My Dingling

Isn't there a song with that title?

I struck out on my own because everyone else is puny. It is now 8:45pm and I am back and pooped out. It won't be dark for over an hour. Music in most of these pubs starts at 9:30 - and they always add "-ish." Grandpa here can't cut it. Hmmm - I may know someone else like that. Initials are "father of Charlie." Maybe if I nap tomorrow?

If you didn't already know, all signs here are in a minimum of two languages. 

I don't speak the first one. In fact, I am totally confused by it. I wish Europe would put all signs in about 5-6 languages. Yes, there would be signs a story tall or a bus wide, but I'm an arrogant tourist. I tried to blend in, but it takes about 15 seconds for me to be outed. Could be the silly hat protecting my balding head. Could be the hiking shoes, even in a nice restaurant. Could be the Canon around my neck. Could be that I and all members of my family whip out our cellphones when we enter someplace with internet access. Could be that we talk to the sheep.

I browsed in a few stores, found a laundromat for tomorrow, had a Black and Tan and a half dozen raw oysters out of Dingle Bay. Had awesome ice cream at Murphy's. (http://www.murphysicecream.ie)

Shopped for clothes as well. In fact, I had serious "lust in my heart" (a 1970's misquoted reference, chilluns - look it up) for a locally made Aran twead jacket. As I caressed the sleeve, I found the price tag. I immediately moved to lust for it from aross the room.

Walked the marina. This guy was trying to move his watercraft. The air is 50, I'm in a jacket, and the water temp is 52 (yes, I looked it up.). This guy is barefooted and in the water. 

Dingle is a seafood haven. In fact, if we make it, we have reservations tomorrow for lunch at Out of the Blue. From their website: 

Meat eaters need not apply:  Out Of The Blue is strictly for seafood lovers!

Everything depends upon the catch of the day and nothing but the best will do. If there’s no fish, the restaurant doesn’t open.

The menu, given on blackboards, changes every day offering a huge variety of whatever is available from the boats that morning.  

Anyone who is lucky enough to get a table in this small casual restaurant can expect seriously delicious seafood cookery.

One finds a few boats here. In various stages of creation.

One can also find a pub or two in Dingle. In every block of the downtown. This being the holiday weekend, I think we may find a keg or two more in the alley tomorrow.

This is something I did not expect to see on the main drag:

That is the local aquarium.  Haven't decided if I will go to that.

It is now bedtime. Catch you tomorrow. 

Hey to Charlie! 

Goin' Dingling

Cody and I walked in to get Vicki some medicine, then we all headed out of Kenmare for Kilłarney National Park. Once again, Cody and I saw some gorgeous scenery. Once again, on the side of the road, but this time on private property, we found an old ruin. We wanted to go in, but thought better of it. 

Further on, we also saw the Torc waterfall.

As gorgeous as the waterfall was, it was the surrounding woods that were incredibly green and enticing. There are ferns everywhere and trees, alive and fallen, are covered with moss. All the Irish lore about leprechauns and the little people seemed quite appropriate and applicable here.

(Not a leprechaun. Just caught tying my shoes by my son. He'd better watch it.)

Vicki, unfortunately, did not feel up to this short walk - or any other. She stayed in the car, napping when possible.

Next stop was the Muckross Abbey. We skipped the horse and buggy tours of the entire Muckross estate. Things are starting to get pretty touristy. 

Here's the sign. If you want to know more, you read about it!

Relatives?

More green!

So we just arrived in Dingle. This is our B&B.

But this is our view from the front lawn.

Couldn't take that shot without cars or busses in it - too many now. We didn't know what a big deal the bank holiday this coming Monday was, and it seems that half the country will be making a long weekend of it somewhere. So we have lots of company.

Tonight, it's time to go Dingling. I may be alone, given the state of my traveling companions. But I will see Dingle.