Sunday 14 April 2024

Well, here we go again. Morning sunshine, no rain. Are we in Ireland? We are heading for another County Kerry peninsula, the Beara Peninsula, doing the sightseeing circuit again. First stop is Kenmare for coffee then along the north coast of the peninsula, to Allihies and O’Neil’s pub for a Murphy’s Stout and a toasted sandwich, before continuing on the south arm of the peninsula to Adrigole.

Stunning scenery and colourful houses interspersed with hundreds of BnB’s. This place would go off big time in the summer. A large number of big and obviously well off houses and farm land. Almost as many sheep as NZ.

Feeling adventurous, Lady P takes the goat track over Healy Pass to Lauragh and back into Kenmare, thus completing the Ring of Beara (sort of). After a coffee and a whisky in the local pub, Lady P decides to take the Black Valley pass over and through the Gap of Dunloe to our BnB. This is a brave move, supported by Flashy after finishing his Jamesons.

This takes place in the afternoon rain showers, over high rocky mountain roads – at least sealed – that makes the previous goat track look like a freeway. “Not to worry, she says, we won’t meet anyone at this time of a Sunday.” Correct of course. Only 12 cars, necessitating, two reversings and one panicked stop in the middle of the stone bridge over a raging river. A slight exaggeration for the sake of interest perhaps. Nonetheless, it was a spectacular drive and we are back safe and warm at home base.







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