WAR is peace

WAR IS PEACE

Well, I am here to attest this statement.

In August, after what seemed like forever, it was finally time for our holiday to Co. Mayo and more precisely Erris head. 

Storm Ellen did try her best to stop us, snapping down trees left right and centre the night before our departure. She made off with my hen house roof……which meant when I went to let out the hens, they were already wandering around the yard! 

I had to find a new place that was fox safe for them to live while I was away. Then I had to try to gather them and put them in - this was no mean feat. I felt like I was in a Laurel & Hardy film, chasing hens around the place…... no sooner would you get some in, then they’d escape again. EVENTUALLY they were all in. 

Ellen also kindly wiped out our electricity, phone lines and mobile phone lines. I didn’t get any reception for ages and then it was in and out.

The jeep was 90% packed the night before and just required a few finishing touches. Rusty was disgusted that he was not coming and was sitting in a huff in his bed.

The jeep was fully loaded and the boys were munching hay in the box. It was time. We were ready for road! I would have gone the back roads but because of the storm I decided to go the motorway. In Ballinasloe there was a tree covering half the road and I had to mount the footpath to get past it, so I think I made the right decision!! The motorway was hairy enough. The Galway one is windy at the best of times. I was glad I had the two to weigh me down. Having to travel the motorway added on a bit of time, but that was ok. I was about 20 mins behind Serena so she was able to tell me the roads I had to take because typical Ireland, the road signs were shocking. I wasn’t able to use my GPS for ages because of the phone signal being in and out so I used Ms Finnerty instead!

EVENTUALLY three and a half hours later we arrived. I didn’t actually stop once on route, so my legs needed a good ould stretch when we got there. The scenery was unreal though the whole way through Mayo. But from Belmullet onwards, it was just spectacular. Wild Atlantic Way we have arrived.

We had some much needed tea and biscuits. Then we went for an evening hack up around glorious Glosh, all the way up to the top of the hill. The winds were still fairly wild so the sea was magnificent and wavy, and in no way enticing!

Shiny happy people

Achill Island ahead

No words........

Serena; happy out

Snacks for Fred

Catherine’s friend was riding Fred for the hack and he was thoroughly enjoying himself! Absolutely raring to go and even showing a few gymnastic movements! Cu Chulainn was far better behaved, but very much enjoyed it too.

Once the horses were all settled and fed for the night, we set off to do the same for ourselves. I had planned on stopping on route in a shop, but that didn’t happen, so it was a burger and chips kinda night. We sat around and had the chats and some drinks for a while, but the tiredness soon caught up with everyone and one by one we hit the leaba.

Temporary home

Views from the house

Beautiful pic captured by Claire @wildatlanticlens

Twas wet lads

Hold on to your hats!!

From that weather to this!!

Day two didn’t start too early. Catherine and the girls were kind enough to feed the horses that were stabled, so we didn’t have to go over early. 

We had a short road trip to a beach further up the coast, as it was a very long and wide beach, perfect for a gallop. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t quite agree. The rain came sideways at us. It was the kind of rain that hurts you as it hits and where the horses swing their arse so that the wind is behind them. Fred and Cu Chulainn walked straight in to the water and enjoyed standing there drinking away, for some strange reason they love drinking salty sea water. I managed to get a short gallop away from the others, further up the beach. It was much needed, for both of us.

Of course, when we got back the sun came out and the weather vastly improved – always the way!! When we got back to the house myself and Ash took some pics down by the boats, opposite the house.

Saturday the horses had a day off. We went off sightseeing all around Erris head and stopped off in Belmullet for some snackage, a 99 in my case! Then we went for a hike around Erris Head loop walk. We left in gorgeous sunshine, although it was cool ( I looked like I was off-piste!) and returned in more grey weather. We were however, very lucky that it didn’t lash. There were many laughs on the hike; a few slips and one man who looked like he was proposing but was stuck in the mud! 

Fred needed a rest

Lemme out!!

Views for days

Disappearing Serena

Girls just wanna have fun

Saturday night was more vino and chats, with a bit of cake to mix it up! Fluffy jammies on and snackage galore.

On Sunday we did a bit of sightseeing closer to home; Blacksod itself. We read up on the local famine displays and on the more recent tragic history, the helicopter crash. There were some photoshoots on the beach, which were hilarious and prone to fits of giggles –the story of the weekend! 

Views.....

Rock the boat

World's End

Beach in the sun

Today it was time for a beach run. When I got down to the boys, they had acquired 2 girlfriends miraculously. Unfortunately this upset Cu Chulainn a bit when he was separated from them, so he was a bit of a handful. We were off to Glosh beach itself. The weather was fabulous. Glorious sunshine. We had a few proper gallops here for the people that wanted to and Cu Chulainn managed to get up to 6th gear! It was so much fun. Unfortunately, we said farewell to Serena, as she was working on Monday and herself and Sissco headed off into the sunset.

Ashling, Derv and myself returned to Glosh beach that night to get some epic sunset shots. The sun wasn’t quite as nice as it had been all day but it was still a gorgeous evening. 

That instagram life

Sunset at Glosh

And just like that it was Monday. Our departure day. But before that, it was time for one last beach trip. And what a trip it was. We went on an epic long hack that brought us around almost all the spots we had been to and then some more. The sun was splitting the rocks and the water was both tranquil and tropical looking. Our one last hurrah was definitely one to remember.

Fred chillin

Wild Atlantic Riders

Absolute views!!

Tropical waters

Once we returned, it was time to brush down the boys and load them up for the long journey home. One last look around to make sure I have everything and then it was the hard part, goodbye. 

This holiday was so badly needed. We were in a bubble the whole weekend, away from the pandemic and figures and lockdowns, just having the craic with our ponies and enjoying new sights and the sound of the sea. 

Wild Atlantic Rider (WAR) has one of the most serene and peaceful places as her arena. 

WAR is peace.

Hoofprints in my heart