Time for a little time travel.
My previous post focused on my 2nd surgery on this trip, but that happened in the future (now the past, confusing, huh?), compared to my blog dates.
I have been behind on my blogs, and one of the reasons was that I had very little to no internet at most of the campgrounds that I was at, and couldn't blog. The other reason was the surgeries. I am just now, able to start seeing well enough (almost) to sit down for short periods of time at my computer without too much eyestrain or migraines starting from the strain, and getting back to work on writing and editing the photos for the blog. So, please bear with me while I heal (don't get bare with me, that would be inappropriate š ), the blogs will be coming, even if they are staggered.
So, even though this blog is being written after my 3rd (and hopefully last) surgery (and therefore in the future), it carries on my journey in the very recent past.
Welcome to time travel :-).
Wednesday 24th July ā19.
Last night I arrived in Doolin, I have been looking very forward to being back here for 4 years now. I'm not sure what it is that draws me back, but it's most probably a combination of a number of things.
The raw power of the ocean smashing against the shore, the rocks and cliffs, and the height, beauty and sheer majesty of the Cliffs of Moher bring visions of longboats and raiding vikings swooping in off the tempestuous oceans to raid and pillage (yes, yes, I know the vikings invaded the East Coast, but I can imagine, can't I?).
After setting up at my campsight at Nagles Camping & Caravan Park (I highly recommend them if you're visiting the area), one of the first things I did was hop on my bicycle and head over to O'Connors pub and then keep on going right past them instead of stopping in. Now, please don't get me wrong, I really, really, really wanted to try a Guinness at O'Connors Pub on the famed Fisher Street, but I also wanted to fly my drone. And based on my training with the FAA (I am a licensed UAV Pilot in the USA), I am not allowed to operate a drone for 8 hours after drinking any alcoholic beverages, whether inebriated or not (I'm not sure what the Irish UAV laws are pertaining to alcohol, but I'd rather err on the side of caution). So, I decided to forgo on the moustache foam, the nectar of the gods, the holy amber stuff, the liquid bread, the local mother's milk also known as Guinness. After all, I could have Guinness another time, I couldn't necessarily fly my drone here any other time (really glad I chose this route, because the conditions for flying were perfect that evening, and were horrible the next day). My only regret, is that I didn't at least stop in to the pub to explore the inside and absorb the vibe and soak in the ambiance, and maybe grab a few quick photos. Oh well, I guess that will have to wait for another time. Because I do plan on visiting again. Sometime in the future (near future hopefully).
After flying and photographing at Doolin Town, I hopped back on my bicycle and headed back to Doolin Pier to get some late-sunset photos. I got to meet quite a number of very nice people from quite a few different countries, who were enamored with both my drone, and my cycling campaign. I met people from Germany, England, Holland and yes, believe it or not, some local Irish people as well. They watched me fly my drone, blown away by my eye-in-the-sky as I like to call it.
Most of them took my website info, so if any of you are reading this blog right now, please give me shout out in the comments (and just in case no-one does, I hope it's just because they're shy š ).
There is a small Island 500m off Doolin Pier called Crab Island. It is uninhabited and contains the remains of a constabulary hut of the 1830's.
It's amazing how it can be both invigorating and calming, all at the same time, watching the golden sun set over a beautiful green-blue ocean, with white frothy waves cascading on to the rough grey rocky shore. Unfortunately, I was so focused on flying my drone and photographing, that I missed out on the calming part :-). But, at least I got some images that I love, and looking back at them now, I can enjoy the calm vicariously.
Stay tuned for my next blog, which will detail more of my travels in Doolin itself, including my adventures on the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher.
See you all around on the next road.
These photographs are stunning Boruch. I can’t wait to see the Cliffs of Moher from the “Eye in the sky”
Hi Dr. Cummings,
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, due to UAV prohibitions at the Cliffs of Moher, it is illegal to fly near the cliffs. I do have some other aerial images of the Cliffs of Moher from much further away though and of course quite a few from above the Cliffs and from below. Those will be showcased in the next blog :-).
Just beautiful as usual.
Glad to see you are back to good health.
Thanks so much Jim, Definitely getting back to health, slowly but surely.
How is your drone flying going?