferry ride back to Doolin as we were on the open deck.  The irony that I had a blanket in a bag but wasn’t using it was not lost on me.  Didn’t want to get it covered in salt spray though.

Back at port we immediately transferred to another ferry and took a 1 hour Cliffs of Moher tour. To be honest I was a little over being in boats by this stage but am glad we did it as seeing the cliffs from the ocean is a totally different experience. The sun came out for a bit too so hopefully managed to capture some nice shots. There’s several sea caves in the base of the cliffs and one was used to film a Harry Potter scene - the one where Dumbledore and Harry are trying to destroy a horcrux. Interesting bit of trivia. 

And we finally spotted some puffins!! They are such cute little things. Happy we managed to see some. 

Once we docked we walked back to our accommodation and popped into a couple of the shops on the way. In the Fudge shop the lady asked where I was from and when I said Perth, WA she told me her sister is the product manager at Margaret River chocolate factory (in actual Margaret River). Said I should say hello next time and ask her to sing!  Sure haha. I wonder if the poor woman gets people asking that every day?

Dumped our bags and shopping then headed back to the pub for our last dinner in Doolin.  

Cathal was wondering if he was the only local at the pub. It’s very, very popular and has been packed every night. Good food and food prices and a nice atmosphere. 

Another big but fun day.  So tired now zzzz