Friday 19 August: Manorhamilton to Belfast

We headed north-west from Manorhamilton towards Donegal, lured by the promise of the best scenery in Ireland.

The roads in this part of the country are generally a lot better than we had seen in the south, with nice wide carriageways and wide shoulders. Some of the drivers would even move to the left to allow following traffic to pass. (Sadly this was not a common occurrence).

We skirted around Donegal, heading west towards Killybegs, then on to Carrick and Teelin. At Teelin we turned onto a very narrow, twisting, steep road which wound up towards the Slieve Leaugue mountains and sea cliffs. This was probably the worst road we have seen to date, and the weather closed in making it a very difficult drive. Not at all relaxing.

The sea cliffs are spectacular, and the sun actually broke through for a few minutes allowing a couple of reasonable pictures. Then it was back along the goat track to civilisation.

From Donegal to Belfast it's possible to go north through Omagh and Cookstown, or south through Lurgan. We chose the north route, as that would get us in to the "right" side of Belfast for our accommodation at Carrickfergus.

Our B&B is Beechcroft Farm - a much older place, but with a good sized room (at the top of a steep, narrow staircase) and an excellent shower. But probably the worst bed we have experienced to date.