Off the Beaten track

It rained over night and was a generally wet day. Left friendly Sextons site and travelled to  Bantry Bay via the Wild Atlantic route in far south West of Ireland. Stopped for provisions at Dunnes and diesel (145euro btw) in Clonakilty and diverted down a few interesting looking side roads. Kilcoe  Castle was a weird rebuilt ruin finished bright orange mortar. Lunch on river estuary by disused viaduct at start of Mizen peninsula, coffee break at Glengariff where we stopping the night. Just us and a young French family with a tent from previous site. Scenery is getting more  spectacular now.

Kinsale

We left Blarney and took the West Cork coast drive to Kinsale, an attractive fishing village and gourmet food destination. We had a very nice fishy lunch in the recommended Fishy Fishy restaurant. Rosemary had her favourite (posh) fish and chips. I had grilled salmon with tempora vegetables and we shared a bowl of chowder.


Took a few photos of the harbour in the sunshine and drove down the Old Head of Kinsale where the Lusitania was sunk by the Germans in 1915. Drove on along the picturesque coast road for a while and stopped for the night near Conalkilty. Just a sandwich for supper ;-)

Blarney and Cork

Not a cloud in the sky when we awoke. It did not last but at least it stayed dry for a visit to Blarney Castle and then to Cork city. We did not go in the castle as it was full of Americans from a cruise ship queuing to kiss the famous stone (not that they need it). The grounds were nice, the poison garden is a bit different as it is full of poisonous plants.
We took the 30 min bus journey to Cork from Blarney village and then shopped in the historic English Market - nice tuna steaks for dinner. Cork's mostly pedestrianised centre is quite pleasant to wander around and the catholic cathedral impressive.

Cobh and Blarney

There was only us and very attentive owners on the small site in Fermoy. It's very quiet and we took the M8 toll to Cobh, in a green and yellow (with gorse) scenic drive.  Parked on the Titanic/cruise terminal  quay to take a stroll and find a pub for Sunday lunch. Drove on thru Cork to stay near Blarney castle for a night or two to revisit Cork by bus. Pleasantly sunny and warm day but some thunder later.

Kilkenny

Stayed on small site just outside Kilkenny for two nights. Walked to castle via canal path (4m round trip) and to old town on Friday. Coffee and bit of shopping. Sat out in the sun on site till evening. Giant prawns and rice from Aldi for supper.

Fermoy in the rain

Rain swept in overnight and continued all the way to Fermoy where we are now overnighting on a site near River Blackwater. Used the M9 motorway, hardly any traffic.  Rosemary got all excited when we spotted an M&S enroute - had coffee and muffins. It's still pxssing down here but hopefully will be better tomorrow when we move to Cork or Killarney.

Uprisings and Famine

Set off for tour of a few sites on nice sunny day.

1. Saving Private Ryan beach, film setting, near Wexford

 2. Enniscorthy the site of republican uprisings and massacres and an interesting castle tour.

3 The Dunbrody Experience, a guided tour of a replica wooden sailing ship that took emigrants to USA during the famine years. Also near Kennedy's ancestors home - so lots of American tourists. Staying in Kilkenny for a couple of nights now.

Wexford Walk

We spent our first 2 night's at a municipal site adjacent to sports centre close to Wexford. We walked into town over the harbour bridge and had a wander round the town. Mixture of old and new, pleasant on a sunny day. This was a busy port until the harbour silted up, but still has a few trawlers working from the quay. Met an old lady who gave Rosemary a history lesson on the old jail. Did some shopping including a set top box from Argos to receive Saorview (Irish TV standard).

Crossing to Ireland

On board an Irish ferry to Rosslare on a very wet and murky day. Should arrive at about 6pm and it looks like it should be a smooth crossing.

Solva and CC Lleithyr Meadow

We went to lower Solva to see the pretty harbour and had a basket meal of mixed fish and crab cakes. Then we went to the CC site and I walked part way up nearby Carn Llidi. Great views over St David's peninsula and Whitesands beach from the old WW2 lookout post.
It's been a lovely sunny day again, after yesterdays rain, with less breeze.

Mark's 21 again

First wet day for week. We went into St David's and sheltered in the Bishops pub. The children played Jenga and the adults Scrabble which Rosemary won. The girls went shopping at Fatface. Celebrated Marks birthday with a nice meal and birthday cake, at a pub/restaurant in Solva which was walking distance from the house. We eventually got back to site via taxi at 1.00am.

Abereiddy and Porthgain

Went to north  coast via St David's for a short walk up to the view point at Porthgain. Then to the beach at Abereiddy where we all got hooked on fossil hunting. This beach was baddly ravaged by the December storms. We went in the van and supplied the coffee, while the others walked over the cliffs to meet us. Walked up to the blue lagoon to watch the coastaleering (jumping in off the rocks). We all returned to the house and Mark prepared the 3 lobsters he had ordered for dinner. We stopped the night in the house.

Nine Wells at Solva

Stopping near Solva so that we can join Mark and the Wallace's for a few days before we leave for Ireland. Slow drive in the holiday traffic. Sunny but breezy site. Met the family for an easter egg hunt at a NT farm near Newgale Beach before checking in on site. Then we went back to the house for fish pie supper and wine?

Wye Valley

Stopped our first night at a Britstop pub near Monmouth and had a bar meal. Lots of bluebells in the woods, very eafly this year.

Almost Packed

Packing proceeding well. Leaving Thursday for Wales and stopping at Nine Wells site, near Solva, until Tuesday, then we will be sailing to Rosslare on the afternoon Irish ferry. Booked the first two nights in Eire at a site near Wexford to "acclimatise" and will decide which way to go from there.