Annascaul to Dingle



Leaving Annascaul in the morning we had one more visit w our revered Tom Crean, the Antarctic explorer who hailed from this town and is their icon.  Barb keeps asking me what I’m looking for in a man and I just reply- a fella like Tom Crean, with the pups but without the pipe.  Never mind my photo above, I had just put sunscreen on my face and it had leaked into my eyes.


A fun memory from our night before in Annascaul a ledge for holding our new tall friend’s beer and my Dingle Gin and Soda.  Barb felt it was a bit high for her glass of wine.

The first 15 km today was on asphalt and we were looking hard for the trail to turn to earth.  Well it finally did and shortly thereafter we were in a dairy farmers main alley in from his pastures…a sea of cow manure that was frightening even for these farm girls.  We were happy to be walking in  cleaner pastures at this point.

Better land in this area so more dairy farms and the sheep breeds I noticed changed to north country Cheviot and less Scottish blackface - the breed built for the steep rocky land closer to Camp.

Today was 24 km on a ton of pavement and 189 metres in elevation.


Above:
After a very large tasty dinner at the fish box we headed to Dick Mack’s bar for an after dinner bev.  We met a charming couple there from New Jersey.  We all enjoyed an exchange of great conversation and stories while sitting on the stools of the old leather shop. 

Below- today was our non-hiking day to enjoy Dingle.  Good thing as my knee is starting to whine quite a bit going downhill.  I purchased a knee pull- on tensor and some anti inflammatory ointment so hopefully I’ll be able to continue on.  
Below is Barb at The Cheese Shop, a must for anyone travelling through Dingle.  We bought some cheese and crackers for our remaining days on the trail.



Above is us stopping for a wee bite of lunch on a busy street in Dingle.  Was a perfect shopping day w a good haul from some beautiful stores.

Below- lastly we stopped by the sensory gardens behind the monastery,  right across the street from the fish box.  Such a lovely spot.





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