14th - 19th October. Bowls break in Westport. Part 1.

Having left The Puzzler at the Round "O", we went to join our bus at the Forum, for a Bowls Break in Westport. Westport is on the West coast of Ireland, in County Mayo, so our route there took us down Glencar to Sligo, then South Westerly from there.

The clouds became quite impressive as we neared the Atlantic coast.

 We were all staying at the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport. All our bowling will be  in the Dome Suite, but there is also a swimming pool here, with sauna and jacuzzi too.

When not bowling or swimming we went out to explore the town. Carrowbeg River flows through Westport and is very picturesque.

We walked to Westport Quay, which is about two miles from the centre of town.The tide was out when we were there.

The lobster nets were piled up on the quay beside the fishing boats.

Across the bay we could see Croagh Patrick, which is 765 metres high. We met two people in the sauna at our hotel, who had just returned from climbing this mountain. They told us that it is quite difficult as the route to the top is over scree.

This crow did not mind our presence.

This hooded crow found a golf ball, and spent several minutes throwing it at stones to try and break it open. Eventually he accepted that it was not an egg!

The Greenway is a walking route along the former railway line, which skirts the south side of Westport.
The Greenway Insect Hotel was rather a contrast to our hotel! It seemed to be quite popular with its residents.

In places the path is cut through the solid rock.

Back at the other end of North Mall, the floral decorations on the bridge are still lovely, despite it being mid-October.

 As our room was at the far end of the hotel, our quickest way to bowls was outside, through the garden, where we often met this friendly cat.

We worked out that the floor area of our room at The Castlecourt Hotel was very similar to the whole floor area of The Puzzler!
Details of the bowls side of our Bowls Break will be seen soon in Part 2!