Having finished another hearty Irish Breakfast, (very similar to the English and Scottish), we packed and went to settle the account with our host to be told the credit card machine was down and could we pay in cash. After a quick whip around we found ourselves short so Mr P set off up the road to find a teller machine. Finding the closest advertised one had been removed from the shop recently and the next closest machine non-functional Mr P returned to which our host offered to drive us to a machine in the shopping centre nearby. After a hairy and apology filled ride we made it back in one piece with cash and time to spare before heading out of Killarney towards the Ring Of Kerry.
Once again the views were spectacular as we looked out over the bays and inlets that the quite benign Atlantic Ocean flowed in and around despite the once again threatening clouds that were our now constant companions. The regular showers served good purpose however by loading up the hills with water which flowed down the numerous rivulets on the side of the hills drawing white lines against the green and grey.
The Stormy Atlantic
Part way round the ring we came to the ferry which takes you to a nearby island, Valentia Island. Despite misgivings about his ability to cope with Atlantic Ocean swells and the like Mr P agreed to put it to the test on the ten minute ferry crossing as long as we could come back via a bridge. Fortunately the tide was low and the voyage quick enough not to require too many Qwells and we were soon exploring this neat island.
 Valentia Island |
 Mr P Holding Things Together Mid-Atlantic |
Valentia Panorama
Spotting a sign to the lighthouse on Point Cromwell we took the very windy steep and narrow track down to the point and the lighthouse. Unfortunately the lighthouse was closed on the day we visited however we still got to explore the nearby rocks, waves and rockpools appreciating a couple of spectacular folds in the slate as well as the waves crashing on them. The lighthouse itself dates from the time of Oliver Cromwell, (boy did he clock up the frequent flyer points in his travels), and is still in use today.
 Cromwell Point Light |
 Crashing Waves At Point Cromwell |
 Cromwell Light Rockpool |
 Beautifully Folded Slate |
Back on a more major road, (two cars could barely fit side by side this time), we travelled to the other end of the island, the most westerly point in Europe, where the TransAtlantic Telegraph Cable left land for the trip undersea to the Americas. It was fascinating to note that it took some nine years from 1857 to 1866 before they had permanent success in using the cable. Since that time additional cables were laid which greatly increased the speed with which Europe and America could communicate telephonically.
Telegraph Station Point Valentia Island
Before getting in the car Mr P’s eye was taken by an emerald green beetle and a couple of nearby orange bugs that just had to be macroed.
 Green Beetle |
 Orange Beetles |
Taking the short trip over the bridge to the mainland again we stopped for late lunch, (read around 2:30), in Portmagee which Mr P found had an old pump stand and an award winning toilet block. The little coffee shop where purchased lunch was also worthy of an award as the food was particularly yummy and strangely innovative.
 Award Winning Toilet |
 Old Portmagee Water Supply |
Back on the road we found ourselves passing through peat fields where large strips of peat were gouged out of the paddocks, cut into small lengths and then arranged in stacks to dry our before being stored and used in fireplaces for cooking and heating. Stopping to check out one of the stacks, Mr P got up close and personal with Pete Peat before a small portion was souvenired for smuggling back to Scotland.
Pete Peat & Mr P
Back up into the panorama filled hills we drove before heading back down to the coast and a beach that actually has sand. Not only that, but despite the cloud and very intermittent sunshine, (the temperature was relatively mild at around 20 degrees), there were numerous families dotting the beach and one or two brave souls enjoying the 10cm ripples that passed as waves. Just because they could, the male members of the party let loose their lower legs for a short paddle. Briefly contemplating going further, the though of drying off with small hand towels stifled any further thoughts of a more substantial dip.
Kerry Panorama
Aussie Bathers
Using the beachside bar’s toilet facilities Mr P ignored the sign requesting a 1Euro donation for non customer use of the facilities as we made our way back on to the main road.
Rolling Kerry Hills
Leaving the coast behind it was back to rolling hills and on the road to Dingle via Castlemaine. Mr P recalling the popular song, “The Wild Colonial Boy” had always associated the lyrics telling of the birth of “The Boy” with the town in central Victoria not realising that Jack Doolan was actually an Irish born lad.
The real Birthplace Of Jack Doolan
Finding ourselves back on the coast again Mickey implored us to stop and check out some surfers catching waves before we drove on to our next B&B stop, Dingle. Fortunately finding a car park space just up the road from our rooms we unpacked and headed off to find dinner. Walking down the hill to the harbourside strip we noted the stream flowing alongside the footpath running under the adjacent houses.
 Irish Surfers |
 More Running Damp Than Rising |
Just about every pub or restaurant in town offered free live music which Mr P and Ms V greatly enjoyed, (M&M had had a late night the previous night in Killarney so they headed off for a relatively early night). Finally “sung out” Mr P and Ms V joined them in the land of nod.
