Came through a small town called Lanagh, but decided to go on, didn’t see a tower anyway. At the end of the road was a parking so decided to go in there. Still no tower, but there were two nice lakes. Parked the car for a fee of 4 euros and went for a walk along the lake. Quite a nice place as the pictures below will show. The tower will have to wait for another time.
At the end of the regular path, there’s another path that wriggles itself around the mountain. Almost seemed like the more difficult paths I encountered in Spain, while off-roading. When I was 3/4 up the mountain, I decided to go back. I didn’t have any water with me and felt dehydration coming on.

I will definitely come back very soon, when the weather is as good as it was today; it was actually quite warm. I will make a day of it next time as there is quite a bit more to see and I need to finish the climb.

After a bit of deliberation, I knew what I should do. Introduce the New Year’s Dive (being done by thousands of people, over the last few years) to Ireland. So, off in the car and to Lehinch Beach (of surfing fame). Swimming trunks were donned at home already. We arrived with 2 brave people, 1 wuss and 1 slightly hungover person. Despite calling the wuss a chicken and trying to persuade the hungover person that a dive would cure anything from man0-flu to hangovers, it was down to me and Cynthia to brave the waves. Clothes off, just swimming gear and run into the water. We noticed a few people looking at us with some derision and slight amusement. Odd that.

Bloody hell, it was cold. I have to admit not dropping myself in the water, Cynthia did and kudos to her. I did get wet thoroughly though.

We ran back to the car at a slightly faster pace than when we went in. The 2 none-divers stood at the ready with towels. On the way back from the beach to the car, I couldn’t even feel the bottom of my feet. Quickly into the car, heating up and struggling to get back into my clothes. Once that was done, we went to the local cafe for a well deserved (well two persons deserved it) hot chocolate.

I may very well do it again next year

Unfortunately, the waves were too close to the boulders on the beach and the guy renting out the boards and suits advised against it, he didn’t want to rent today. Probably a sound business decision, seeing as business revolves around repeat visits

Webcam

Instead we went to Galway, as we were already halfway. A few small country roads which scared Carina in the back (again, sorry), while Axel didn’t bat an eyelid…
Instead of surfing, we went shopping. Well, both start with an s, so close enough. Bought some shoes (old ones were about 4 years old and started leaking) and a frying pan with lid.

Surfing to be tried again next week. We’ll set off from here at about 09.30, be in the water about an hour later at which point comedy should ensue….

Set off at about 14.30 First bit of the ride is Motorway, after that a mix of 2 and 4-lane N-roads through the rolling landscape that is Ireland. Arrived at about 15.45.
Obviously I went there to kiss the Blarney-stone. But, it’s not just the castle. There’s also a mansion and quite a bit of forest. Went into the castle and the climb was a feat in itself. Very, very narrow staircase. Great views from the windows and various holes in the castle of the surrounding area.
After the kiss, I did the woodland-walk and lap around the lake. It said on the signs, it would take about 1 hour and 50 minutes (1 h30m and 0h20m), but that’s probably measured with stumpy Irish legs. I was done in an hour or so.

It’s well worth a visit and I will certainly be back sometime in summer.

As we were close by, we decided to check out the Lachin Aquarium as well. All I can say is, that it is an aquarium and that’s about it. What a disappointment. Looked like they dragged a net through the Atlantic for a couple of hours, built a few fish-tanks and plopped the caught fish in there. Some fish and crustaceans had barely any room to move. Ah wel, at least I’ve seen it.