Slight Detour: From the Aran Isle of Inis Mor

When the crew mate started handing out plastic bags, we knew the waters were rough. Bill and I were sitting in the second row from the front of our ferry to the Aran Island of Inishmor.

Second row from the front is not the ideal place to sit when the ocean waters hammer the boat with force enough for whiplash. When we encountered one such nasty slap like that, plastic-bag distribution increased tenfold.

Thankfully, I never had to use my bag, nor did Bill. We did, however, keep a tight hold on the metal seat arms.

A lady about three rows behind us across the aisle, used her bag and looked pretty peaked for the rest of the 45-mile ride to the island. Several of a touring group of middle-school-aged students behind us lost their breakfasts too.

We made it to the island where much of the movie “Leap Year” was filmed, without incident but determined that on the ride back today, we’ll sit closer to the middle of the boat.

Gusty winds are blowing continuously here on the island, still pretty forceful this morning.

In fact, they blow with such gusto that our hats soon remained stuffed inside our coats to avoid chasing them halfway across the land or maybe even to the ocean.

And, when we went to visit the ruins of an ancient fortress up on a hillside, looking over the Atlantic, we did not step too close to the edge for fear of being blown over.

Before taking a tour-van ride with John Muran, a jovial, red-headed farmer who’s lived here all his life, we walked our suitcases (in some cases the wind blew them) 700 meters from the ferry to our ecopod accommodations.

Michael Mullins, who owns a large percentage of the village (bicycle rentals, the Aran Islands sweater shop, the grocery store, et. al., built the glamping area next to his home a year or so ago.

So, we’re staying in a basically brand new pod, one of several neatly lined up facing the ocean.

The units are basic with a nice bathroom, a regular bed, two pullouts, refrigerator, microwave, table and chairs and a few traveling conveniences like coffee maker. Patricia, a delightful lady who came to the island in 2000 from Portugal, manages the place.

We also have spent time visiting with Dario, a Swiss college student who attends the university in Bern.

Because Dario is an English literature major, he is expected to spend three months working in an English speaking country. So, he’s here, working for free and helping with cleaning and maintenance.

We also met a friendly and lovely dog which seems to have lost its owner. Dario said it showed up a couple of days ago, and it’s desperate to make friends with someone.

My heart breaks for the pup because we all know how important dogs’ best friends are.

Our accommodation has been quite adequate, although I will say that when darkness came and we could see lights out across the ocean, it was bed time for us.

Not a lot to do, although I worked with my photos while Bill read one page of his book, started snoring, then got up and walked around checking all the electrical switches in the place.

Boy Scouts like to “be prepared,” and when they have a new campsite to investigate, it’s like watching a kid in a candy store.

We did have to ask Dario to come to our pod and tutor us a bit on how to work the heater. Once that was done, we spent a toasty, comfy night here next to the ocean where a couple of boats look like permanent fixtures a ways away from the shore.

Bill suggested that they’re there for ambience.

Today we’ll probably do some more walking or riding around the island. I might just fork out a Euro or two for a horse-drawn cart ride. And, we may let loose with some more cash at the woolen and gift shops.

This place, in comparison to our visit on a very rainy day last summer, has all but buttoned up for the heavy tourist season. Very little sign of the hustle bustle we saw last year with bikes, carriages and vans headed this way and that.

When we walked home from dining at Joe Watty’s Bar last night which was filled with more locals than travelers, we felt a bit like we were the only people on the island.

Twas a nice feeling. Only one other couple is staying here at the glamp site. We have not met them, but they’re staying right next door. This experience of glamping has been okay, although social me would prefer a bit more human contact.

With luck, the wi-fi at the reception building will be working this morning, and I’ll actually get to post this morning’s thoughts.

This afternoon, we’ll climb aboard that ferry again, and later point our car toward Clifden, which, like a few other places here in Ireland, is beginning to feel like home.

Home will come soon enough and will be very welcome, but the yearning to be back at the Lovestead will take second place to the adventures yet to come in our beloved Irish homeland.

Happy Monday. Enjoy the photos of this island off the west coast of Ireland with a charm and history all its own.