Eating my way through Ireland

Today didn't start off as the greatest of days, I have to admit.  I woke at 6.45 this morning and got up not long after that, got ready and went down and had breakfast which consisted of some fruit salad, a croissant (very nicely cooked) and an espresso.  Then I went back upstairs and skyped Todd for about half an hour.  Then I got in the car and started my drive for the day.  I once again drove the sky road, not intentionally, but I couldn't see any other 'direct road', so round I went again.  However, this time, it seemed to go for longer, and I seemed to notice more.  But I only noticed 'more' after I drove past the viewing point where my car nearly crashed into a wall all by itself yesterday.  I think adrenaline does funny things, and I must have been too panicked to notice much after that little incident.

It was raining, but first stop was the nearby Connemara National Park.  At first I just stopped to go to the loo, but then I looked at the information centre, and then I decided to do one of the short walks.  It is 'bog and peat' parkland so quite fascinating.  The rain was just 'misty' at this stage.

 

Next stop was Westport, and what a gorgeous little town this was.  I parked the car and had a good look around, grabbed a crappy coffee then threw the last half out.  There was a food and wine festival happening and there were food kiosks in the centre of town, so lunch was a sausage with onion and sauce in a wholemeal roll.

More flowers on bridges:

By this time it was raining quite a bit so I decided just to move on again.  The next towns were Castlebar, Foxford and Ballina, but because of the rain I didn't stop.  And a strange thing started happening, the car was beeping at me every few oh...20 seconds or so.  I wasn't sure what it was trying to tell me.  But it made me very nervous.

By the time I got to Sligo it was raining quite heavily.  I decided the best thing would be to go to a B&B and get checked in, but when I looked at the available B&Bs (with Discover Ireland I have pre-paid, but then I'm limited to 'their' B&Bs), one was 11ks out of town, the other, 27ks out of town.  So I turned the iPad Maps on and Maps thought the first B&B was in the middle of a lake (and given the written instructions I had, I wasn't sure if I could find it myself), and so I was limited to the other one.  Maps directed me somewhere, but where ever it was, the B&B wasn't there.  In fact the roads it took me on had me quite afraid.  Thankfully after I had stopped and started the car back in Sligo, the beeping had stopped so that was one consolation.  Anyway, I really was getting myself into quite a state, but thankfully I turned a corner, and I suddenly saw a sign to the B&B.  Phew!  

I got there, checked out the room (the owner had just turned on the heater in the room for someone else, but gave me that room anyway) and I said I would take it (as if I was going to go anywhere else at that point).

When I had stopped at Sligo, I got updated on the news from Australia that we now have a Coalition Government.  To say this distressed me too would be the understatement of the year (I could rant for pages as to why, but this isn't a political blog).  So after I settled into the room, I was chatting to Todd on Messenger and he told me to lighten the fuck up.  So I did!  Then we skyped again for a while and after I had rested for a bit decided I should wander out and get something to eat.

Now I'm not sure how I find these places, but at the B&B there was a folder with a few restaurant recommendations.  I decided I would try Cromleach Lodge (although it looked as though you might need to book).  It was just a k down the road (and it was still raining), I parked the car and found the restaurant.  It was still quite early, but it was clear the place was silver service, and soon as the people starting flocking in I realised I was well under-dressed.  But hell, no-one knows me here!  And the staff might think I'm a food critic (fat chance).

The maitre d' I should point out was drop-dead gorgeous, he had the most piercing blue eyes, and so when he made a comment about the weather, I got a bit confused and answered that I was quite enjoying it.  But I was really talking about looking at his gorgeous face.  I then muttered something about the first bit of rain since I've been here, in an attempt at a recovery.  But I digress, I ordered for starters, the Scallops with Parmesan and Sundried Tomato Risotto and a Lemon Aioli.  And for main; Turbot and Dublin Bay Prawn Tails with Samphire Timbal, Champagne Beurre Blanc and Salmon Roe. I also ordered a glass of Puna Snipe Sauvignon Blanc.

Well, I got given a Sweet Potato and Curry Amuse Bouche, and the breads they brought out (three types) were still warm, with a couple of spreads (an olive tapenade and a red pepper one too).   The amuse bouche came out in this gorgeous little but tall espresso type cup, and it was amazing.  So were the breads and spreads.  Then came the scallops, and whilst the scallops were brilliant, the risotto was just spectacular (Todd, the flavour reminded me of the one I make with tomato and feta - I must be doing something right.)   The main meal was excellent too, but I can't get past how good the entree was.

I looked at the dessert menu, then asked for more time to decide.  When the waitress came back I told her I wasn't going to have dessert.  At the time I thought I cold probably fit just a bit more in, but now, I'm so glad I didn't, I am still too full.