Lahinch Re-do

 

Town of Lahinch, along the Atlantic

20-some years ago I was part of a group of Cherokee CC golfers off to check off some of the world's best courses on a to-do list.  Lahinch GC was part of the pkg.  The little town of Lahinch sits up against the Atlantic and is within long distance vision (now shot to hell) of seeing the Cliffs of Mohr.  The weather coming off the Atlantic is, uh, ever changing.  Our round featured sun, clouds, wind, fog and rain.  Not just rain, but raining sideways.  The photo above, taken from the deck of the golf club, is proof that it is possible to play a round in the warm sun.  My faith restored.

So this was my first experience with the local bus which meanders through small towns from Ennis (about 1/2 hour away) to Galway (1+ hour). Caught the bus outside of Pot Dugan's pub.   Lahinch is a mere 4 (whatever that mileage is) away and there is, in fact a walking path between the 2 towns.  

I was deposited within visual range of the golf course and the shore, where there are many surfers (yikes, cold) and people just enjoying the ocean.  Me - I'm going in search of a pub - can't exactly remember the name - where the group went for a beverage or 2 and friends Rog/Gayle Perkins made a trade of one Wisconsin license plate for the Irish Stew recipe.  Turns out there is only 1 pub with license plates, so Kenny's is the place.  Hey - now they have a beer garden.  The proof is here:

Is it rude to tip your soup bowl and slurp the last of an outstanding serving of seafood chowder?  Do I know anyone here?  

Sean (of course that's his name) at Kenny Woolen Mills suggested that I purchase as much as I want and they will ship (saving suitcase room and VAT tax) via Fed Ex and will hold until the end of the month on the off chance I might want to add to the stack.  Rose: when you arrive you can add to my shipment as well.  

Walked down to the promenade and then over to the golf course deck to enjoy the sun, the view and a pint.

Let's talk about Bus Eireann.  

This isn't Germany where transportation is OCD on time.  As a matter of fact, the digital "next stop" reading on the bus indicates something like: Lahinch.  Around 3:30.  And they are infrequent to begin with.  Every couple of hours.  Or so.

So when I heard the opposite route bus driver tell a potential passenger to Ennistymon (like myself) that the bus had recently left Galway, I knew it was going to be WELL overdue.  Remember the walking path between Lahinch and Ennistimon.  Yup.  4(kilometers?) hilly "good stretch of the legs".  Fortunately, a beautiful day.  I most likely will not repeat that stunt.

zzzzzz.