Ireland

 Beara Peninsula The Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula are famous destinations in the west of Ireland, renowned for their rugged cliffs and ocean views. Since we were wanting to avoid the tour busses and crowds, we opted for the Beara Peninsula which is along the same coastline but smaller and far less traveled. The locals assured us we would not be disappointed and we weren't! Beara Peninsula, West Cork Co., Ireland Some of these fences are stone underneath overgrown with vegetation Incredibly rugged land, you wonder how people eek out a living here Very typical of the ruins you see all over Ireland. Old house, church, barn? Zoom in on the top of the one of the stone fences Driving these coastal roads is beautiful but tiring. Narrow lanes, lots of twists, extra vigilance required! Typical pasture with sheep and cows grazing Toormore, Co. Cork Toormore hardly counts as a village, more like a cross in the roads. But here lies one of the many wedge tombs left by Neolithic people...

 Glengariff Harbor and Cove At low tide this sailboat is high centered on land in its little cove It has to traverse these rocks to get out to the bay. Hard to believe the tide comes in high enough for it to escape! At low tide, this is the destination for our sailboat. Glengariff harbor where we catch our ferry Fishing boats waiting Our ferry dock Our ferry over to the Island Harbor seals basking in the sun on the way to Garnish Island Lazy day Home of Marueen O'Hara. Her husband built it for her and flew a seaplane here to access it. Garinish Island gardens A tiny island in the coast waters of Glengariff, this beautiful island hosts many tropical and subtropical species of plants, trees and flowers. Build by the Bryce's in the early 20th Century, it is a peaceful place to wander. Main gate to the walled garden Side gate to the walled garden. Doesn't this lead to imaginings of all the trysts that happened there? Steps to the Grecian Temple Sitting inside the Grecian Temple...

Heron's Cove Our second B&B is traditional style with the guests upstairs in several bedrooms and downstairs meals are prepared and served. The meals here were outstanding! Breakfast is included with the room each day but we also opted to eat our dinners at the restaurant each evening. Such delicious food -- mostly seafood -- and prepared and served with TLC. On the farthest point of southwest Ireland, this pretty spot looks over a cove that empties completely at low tide and fills up to host boats at high tide. In summer this cove is full of anchored boats. The floating balls are buoys reserved for specific boats to dock From our balcony at Heron's Cove B&B The Heron Bar at Heron's Cove Estuary at Heron's Cove Watching the installation of buoys at low tide Mizen Head Signal Station Rocky precipice as you cross the bridge to Mizen Head Fields everywhere with Gorse  At the Mizen Head museum Mizen Head Signal Station I can't believe I walked all the way over t...