The Ring of Kerry

October 2, 2012

We drove 135 miles today!  That doesn’t seem like a lot, but around here it is. 

We decided to drive the Ring of Kerry.  From Tralee we drove to Ferranfore then Castlemaine, Killorgin, Ballynahoe, somewhere in between the above we stopped at a beautiful cemetery.  It was very old and very young.  There was a falling down church/mausoleum with lots of O’Sullivans and others buried.  Some were massive graves with whole families, others the gravestones were so old the writing had worn off.  You live your whole life and then it’s all etched onto marble and then eventually that disappears.  Hmmm…

After Ballynahoe we got lost.  But it was a good lost.  We saw some beautiful rugged scenery.  We drove on roads that rarely see sun or cars.  Talk about the road less traveled!  Here’s one of many with moss growing in the middle of the road. 

 We had lunch at the Fisherman’s Bar in Waterville after we found the “real” road.  I had fresh made seafood chowder.  Wow!  Was that good.



 Then it was back on the road to Killean, Sneem, Kenmare and we thought the Killarney National Forest.  We somehow got turned around and missed the forest.  But we came at it from the east and finally found it. (I think they just moved it and we have an old map.)  bc wanted to see the Torc Waterfall.  We drove and drove and got to the Ladies view which was after Torc.  I let bc out of the car to see the Ladies View because he had been so good and it seemed he wasn’t going to be able to see Torc.  I saw a waterfall near another broken down old church and proclaimed that this waterfall was Torc.  I don’t think bc believed me, but we were almost back to Kenmare and it was getting late.  So, we turned back around and headed to Killarney.  We only had to go around 2 round abouts twice!  We’re getting better!  Oh and somewhere in there we came upon a pack of dogs running down the road. 





Wild fuschias line the roads...






It was a tad bit windy out there.

We are back to Ballyseede with clean laundry waiting for us.  Nice. 

Random thoughts:

Brown Bread; An Irish specialty.  And wow it is truly special.  The various recipes are all good but the winner is still the brown bread at The Chop House in Dublin.  Their recipe is on their web site….yahoo!

I’m having a hard time with the left right thing.  I understand the cars drive opposite of us, but a left turn to me is crossing traffic, right turn following the curb.  I just call it your side, my side.

bc only scraped the side of the car once.  But it was because a big coach was passing and the roads are very, very small.  Like one lane wide.  But it was only brush…..

We have been dutifully looking for the BBOY, but it’s so wet here that I suspect that even if it was here it would be a soggy mess smelling like wet wool.  Ick.  But we will persevere!

I had the best Caesar’s salad for dinner last night.  Real strips of bacon.

bc had potatoes, potatoes and some more potatoes with his lamb.  Actually bc figured out it is truly possible there wasn’t a potato famine.  Rather it may have been a potato extravaganza…with no disrespect to those who perished in the true famine and other difficulties; I have never seen anyone devour the volume of potatoes they serve here.  My main plate came with a potato croquette and salad.  That was a great meal.  Then they brought the sides which included a dish with 8 medium small boiled potatoes and approximately a large cup+ of potatoes au gratin.  But for you vegetarians it is notable that there was also a plate of vegetables, carrots, squash, red peppers, and yes more potatoes.  I do estimate the dinner serving included no less than 3 cups of potatoes, and that might be understating it.  Needless to say, bc did not finish most of the potatoes but the lamb was devoured.  We suggested to our nice waiter he use the leftover to make potatoes O’Brien, not coincidentally his last name.  Guess what…..the Irish don’t make and aren’t familiar with potatoes O’Brien.  Our waiter knew nothing about them and furthermore we confirmed they don’t eat corned beef and cabbage either.  They do eat regular beef and cabbage and really love the cabbage. 

And now we are sitting in the lovely sitting room of the castle listening to 70’s music, relaxing.  Life is Good!

Take care, bc and gc