August group

We made 2 trips to the Dingle peninsula with this group - both wonderful days. (I haven't mentioned that despite the pretty wet summer we're having, we picked our days well and got nice weather for most of our expeditions - especially the Blasket Island day, which was absolutely gorgeous). On our first day we went over the Conor Pass. We all climbed to the higher section and placed a rock on the pile commemorating our visit! Dick is pictured, representing all of us!). Then we went to Dingle town, ate at Murphy's as usual. The pub group pic is courtesy of Jeanne. Some went on the Dolphin Boat, some enjoyed walking on the pier. On the way back Dana's car (with MFE, Mick and Jeanne) found a new spot - Minard Castle and beach - quite a ruined castle, a great beach, a gorgeous view of the Iveragh Peninsula, and some intriguing green rocks and growth - they are really this color, not an enhancement!! (A minor flaw was a flat tire on the way out, which Mick and Dana fixed in record time at a very lucky place to pull off of a very narrow road!)










The second day we took a boat trip to the Blasket Islands. Dana and I took the ferry and went straight to Blasket Mor (the Great Blasket), carrying the lunch. The others took the island tour (which we took last month - see previous posting with John and Lorraine) and then joined us for a late picnic lunch on the beautiful cliff overlooking the bay and the Atlantic. While they were gone, I went swimming - the water was freezing but the air was nice and the sun was shining! A woman I had met on the boat told me where there were seals, so I began to swim to see them, but remembered that without my glasses I was unlikely to get much of a view!. So, I just put my head down and swam for a while, having a great time. When I stopped for breath and opened my eyes I was closer than arm's length to 2 seals, gazing solemnly at me. It scared me to death - I turned and swam (fast) in the other direction until reason returned and I realized that I wanted to see seals, so I swam back slowly and had good eye contact with them for a minute or two - what an experience. Dana was resting on the cliff, so no pictures, so you'll have to take my word for it. This was a perfect day - we enjoyed the relaxation on the cliffs (saw a baby donkey, many sheep up close and personal), and the others enjoyed the tour. This picture is on the dock as we awaited our boat for the trip over.