Winter Surf trip Bundoran

Perhaps a bit foolishly we ventured for a weekend away surfing in Bundoran, Co, Donegal. The trip kept on being postponed, and it ended up towards the end of November that we eventually went. Ah well at least it will be a weekend aways we thought as the rain and hail and snow greeted us on our drive up through Meath, Cavan and Fermanagh. A cosy hostelry for our dinner and to ponder the folly of our endeavour with the usual messing and joking, we awoke to a crisp frosty morning, again dubious about attempting surfing. Nevertheless the surfing went ahead, dressed up in a burka-esque wetsuit and booties and gloves and cap, we entered the waters in Rossnowlagh. As ever the suit did the trick and we have a laugh. Returning to shore the cold did hit you, but a hot chocolate and bickie soothed it somewhat. An evening watching the all-blacks robust tackling and revenge on Ireland for beating them in Chicago, and a evenings craic was nice.

Iceland

Well a trip to Iceland was something which I always wanted to do. I alway wanted to see the weird landscape and in preparation for the trip my checklist of things to do and I attained them and much more. The land of fire and ice, I would add waterfalls and roundabouts. Hiring a car is a must and dealing with some quirks of driving in Iceland takes a bit of getting used to but is easy enough, many of the main things to see and do are within a day trip of Reykjavik, the golden circle, with Geysir, gullfoss and much more is a must, the blue lagoon, where the 2 continental plates meet, the waterfalls, volcanic sites, and glacier on a southern drive is amazing, another route we took was north west and round the fjords which is amazing. For me the highlights were the geysir, walking behind a waterfall, and walking on glacier.
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Surf trip to Westport

Went for a surf trip with my comrades Ivan and Lee, after attempting surftrips to Lahinch, Bundoran, and Strandhill, for a change we choose Westport, and surfing in Carrownsky, Louisburg, Co. Mayo. Was my first time in Westport which is nice quite touristy but a lot to do and places to go. We stayed in Westport Harbour a brisk walk for 15mins into Westport. The self catering appartment, was nice and clean, and nice living room, where we were able to watch the rugby (New Zealand v Wales and South Africa v Ireland), and soccer (European championships) We had booked surf lessons with www.surfmayo.com about a 30min drive west from Westport Harbour, and a little bit beyond Louisburg. The conditions were mixed for both days we booked, the instructor was very good, and the boards were excellent. Saturday we were lucky to be the only ones so a lot of personal instruction and Sunday was busy and we had a lot of waves which was tiring somewhat but still great fun.

Ski Amade, Salzburg Skiwelt 2016

Again this year I went skiing with the guys on the specker trip to Ski Amade, Salzburg Skiwelt, in Austria. It is a massive resort and a good variety of runs etc., testing enough for the likes of me. The weather was a bit better than last year there was two sunny days one very cold and one very snowy day, and two ok days. The last 3 days I found skiing totally different than the previous day (for ice, to powdery snow to slushy). I found the lift people very helpful and considerate to the guides and VI skiers and most other skiers were understanding and very interested.

The resort was full of dutch people? apparently one of the weeks of the dutch mid-term, and the dutch downhill championship was on this week. Dutch Skiing Championships!!!!! for a country without a mountain I hear you say. Maybe we should have the Irish championships there next year;). The gang was the usual faces a good gang, and good craic was had, a couple of nights of sing songs, and other nights of cards, and the usual cabal who practice the dark art of “Shot Dice” a mystery to me, we all found ways to have a laugh and fun. Skiing with Mick my Phibsboro Chess Club colleague (who got me involved with this gang originally) was good fun but for someone unfit like myself the former para-olympian left me wrecked after a week of trying to keep ahead of him. My Skiing is not improving, but my enjoyment of it, and this trip each year seems to grow. The guys in the Hotel Post, and from Siegi Tours treated us well and I would highly recommend them and many thanks to Dave and Eileen and Pete and Eveyln and Caroline and Peter and Windy for their organising etc.(sorry if i left anyone out). I hope to go again next year, my skiing is not improving, but my enjoyment of it, and this trip each year seems to grow.