Day 5: Doing "The Dingle"

We awoke to find Marilyn suffering from a bad cold.  She decided to stay at the cottage and rest today as Jim, Liz and I set off for the Dingle Peninsula.  Before we left on this trip, my friend Richard highly  recommended "doing the Dingle".  His recommendation made for the highlight of the trip so far!

The day was cloudy with some fog as we set off on the 2 hour drive to Dingle.  Near Tralee you get your first glimpse of the mountains.  Liz and I took pictures from the car as Jim drove.  Some of the roads near Tralee were single lane and going around blind corners was exciting indeed.

A first view of the mountains

They are getting closer...

No, this is not a lane way but rather a 2 way road

Most of our lane is covered by a hedge.

After travelling along the north side of the peninsula, we began the climb to the top of Conor's Pass.  Jim expertly drove up the steep narrow road around oncoming cars and the odd stray sheep.  Arriving at the top we wondered at the view.  I texted a picture to Marilyn and we chatted with two young cyclists from Galway who have ridden up from Dingle.

A panorama from Conor Pass

The view north

The view west

A view of Dingle to the South

Two Irish lads and Liz

The drive down was much easier and arriving in Dingle we were ready for lunch at the Mariner's Inn.  The travel guide suggested that we try the seafood chowder.  It was delicious!  Walking around the quaint town Liz found a beautiful Irish knit seater for half the price they were asking in Dublin.  I found a similarly great deal on a Guinness rugger shirt.  Murphy's ice cream is also recommended by the guide and the Irish coffee with real whiskey did not disappoint although the price was shocking.

Where Liz and I had seafood chowder and Jim got thumped.

Dingle side street view

Colourful Dingle shops

Dingle Woollen Company where Liz got her sweater

Dingle Harbour

Satisfied we set out on the Slea Head Drive.  The scenery was spectacular.  I will let the pictures do the talking.

Liz before she was bitten and went to the hospital

The picture Dwight took just before he was arrested

Who is this relaxed Irish lad?

Clouds on Mount Brandon

Arriving back in Dingle we took a brief rest before I drove back to the cottage.  It was a quiet ride as we each reflected on how great a day it was.  On the way we decided to concoct a story so Marilyn would not be sad she missed such an awesome day.  So it was decided that Liz has been bitten by the donkey she petted and required a hospital trip for a tetanus shot, Jim cheered for Donegal while watching the Irish Gaelic Football final at lunch and was resoundedly thumped by the partisan Kerry crowd, and Dwight was arrested for taking pictures of the prehistoric beehive stone dwellings without paying the 2 euro fee and was taken to the local jail.

A local pub dinner and watching the season 5 premier of Downton Abbey completed this awesome day.  I won't spoil it for the North Americans who have to wait until January but the episode features some "hot" scenes.