Fin Whale

What a fabulous day - just back from a blipmeet with TJ , Bat , CarolineL and Sailorwoman . The weather was incredible - sunshine, warmth (layers were removed) astonishing clarity; the landscape breath-taking, so many incredible blues; the flora and fauna bursting forth; the food delicious and the company mighty. We started off in Baltimore and sipped cappuccinos on the waterfront, watching the ferries head off to Sherkin Island and Cape Clear. We then walked to Lot's Wife , teetered on the edge of the cliffs and admired the profusion of wild flowers and watched the choughs and the gannets. We walked back into the village and had a delicious lunch at the Glebe, waiting for a cavalcade of vintage cars, mostly Citroens, to pass by. We then headed out to Spain, so called because Spanish sailors are buried there, and wandered amongst the ruined village. The sea was incredible - I'm not sure I've done it justice but there was an indigo line on the horizon then layers of pale blues and silvers. The horizon appears to have a dip in it! I've straightened it and still the dip remains. Anyway, we were just gasping at this when I spotted a WHALE!!!!! Really! It arched elegantly out of the water some way out and then came a little closer before heading out to that little island - we heard it gush and breath. The excitement was colossal! Sailorwoman identified it as a fin whale. The whale has just gone under in this image, but I did get a gannet.
We were intending to go on to Lough Hyne and take in a few holy wells but energies were flagging and we are now windswept, sunburnt, satisfied and in my case, still giddy. An excellent day.