At first, it looked like that wasn't going to be. Like California, great fog banks rolled in by the colder ocean. It was hard to see anything. One of us determined that an Irish coffee or two at a lovely restaurant near Ventry, the Stonehouse, would melt the fog away. After the coffee, we checked and things were rapidly improving. So if we had two world-class luncheons here, we decided the fog would be gone by the time we finished. And so it was! Beautiful by 1 pm. Our second sunny day, and a warm one, our warmest, with temperatures in the low 60s F.
With that we began to see the region's old forts, beehive huts, stone-enclosed farms, and most of all the small church, the Gallarus Oratory, a 1000 year old all-stone structure that looks as if it might have been built in recent months by the best craftsmen.
A highpoint, given our love for dramatic and beautiful scenery, was our hike with sheep out to Dunmore Head, at the very end of mainland Europe with a spectacular view over to the Blaskets. It is so nice up there that our Blasket guide from yesterday was also spotted taking his girlfriend up to Dunmore Head. We had a nice chat.
We ate this evening at the Half Door, and it certainly ranks in our minds as one of the very best spots in western Ireland--crab casserole and lobster bisque as starters, and then the best lamb and salmon yet on the trip. We were filled beyond full.
This may be the last blog from the road. Our job now is to return the rental car and depart Shannon on Wednesday. When we get home we will add some photos to the blog and also reflect a bit on Ireland and our trip.
What a trip!
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| across the harbour in Dingle Town |
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| beehive |
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| waiting on Irish coffee |
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| view across to the Ring of Kerry |
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| picnic with sheep |
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| 1000 year old Oratory church |
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