Saturday, July 1, 2017

Hiking in Ireland: Day 7on the Kerry Way

Aloha all,

Day 7: Caherdaniel to Sneem

Statistics:  62 stories climb, 11.4 miles or 30,100 Caroline steps, 27 stiles (stairs over fences)
Weather conditions:  PISSY RAIN for all 11.4 miles BUT we carried our packs all the way!  

Not so many photos today as it was really over cast, foggy and "pissy" rain!  But no matter, the hike today was relatively easy.  The ascents were gradual, so were the descents.  JUST WET WET BOGS!  And I am really glad for all the lightweight raingear!


Sun coming through the clouds as we came up over the first rise.  The only sun we saw until later in the afternoon!



Below: Kerri showing  her renewed and more powerful muscles thanks to Guinness!
Below:  Sheep with curly-cue horns. If you can zoom in on the photo as this ram had really nifty horns
 Below:  Two rams with great horns...


Wishing seat en route


And as we approached the main road (before turning back to our hiking path, we saw the Ring of Kerry Bicycle Ride for charity- 7000+ registered cyclists riding (cycling) the entire ring of Kerry! The riders were as wet as we were!

 Riders disappearing into the mist.
 The cyclists coming by our lunch spot.
And then before we knew it, poof.... we were in Sneem.  11.4 miles WITH our packs in just under 5 hours.  Our B&B is wonderful and the owner took our wet soggy boots to the shed to dry them by the fire!!!  And she did our wet soggy laundry, too.  MARVELOUS - to feel like a warm dry human again.

And once reinvigorated with a hot shower, we walked into Sneem to see the continuation of the bicycle ride.  Turns out this is a very civilized ride.... about 500 of the cyclists were taking a break, lunching and drinking at all the pubs!



And as one does in an Irish town with lots of pubs, we checked out the pubs so we could rebuild our depleted muscles.  Hot whisky first and then beer..
 Above- hot whisky
 Then a beer Shandy
 I can't let Kerri drink alone--- another Hot whisky for me.


 Proving that Guinness is good for you and for strength!

The sun finally appeared about 5 p.m.  Sneem is a very cute, small town, known for the  colorful houses.  I was here 20 years ago on a road trip.  I am doing things bass ackwards--- hiking now at almost age 70 and driving in a car when I as 50!!  But I am having just as much fun!!!



 The colorful buildings in Sneem
 This is the river that flows through the middle of town.  The rock formations in the river are great.

The town has 6 ice cream stores within three blocks.  We tried two of the ice cream shops between our pub visits.  Good fun Hot whisky tasting, beer tasting and Irish coffee and then some real food.


Tomorrow we have a long day- almost 19 miles.  We are having the bags sent forward as the weather is supposed to be very wet; the hill walking will be a bit easier without the packs... plus we know we will have dry clothes waiting at the B&B...


Happy 1st day of July everyone!  


Aloha.

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