Along the Coast... Not route 66!

Well, dear friends... the last few days have been busy. We got up on Friday morning and headed out of Clonakilty after another chilly night and snow as we were driving on Thursday afternoon. Glad to see that's gone, though the cold is still here and as we keep ending up on the coast, the wind is still here, too.

As we left Clonakilty, heading for the Kilarney Area, we knew (and hoped) that things would be quiet since it was a day filled with celebrations for St. Patricks. Amazingly enough, we drove through several small towns and didn't get stopped by a single parade. Our route, along the southern coast, sent us immediately in search of the Drombeg Circle (http://www.stonepages.com/ireland/drombeg.html), an amazing stone circle which also has links to the Winter soltice (like Newgrange!) It was in a field off yet another backwoods Irish road, filled with twists and turns. And, as always happens, the rain seems to begin about the time I put the car into "P" and ends shortly after we put it back into drive! Go figure!

It was a great sight and after that, we headed on for our drive past Bantry Bay (beautiful) and on toward a wee part of the Ring of Kerry. It was a day for taking pictures and I think I took more yesterday than the whole of the days previous. Driving through Moll's Gap (with a place where they had take-away tea -- YIPPEE!!!!) and the Kilarney National Park, toward Torc Waterfall (Still beautiful, Kerry... with more water because of all the spring rains!) Then a stop in Kenmare-- I felt a bit like I was "coming back"... and I was. Shopping in some of the same places as last trip! (Please don't take this to mean all we're doing is shopping!) We made a blind stab at finding the stone circle in Kenmare, but no luck and we wanted to get on down the road so I wouldn't be driving in the dark.

On toward Kilarney and a quick skirt around the town as we were really heading out the other side toward our B&B, the Kingdom View. (Note to Kerry: All that building that was going on in Kilarney last time, just the side of the car park, is finished and it's an enormous hotel!)

Good thing we weren't driving at night as finding our B&B was an act of will.... however, the search lead us through the Gap of Dunloe, truly one of the most beautiful places on earth. (http://www.killarney.ie/dunloe.htm) We drove past the entrance through the Gap in search of the hotel.... finally, we found a small gas / market and swung through to pick up some meat for sandwiches and to afford me a pit-stop (take your chances where you find them... you never know how long you'll be driving!) Met a lovely older couple there who assured us we were on the right road, so ahead we went.... and found the place another two miles down. At last, we have a B&B proprietor who wants to talk and we've enjoyed our chats with Eileen O'Sullivan. Looking forward to more this evening. She's a chatty sort, a true contrast to the last three who were "here's your room.... what time do you want breakfast?" bunch.

We've decided that since we've managed about 1/3 of the Ring of Kerry already, today was the day to hit the second "D" of the Dublin to Dingle to Donegal Tour... and I'm sitting in an internet cafe in Dingle. Gorgeous bays we're driven past to get here and another one here. At last the sun is shining and we are delighted! Nice to have to dig out the shades (though they do mark me as an American tourist -- well.. I could be French, but I'm too short and plump!)

All is well.... Just enjoying each and every minute!

Until later... Dawn