Saturday 24 March Galley Head Lighthouse

I was up at 7am the sun is shining, although it is quite windy, Jennifer and Bernie were already up, so after coffee we went out for a walk to explore the area surrounding the lighthouse. We were surrounded on all sides by the sea. We walked on amazing springy grass, your feet bounced on it like walking on a trampoline, we discovered later that peat is underneath it, it's wonderful to walk on. Afterwards, having taken photos and done some videoing we went back for breakfast. Eggs, bacon and toast with fantastic spiced marmalade that we bought last night, never tried this before, it could be addictive. Later all but Nina (still asleep) went for another walk. We found the incredible gorge which has a cave (unreachable) at the base with water constantly dripping, and a blowhole through which the waves come in and splash up the sides of the gorge walls. It is surrounded by the springy grass. They all took photos and I took some vid. Rick called us from the edge of the nearby cliffs, he had found two seals. We all went to watch them, I managed to get some video of them bobbing around, they have such smiley little faces! Across the bay is a castle and a bright peach coloured cottage, sticking out vividly from the other stone cottages. The rock formations here are incredible and there is lots of green slate which is very pretty. We wandered back to the lighthouse and collected Nina and drove down to Inchy Donney (Itchy Donkey) beach where Nick knew a place to eat. The Dune hotel has lovely food and we all settled outside at tables as the sun was shining. After lunch I walked over to the beach to do some filming and watched three horse and two wheeled traps being raced around the beach, it looks great fun, like something Ben Hur drove. As we walked back up the steep hill we saw a man paragliding overhead. We set off in convoy to Bantry where Jenny wants to look at boats. Parked up by the harbour near some lovely old cottages that look Scottish in style. We stopped for coffee and home made cakes, then went for a wander around. We found a watermill and an old Catholic church with two rows of palm trees planted in the grounds. Not much else around, the tourist season does not start till Easter so even the tourist shop is closed. We headed back to the lighthouse via Ross Carbery, where we stopped for some more shopping. On arrival at Galley Head Judith was waiting for us, she is staying for dinner this evening. I was so full from lunch and cake that I didn't bother with dinner, instead I sat by the fire with a glass of wine and wrote up this diary, and phoned Andrew to see how he is and tell him about our day. It's lovely sitting outside watching the lighthouse beams while we chat. I can see five beams circling around. Later we all sat chatting and drinking wine or beer. Dave read 24th March out of The Book of Days all about Elizabeth 1st a really nice relaxing evening, so good to spend some time with Judith. She has invited us all for lunch on Monday. Shortly after Judith went I decided it was time for bed.