We set of from Alsager on Friday 15th September to drive to Birkenhead to catch the ferry to Belfast. We arrived in good time to check in and board the ferry which left at 22.30. It was a smooth crossing and we had a reasonable night’s sleep only to be woken at 05.30. by the ship’s tannoy announcement telling us we had arrived in Belfast.
By the time we had disembarked it was nearly 07.00 and we then started the drive to Donegal, stopping off at the first service station for breakfast. The roads are quiet at this time on a Saturday morning and the weather was dry but cloudy.
We arrived in the town of Letterkenny mid-morning and visited the Tourist Information Centre to get ideas about where to go. We telephoned David & Mary to tell them when we would be with them so we had a couple of hours to explore the town. We went to the cathedral but there was a service on so we went for a coffee and then went back afterwards. It is quite a spectacular church which is well used by the wider community of Letterkenny.
We the drove to the flax and corn mill at New Mills not far away from Letterkenny which had been recommended to us by the person in the Tourist Information Centre. It was well worth a visit and a guide and a film told us all about its history. We had a look around both mills and the guide had set the machinery going even though we were the only people there.
After this we drove to David & Mary’s place at Rhosguill Holiday Park in Melmore. We arrived in the middle of a wet and windy afternoon so we sat in the caravan looking out at the amazing views across the bay and had a good catch up. Charlie, David & Mary’s son was there too and it was good to see him again and hear about his studies and aspirations for the future.
David and Mary cooked us a lovely meal and after a few (non-alcoholic for us) beers we retired after a long and tiring but very enjoyable day. We had a good sleep and woke the next morning to a fine and sunny day.
After a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon we had a walk along the spectacular beach which almost deserted other than a couple of dog walkers.
Then we went up the road and over to another cove where there were more beautiful beaches. Murder Cove, as it is called was backed by caves and washed by Atlantic waves which were mesmerising to watch and listen to.
When we went back to the caravan it was very hot and sunny and we sat on the decking again enjoying the view and a lunch of bacon sandwiches. We eventually gathered our things together and left David, Mary & Charlie for our short journey to Gortahork. On their recommendation we drove around the headland on the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’, a route which goes around the west coast of Ireland and takes in some breathtaking scenery. It was a fantastic day to see the views and enjoy the incredible Irish landscape.
It had been a great start to our week in Ireland and it was lovely to see our friends again. We had been treated like royalty and had thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you David, Mary & Charlie!