We finally had a pretty good night’s sleep but this was only
because we resorted to drugging ourselves with cold & flu tablets full of antihistamines!
Anyway, we woke up to a typical Irish misty and drizzly day and were on the
road by 8.30am. We first stopped for a group photo by a lovely lake near Killarney,
then it was off to a Woollen Mill for some shopping (very important part of the
day) and then followed this up with a visit to a shepherd named Brendon who
gave us a great demonstration of sheep dog trials. Very clever fellow…and very
clever dogs. We thought maybe the sheep were also very clever but he assured us
this was definitely not the case!
The scenery around the Ring of Kerry is spectacular and
although we missed a bit in the mist today, generally we were pretty lucky and
the mist cleared when we stopped for photos. We also went for a “monastery
experience” where we learnt all about a bunch of monks in the 6th
century who carved a life out for themselves on a rocky island 13 miles off the
coast. Thankfully we didn’t actually go to said island as there are 650 very
dangerous looking steps up to the monastery that make Blarney Castle look like
fairy steps. An interesting story none the less…and we had a yummy lunch of
mushroom soup there. By this time it was getting pretty cold and our last few
stops were a mite chilly to say the least.
We went for another walk around Killarney this evening and
spotted some more O’Shea signs…OMG – they’re everywhere. At the woollen mill
shop this morning the shop assistant saw my name on the credit card and asked
where abouts in County Kerry my family ancestors were from. She seemed quite
disgusted when I said I didn’t know and didn’t really seem keen to accept my
excuse that the O’Sheas aren’t really my family so it isn’t my fault. Looks
like someone needs to do some serious family research before I can show my face
in that shop again!
Martin, our driver, continues to delight us with great
commentary and stories as well as breaking out in song regularly and
encouraging a bit of community singing. Even CJ was clapping along at times. Tonight
we finally met the other two Aussies on the bus – most of the passengers are
American with just a couple of Canadians as well. They are a young couple from
Victoria and we chatted happily for an hour or two – it is easier when you have
stuff in common.
CJ is madly trying to dry the clothes she washed last night
so I’d better go and assist. We move from this hotel tomorrow which will be sad
as we love it here…awesome food!
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