A trip around the lakes, and wondering what to do when Storm Helene arrives.
Saturday morning was fairly bleak when we left Creeslough. The plan was to carry on the Wild Atlantic Way around the Donegal coast as far as Glenties, and then cut across via Ballybofey to Douglas Bridge (back in NI) to spend the night on Stewart and Georgie's farm.
In between showers we caught glimpses of the dramatic coastline, such as this, called Bloody Foreland. The area is extensively farmed for peat, and some of the houses already had their fires going. The aroma is unmistakable.
Despite health problems Stewart and Georgie are doing well, and were very accommodating - even taking us out for a meal. Whilst there, I was asked by my mother to visit and photograph a plaque commemorating my father. She had placed it by a small tree down by the River Mourne (part of the farm), and it really is the most delightfully peaceful place you could wish for.
Sunday morning, and it's time to move on. We took the main roads to Enniskillin, and had a drive around Lough Erne. The road passes by the Cliffs of Magho, which are actually inland from the lough, behind me as I took the photo.
At the entrance to Lough Erne sits Belleek, a town famous for its pottery. The visitor centre is magnificent (and the shop very expensive!). There were guided tours, but we just looked around the museum and bought a set of steak knives and forks in the sale!
Our stop for the night is at the Termon Complex in Pettigo. During the season it can get rammed with motorhomes, but tonight we seem to be Billy Nomates... E17 for the night with ECU (electric hookup), showers, toilets etc.
Pettigo itself is a proper border town, as the river running through the middle is the border between Donegal and Fermanagh. The NI bit is called Tullyhommon, but known locally as High Street (because.....it is on the hill on the way out). As can only happen in Ireland, the last building as you leave Donegal is a pub called....Britton's!
The town has a history. During the Famine the maize brought in from America by Trevelyan was milled here, and found to be of animal feed quality. More recently it was infamous as a smuggling area, but nowadays the effect of Beeching's railway cuts, and the closure of several roads and passes during the troubles, mean it is slightly run down now (apart from this complex).
On Monday night Storm Helene is due to hit this area, with the forecast of 60mph gusts. Hence, we are not on the coast, and quite sheltered here. We'll see what tomorrow brings, and may stay another night.
In between showers we caught glimpses of the dramatic coastline, such as this, called Bloody Foreland. The area is extensively farmed for peat, and some of the houses already had their fires going. The aroma is unmistakable.
Despite health problems Stewart and Georgie are doing well, and were very accommodating - even taking us out for a meal. Whilst there, I was asked by my mother to visit and photograph a plaque commemorating my father. She had placed it by a small tree down by the River Mourne (part of the farm), and it really is the most delightfully peaceful place you could wish for.
Sunday morning, and it's time to move on. We took the main roads to Enniskillin, and had a drive around Lough Erne. The road passes by the Cliffs of Magho, which are actually inland from the lough, behind me as I took the photo.
At the entrance to Lough Erne sits Belleek, a town famous for its pottery. The visitor centre is magnificent (and the shop very expensive!). There were guided tours, but we just looked around the museum and bought a set of steak knives and forks in the sale!
Our stop for the night is at the Termon Complex in Pettigo. During the season it can get rammed with motorhomes, but tonight we seem to be Billy Nomates... E17 for the night with ECU (electric hookup), showers, toilets etc.
Pettigo itself is a proper border town, as the river running through the middle is the border between Donegal and Fermanagh. The NI bit is called Tullyhommon, but known locally as High Street (because.....it is on the hill on the way out). As can only happen in Ireland, the last building as you leave Donegal is a pub called....Britton's!
The town has a history. During the Famine the maize brought in from America by Trevelyan was milled here, and found to be of animal feed quality. More recently it was infamous as a smuggling area, but nowadays the effect of Beeching's railway cuts, and the closure of several roads and passes during the troubles, mean it is slightly run down now (apart from this complex).
On Monday night Storm Helene is due to hit this area, with the forecast of 60mph gusts. Hence, we are not on the coast, and quite sheltered here. We'll see what tomorrow brings, and may stay another night.
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