Spring 2023

Horn Head drive, Fanad Head Lighthouse then Portsalon - 18 May 2023

18 May 2023 - Horn Head drive (!)/ Fanad Lighthouse and Portsalon - Donegal

On our own again last night - but might be a reason for that! It was only when I came back from a walk this morning, that I saw a sign - right behind us. Park4night had lots of comments about people staying there, not just one night but two - and we hadn’t seen any huge signs saying no motorhomes allowed…

Red wine did Tintin in again last night - so more plink, plink fizz this morning 🙁 Meanwhile, I got up at 6am to go deer hunting! The nature trail was 2km, so off I went with camera and binoculars. Didn’t have high hopes as the path was gravel, so scrunched along! No creeping up!

My Merlin app said there were blackcap, willow warbler, Siskin, gold crest, plus I actually saw a cuckoo.

No deer, but the sky looked very pretty, and was nice to be out and about earlier for a change.

My turn to drive. In the end, was for quite a few hours - and I may have been a bit anxious for some of it!

Little R roads cross country back to the WAW. Went past the Bridge of Tears - where families said goodbye to each other during the potato famine, with the younger more able generation leaving for America or UK. Seemed very remote.

First stop after an hour or so was Horn Head. It was only about 5 miles of narrow, single lane road - luckily with very little traffic. Would I suggest it’s a good idea with a big motorhome - probably not - doable - yes!

We walked up to the WWII lookout shelter - it was like being back in winter 🥶

Onto the wiggly signpost - someone has been busy doing donuts - close to the edge too!

The road was steep both ways, never good going around corners when you don’t know what you might meet. I may have muttered that that’s the last small peninsula I drive Dave around!

Onwards! Photos only from the Doe Castle view, and then the Island Roy view - with a photo of Donegal’s longest bridge!

Missed out another peninsula (!) - and drove up towards the Fanad Head lighthouse, which is a signature discovery point.

By now it was lunchtime, and also raining. To be honest, we were a bit underwhelmed by the lighthouse. From a quick Google, think you had to book tours at €10 each. We had enjoyed Mizen Head, so gave it a miss.

By 14.00 we were at Portsalon, and haven’t moved since. We left Glenveagh 5 hours earlier!

Went for a bit of a walk, but then it rained again, so back to Dave for some consolation chocolate cookies and a cuppa!

I’d kept looking at the tide rising, and thought I ought to go for a swim. However, Google being my friend said the sea temperature was between 7-9° - chilly! By 17.00 I couldn’t resist, and had a 5 minute swim - was actually better than the other day.

Tintin took Dean up for a look around.

It’s been a bit of a non-event day - so to make his day - Tintin and I went to the pub just behind us. I quite fancied not cooking - sadly - not to be, not open for food until tomorrow night. This holidaying out of season has its pros and cons!