Read, Write, Ramble

 It was the first day of our walk on the Dingle Way and we set out in perfect conditions  Despite the widespread heat warnings for the area, we felt that the forecast 21 degrees and sunshine made for perfect walking weather.  Our B&B in Dingle provided us with a delicious cooked breakfast and we were ready in time for our taxi transfer to Ventry, a mere 10 minutes away, where we would pick up the Dingle Way, a 179 km circular walking route on the breathtaking Dingle Peninsula. Jutting into the Atlantic from the Southwest coast of Ireland, the area is famed for its coastal beauty, ancient archaeological sites and Gaelic culture. The path follows quiet country lanes, beaches and mountain trails with ever changing views of the ocean and nearby islands.  In Ventry, we purchased some fresh cheese rolls from the local cafe to take with us for lunch, crossed the road to the first way-marker and set off down a narrow path lined with fuchsia hedges, that spilled us out on...

 Today was the day our hiking adventure was to begin. It was actually our pre-hike day; a day of travel from Cork to Dingle, in readiness for what we trust will be a scenic and enjoyable three-day hike.  We were up early to wash sheets and towels so they could dry while we are away for the next five days - drying washing is an issue in our apartment, as is guaranteeing a supply of hot water for showers (but that’s another story!)  The taxi was booked for 11:30, but being the people we are, we were ready to go at 10:30. At the Cork bus station we bought sandwiches for lunch and waited in vain for the display board to change and tell us which bay our first bus to Killarney would depart from.  No such information was forthcoming so Wallsy did a reconnaissance and found it was Bay 12.  Boarding was a little delayed by the last minute arrival of the driver, who seemed to be teaching a new driver the ropes, but we quickly loaded our luggage and boarded. We were about ...

 Today was declared a rest day, set aside for reorganising and packing our gear in readiness for our forthcoming exploration of the Dingle Way.  The lure of the sunshine was too great though, and once my packing was done, Wallsy and I set out for a mid-morning walk along the River Lee. We found a ‘grand’ (that’s me slipping in a bit of the Irish lingo) walking path,  and sipped a very nice flat white from a nearby coffee van along the way.  We went as far as Lee Park, sharing the path with runners, walkers, cyclists, and prams. We even spied an elderly man donning his bathers and hopping into the Lee for a dip. I’m sure the water was cold, but I wasn’t going to dip a toe in to find out.  As we walked we got a great view of the building complex our apartment is in, on the hill overlooking the river. Built between 1847 and 1852, it operated as the Eglinton Lunatic Asylum and features one of the longest building facades in Ireland, spanning a distance of almost 1,0...

Today, the sun was shining for the second consecutive day and we were up bright and early. Our plan was to go to Cobh (pronounced COVE!) via Parkrun at Midleton. The taxi was booked for 7:30am.  The travel plans went like this: Firstly, a taxi to Cork Railway Station, or the Iron Road (Iarnrod) as the Irish prefer to call it, in time to procure coffee and catch the 8:15 Cork Commuter to Midleton.  Secondly, participate in the Midleton Parkrun, a first for Mark and Julie who had their barcodes at the ready in anticipation of just such an event.  Then another short train trip back to Glounthaune where we would disembark and change trains for the seaside village of Cobh.  I’m happy to say all went according to plan and the sun shone on us all day.  Apart from the fact that we first jumped into the taxi that arrived just before 07:30 but quickly realised that we weren’t the customers he had been assigned, all was well, we jumped out and he sped off, while we waited ...