8 July: Lisdooonvarna - Athlone via Clifden (way too much in one day)
We donned full merino garb and had raincoats to the ready, after yesterday's disaster. However did not use windscreen wipers at all and only donned raincoats to protect us from the Arctic blast. 😊
Peter's goal was to drive to Clifden where Alcock and Brown landed their Viny Vickers bi-plane after the first trans-Atlantic flight in 1919. This proved to be a taxing trip from 9 am to 7pm. However he achieved it and is ecstatic!
We drove through the Burren which is comparable to our Ida Valley. I wanted stone walls for Josephine but it was challenging to find any spot where Peter could pull off for me to take the perfect photos. The lanes are just 2 cars wide so stopping for photos is not an option. However you'll see the best of what I managed on FB. These dry walls are crafted with no cement so demonstrate a remarkable skill.
The stoney landscape proved the cruel desolation of the Irish when the British forced them to the west in the 19th century. There is no soil so absolutely nothing would grow and thousands of Irish starved to death.
Galway Bay was spectacular. Great that the mist lifted so we could see it. We then veered left into County Connemara. Everywhere in Ireland's countryside are roadside stalls selling potatoes and strawberries. Nothing else. Just huge sacks of potatoes and boxes of beautiful strawberries.
We stopped at Kinvara for coffee (see FB) Barbara you'll be relieved to know I did not have the last slice of cake. Just took the photo of Irish baking. Everything comes with cream. There is no famine in Ireland now, I can assure you. We were pleased to see smoke coming from all the chimneys so it wasn't just us feeling the cold.
We then settled down seriously for the aforementioned Clifden,  so just passed through Drimnahoon  Oughterard   and
Maamcross which marked the entry to the Connemara National Park. This was untamed Scottish loch country.  Then we reached Letterfrack! (This is all specially for you Lois)
When we finally made it to Clifden, Peter turned on mapsme and commenced the hunt for the landing site. I thought that near enough was good enough but I was wrong. We had to find the correct bog! So much trial and such tedious error. But in the end despite the annoyance of the extraordinary sheep who owned the peninsular, we reached the memorial. The car is a little the worse for wear I'm ashamed to say, but Peter is the best he's been since we've been in the country.

At 3.30pm we had lunch at the Grand Alcock and Brown hotel to the accompaniment of the Irish Tenors.
We then turned for the long drive back through Galway and on another hour to the Athlone B&B we booked last night.
What a day, but it is great to have Peter smiling again.
Our last day in Ireland tomorrow.