Day 3

Clifden Loop

The Route

 

                A    The Cottage

                B    Ballyvaghan

                C    Galway

                D    Clifden

                E    Cafe

                F    Inveran

                G    Kilcolgan

                H    Corofin

                I    Ennistimon

 

                Distance 211 miles (340 km)

 

   The Sky Road out of Clifden gave us the opportunity to see some great views of the coastline with its inlets and rugged outline. The sea was blue and the white horses of the waves crashing onto the rocks below were wonderful to see. Our journey carried on up to the Connemara National Park with its hills and small lakes close to the roadside. As I came round one bend to my surprise, there was Kay walking up the road. What had happened? Where were Paul and the bike? The first thing that goes through your mind is have they come off the bike. Then Paul appeared, coming in the opposite direction to meet up with Kay. I had pulled into the side of the road and put on my hazard warning lights to let other vehicles know there was a problem. Kay was in fact picking up an object from the middle of the road which I recognised as the top box off their bike. It had simply fallen off as they rode along and Kay had immediately noticed because she uses it as a back rest. Paul had dropped her off whilst he went on to turn around. The box had some slight damage considering it had been bouncing down the road, so it was strapped on well and good before proceeding on. Our trek continued towards Leenaun and then headed down the R336 towards Maan Cross.

 

Extract from the book 'The Land of Diddeley Dee'