Tuesday, January 26, 2010

This is the only way to see Ireland . . . .

Kevin and I drove to Bantry Pony Trekking (where we visited on Saturday) for an adventure on horseback with Jenny.  The weather was like a spring day, just glorious.

Here we are at our cottage, getting ready for the trek.  Kevin says, "Unleash the hounds!"

Waivers and releases signed, let's mount up.

Beautiful Irish Cob ponies, Hector and Attila (Flower), father and son.  Renee on Hector.

Jenny led us out and up through gated fields until we stopped for our first water break, the stream.

Newly planted forest opposite stands of old growth.

Jenny describing the view . . . . Hungry Hill, Bantry Bay, Meala (sp?) Valley, etc., before continuing on up.

In addition to the clip-clop of the horses hooves in the quiet mountain air, we could hear the water flowing down the mountain in this ditch beside the trail.  Just grand!

Hector shared a stall with Winston, I was introducing myself . . . .

It was a lovely ride and a beautiful experience.  Thank you, Hector.

Thank you Jenny and Chris.  And most especially my brave husband, Kevin.  What a day!!!!

Another fence/wall of interest to me . . . . . Some stones up, some down, some sideways . . . .

Monday, January 25, 2010

Mizen Head, the southwestern most point of Ireland, was our destination today.  Sunshine and clear skies  - was a great day for sightseeing, and what magnificent sights we saw!

When we finished the drive to Mizen Head we returned to Durrus and drove around the other side to Crookhaven, then back around to Kilcrohane.  Luckily, we found a fuel pump (not a gas station) in Goleen so we good keep going. It seemed, once again, that we were the only ones on the road.  There were only workmen at Mizen Head doing construction, the center and everything else was closed.

 

And we're home, up the road and turn left into the driveway at the top of the hill.