Before I get into this blog I just want each
and every one of you to watch the Australian Story titled Dear Emma which was
aired last week on the ABC (that’s the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation). When you have watched it
please ask all your friends and relatives to watch it as well. This woman has had a lasting impression on us
both after hearing her talk several years ago prior to the second Smiddy Ride I
did.
The website is http://www.abc.net.au/austory/dear-emma/9643708
The week began with a weather warning for
gales and rain, but quickly turned to overcast and showers before sunshine for
the last two days. How nice was that? Sometimes I really don’t know how my husband’s mind thinks!!!
Quickly turned to overcast my eye, I’m
sure I was getting wet and cold but certainly we were not put off by the
weather. I’m starting to think all the
places are turning on this rainy weather just so we can come back and visit
again.
From Killarney we did the Ring of Kerry
which is a loop around the coast and a trip to Dingle before we headed off to
Waterford via Cork, on to Waterford and then to Dublin.
The Ring of Kerry is well worth doing with
the first 20kms taking us 2.5hrs due to some photographers we had on board. I have no idea what
he is carrying on about. After
that it got a little better, and we eventually made it to a place out of Dingle
called Ballyferriter Village. As soon as
we arrived we decided we liked this place so much we would stay two nights. The accommodation was at Ceann Sibeal Hotel
with a very personable manager, and across the road was Murhpy’s Tigh Uí
Mhurchú - a fantastic chef and great bar staff. Both nights we were
there, we walked out full of good food and Guinness.
On the second day in the area it was wet and
windy. See! In the afternoon we drove round the
Atlantic coast getting buffeted by the winds.
The sheep were having their wool visibly blown around, a gull got blown
backwards on a wall, the car was rocking when we were stopped (and no nothing
was happening in the car), and to top it off I got out to see what was below
the road and lost my prized Wolf Blass beanie (now somewhere in the Atlantic). It was hilarious, one
minute it was on his head the next it is sailing through the air on route to
the ocean. That’s two things I
have lost due to misadventure on this trip, the other being my sun glass from
the top of Victory Tower in Berlin. I
wonder what else I can lose and where? It won’t be me, even though he would like that to happen when
photo stops are requested.
On the way out of Ballyferriter Village we
visited the Waterworld Dive Centre and met some very knowledgeable owners of
the dive centre with at least three generations of divers. If only we had discovered them earlier, this
place looks like a good place to dive.
The surfing is supposed to be good as well, but the seas were a little
flat on this day. Next it was on to Finn
Mac Cool’s Seat and then on to Macroom.
The accommodation we had book at the pub over beers we later discovered
had some recent poor reviews, so we were a little sceptical. Before unpacking the car, we checked out the
rooms and all was fine. Must have been
somebody with a gripe. Apparently a local who has no idea how lucky their lives are.
From Macroom we headed to Cork and on to
Waterford where we did a tour of the crystal place before heading up to Carlow.
Waterford
Crystal was lovely. It was excellent watching
pieces of crystal being made. Unfortunately,
too heavy to buy as I have the bag Police carrying on. The place we stayed in Carlow, avoid
at all costs unless you can sleep with noise.
The place we stayed was Charlotte’s Room. The noises went all night including alarms, people
and the hourly church bells. I have to say; the singing
was ok but the volume of the people singing at 4am, was reverberating through
the place. We didn’t see much
nice about Carlow so were happy to get out, even if we were all a little tired.
There was a
charming child trying to give a mouthful of lip to me, that didn’t quite go his
way. Oh well!
The final day in Ireland was spent
travelling to Dublin via Sally Gap where we passed many cyclists who were out
for a ride in the sunshine. I practiced taking photos with my iPhone with
the cyclists, must do more practice! When
we got to Dublin we went to see the Book of Kells at Trinity College followed
by a tour of the Guinness Factory, where I bought a new beanie, before heading
to our final hotel stay. The roof at Trinity College almost fell in but He who thinks
is boss, seemed to take it all in.
Tomorrow it’s off to the airport before
heading to Zurich for a week. We have
decided to spend the whole week in Zurich as we need a break from travelling. So, it is now today,
and I have asked that man to get sorted, absolute pain in the bum sometimes. Sometimes he is worse than the girls ever
were.
The constant driving has been enjoyable, but
we need a break with some home cooked meals.
I am sick of eating out every meal.
Not only is it expensive, you tend to eat more than you really should. From Mr MacBarnettstein! I too am sick of eating out.
Observations
of Ireland
This is another cyclists heaven, if you can
get good weather…
We needed four weeks instead of two, and
even then, we probably wouldn’t have seen everything, but we could have stayed
longer in places.
I like Guinness.
So that is us for this week!
It is goodbye from him and hugs
and kisses from me
The Bee’s on Safari
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