Day Two...Amazing!

Although yesterday was exhausting, frustrating and stressful...today, however, was everything yesterday was not!

Shannon and I decided last night..that today would be better! Of course we did say a prayer and ask the Lord for help! We started with a traditional Irish breakfast served at our B&B. Homemade brown bread, sweet breads and toast. Fresh stewed fruit and homemade yogurt and then our eggs, sausages, ham, potatoes and grilled tomato. Coffee and juice and we were ready for a nap! ha! But instead we loaded our bags into the horrid little car and began our second day in Ireland!
Turns out the car is right up there with Sybil. Multi personalities. Yesterday she hated me. Was bent on seeing me in an Irish jail cell. She embarrased me more than what was fair. She refused to go when I said go..billowed smoke out of the engine if I went a way she didnt want..knocked things over. Stalled right next to a police officer...repeatedly. It's a wonder we survived! Today...she was lovely. She allowed me to navigate her all over the countryside. Stops and starts..hillsides..one lane mountain passes..roundabouts and quaint Irish villages without a peep from her. I think her and I understand each other better now.

We lost seven hours yesterday because of our delayed flights. As we had planned a few stops for yesterday..we had to adjust our schedules which meant we had to pick and choose things from yesterday as well as today. We were in Doolin this morning..and decided to head down to the Cliffs of Moher on our way to Dingle.
There really are no words to describe this natural wonder. We expected to be there about an hour..we were there for three. I'm so glad we were not on a bus tour, but could go and stay till our hearts and minds were ready to leave!









The site is beautiful. Pictures will never do it justice. We stood at the top and looked down to the Cliffs...heard the birds below us...felt the wind blow on us..heard the sea. We climbed O'Brien's Tower and stood at the very top. We sat in the grass and watched an Irish woman play her harp and sing her songs.We saw sheep and cattle grazing in the fields. When we'd had our fill..we had a cup of tea and a scone..at the Cliffs of Moher!









We traveled on to catch the ferry to cross the Shannon River.


Once across we headed to Dingle. One of the things that was on our list for today that we had to drop was to visit the "Loop". Another option, was to drive the Connor Pass. I just couldn't give that up. In spite of the warning by those around to not do in bad weather..and despite the signs that said "Turn Back Now", we decided to go. You see, there are bragging rights when you drive Connor Pass. First you drive for miles up a winding mountain..it seems a little crazy..and then you see why there were signs to turn back!


The road disappears into a tiny one lane path. Of course..there is often two way traffic..and nothing between you and the ciff but a stone fence! Yesterday...my little car would have thrown us off the side Thelma and Louise style...but since we're friends today..she was pretty good to us! She did try to make a break for it as we descended the mountain. But we came to the bottom safely..drove straight to the sea and into the town of Dingle!


We are staying at the Heatons. We will be here for two nights and it will be nice not to have to pack up in the morning. Just get our breakfast and head to the next adventure!

Once we got checked in..we headed into town. Most of the shops had closed up..but we still had fun window shopping and walking around for about an hour. We had dinner at Fenton's. Dinner was served in three courses...I had liver pate and cherry compote. Very, very good! Shannon had a smoked salmon wrapped around a mackerel pate with toast. Also wonderful..if we had to choose between the two..probably the liver pate was the best.
Shannon's appetizer:

Mo's appetizer:


We both ordered the catch of the day..which was Plaice. A flat fish..very buttery in texture and smoothness. Flavor profile was probably that of a tilapia..mild. But the texture was wonderful! Of course served with homemade breads..pesto..salad, carrots and turnips mashed, potatos and vegetables. Wonderful after a day spent traveling and outside!

Dessert..I ordered the Banoffee. It is a pie that mixes bananas, toffee and caramel, fresh cream. Shannon ordered the Icky Sticky bread pudding with toasted pecan sauce served with homemade vanilla ice cream. Mine was good...hers was the mother load!We ended with espresso.
Banoffee Pie:

Icky Sticky:


Content, full, and ready for a walk!! We had parked our car a few blocks away..so we walked back through the village, in a cool mist and loved every minute!!

We love and miss our family. Them being with us would complete this trip. Everytime we see or do something, we think of one of them and how much they would love it! We've begun shopping..buying trinkets here and there. Tomorrow is a day filled with more adventure..driving and sights to see. We'll try to save some energy for the end of the evening so we can catch some live music in town somewhere. But so far..the fresh Irish air is finding us exhausted in such a good way!


Dave, Aaron, Krystle, Ethan, Breigha, Isaac, Shaina, Chloe, Jacob, Jesse, Todd, Hannah, Ben, Leah, Mckala and Maddy...we love you. XOXOXOX!!!

(Shannon's disclaimer- you will know when you are seeing Mo's pictures. These aren't them. And I am still trying to get video up. Going to have to get a YouTube account to put them on. Blogger is not real video friendly!)