A Busy Day in Dingle

We spent two days in Dingle.  It helps to slow down after a week so the laundry can get done. Mostly we stayed two night to fit in all the activities.  This trip didn't really leave a lot of time for shopping.   We did get to wander around the small shops. I spent some of my time checking out sweaters and deciding that the one I had bought in the Aran Islands was still the best for me and regardless of what Monica says, She is responsible for her own sweater purchasing weakness.  I did not force her to find that sweater that she liked.

Up early in the morning and following a hearty breakfast we walked a block down the street from the Dingle Bay Hotel to gear up for our kayaking.  From the left: Lance of the steak stuck in the throat misadventure, his wife Eileen, Liz of the blue hat, Danielle, her mother Ann, Monica, her husband Tom and myself. Two of our group skipped the kayaking opportunity,

The weather did not look promising a we walked across the road to the wharf and kayaking launch area.  But my Irish mother always said that if there was enough blue for a pair of Dutchman's britches, there was hope for a clear sky.

Our two young handsome Irish guides had us practice a few maneuvers before we left the protection of the docks.  One of the young men was currently unattached. He got thoroughly checked out for Dee.  

When they decided that all of us really did know something about kayaking we headed out.

Leaving the protection of port,we headed across the open bay towards the shore and the far cliffs.

Monica and Tom...with Liz out front to the right of Monica.  Liz didn't bring her camera along but she should have some good shots as she purchased a copy of all the pictures one of the guides took with a water proof camera that looked a lot like mine. 

Liz and I both thought about hijacking one of the young guides for his paddle.  He had the same light weight paddle brand that Liz and I both have.  He said, Oh yes, I just got it a couple of weeks ago! It weight about half what the old paddle weighs. My back and shoulders feel so much better with this paddle.  Yes, we know, sighed both Liz and I.....as we each pushed on with one of the old paddles.

It may have rained briefly.....

But we reached the cliffs and the sea caves/

Here we are getting some directions on how to enter the our sea cave.  We all paddled in backwards, It did make exiting easy when the time came.  

One of the guides said that he had never seen the tide so low.  He has been in the cave when there was only 8 feet clearance.   We are happy to come in during low tide.

Liz looking very professional out there.

Eileen

Coming back across the bay and heading towards the marina we were hit by a blustery head wind trying to push us back out to sea.  I could have used that lighter paddle, just saying.

And then we found some dry clothes, had a quick snack and those of us silly enough to sign up for the horseback riding set off for the fields.  Ann rode with us but she had skipped the kayaking. Liz and I were the only one that tried both activities in the same day. In our defense I will say that at the time we signed up we did not know that the activities fell on the same day.  Oh, well, as long as part of your body is going to be sore.....  The riding didn't effect me but my shoulders remembered the paddles even the next day.

Our mounts were Irish Cobs, very sturdy and strong Doesn't Liz look very quite the equestrian?  :-)

And I was right, the views from the top always look better when on horseback and breathing oxygen is not an issue.

Two young women working of getting a ride to Killarney.

Dee explained that most of the larger tour companies spend the night in Killarney because there are so many more larger hotels there with more beds available.  The tour groups then drive around the southern peninsular and take day trips to places like Dingle.  We do the opposite. We stay in the smaller towns and villages and take trips through the larger places only if what we get to visit is worthy.  

Another interesting fact Dee shared was that the tour companies and the locals pretty much have the driving "rings" and or "loops" around the different peninsulas worked out so that those driving larger vehicles are all driving the same direction, either clockwise or counter clockwise depending upon the peninsula.  The roads are very narrow and it makes driving the buses easier on the blood pressure.  She said that works out pretty well until some one not familiar with the local gentleman's agreement drives around with their camper bus or van.   We did meet with a couple of those.    Dee reported that one day that the loop was closed most of the day because of colliding bus mirrors.