Last day

No photos of today, our last day in Ireland. I had planned for us all to walk along the prom in Bray then up onto the cliff walk before putting Kath on the Dart train to Dublin for her overnight stay and us driving down to Rosslare for the ferry. But the weather conspired against us. It had snowed overnight and the forecast, which was correct, was for constant rain.

We still went to Bray but drove parallel to the prom. A few hardy souls were out and about. We then decided to drive Kath all the way in to Dublin. On the journey Kath googled to find a cafe with easy parking which she located in Phoenix Park. This is a lovely place probably more so in the sunshine. We had big scones and hot drinks before saying goodbye to Kath, dropping her off near a museum.

Our journey south was on boring main roads in horrid rain. We arrived with a hour to spare before check in so another cafe for another cuppa. The ferry left just a few minutes late but by the time we disembarked it was already 22.00 and we had a 4 hour slog to get home.

Despite the disappointment of the last day and despite the cold we have had a fantastic trip. We have probably driven about 900 miles, helped along the way by RTE radio. The country is beautiful and full of friendly chatty people. We had so many lovely, interesting hosts and learnt loads about Ireland, it's people and culture. There is much we missed so we will return one day.

Easter Sunday

Another great walk today; we parked near Lough Tay then walked uphill with the intention of getting to the top of Djouce. However the rain clouds descended over the summit and there was snow on the path so we cut off right after getting as far as we could, and did a long circular walk. There were many fell runners - goodness knows how they keep on their feet.

Towards the end of the walk we got caught in a hail storm which was quite dazzling but thankfully the stones were very small. Kath has us playing word games on our walks but I have discovered that I cannot concentrate on the game if the path underfoot is tricky. That's my excuse anyway.

When we got back home Robert, a nine year old from next door came to play with Kath and the dogs. Martin and I watched the crucial championship gaelic football match between Dublin and Galway. Even the commentary was in gaelic. Rory invited us to eat with him and he cooked a delicious roast chicken dinner. Whilst that was cooking, Robert's mum popped over and we all drank some wine and chatted and I held Sam, Rory's pet python.

When it really started to move and straighten out I handed it back pronto!

Over dinner we discovered that Rory's father had been a Supreme Court Judge (one of only five in Ireland) and heard lots of tales about his and Rory's lives.

Memorial to J B Malone, Ireland's Wainwright;

Kath's birthday

Kath is 25 today! Still no spring weather just more cold and clouds. We drove up for the view from Wicklow Gap then parked the car a little way down the valley and walked 3.5 miles to Glendalough. There are some stone ruins left from the monastic settlement built in the 6th century and 2 loughs. Once down by the loughs we would have loved a cuppa to warm up but there were no cafes just a very busy hotel where scones are not served after noon....? We eventually got a takeaway drink from an outlet in the car park by the Upper lough. There was a queue of cars trying to get in and an attendant had to guide the cars in to any space which became available, one by one. Glad we parked miles away.

Once back home, after a rest for me whilst Martin and Kath exhausted the dogs, we went out to eat in the village to celebrate the birthday.

Cold birthday girl;

Lovely valley walk

Guess what Kath wants for Christmas

Good Friday

I had high hopes for our weekend with Kath in terms of the airbnb and the weather. Unfortunately the weather is freezing but the airbnb is just grand as they say here. Rory is our host and his partner and baby are away visiting family so it's just him and the two dogs; one Jack Russell and a bouncy, large 10 month old Dogue de Bordeaux. The banter with Rory started straightaway and we sat and chatted for a long time over breakfast. Turns out that as well as running the airbnb, teaching Bridge, writing for newspapers, writing a book and running management training courses, Rory appears in the Irish version of Gogglebox.

We wrapped up warm and walked from the house up onto the Wicklow Way going north. We did a circular walk of over 11 miles and Kath still had the energy to play with the dogs in the garden when we got back.

After dinner we popped to the pub as it was a historic day - the first time in 90 years that pubs have been allowed to open on Good Friday. Two young people were in promoting Hop House 13 lager brewed by Guinness. Free half pints were handed out. I liked it as the taste was quite hoppy. They took my photo to prove they had been out promoting and I got another half which I couldn't manage.

We were definitely on the Wicklow path but the gorse had taken over;

In the garden;

Worn out at last....this is the 'puppy'!