Inishbofin (derived from the Irish Inis Bó Finne meaning 'Island of the White Cow') is a small island off the coast of Connemara, County Galway, Ireland.
Inishbofin has around 180 inhabitants and is a tourist destination.
~~~~
It's island hopping time on our visit to Ireland. Yesterday we visited Inishbofin for the first time; today we'll go to Inis Mor where we'll stay the night in an ecopod not far from the Atlantic shoreline.
Our trip by ferry to Inisbofin took half an hour each way. During the five hours we spent on the island, the sun never stopped shining, and breezes varied in degree. My hat did blow off once, but at least I didn't have to chase it.
That could happen today when we go to Inis Mor. One year when we departed from the ferry with our suitcases and began the half mile walk to the ecopods, we didn't need to pull our suitcases. The wind took care of that.
No suitcases this time, just packs with the bare essentials. Sue, here at Sharamore, graciously allows us to leave our luggage overnight.
Yesterday's island adventure involved walking as far as possible, with the last hour or so spent enjoying lunch followed by an unexpected bonus.
The day was certainly dominated by our never-ending passion for Border Collies. A couple from Dublin brought their two collies on the ferry, and we crossed paths with them several times, even at lunch.
At one point along our walk, we passed by an area rich with bird life, including some beautiful white swans.
A nice gentleman who lives in the neighborhood was stationed by the roadside, observing various species of birds, including pink-footed geese and a curlew.
He generously offered us a chance to peek through his spotting scope to see the curlew out in the marsh.
Once again, we saw our Border Collie friends and learned that the dogs were having the time of their lives, with Molly, the younger, yearning to get out there in the many pastures filled with sheep.
Later, at lunch, both peeps and dogs, were treated to a display of old Ireland sheep activity at its best. Some local sheep, bound for the cargo ferry, came past the restaurant, some in a trailer, some simply marching down the road toward the boat.
The owner of the ATV pulling the trailer had his hard-working assistant named ACE along for the trip to the ferry.
Soon after that came the flock, first trotting along single file, then grouping up as they turned toward the boat. An older gentleman with a dog named Ben on leash accompanied the loose sheep.
Meanwhile, at the restaurant, the diners and dogs left their tables to watch the action. The scene couldn't have been better scripted as sheep and dog activity near the boat kept the audience in awe.
For the sheep to get aboard the boat, a couple of vehicles needed to move out of the way. That set off the sheep. Off they trotted AWAY from the boat and up a hillside.
Spectators scattered, some eventually forming a ring to block the flock from going different directions. All dogs displayed their inherent need to do their work, but owners, with commands or leashes, kept them under control.
Eventually, the flock headed back toward the boat and walked aboard.
Talk about a grand finale for an island visit! We loved it.
Some beautiful pastoral scenery surrounded on all sides by the endless water of the Atlantic ocean.
And, more to come today as we revisit one of our favorite stops in Ireland.
Chances of a blog posting tomorrow are very slim, since we'll have very little electronic access to the outside world. So, if "Slight Detour" takes a day off, you'll know why. Be back, for sure, on Friday.
Happy Wednesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment