Part 2 of our adventure starts

Paul, Jane and Annie 9 miles - Total 9 miles. Walking total 530.

Picked Paul and Annie up from Galway airport last night. The tiny twin engined plane arrived half an hour early and they were in the car in under ten minutes after landing.
Today there was no scheduled walking but the three of us decided to walk a few miles in order to cut down our deficit (now 6.5 miles). Sam had the day off...and why not.
We walked from the B&B along the coast road with good views of Galway Bay and The Aaran Islands.  Weather was rather changable with plenty of rain.
Very nice to be reunited but not sure how we will fit everything into the car!

The Beautiful Burren

Sam 5.5 Jane 5, total 10.5, walking total 521 miles.

Had a really great short walk this morning along the coastline that forms part of the Burren. Amazing wildflowers and truly unique scenery with lots of thatched homes scattered over the hillside. From Clare we drove around through Galway into Connemara where we are staying.

Galway was absolutely packed, because at the moment the Galway races are on and also this weekend is abank holiday weekend in Ireland. A very nice pub in Spiddle served us some local trout (thanks to the English chap who donated to us).

Paul and Annabelle arrive just after 11 tonight at Galway airport so really looking forward to seeing them both.

Jane

500 done -bring on the next 500!!!

Thursday 28th
Sam 9 Jane, Nell, Mary and Margaret 6.5 Total 14.5 Walking total 510.5

Wonderful day walking. Met up my cousins Nell and Mary and second cousin Margaret. We walked from Lehinch along the coast and all of us went to view the cliffs of Moher. The scenery was incredible with dramatic cliffs, crashing waves and rolling countryside. It was picture perfect.

Only 500more to go!

May, Margaret and Nell then produced a wondrous picnic for us. Sam says he's never eaten so many sandwiches. Suffice to say that we didn't need a big dinner. We said our fond farewells. Thank you all 3 girls for making the day so special.

Say cheese!

We headed to the Logues Liscannor Hotel who had kindly offered us a free nights stay.

View from the room

Jane

Small World

Jane: 11.5, Sam 11.5, Total 23, Walking total 496

Many thanks to Moira and John at Clonmore Lodge for your generosity and hospitality. Walked to Lehinch along the coast road today, and then to make some miles up we drove into The Burren and walked there as well. Unfortunately the weather was very poor with fine rain. It soaks you through (I hope you're Peter Kay fans).

This morning, had a very nice surprise whilst walking, as we met Paul, Ciara and Miabh who happened to driving past on their way to Sligo. It was great to see them and hopefully we'll be meeting up with them later in Dublin.

We had a fantastic meal tonight which has fueled us up brilliantly for tomorrow. Second meeting today, Simon, Nell's son, rang me up and said he was in Lehinch, so we met up with him. It is indeed a small world.

Jane

County Clare

Sam: 20, Jane: 0. Total 20, walking total 473.

This morning drove to Tarbert and got the ferry across the River Shannon to Co. Clare. Sam started his walk up to Quilty, and I drove to Ennis where I had managed to get a permit. Stopped en route for a live interview with "Clare FM". Spent the day collecting and meeting the people of Ennis. Lots of people had heard me on the radio that morning and I was able to have lots of nice conversations and people were very generous, meaning I was able to raise around 250 Euros.

Views of Spanish Point

Drove to B&B Clonmore Lodge, where Sam had already arrived. Greeted by their three lovely dogs, which reminded me of how much I miss Maisie.

Sunset from our B&B

Jane

Into the Clouds

Sam: 13.5, Jane: 10, total 23.5, walking total 453.

Today we walked from Castlemaine to Listowel, and from a walking point of view it was definitely my worst day. We decided to take the scenic route, with less traffic, but naturally very hilly. The first quarter of a mile was lovely, and then the road became very steep. It continued to rise with every corner I turned.

The clouds were really low and the air very humid. Then the fine rain came. I had to stop to catch my breath, and the weather was getting worse and worse. At this point I decided I wanted to go home. The visibility became very poor, and then I realised that the moistness in the air was due to the fact that I had actually walked into a cloud. Finally, the summit came and the descent started, which felt a lot better (except on the knees). Anyway, I managed it.

Under the cloud

In the cloud

At the end of our walk we found our way to Millstream House. Nora and Jim were marvelous hosts, and upon our damp and miserable arrival, treated us to delicious toasted sandwiches, cake and apple pie. They were wonderful hosts and we hope to return one day.

Jane

Great weekend and over 400 miles!!!

Sat 23rd
Jane 13 Sam 12  Total 25
Walking total 421.5 miles
We had an early start this morning. Dushi had to be at Kerry airport early so on the drive there Sam dropped me off at The Killarney National Park and I was walking by 8am in the beautiful tranquil surroundings by The Lakes. Thanks Dushi for all the walking and for introducing me the the delights of Dinner Date!
We then drove to the north part of the Ring of Kerry and headed inland to walk. The walk was really lovely past small and larger lakes with fishermen. My legs did start to scream at me and I have to say I was feeling rather tired and then I saw a sign saying i was walking in the Glencor area which is known as the Kerry Highlands and is twinned with The Scottish Highlands, no wonder my thighs felt the climb!
I was also boosted by a call from Jane McKenna as I was walking a particularly steep part. Jane and her family are the story behind LauraLynn House and I have done a separate blog to tell you their story. It was so nice to talk to Jane and I really hope we will meet up in Dublin. You made the climb easier Jane!

Stayed at The Kingfisher Lodge in Killarney and many thanks to Ann for your generosity.
Treated ourselves to a great meal in a restaurant called Bricin -traditional Irish. We both had boxties, a filled potato pancake and as you can see they look very nice! My seafood chowder (again a real Irish dish) was also delicious.

Sunday 24th
Jane 8 Sam 0 Total 8(not bad for our rest day)
Walking total 429.5 (-11 behind schedule)
I had my first full Irish breakfast since not walking -delicious. Ann makes the greatest Irish soda bread and has promised me the recipe so we will be having that a lot at home in the future.
Had  a drive out to Gap of Dunloe but the cloud was so low we couldn't see anything. Made our way to our lovely hotel -the Lake Hotel, actually on The Lower Lake -thank you again for your kind generosity.
It is a fabulous hotel and Queen Victoria stayed here when she and her ladies in waiting named "Lady's View". We sat in the piano lounge for several hours relaxing, reading and skyping and so on.

 It got rather hot and I then realised there were two fires going! I wanted some fresh air so I sauntered off to the National Park a few minutes away and came back nearly 3 hours later, having walked to Torc Waterfall.
The setting of the hotel is glorious.

So we have done over the 400 so far. We are a few miles still behind schedule but not too worried since we will have walked over 500 by the time Paul and Annie come out on Friday. Both Sam and myself are feeling very postive and are enjoying the experience. It was  nice for Sam to have the company of his friends the last week and I enjoyed their company too.

view from our room 

cormerants on the lake

Torc waterfall

The Wife Carrying Championship

Now I know that back in Blackmore Paul is breathing a sigh of relief that he is still in Essex not in Kerry. Shame we would have made a good team?

Now this is such a great fun event and I will educate you. The winner wins E1000 and the chance to travel to the World Championship in Finland. The event attracts people from all over the world. Last year two Japanese celebrities took part. The course proved too tough for the husband and the wife had to carry him over the finishing line! You will see from the photo the wife is carried upside down with her legs wrapped round the husband’s neck.

The rules:

-the course is 253.5m long with 2 dry obstacles and 1 wet obstacle

-“the wife to be carried may be your own, the neighbour’s, or she may have been found further afield”

-“the wife must weigh at least 49kg. If she weighs less she will be handicapped with a loaded rucksack “

-the only equipment allowed is a belt worn by the carrier (rather like the weightlifters wear – presumably some wives weigh in excess of 49kg!) and a safety helmet for the wife”

Sam and I hope to finish walking early enough on Saturday to drive back to Sneem to see this, just too good to miss!

Jane

Hurray have internet!!

Finally we have internet again, so below I have given an update on last week. Hopefully I can get all the blogs done before Sam takes the laptop!!!

Back to Bantry Bay(friday 22nd)
Jane7.5 Sam and Dushi 9 Total 16.5
Walking total 396.5( -19)

A really good day initially. Decided to walk away from Ring of Kerry since the coaches make it really dangerous.We drove to Kilgarvan and then walked inland down to Bantry. I have to say the scenery was rather like The Alps, lots of waterfalls, bubbling brooks, occasional farms and I only saw one car in the course of an hour and half walk. From there we drove to the north coast of The Sheep's Head Peninsula to give Dushi some different scenery. Again walking by the Bay of Bantry was really lovely. Finished the day early since Sam's ankle playing up again.

Had a very nice meal in Kenmare to round off Dushi's stay in Ireland.



Paradise found!(Thurs 21st)

Jane 11 Sam and Dushi 12 Total 23

Walking total 380 (-12.5)

Walked the most westerly part of The Ring of Kerry today. It certainly was a great day, with lovely weather –dry, sunny with a nice breeze. 

Waterville

I particularly liked Waterville and talked to a lovely woman out walking her baby, she said I must visit Derrynane Bay. At the last part of my walk I was high above it and then saw a little unsigned road. I took the chance and it did indeed lead me downwards to the most wonderful setting – a large sandy beach, little inlets, islands in the distance and the sunniest part of the day so far – paradise as you can see from the photos.

Home for dinner. I had wanted to take Dushi out to the pub for some local music but the ‘kids’ too tired!! Last day in the house tomorrow so washing machine being utilised!

Jane

My tyring day off (Wed 20^th)

Sam and Dushi 10.5 Jane 1 Total 11.5

Walking total 357 (-12.5 behind schedule)

I was really looking forward to my day off. I had planned to wander around Kenmare and laze all afternoon with a book. Well didn’t quite happen!

In the morning I took Sam and Dushi to north coast of The Beara Peninsula for the start of their walk and they were going to walk back into Kenmare. Today was scheduled a rest day for us both but Sam wanted to make up lost ground and he did have a rest day on Saturday. After dropping them off, I stopped in Kenmare and noticed that one of the tyres was completely flat. Went to shop where they give us free wi-fi  and did a few emails and try to catch up with my blog. Everything seems to take so long. I got some email advice from Paul about reading the car instruction manual about flat tyres and using the emergency sealant and pump. All sounded terribly complicated. Went back to the car and followed instructions, it was actually easier than I had thought and I managed to inflate the tyre. Next job finding a tyre shop! The Irish do have a knack of giving poor directions. I was told to drive up a road a mile or two and the Kenmare Tyre Centre would be there. After over three miles I gave up and was trying to find a place to turn around when suddenly the tyre centre appeared. Very nice chap sorted a new tyre out and also gave me a generous donation. Finally made it back to Kenmare for a look around and explore. It certainly is a very picturesque and interesting town.

Had a whole hours read and rest before dinner. We drove into Killarney to watch latest Harry Potter film. Sam drove home through the winding roads between Kenmare and Killarney so the adventure continued for another hour! Back to walking tomorrow!

Climbing Mountains (Tues 19^th)

Jane 11  Dushi and Sam 11 Total 14 (since we walked 3 miles together –more about that later!)

Walking total 345.5 (-24 miles)

Muckross House

Lady's View

Sam drove Michela to the airport this morning and he dropped me in the Killarney National Park en route so I could get some walking in. (Thanks Michela for doing so well with the walking –a marathon in 2 days not bad!). A really great walk around the lake since there were no cars and the scenery wonderful. Walked up to Muckross House and Abbey. The sun appeared for the first time in many days and had a great drive back to Kenmare with stops at Lady’s View and Moll’s Gap.

We decided to have a different day away from traffic and had planned some long walks at a close by park on the Beara Penisula. Gleninchaquin Park was quite difficult to find, driving for 5 miles down a very small “road”. We decided on one of the shorter walks first so that the 3 of us could walk together. We hadn’t realised this was mountain walking! We did literally walk up a mountain, walk around the top of a waterfall and back down –it took us a little longer than planned. I thought I had got fitter these last few weeks but goodness me it was a hard climb. The view from the top was fabulous. We were constantly surrounded by sheep with amazing agility. In fact Dushi and I feel there is  quite a sheep like quality in Sam, he managed to bound up and down without any problem.

So after our mountaineering time was short so we did a brief walk around the coast and called it a day. I had a sweet little dog follow or more accurately lead me for about 2 miles. Speaking to a local   farmer he (the dog) is a well known wanderer! Back home to my Irish lamb stew which was rather good.

Jane

The Ring of Kerry (Mon 18^th)

Jane 12.5 Sam and Michela 11.5 Total 24

Walking total 331.5

I gave Sam his birthday present of a lie in by picking up Dushi early from the airport. Dushi is another medic (from Imperial, Michela is at Barts and The London –of course you know which is the most superior!!- I’m ex  Londoner).  Dushi unfortunately not too well so she spent the day in bed.

Decided to do a walk scheduled for later in the week so that Michela could have a walk in The Ring of Kerry. One of the main problems is the traffic, particularly the large touring coaches. However they are only allowed to drive anti clockwise so we did the walk in reverse ie also anti clockwise so that we would be walking on the opposite side of the road to the coaches. It rained near enough the whole day. Met up with Sam and Michela in Sneem for a hot drink since it was also cold. The local radio was also complaining about everyone having to put the central heating back on because of the low temperatures. Sneem is holding its Family Festival, the climax being the Paddy Power National find some information and I am    writing a separate blog because it so deserves it!

Overall a good day’s walking. Ankles much better. I risked walking in trainers despite the rain, feet stayed dry and ankles are happier for it. Sam’s ankle also fine at the moment. No other aches and pains.

Jane