The Connor Pass

No trip to the Dingle Peninsula is complete without the drive through the Connor Pass which we also did last year. But last year Ayden was asleep and we were unable to stop and make the climb to the mountain lake just off the road.

Can't say it was the easiest walk up as Ayden had to be carried and was very nervous about the climb and Iman we discovered leaft her crocs at the last beach and had to wear my flipflops walking into back sludge on the way up!

But all was forgiven when we got up to the lake. The kids rinsed their hands and loved the cold water except Jack leant too far forward and nearly missed falling in! The fun just never stops!!!

Back to Kerry - This time it's Dingle !

As most of you will now know, we do have a real liking for Kerry and the west coast of Ireland in general. So, despite original plans to head to the Wicklow mountains for the second week of my leave, we changed and headed to Dingle.

We again hit the housing jackpot, with a lovely 4 bedroom (plenty of room for visitors), about 10 minutes walk from Dingle town.

The view from the house is fantastic - we had all seasons yesterday, from a beautiful day on Ventry beach to a heavy mist that decended on the bay shortly before dinner.

Sean and Emma stayed the night, so we had some insider knowledge about the area and once breakfast formalities were completed, we headed to Paudi O'Shea's pub in Ventry (we thought it was a little early for that!) and to a beautiful stretch of Ventry beach. The kids once again realised that the Atlantic does offer a different experience to the South China Sea so toes were dipped and the focus changed to hurling and football.

What a beautiful place - Maria and I simply stood on the beach looking quietly at the view for an age - nature is wonderful when it does that to you. Keeping the location is perspective and the fact that 3.30 was approaching, the sounds of an approaching helicopter caught everyone's attention - it was one of 2 that landed in the field next to Ventry church and Paudi O'Shea's bringing an extended family to the pub to watch the Cork - Kilkenny game.

A weekend with my friends

I have just spent an amazing weekend with Skye and Dikla my two lovely friends of 19 years. Despite all the years and so many changes ~ everything was still the same.

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Iman's climbing frame @ Fota

We went to the Fota Wildlife Park yesterday with Mairead and Ruairi. It was a lovely warm day and the kids did plenty of running around the place seeing the animals, feeding ducks, climbing trees etc. We've been coming here every year and its nice to see the kids walking round recognizing the place. Iman remembered the climbing frame which I have twice taken photographs of her and we took another one yesterday though we wasn't so easy as there were quite a few children on it with her. What a huge difference from the first one back in 2007!

2007

2009

2010

Summer evenings

The outdoor kids are enjoying the cool Irish summer especially the long evenings - they want to be outside all day and all night! Trying to get Ayden to go to bed while it is light is a daily challenge "But Mama it's still morning, see....!".

Iman and Jack are big into the hurling and Ayden still very attached to the tennis racket. Usually within half an hour of waking up he is already asking to go outside at which time I am usually suggesting that watching some tv is a better idea!

Of course playing outside usually involves Ruairi. He's around everyday and is proving to be invaluable company!

Killarney pit stop

On the way back to Cork we stopped in Killarney for our lunch and treated the kids with a ride on a horse cart. Thinking that it was just a spin around town I was nicely surprised that the ride actually took us into the Killarney national park which is just beside the town.

Iman and Jack loved sitting up front and took turns to hold the reins and whip.

And this was the destination, a castle next to one of the many lakes in the park

The town and park is hugely popular with tourists and these Spanish school kids had to ride behind us for a while.

End of our week in Waterville

We had a fab week in this house. It was comfortable, very spacious and we felt very much at home.

Especially as the kids had made friends with Rian also on holiday staying in the house opposite us. And they were very sad to say goodbye to him and Jack has been wanting to go to Westmeath to visit him.

Boat Trip around Valentia Harbour

It was too cold for the beach on our last day so we went on a boat ride around the harbour. Grainne and Declan had joined us for a couple of days with their lovely babies Eve and twins Luke and Ruby but unfortunately had to bail out as poor Eve was poorly.

But it was all probably a blessing in disguise as the responsible adults did not read the small print on the brochure that the total trip was 2+ half hours which would have been too much for the babies. Plus it was wet and cold and we all had to wrap up!

We went past this Ballycarbury castle ruins which were occupied by the McCarthy kings at some stage.

We spotted a couple of seals on the way but as it was high tide unfortunately non on their favorite beach. We were also pointed out the boat driver's grandfather's house which is on Beginis Island now uninhabited. We were then taken to Valentia Island and had to wait for an hour for the return trip which we could have done without bearing in mind the weather. So time for cake and a cup of coffee.

And the weather made everyone a bit grumpy but the hard Irish kids didn't seem to be bothered at all!!!

Safe Voyage

Good friends of ours from our time in Bangkok have left on the next leg of their amazing journey around the world in their beautiful yacht Wings (do check out the link for details of the voyage). They are covering the ground between Thailand and South Africa, taking a southern route to avoid the pirates.

We wish them a safe voyage and may they be rewarded with excellent wine on arrival in South Africa.

Day jalan-jalan with Grannie, Grandad and Clodagh

Grannie, Grandad and Closagh came to visit for a couple of nights. It was a bit on the chilly side yesterday and a bit of rain so we decided to drive around rather than try sit on a wet beach.

We went past this golf club which obviously had some visitors with plenty of cash to spare given their choice of transport. How nice that would be!

We then went for a walk on Ballinskelligs beach. Cold but it improved.

The beach were littered with these washed up jellyfish

We then drove towards Portmagee for lunch and saw the Skelligs. Now imagine how wild it can get out there!

And view of Valentia Island and Port Magee