Highways with Snippets of Beauty

Not much to say about today. We landed in Dublin at 10 AM and by the time we made our way through customs, baggage, and car rental it was 11.  (never heard of the make of car we hired).

 We're staying in Kenmare, in Kerry, tonight, so we got on the road right away to make the 4 hour trek. However, as it often goes, we saw that we'd be fairly close to Kilkenny so we decided to jump over. We had our first "true Irish driving experience" (narrow roads with high walls). Eric did great, of course. We only had time for a quick lunch in a really neat building and a quick look at the outside of Kilkenny castle, then we were back on the road toward Kenmare.

Love the ceiling

Kilkenny Castle

Screech!! I wrote that earlier today. So, we get to Kenmare, and our amazing host, yes, another one, met us at the main road to help us find our way in. There are SHEEP!

(ARGHHHH!!!   lost most of the pictures of this stop somehow, bummer.) 

I finally get a good shower and as I'm doing my hair I notice Eric looking frantic. He finally admits he can't find his wallet. Dang... after searching, calling, digging, etc. We gave up and called the credit card company to put a stop on the card. Luckily, there is nothing odd charged.  However, it is our joint card.  Thanks to GAP for convincing me to sign up for their card.  We have a Gap card we can survive on until we get home.  Phew!  ***post-trip update: The Kilkenny Tourist Office had his wallet :)  They gave us a call and we got the message after we made it home.

So, our place is a beautiful new home on a small sheep ranch flanked by a babbling brook. Yes, it does babble. Damien, our host, even let us do laundry!!!!  He also happens to do rally cars and a car business, so he has an assortment parked out back.  There's a race tomorrow somewhere, so he'll be up and gone early.

 
We ran into town for a bite at the Horseshoe. This town is HOPPING. there were 3 Bachelorette parties ("Hen Party" as they call it here), a bike festival is going on in Killarney near here, and it's a bank holiday weekend.  THIS is the town we've been looking for. Too bad it's only one night and we're not feeling up to the festivities. We are, in fact, back at our sheep oasis as I type these final words. LOTS of fun in store for the next few days. Stay tuned.