Galway and Inishmore

Just got back from the long weekend in Ireland. The scenery is beautiful, but it's WET. Unfortunately I landed during the worst weekend they've had in a while. Not that rain is unusual in this part of the world. When I asked a barman in a pub on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, if they were accustomed to this sort of weather, his reply was, "It's Ireland, mate!" This past weekend, however, was especially bad, even for the locals. Didn't ruin my stay, though. Galway is a quaint town, though it is growing. Went down to the city on Friday and did some souvenir shopping. Got dinner at a pub called The King's Head. As the story goes an English colonel took over the building during the English occupation, and it is believed he was the executioner of Charles I (which he revealed during a drunken conversation with the bar's owner), thus the pub's name. Excellent fish and chips, and the best pint of Guinness I've had since arriving in the UK. Took a ferry to Inishmore on Saturday, rented a bike, and rode as far out as I could get before getting dumped on. Quickly located the nearest pub, and decided to wait out the rain. Two cups of coffee, a salad, and a coke later no such luck. Apparently the rain doesn't let up in Ireland. It just gets worse. Got soaked head to toe and when I finally made it back to Galway, after a stomach-turning ferry ride through Gale Force 5 winds (according to one of the crew), left my shoes on the window sill to air out. Unfortuantely it decided to rain this morning, so no luck drying them out. Just managed to give them a bath. Back in England today. Beautiful weather. Perfect temperature. It's a nice switch from the rain and wind. Took some lovely pictures in Galway and on Inishmore, a rural landscape with plenty of rocks, hills, quaint cottages, and livestock, though I didn't see one single sheep, much to my disappointment. Hopefully I'll be able to get them up soon.