Dingle Peninsular
Barb didn't feel up to driving the long way around the Ring of Kerry today so we took the shortcut to Dingle. We stopped off at a couple of the viewing points we'd seen on our way to Cahersiveen yesterday afternoon (but didn't have time to stop then). At Kell's beach a nice American lady took our photo and had a big chat with us, while her dog romped on the sand.
We drove on and tried to stop at Inch Strand. The place was jam packed with tourists already and barely room to turn round let alone park. Barb jumped out to take a photo while John executed a rather masterful five point turn (Hah - rare praise!).
Luckily we got to Doolin early enough to get a park. By the time we left we counted 12 big tourist coaches in the car park! We found an ice-cream shop which claimed to have the BEST Irish ice-cream, proudly displaying all the medals and awards their ice-cream had won. Inside we were greeted by a very friendly Irish lad.
"What do you think of orange juice? was his greeting. "With bits or without?"
It was a bit surprising as the shop didn't sell juice, but we realise as we watched him greeting all his subsequent customers that this boy should've been on the stage. He had the gift of the gab and engaged people immediately. We LOVED the sea salt ice-cream!
Further up the hill we found a small coffee house, not that there was any shortge of cafes and other eateries . It was quite small inside and only a few tiny tables and one large one that seated ten.
Barb sat down in one of the two spare seats at the large table, while John ordered coffee.
"It looks like it's family dining here today" Barb announced to the other customers at the table. With that everyone started talking to her and we ended up having a long discussion with some of them. Much better than sitting at a table for two and looking at our phones (who says?).
When we drove out of Dingle we stopped at a beach where we could see a few groups of young men with sticks and balls playing a game. Barb asked one of them what they were playing. He seemed surprised we didn't know it was Hurling.
Barb wanted to stop at Dunbeg Stone fort. But first we were suckered into inspecting a fairy stone cirle fort and were ourselves inspected by the local sheep and goats.
At Dunbeg fort the young lad taking the entry fee to see the fort very firmly suggested that we needed to see the audio visual show across the road first before proceeding. We did as instructed and had to wait in the gift shop for next viewing session. Barb spotted an Irish Castles tea towel. The one on display was the last one left so the young girl offered to sell it for 11 euros rather than 11.50. Barb gave her 12 euroos and said "Keep the change". Go figure!
Once we'd walked down the slope to Dunbeg fort Barb managed to trip on some stones hidden in the grass, and how! She went flying and banged the worst of her two troublesome knees. Two nice Americans rushed over to help John pull her up and we think they were ready to call an ambulance. But once dusted off and realising Barb could still walk, if somewhat slower, we went on.
We saw them again at the Beehive Huts. This time Barb was walking very slowly and tentatively with her stick. "You're a stubborn woman" said the American woman as she passed us. She might be right! (Yes she jolly well is.)
We drove along narrow winding roads on a cliff's edge. Barb was terrified and kept her eyes squeezed shut. When we got to the viewing place at Slea Head it was very busy and hardly anywhere to park.
Luckily John found a spot and we were able to take some photos. In the very strong windy conditions and because of Barb's injured knees we didn't go all the way up the hill to the best viewing point.
We eventually found our B&B for the night despite both the car's inbuilt GPS and the one we'd brought with us from Australia playing up. Thank God for Google maps on Barb's phone!
Jan and Nick had had an horrendous drive, which included a 70 kilometre detour and getting stuck at Muckross House after driving in the wrong entrance by mistake. They did see some lovely sights though to make up for it.
