Drive Carefully, Castle Ahead

So when I was selecting photos from Ireland to share, I told myself I would not get honeymoon syndrome and post every little photo, regardless of quality, just because I was super happy about my time there. Apparently I was blatantly lying to myself. Okay, not really, but I really wanted to share the “Caution Drive Carefully Castle Ahead” sign, and I only saw it in the dark, and then I had to share the photo of the Burren Room window at night for you to understand my total shock and surprise when I looked outside the next morning. So I figured if I’m going to post two photos I might as well post a few more. Whoa, I’m getting ahead of myself here. Let’s rewind.

The day we left Dublin we rented a car, which we were both slightly nervous about. You know, driving on the opposite side of the road and all. Well, that and Tom kept telling me (he lived there, if you didn’t know!) that the roads were really small and that if a car was passing by sometimes you had to drive a little off the road so both cars could squeeze through, and that everyone drives really really fast. (This is absolutely 100% the truth. I’m glad I thought he was exaggerating though or I never wouldn’t have gotten in the car.) Tom was a natural. We only drove on the wrong side twice the whole time! Okay, so it took him a good day to get the hang of it and feel comfortable, but after that he was driving like a local. (Much to my dismay!)

This car actually was a dud, scarily enough. We reached maybe ten minutes down the road and it started shaking horribly while idle. We had to take it back and replace it, but I didn’t take a picture of the new car until the next day. The cross from Dublin the Clare was about four hours and mostly motorway, and we drove it mostly in the dark. I’m really glad too, or I probably wouldn’t have made it without a heart attack or two. (I have this terrible fear of heights and literally sometimes you’re right on the edge and there’s no railings or anything.)

   
   
   
We arrived late at The Moher Lodge and the lady of the house made us tea and sandwiches (minus the crusts) for us to enjoy in the lounge by the roaring fire. Another reason I’m glad we drove it in the dark is because my entire view of Ireland at this point had been Dublin and the city life. Which is beautiful and unique, don’t get me wrong, but Ireland’s countryside is really something else. Waking up in the morning was like being transported into a new world of wonder in a far away and magical land.