June 18- We Did It! Cloghane to Castlegregory

 

 Today we started out from Cloghane with the gang of people we've sort of been traveling with. The kitchen got a bit overwhelmed with all the hikers leaving at the same time.

 

  We were smart and wore short sleeved shirts and hats today and applied sun screen liberally and often. It was warm (hot for hiking) and, other than a small climb out of Cloghane, the bulk of the day was walking on Ireland's longest beach which was lovely, but...no shade. We had the option of going all the way out a long peninsula and back, but Jecca and I opted for a short cut across the peninsula, cutting off 6 miles. For one, we are used to beaches and 18 miles just seemed a LONG way, even in the flat. We still managed to hike 12 miles.  We stopped twice for some fairly long stops to eat and drink. We knew we did not want to arrive early at the b and b.

   The views back to Mount Brandon which Jec climbed in the mist yesterday were beautiful as they were looking out over islands called the 7 Hogs.

   

A group of horses and riders went by which looked like a lot of fun.

   And, just before we crossed to the other side (the shortcut), there was a group of children taking surfing lessons.

      When we got to the other side, it was another world with a large holiday encampment of mobile homes and lots of amusing beach toys in the water. We went from a rather deserted beach to a much fuller and commercial one.

 

  The last 2 miles were mostly asphalt, not our favorite. And definitely not my favorite with a very blistered toe on my left foot and my two injured big toes. (The toe sleeves the health care workers gave me were a big help.

We found out that they met through their work with Doctors Without Borders and had worked together in Darfur and in Kharkiv when it was under air assault. Ruth lives in Amsterdam working for the organization and Philena works as a school nurse because she now has children.

      We had a very welcome iced latte in a coffee shop in Castlegregory where we lingered so that we didn't arrive at Kelliher's b and b too early.

       We are in a nice b and b run by Mary Kelliher who gave Jec a cup of tea when I showered.

     

 Later we walked (!). back to the village to Fitzgerald's Pub for a truly fantastic meal. Jecca loaned me her sneakers to walk in as they have more room for my poor toes. We split a Pizza (thin crust, goat cheese, arugala, simmered red onions) and a chicken caesar salad.  The desserts looked like works of art, but we passed as we were too full and didn't even finish the pizza.

     Best of all, we met up with the health care workers and we bought their beers. They have been so kind. Later, the English couple from Ascot came on - also lovely. The latter are at the B and B with us, so we will see them tomorrow. They will go back to Dingle for a few days of relaxation.

     Jec celebrated our successful hike with a 12-year old Irish Whiskey.

    Yay! We finished! It was great!