DIngle

Saturday 10/25 We had an early breakfast (8am) said goodbye to Tom and Chris and headed to Kilmare and the Ring of Kerry. I'll let pictures speak here but it was spectacular. We arrived in Dingle and again had a bit of trouble finding our house but eventually we did and were warmly greeted by Mauriean(?) her daughter, two sons and a dog. The house was beautiful and Maurean was very sociable and helpful. I asked the younger son Ronan, I guess he is about 6 of 7, to explain to me the sport of hurling, which is ver popular in Ireland. He ran to his room and brought back his stick and ball and explained the game fully. When he started swinging the bat around the kitchen his mom got a little nervous and took it away, then SHE started explaining the game. Maurean suggested a pub in town and described the doorman. She said his name was Dave and we should tell him we're staying with her and he'll be sure to take care of us. We did and he sat us down next to the fireplace, which was very nice of him but much too hot for us after awhile. Along with the usual pints, we shared a bowl of fish chowder and I had bangers and mash while Cindy had Salmon with a pesto topping. Her salmon was served on a bed of mashed potatoes and came with fries on the side (!). By the way, this road on which they live is a very typical country road: very narrow, two cars cannot pass each other, and there are high bushes on each side. In addition, this particular road was very hilly. It was dark when we headed to town and at the crest of one of the hills three sheep came running straight at the car. They couldn't leave the road because if the high bushes and decided to charge the car instead of running the other way. I wasn't going fast so I stopped the car but they kept running towards us. Two veered off at the last minute but one ran head on into the front bumper and halfway up the from hood. No harm done to either car or sheep so eventually got out of our way and we proceeded. We left that pub (Marina Inn) along the wharf and headed up Main Street to a music place she had suggested. We walked into the wrong one and there was a guitar/fiddle duo which were good so we stayed for a 1/2 pint and then went next door to the place she had suggested. Unfortunately it wasn't traditional irish music but a guy singing rock songs with auto bass and drum accompaniment. He was really good, don't get me wrong, and was well appreciated by the rowdy crowd of young males who made up most of the audience and sang along with every song. It wasn't what we were looking for and after another pint, we left. By the way, no rain since Tuesday