England and Ireland---Day 13

Unusual Irish skies.  No rain

The mountains of Ireland

Thank goodness we didn't have to pack up today!  Two nights in the same hotel is like heaven after all the moving around we have been doing.  We can "strew our belongings to the wind," according to Mariann, our tour director.  We didn't go that wild.

Beautiful thatched cottage

A view of Dingle Bay

On tap for today, a ride around the "Ring of Kerry."  For some reason I thought that was a Druid circle or something like that.  Not.  It is actually a ride around the Iveragh Peninsula, which consist mostly of the mountains called Macgillicuddy's Reeks.  Ireland's tallest mountain is clearly visible (the weather still being sunny and hot---and the Irish are all turning red), Carrauntoohil at 1039 meters.  We passed Dingle Bay, a beautiful spot, although the water is too cold for swimming, then around the end of the peninsula and up the mouth of the Kenmore River.  Up the mountain, we entered Killarney National Park, which is what Ireland probably looked like 2000 years ago.  Down the other side, we passed the other side of the Lakes of Killarney, and finally back to Killarney.  Not a lot of farmland used for crops other than pasturage and some silage.  Lots of sheep in the hills, and occasionally cattle and horses.  The coast in largely unspoiled, even deserted...water about 62˚F.

Can't say the Irish don't like color

After returning to Killarney, Nila and I walked down the Killarney City shopping street which is conveniently right outside the door of the hotel.  Had ice cream at Murphy's, self-proclaimed as "the best ice cream in the world."  I will admit, it is good...I had buttermilk and caramel honeycomb.

Jaunting in the park

A jaunting cart was our next adventure.  Actually a 4 wheel cart that hold six in the back, plus one in front with the driver, called a jarvey.  Our jarvey was the king of the one-liners, and had us laughing all the time.  Drove through the beginning to the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle, then back.  Saw Irish red deer in the park, pretty fearless and used to the carts and people.

Ross Castle ruin

Pub crawl!

Our final adventure of the day was a trip to an Irish pub for dinner, music and local dances.  The pub was great, food good, and music by a local band called Anora very entertaining.

Look closely-a red deer buck

Rhubarb!!  Wonderful

Pat, Me, Patsy, Jac, Nila, Diane, Bruce