Derroura Mountain Bike Trail, CONNEMARA

This is one of those fabulous places where you can do many things - you can go with your bikes, obviously, or you can just pack a picnic and go with the kids for a stroll, or you can take it more seriously and prepare yourself for a  whole day hike through the mountains. The track is 17 kilometers long and loops in a circle to  the parking lot where you started from. There are forest roads for the less experienced hikers or bikers and then there are the paths which are absolutely fantastic!! It is simply an amazing day out no matter how you go about it. 
     I really doubt that it is in any guides which is a shame because this is a fabulous place only a few kilometers out of Oughterard on the way to Clifden on N59. The little entrance is right opposite Lough Boffin. 
     And the views are absolutely spectacular!!

     The view from the top of the mountains is breathtaking above the sea of verdant pines. 

More photos from Derroura Thank you for the visit.

All comment welcome!!

And try Connemara in a dream. You won't be sorry!!

Victorian Walled Garden, KYLEMORE ABBEY

     I decided to separate the Victorian Garden photos from the Kylemore Abbey post simply because the garden really deserves a post of its own. An amazing place with astonishing history. And as amazing to look at as the abbey grounds themselves. Even a few hours are not enough to enjoy the pleasant ambiance of the garden.
     If you would like more detailed information just follow the links at the end of this post. 

click on the photos to enlarge and view

http://postcardsfromireland.blogspot.ie/2013/04/kylemore-abbey-connemara.html

http://www.kylemoreabbeytourism.ie/

http://www.kylemoreabbeytourism.ie/things-to-do-in-ireland/victorian-garden/

Climbing Mt.Diamond, Connemara National Park

If you have plans to go to Diamond hill and Connemara National Park, I have a tip: unless you love mingling among the crowds, make an effort to wake up early and be there, ready to start climbing, around 7 am at the latest. 

So, when you take off up that hill, it will be just you and the singing birds. The groups usually arrive about 10 am and if you come early enough, by then you will be back down and resting in the picnic area. 

I have been there twice, all those photos are taken with two different cameras and about a year apart. On my first visit the sky was overcast and there was a slow invasive drizzle. The second time the sky was blue, almost clear with fleeting clouds, but there was such a strong wind that I was afraid my little son was going to fly off the top of Diamond hill. I am not joking, I really mean it, I grabbed him tight and did not let him go until we climbed down the back of the mountain, where the wind subsided and was bearable.

Not thinking about the wind, the whole experience was simply wonderful, this is a great place for a walk and some good photography. So, here you go, have a quick look and enjoy!! 

thank you for the visit and hope you enjoyed the photos!!  

Did ever looked at my images from Cliffs of Moher

THE SHRUBBERY, Winter frost

Irish winters rarely have snow involved but a bit of frost is not out of the ordinary. 

Being out on a chilly winter day, can be quite fun. 

There are lots of photo opportunities when everything is frosted over. 

Thank you for the visit!

Try The Shrubbery in Spring   and Summer  

Or why not in autumn