Thursday, March 18
[Posted Day 6 earlier today - don't know why it got dated as March 29... Anyway - we've got a free day in Bangkok and I'm trying to make some progress here!]
It’s pouring rain, but at least I finally got the first installment of the blog posted – through Sunday the 14th.
Exploring the Beara Peninsula today – ultimate destination is Kinsale.
We pass through Kilgarvan and Kenmare, encountering a goodly number of sheep along the way, and decide to stop in a pretty little village by the name of Eyeries. A sign proudly announces that Eyeries was a gold medal winner in the annual “Tidy Towns” competition. On our short stroll through its streets we can see why! We also happen on a dance hall there and a new variation of a scarecrow.
Crossing through the Caha Mts down to the southern coast of the peninsula we reach Castletownbere . Shane tells us the local industries are fishing and drug smuggling! It’s lunch time and we stop in at MacCarthy’s Pub for a sandwich and a pint. Like a lot of pubs in Ireland, it serves double duty – this one is a sort of general store, selling an odd assortment of canned goods, cleaning supplies and other sundries in addition to the usual pub fare.
The road takes us along Bantry Bay, the deepest harbor in Europe, according to Shane, and through a string of little towns with interesting names – Glengariff, Bantry, Skibbereen, Union Hall, Ballydehob and Schull (Skull). This area in the south of Ireland enjoys a tropical climate, thanks to the Gulf Stream -- we were pleasantly surprised by palm trees and flowers in bloom.
Between Rosscarbery and Glandore is a significant archeological site – the Dromberg Stone Circle, dating from around 100 – 200 BC. There are 17 standing stones in a 9 ft diam. circle, aligned to the winter solstice, which was an integral element in their belief system.
Our final stop for the night is Kinsale, a pretty little seaport for which we have no photos, due to weather and darkness!
Great shots!
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