Dingle and Doolin

Heading out of Killarney to escape the Marathon road closures we drove to Dingle via the coast road ; narrow lanes, high hedges, small green fields with rock walls, sheep everywhere and a biting wind. We landed at Inch where they have a beach and surf school. We are in a half dozen layers with coats and scarves and the Irish are out in the surf - makes you wonder. They wear dry wet suits with woollen jumpers underneath and the old guys have fires going on the beach. They are seriously touched.

Further to Dingle and we land at our BnB early and are met by Juli and an avalanche of chatter and a hot cuppa. You think Ross can talk, this lady is amazing. No drawing of breath and masses of information spewing out, a great room and we leave the luggage and head into town with it sleeting.

A lovely town with a myriad of cottages, pubs, cafes and restaurants - we hit the farmers markets for a lamb burger and head up the hill to Dick Mack's  pub where they have a 10 piece horn and brass band - like the old Madison Cat from the Bruns Pub. Have a bit of a bop and it's off around the corner to Foxy Johns pub, a mixture of bar and a hardware shop. Interesting combination. Meanwhile we walk the hill looking at art galleries, schools, shops and churches in the rain. Cold but interesting.

Home for a rest and then out to dinner at a seafood cafe Out of the Blue, where we try Sea Bass, John Dory and Cod with a dozen oysters. Yum.

The next morning it's still raining so we head out for Doolin in County Clare, racing to make the ferry at Tarbert - arrived with seconds to spare. 20 minutes across the Shannon River.

Landed and headed out to Kildee for a stop but couldn't come at the whelks and dillisk for sale along the waterfront. Dillisk is dried seaweed. On we go towards Doolin and it's so cold and wet we decided to get a bottle of wine and some snacks so we don't have to go out tonight. Lo and behold the weather cleared and so we ran the risk of visiting the Cliffs of Moher and an interactive centre while the weather holds. Brilliant,

On to Doolin and our BnB, Blackberry lodge where Pearse our host recommends McGanns pub for tea. A brilliant little pub with musicians starting at about 9:30. Traditional Irish music, absolutely brilliant, great atmosphere and heaps of tourists and locals tapping along. A late night for us and we walked home down the dark narrow roads with our little torch to a warm bed and a good nights rest.