Summer in Strandhill

A balmy 16*C. A six-hour summer in Strandhill. I loved it!

A skype date with Mum, a phone call to Agnes, a late breakfast, followed by an afternoon exploring Strandill & environs, was a welcomed rest from yesterday's travel. By Australian standards, the distance between towns was short, but the narrow, winding roads, many of which were screaming for a PIP, made for very slow progress!

Strandhill is a seaside resort, 8 kilometres from Sligo on the Knocknarea Peninsula. Strandhill is shadowed by Knocknarea Mountain to the east & borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It's a favoured destination with surfing enthusiasts. The beach breaks have been poor the past two days.

Sligo, capital of the north west region of Ireland, is home to a population of 19 000. Supposedly a thriving commercial port, but we noted the closure of many businesses. Sadly, too many empty shop fronts displaying For Lease or For Sale signs. We raided the Bank of Ireland before it sold, Phil injected some money into the ailing economy with the purchase of a waterproof jacket & we left.

a sign of the times

Drumcliffe is W B Yeats country, that is, William Butler, poet & playwright extraordinaire! He was interred in the graveyard at St Columba's Church of Ireland in 1939.

British Royalty shares Mullaghmore's heritage, most notably, the late Lord Mountbatten who was assassinated there in 1979. At the time he was holidaying at Cassiebawn, the family castle on the outskirts of Mullaghmore.

There are many archaeological discoveries & monuments in the area, but we are ad & m saturated. Hopefully by the time we return to Wales these will again be added to our daily sightseeing program & met with due enthusiasm.

view from room 208

We have been staying at the Strandhill Lodge. On arrival we were given an upgrade to a deluxe double with ocean views. Lovely! Delighted! Grateful! However, I have a problem. A brain workout is required each time we enter the lift. To go to room 208 requires us to enter the lift on the ground floor. This is level 0. Nothing unusual about that! Press for level 1 and exit level 1 for room 208! I hope this number system isn't applied when we settle our account tomorrow morning!