Second instalment of that young trio's excursion in the West. Galway, was first choice, but now Mayo has caught a hold. A recent long weekend gave the couple with a young child the opportunity to sample some of its delights. The fields and hedges are in great shape, blackberries just beginning to ripen and the cattle on the bog or mountain near Nephin have glossy coats. Our party, and beach-goers, had previously sampled Ross Strand near Killala, Old Head near Louisburgh (and its famous oak wood), and Bertra near Murrisk, but some exploration is called for and the party proceeds from its base near Pontoon to Ballycastle on the North Mayo coast. From there the wonderful drive westwards past the Ceide Fields Centre and Belderg. Also, perhaps, one of the best coast drives, saving of course the Antrim one! And then the road goes inland through the rolling Atlantic bogs in Glenamoy and there back up to the small fishing village of Porturlin, the pier of which was crowded with cars but bereft of boats. This is a fine place for sea angling. Back into the car and the party land in Portacloy, a well-protected bay, with 500 yards of pure white sand and bracing bathing water. And like the advertisements, no other occupiers.
After swimming, picnicking and making sandwiches, it is only a short drive to Carrowteigue, a Gaeltacht village. And then home past Carrowmore Lake, through Bangor Erris and up the river valley of the Owenmore. Behind Bellacorick power station the vanes of the wind farm are to be seen. At the said hamlet there is a bridge, a musical bridge, so you take a stone, say fist size, and run it along the capstones-limestone and now with an evident track from the course of such stones. Indeed each stone does strike a different note.
And then home via Healy's Hotel. A full day.