Day trips

The last week has been a whirlwind of day trips using Lavender Lodge as our home base.  We have driven major parts of The Ring of Beara, The Ring of Kerry, and The Dingle Penninsula.  We have seen scenery that defied adjectives and “it’s just lovely” was really not adequate.  The sun has shined every day, maybe not all day but good portions of each and every one.  No more snow and the showers we experienced produced at least six rainbows.  This picture was taken at Torc Falls.  A beautiful place to hike and to see the scenery.

Car Trouble

There is one thing that is necessary to an itinerary that is based on day trips from a local base.  That is a car that actually works and that you can count on.  Our car, while adequate for our needs, would decide for no particular reason, to not allow Bob to shift into gear – no matter what.  Many times during our first couple of days we would just sit in the car until it decided to cooperate.  Thus, after a frustrating start to our touring, we decided to call it in and ask for a replacement.  Our car hire company was more than willing to help but they were in Cork which is a bit of a drive.  Knowing that two hours is often three here in Ireland, we were able to get the car in gear and make it to Kenmare town while we waited.  We walked the town, saw the Stone Circle and had tea, coffee and thanks to auto correct “cross ants” while we waited.  Some day I will write a story that is all auto correct just to see what I get.  Once the new car came we were able to head off for our day trip.  We had planned to do The Ring of Kerry but you need a full day to do that and it was now

Food for thought

John is now calling me the “cod queen” as I have ordered fish at every dinner and more often than not it was cod.  The fish is so lovely and fresh here by the sea how could you not order it.  Last evening I had monk fish and cockles!!! Had no idea what they were except as part of a childhood poem.  They are sweet and delicious and very much like a clam.  What a treat.  Have also had mussels which were fresh from the sea and they, too, were delicious.  I did order a filet of beef guaranteed to be Irish beef, but either I have lost my taste for beef or it didn’t live up to my expectations.  Thus, back to the cod!

At the beginning of the trip as I first was trying to find my bearings, I ordered things that came with chips.  French Fries.  Not a great staple of a heart healthy diet but a couple of times they were delicious.  Back to salad again and I am pleasantly surprised at the crisp lettuce and fresh vegetables that have been available.  Not a mushy pea in sight.

Exercise Enough

The weakness this past week has been in the exercise category.  It is hard to cover ground in a car and still find time to walk five miles.  I have done many smaller walks which have worked out to total about  five miles in a day just not all at once.  We walked along the river in Kenmare, up to the Roundfort at Bonane Valley, around the grounds at Muckross Castle and Ross Castle, through the gardens at Bantry House and hiked up the hill in Dingle.  It’s not the walking machine of a few weeks ago but it worked to give me about 20 miles overall and it got me outside which is what I really wanted.  I need birds and breezes and sunlight in my day to make it perfect.  Today we walked to a wonderful spot with an oratory and here I took a picture of John inside it.  Does that count as church?

Small World Story

Our good friend Woody Rutter recommended that we get in touch with a former student of his from years past who now lives in Ireland and see if we could get together.  Always game for an adventure John got in touch with Gordon Sharp-Bolster and we were invited to visit him at his family home, Glenlohane, outside of  Kanturk near Killarney.  The house is one of Hidden Irelands gems and one can stay there as a guest and see a special side of Ireland.  As it turns out, Gordon’s roommate from his Salisbury School days, is the son of good friends of ours from North Hatley.  As I often say, it all comes back to North Hatley, folks.  Give Gordon a call and do go and stay there if you are traveling in Ireland.

Learning About Sheep

I know nothing about sheep except that I love to watch the babies gambole in the fields either chasing each other or frantically looking for their mums.  We ventured down a side road that led to the base of a gap you can walk but not drive and we ran into Esther who was feeding the sheep.  She said it is her favorite time of the year.  The lambs on her farm were very small and they were chasing each other up on the rocks and leaping off the ground.  It was such fun to talk to her and to learn a bit about what life is like for a sheep farmer in Ireland.  Thank you Esther.

We head for home this week.  Have a wonderful week.  This has been a terrific trip and such fun for all of us.

Louise!