It's been a busy couple of days since I was last posting.
Following our Blarney Castle adventure we decided that we must try to fit in a look at the famous Ring of Kerry so we headed north to Killarney then around through Moll's Gap (I'll let the Eccentrics explain that one), Sneem, Waterville and on to Killorglin. It was raining when we left Blarney but only a few kilometres up the road it stopped for the whole day.
We've done a mighty fine job of keeping the rain away this week and the temperatures have been quite warm - we've not needed the stacks of warm clothes filling our suitcases.
This route is part of the Wild Atlantic Way and we'd recommend anyone visiting to take it in.
Below is the Ladies View lookout over the Killarney Lakes.
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This is O'Carroll's Cove beach which was the only beach that we spied on this part of the west coast.
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A bit further on at Caherdaniel there's a great little bar and cafe perched above the rugged coastline with this view out the back window. A great placed to enjoy a snack and a beverage of your choice .
![Gaz Ireland trip - Page 2 Image43](https://i.servimg.com/u/f21/18/38/73/63/image43.jpg)
There appears to be some farming land tucked in between the ocean and the hills populated no doubt by very hardy souls.
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Our next accommodation base was Dublin where on Friday afternoon we met up with Ringfad. I phoned him at a pre-arranged time to work out how/where we should meet. I told him that I was near the tall spire in the middle of the city and the directions for me were to walk over the bridge and keep going as he was quite some distance in the other direction he would walk towards us (this is on Friday afternoon in the centre of the city teeming with people).
I wondered how this was going to work but anyway we set off as directed. After a couple of blocks a guy appears out of the crowd coming towards us and extends his hand " Hi, I'm Simon, I recognise you off the forum." (see how handy this forum is)
We followed our guide to a cosy little bar and spent a very enjoyable couple of hours. Thanks Simon.
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Saturday morning we thought our influence over the weather had finally run out as it was raining all the way from Dublin to the Eccentrics favourite meeting place at Stradbally Fayre. We arrived a few minutes before Olaf and
CluainSi (John is easier to say) and Will soon thereafter.The boys had copped a bit of rain on the way but are obviously used to it. We settled into "Stradbally Fayre" which is actually a nice little cafe in the small town of Stradbally and ordered up, then as you do - had a bit of a chat for about 3 or 4 hours.
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(John, Olaf, Ruth, myself, Will)
The boys even showed off their Aussie T shirts.
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Olaf brought out a little surprise in the form of one of his homemade Christmas puddings to share with us on this special occasion (naturally made with Guinness). It went down a treat smothered in cream.
Eventually it was time for the guys to hit the road as they had travelled quite a distance to the meeting point.
Here's a photo of Stradbally Fayre so that you'll all recognise it when you pass that way.
![Gaz Ireland trip - Page 2 Image48](https://i.servimg.com/u/f21/18/38/73/63/image48.jpg)
A big thanks to all who have taken the trouble to spend time with Ruth and I while we've been in this great country. We'll be on the ferry back to the UK tomorrow.