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Click to enlarge photosJust twenty minutes outside of Dublin (via a very undartlike DART - there were times when Jay could have biked faster than this commuter train was running) lies the delightful little village of Howth, and just a mile off the coast of Howth lies this, Ireland's Eye.
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Back on this side of the water, Howth was our starting point for an absolutely glorious 10km cliff walk (the purple hiking trail) past stunning views (and a completely mindblowing (and shoe-wrecking) amount of mud), quaint old buildings, luxe estates (I was told that Bono has a home there as well) and oddly enough right through the middle of a golf course (walkers are to follow the white rocks please, speak quietly, and mind the flying golf balls).
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.The entire time the skies cycled rapidly and unpredictably through bright sunlight which set sapphire jewels dancing on the seas below to drizzle to rain to hail and back again, often before you'd even finished putting away your sunglasses and putting on your raincoat.
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By the time we completed the circuit and returned to Howth, footsore and muddy from top to toe, the heavens finally opened up and it began to rain in earnest, at which point the lead item on the agenda quickly became "find the closest pub and settle in for the duration", which we did at the first possible opportunity. And after a very well-deserved mad dash to the ladies room (I had made it FIVE hours without a stop - only due to lack of opportunity and very possibly a world record for me) I also rekindled my deep and abiding love of Baileys coffee (two of my favorite things - together, what better?), which warmed up my cold,wet and muddy toes and fingers from the inside out. After that it was back on the DART and back to Dublin for a much needed shower, and equally needed nap, and a delicious dinner at a local Thai restaurant.
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Ahhh, I love vacations...
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Visit Skywatch Friday (once it's up a few hours from now) for more skies from around the islands (mine and otherwise) and around the world.
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34 comments:
Great nature, and great not seeing 3 million people out in nature like we in Israel did for Pesach week.
I can't even see ONE person in your nice photos. Just too bad you didn't run into Bono.
Holidays are indeed a time to cherish.
Fantastic photos as always Robin. And it sounds like a most excellent adventure too. Love how you describe it.
I've always wanted to go to Ireland.
((((hugs)))) to you and your mother.
I love other people's vacations, its a free, no calorie, no exertion way for me to share your fun
Thank you for taking us with you virtually; beautiful photos and text.
Linda
nice!
What a perfect day for a beautiful walk. Fantastic scenery and skies.
Beautiful Ireland!
Great scenes and captures.
Thank you for sharing Robin.
Enjoy your vacation.
Wonderful shot! Great sky and landscape.
what a pretty landscape.
What an amazing landscape shot! Looks like a lovely island to be at!
Have a great weekend!!
Pixellicious Photos
So pleased you had a great time away, mud, rain and lots of fun.
Beautiful landscape. Very scenic.
What a fabulous adventure. And hey! It wouldn't be half the fun in the telling if there hadn't been a little mud. :)
ahhhh, man...what gorgeous shots!!!
wow! beautiful coastline and skies! Thanks for sharing, love the photos..i want to visit!
It's so pretty--just as I pictured Ireland should be.
Was it warm though? It looks so sunny but I suspect it's not as warm as it looks. I need warm :)
Sounds like a great walk!! Wish I was there to do it.
Fabulous captures and what a fun trip to share with you, Robin! Such a lovely place, lovely skies and beautiful clouds! Have a great weekend!
Sylvia
Awesome scenery and sky photos. Ireland is one place top on my list to see.
I know first hand why Ireland is so green...lol....Rain....it does rain alot..while I was there for 18 days..it rained every day...some short showers..some long..except for one day...sun all day.
Beautiful Island photo's and all the landscape there...a great adventure.
Lovely photos and lovely descriptions, Robin.
Rain...good excuse to go to the pub!
Thanks for taking me back to Howth - even in photos. I have glorious memories of the cliff walking last summer. And the birds. And the pub.
I used to be able to see Howth from my dorm when I was a graduate student at UCD. Never went, funny enough. So I am especially grateful for your wonderful tour.
Such absolutely beautiful scenery! The hike sounds fantastic, mud and all. The Bailey's coffee sounds like a perfect way to end the day too. :)
Happy SWF and have a great weekend!
You live in a beautiful place, Robin! Love all your photos. Great captures.
wow, you must have had a fantastic vacation. i also wouldn't mind walking for five hours just to see a fantastic view! :)
Beautiful!!!
What a beautiful spot for a vacation. Love the colors on the rolling hills.
Lovely shots of my 'bucket list vacation'! :)
Your descriptive words were equally as lovely. Well written.
Ireland is looking lovely, I like the golden gorse flowers on the cliff, and the wee island.
A lovely holiday for you.
Beautiful shots, Robin! Glad you like my new look!
Lovely photographs! Doncha love the Irish weather?! NOT! Glad you had a good time ( and a Baileys!!)and I think Howth is lovely too, for exactly the same reasons! A lot of Ireland is like that though, the mix of the old and new side by side, probably Israel is the same? I love it!
Happy laundrying! Ha! Ha!
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