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I have been a busy little bee with Gina! I spent six nights in Cork with her and Adrian. On Sunday Gina and I ventured out to Blarney Castle...absolutely gorgeous there! I think I could easily live in a castle. Of course I had to kiss the Blarney Stone...apparently one of the '99 Things to do Before You Die'. I feel ever so much more eloquent in my speech. We walked around there and I loved every minute of it. Since coming overseas I have found a keen and budding interest in history. Ireland has so much history! There are crumbling buildings on every turn in the winding roads that each hold their own mystique.
On Monday we relaxed and prepared for our North American pancake night! We had a bunch of Adrian's fencing friends over for pancakes and played games! It was very fun!
Tuesday Gina and I hopped on thr bus to go to Kinsale. It was very rainy - but a misty, beautiful rain. Feels good on the lungs. Haha but not good on the feet - a word of advice: don't buy shoes with holes in the bottom. Your feet WILL get wet. D'oh. We made a lovely jaunt around the bay to Charles Fort, a star-shaped fort that was used to protect the bay, built in the 1600's. I never get tired of seeing these miraculous structures. Of course, we had to have fish and chips after! They taster 12x better than the ones in Alberta...guess we should stick to beef ;).
Later on I met up with the chivalrous Charlie! A true picture of Irish hospitality, he showed me some cool places in Cork. A great night indeed!
On Wednesday Gina and I departed on our week-long journey around Ireland! We rented a standard little car and have decided to brave 'southpaw' driving on the narrow, windy roads! Adventure is out there! In the words of Gina, 'I am fearless!'. We drove very slow from Cork to Killarney (only 80 km! On the map it looks so far!) and I'm pretty sure I saw my life flash before my eyes a couple times. But we made it! I even drove a teeny bit...but I'm not old enough here. Shh...
This was the prettiest day we've had so far! We went to Killarney national park to check out Mackcross House and Torc Waterfall (where Adrian proposed!) and hiked in the 'mountains'. So beautiful - everything is lush and green! We had a little extra time and took a jaunt over to the Mackcross Abbey - I loved it there because there was no one there monitoring your every move - secluded and a very beautiful site! The sad thing about many of the old buildings is that they are lacking in the roof department - the British government proposed a roof tax (way long ago) so people would remove the roofs of these buildings on their property so they wouldn't be taxed extra.
We tried to go to a cool local place for eats called 'Pay as You Please' where you pay what you feel the food is worth. But closed on Wednesdays. Major bummer. But - I do have something that may impress and shock you - we booked our hostels for every night - So our entire trip is organized! Haha usually I like to fly by the seat of my trousers...so it's a little weird.
Today we left Killarney around 10 to drive the Ring of Kerry. I almost got carsick but made sure to drink some carbonated beverages! We stopped at Ladies' View (where I bought my Claddagh ring!). The roads here are crazy. Sometimes we were driving on the main road where there were no road markings and only room for one car (in a two car lane) and you would have to pull over to let the other car through! A big truck came at us and we kinda side swiped overhanging bushes on the stonehedge. Haha I think we both got a cardiac workout today! Gina is quite a good driver though! We then stopped in Sneem, a quaint little town and set off to find Staigue Fort, a round fort thought to be built before Christianity arrived in Ireland. We found Loher Fort randomly - another round fort (right on the ocean!!!). I definitely did several little happy dances - 3rd time actually seeing the ocean!
We ventured off the beaten path into a more rural area on the west coast to do the Skellig Loop that had crazy road loops and steep hills, stopping at the cliffs of Kerry, overlooking Puffin Island - a breathtaking view! Constant reminders of God's beautiful mind! At this point we decided we were tired and decided to head straight to Dingle. I love seeing the green, hedged farmland with flocks of sheep scattered all over their hillsides! I even saw my first 'mountain' sheep today - they have long, shaggy wool!
So here we are in Dingle - exhausted, yet happy! Popped over to hear some live music at a pub down the street. Tomorrow we drive the Dingle Peninsula and stay in Ennis!
Til next time...Larae xx
- comments
Linda Pierson I'm enjoying your trip!
auntie char you are a faithful blogger; hence, we are all enjoying traveling with you and gina! thank you for that
Poppa Ken Great blog Larae, will save me a trip there. Check out the Gillespie tartan your great,great ,great grandfather Matthew Gillespie born in Ireland 1858 his parents were William and Mary don't know the name of the town yet still looking, do your homework, safe travels, God bless love you Poppa and Gramma and Layne.