Saturday, October 4, 2014

Pat made inquiries yesterday as to how to find the B&B we had booked in Galway. After a couple of emails back and forth we still were uncertain as to how to walk to the place or how to get there by bus. When Pat checked his mail this morning the woman had cancelled our reservation because “she didn’t expect this much hassle from her guests”.

When Teresa heard this she immediately got out her iPad and between her, Pat and Egel (a Norwegian “regular” who was staying there) we had a couple of places lined up. We wanted one close to town, but not in the noisy area. One of the hosts had room for us but she was quite a distance from the town; the host in town was a bit longer getting back to us. While we were on the bus heading to Galway (yes, all the buses and trains have free WiFi), Pat got a message that we would be able stay at the one in town.

We enjoyed our bus trip along the coast between Doolin and Galway. There were lots of views of both the wild Atlantic and the burren. The burren is solid rock for miles and miles. I noticed in a few places that stone walls had been built through the grassy fields right up and over the burren. In many of those places it will be hundreds of years before there is enough soil to grow anything for grazing, so I wonder why they bothered. It would have taken considerable work so I’m sure they had their reasons.

After a quick lunch in Galway we set out to follow the very good directions to our resting spot. We have a lovely room in a penthouse apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to Galway Bay. There is also a huge patio that, at this time of the year, gives us a view of both the sunrise and the sunset.

For now we are inside enjoying the view – it is a little breezy on the deck. We’ll go out later in search of dinner with the recommendation of three different pubs where we’ll find more music.