Another beautiful day, what is going on!
Also a lie in today as we’re not departing until 09:30!
We are visiting two very different towns today –
Clonakilty and Kinsale.
Clonakilty, or Clon as the locals refer to it, is our
first port of call and is only fifteen minutes from Rosscarbery, although by
the time I stop it has taken half an hour!!
For the first time this week I am using my sat nav and as
I approach the centre of Clonakilty I decide to ignore the thing! It has got me
into trouble before and I follow my nose (I haven’t been here before). Wrong!
As I reach the centre of town I am confronted with a one
way system that the sat nav was obviously directing me around. I can’t turn
left so turn right back out towards the ring road. This is a bit of a blessing
in disguise as we drive through the pretty Georgian Emmets Square with its
Michael Collins statue and the house he lived in.
Michael Collins is a national hero and was the IRA leader
during the civil war of 1916 – 1923. He was sadly assinated in 1922 and there
is a film of his life starring George Clooney.
So we drive out to the ring road, which is not far away
as it is only a small town, and I take the next turning into the centre which
takes me to the correct road and the bus stop outside of O’Donovan’s Hotel
where I want to drop the passengers. Due to an inconsiderate car parked I
cannot get on the bus stop so return via Mr Collins to the ring road and try to
come in from the other side of town. This works well because as soon as we turn
in towards the centre I come across two coach parking bays which is just what I
want. I had asked Jamie on the Bantry day about coming here and he just said
drop off on one of the many bus stops
but there are not a lot of bus stops and these coach bays are perfect.
It is only a short walk to the centre along the one road so nobody should be
getting lost.
I walk up to the nearby tourist office for some
information on Clonakilty and to buy a map but they open all week except
Thursdays! A bit like the old days at home with an early closing day, something
we still do in our office on a Thursday!
I have a stroll about and like the town that is mainly
just the one street and Emmets Square. Some of the group aren’t impressed but I
think it is a typical Irish town with the one main street that is very
colourful and a little old fashioned. Nothing wrong in that.
While I’m here I have a call from my mate Chris who works
for Parry’s, probably the finest coach company in the country, certainly it has
the finest fleet. Chris makes me laugh and had heard of my troubles with the
buses so called me to see if I was okay. I am chuffed and cheered up at the
same time.
We are away from here at 11:00 for the drive to Kinsale.
And what a drive it is, it’s beautiful. The road runs through pretty villages
and glorious countryside and when it is alongside the sea and the golden
beaches it is truly awe inspiring. If
Ireland could guarantee sun it would have the tourist trade sewn up.
Kinsale is a very popular town and today in the sun you
can see why. It has a lovely harbour and a very colourful historic centre. I
can normally park in one of the two coach bays by the harbour and practically
in the centre but today there are two coaches and a minibus taking up all the
room. Bum!
I block the road to drop off the passengers and just as
the last are off the front minibus leaves giving me some space to park. I am
just about in the lay-by on the local bus stop but nobody seems to worry and I
speak to a local driver who says I am okay as I am. He has parked his coach
ahead of me half on the pavement and half on the road, straddling double yellow
lines!
I have a stroll about the old centre and it is lovely
with lots of pubs, cafes and small shops, all painted in their own colour. We
spend two and a half hours here and everyone enjoys it.
The journey back is the same way but even prettier in
parts where the tide has come in and some of the houses and bungalows we pass
are as stunning as they are immaculate.
It is only just over an hour back to the hotel and once I
have dropped off I go back in search of some fuel. Search isn’t really the
right description as there is a garage less than a mile away!
Back at the hotel there is a wedding going on and most of
the guests seem to be from Scotland so should be a lively evening!
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