Amy and I decided to forego the traditional Irish breakfast this morning so we could get an earlier start to Dingle. We got a reprieve from the rain yesterday and only got a few droplets today which led thankfully to more photo opportunities.
Yesterday's element was water. Today's was air. Coming from California we really expected to be cold here and it has been very warm by Ireland's standards and even more surprising very humid. More than one local has mentioned how humid it is. I walked in a short sleeve shirt the entire day.
The trail today consisted of minor tarmac roads and farmlands. So that meant more mud (a LOT of mud), more stiles and more cow dung. Sounds lovely doesn't it? In actuality it was beautiful. It was a series of ups and downs that at the low point took us to "Stony Beach" which was the closest we have been to the sea yet. There were green hills to the left. The sea and distant mountains ahead of us and to top it off the ancient ruins Minard Castle to the right.
Stony Beach and Minard Castle
At the high point we used a series of stiles to take us between multiple farmlands. Today we actually walked through a farm. We approached one gate and posted was a sign that said "Beware of Bull". Huh??? We proceeded over the stile and saw several gentile cows grazing. Mind you we were about 15 feet from these cows. I look a left and saw a calf and slowed down to take a closer look. Unbeknownst to me papa bull was right behind the calf with its little white horns. And then I feel a firm push from behind. It was Amy using her nonverbal cue telling me to "keep moving!".
When we approached Dingle our friend Tom Crean showed up again. This time in the form of a lager named after him and brewed at the Dingle Brewery. I will let the picture speak for itself.
Most of our B&B's have been small but have multiple stories so we have carried our luggage up 2 and 3 flights. The host at The Emlagh in Dingle greeted us warmly as all the hosts have. She wanted to show us our room and we got ready to carry our luggage again until she told us they had a lyft. What a perfect way to end the walk!
After cleaning up Amy and I ate at a wonderful dinner at the Chart House and then walked to a pub that was playing traditional Irish music. We stayed for a few songs and then turned in for the night.
Irish pub with traditional music
Stats:
Miles: 16 miles
Steps: 34,000
Floors climbed: 73
Stiles: 12