Ireland -part two

We left Doolin and headed south stopping off in Ennistymon and Lahinch on the way. We drove along the coast but eventually arrived, in the mizzle, in Carrigaholt. It was the annual festival but it was pouring by the time we found a place to put the van so we decided against joining in. Late afternoon the weather eased a bit and we walked into town and had a lovely Sunday meal at the pub, not only did we know it was local lamb but the blackboard in the pub told you exactly where it came from. Good wholesome food and served with a massive bowl of steaming hot mashed potato!! Our “camp” for the night was near the derelict castle. 

The next day Chris needed the doctor for his painkillers for his knee and we thought we might have to drive to Kilkee about 15 miles away. We went to the Post Office first and the guy there said no problem the Doctor is here today. Interesting postie, playing opera at 9.30 am on loud speakers in the square!! After the trip to the docs I drove , on a single track road, to Kilbaha for coffee and then on to the lighthouse at Loop Head. Good place, fabulous views and a very nice guide, we had lunch in the van and then set off to drive up the other coast and back to Kilkee. Originally we planned to stay in Clare but when we got to Killimer the ferry was due so we travelled the 30 minutes across to Tarbert, Co Kerry.

Next stop New York mate!

We decided Listowel was our limit and found a car park near the river where we could park undisturbed. We walked along the river and into town, past the impressive, but closed, castle. We went into a pub in the town square. I’m not sure about Irish pubs, they are either touristy or the normal ones are not designed for comfort, have racing on TV –all the time-and are frequented mainly, but not exclusively, by men. I am not a prude but I do find the language of the Irish difficult, they clearly only got up to F in the dictionary and seem to punctuate every sentence with it.

Tuesday we headed for Killarney, and had a three day stay  on the edge of the National Park in Fossa. Our campsite was about 8k from town and there was an off road cycle track most of the way. Pitches were fine, free internet and the usual facilities all for 20 Euros a night. However for some reason the majority of Eirean campsites feel the need to charge separately for a shower, in this case 1.3 Euros. Not quite sure why as water is pretty plentiful here. You buy a token and it is timed for about 5 minutes, which is way too long for me as I have got used to showers in places with not much water and can have one is less than half that time. It is also a pain having to make sure you have tokens.

We cycled both days we were there , into town and then on to the Ross Castle area of the park. The weather was fabulous and the cycling pretty easy. However day one Chris got a puncture that we tried in vain to repair and he ended up going into town with my bike to buy a new inner tube. Meanwhile I had a fascinating tour of the castle, enhanced by the fact it was free, 1^st Wednesday of the month . On the second day we had a little tootle on the waterbus on the Lough, it gives a different perspective. Had a delicious lunch, at the Smokehouse, of seafood chowder for me and tuna melt on soda bread for Chris.

We are now at our final destination , which is Macroom west of Cork. I have my new debit card as the ATM swallowed it up on the Friday before we left home, with no chance of getting it replaced before I left. Thanks to Imogen and UPS we are reunited!!

We spent Friday and Saturday with Clare and Cormac and they have now gone off on holiday to Sicily. We have the pleasure of staying in their lovely house, and an acre of land with poly tunnel and veggie garden. It is peaceful, yet easy to get to Macroom or Cork. They have a dog, called Poppy and two cats Wilson and Orkay. Clare loves to cook so it is great to have a lovely organised kitchen for two weeks-the vegetable soup is in the fridge and I am making chutney today. 

We have some jobs to do on the van here, including getting it to a garage and I have some bits to sort inside. We hope to get to see some of the countryside and, of course, to look after the animals ;on our walk with Poppy the hedgerows are full with blackberries. I’m trying to work out whether I can get to Limerick to see a rugby game, Munster play at Thomond park, but not sussed out the logistics yet.

 This housesit is two weeks and then on 24^th September we have a ferry booked for Rosslare to Pembroke . I want to see Bath on route to the south coast where we will catch up with Chris’ family and friends Linda and Alan.

On the edge........

Not for people with vertigo........

Till next time

Take care

Norma xx