This day started like all the others. We get up, get ready for the day, take our luggage to the bus, and go to breakfast. We always have appointed times to do all these things. I usually set an alarm on my phone so Im not late to the bus.
Today our goal was The Blarney Castle, The Ring of Kerry, and overnight n Killarney. I enjoy the bus ride to and from places. Many people sleep, but not meIm too busy looking at everything and taking pictures. I also love listening to the guide. I try to take notes and then look up what he talked about once Im in the hotel room. I take lots and lots of pictures. My philosophy has always been if I take a lot of pictures I might get a good one or two. However, it is difficult to take pictures from a moving bus!!
Ive learned so many things from our guide. He gives us history, mixed with current information which includes politics, sports, and the arts. I love that he tells us what movies are filmed here. Some of those include Moby Dick, The Quiet Man, Circle
During the trip we drove through the City of Cork. It is the place where Pfizer founded Viagara. Henry Fords grandfather was from Cork. Harry Ferguson, who invented the PTO teamed up with Massey and created John Dunlop created pneumatic tires trying to make his sons wheel chair What a lot of info in a short amount of time.
We finally made it to The Blarney Castle. Our guide told us that sometimes it takes 3 hours for the line to the Blarney Stone. Fortunately for us there were no cruise ships in the harbor so it didnt take near that long. It is challenging to get to the stone. It winds up to the top of the castle and the steps are uneven, narrow, and of differing heights. We made it!! The view was worth the trip. Shealyn and I both kissed the stone. Its not easy. You lay down on your back, slide your head and body down and kiss the stone, practically upside down!! The biggest challengegetting up!! Lol
had free time to look around, shop, and eat! There were a couple shops and a variety of food. I wasnt starving so I just ate a scone with clotted cream and jam.
Back on the bus we drove through the Irish countryside to the Ring of Kerry. The Ring is a scenic drive around County Kerry and the Iveragh Peninsula. Its 112 miles long so we joined it toward the end. Its a very narrow road and several times the traffic stopped to let cars past. It was beautiful from the top. The pictures dont do it justice.
The were many herds of sheep grazing on the mountains. The grazing land for all. There are no fences dividing the grazing land into parcels. Everyone who raises sheep there have the rights to graze.many of them for hundreds of years.
One thing our driver shared with us was somewhat disturbing to an ole West Virginia gal. He told us how they hate rhododendrons. Its an invasive species brought there by the wealthy and because of their climate and soil it is taking over. Its even been suggested that they bring the army in to eradicate
We arrived at our home for the evening in Killarney, County Cork. The hotel is a short 10 minute walk to town.best of all there was a laundromat next door.
Because of the heatwave that seems to be following us around, we have had a shortage of weather appropriate clothes. Ireland and Scotland were supposed to be cool with the temperature not going above 70 degrees. Today was 90!!! Its supposed to return to somewhat normal temperatures tomorrow. We shall see.
