Thursday and Friday

Well its Friday and shortly I will go to an internet café and post Wednesday’s blog along with today’s which covers the last two days. I am now driving. The road from Ennis to Limerick was an “M” road like our “I” roads limited access two and four lanes with a divider, but will with an occasional “roundabouts” (where all traffic goes in a clockwise circle, leaving in one of four directions). The speed limit is 100 kmh equivalent to 60 mph. We then went to Adar by an “N” road. They are two lanes, occasionally three, generally wide aprons to pull off and let someone pass. The speed limit on these is 100 kmh. We have used extensively in the area where we are now (Kenmare, just outside the Ring of Kerry) “R” roads, wide enough for two bicycles to pass, and the speed limit on these is - - - 100 kmh. When you come around a bend and see a large truck coming your way, it takes awhile to reopen your sphincter muscle.
Adare is a beautiful village with thatched roof cottages, little shops, and lots of pubs. We then moved on to Killarney. However, being the jumping off point for so many tourist spots Killarney National Park, Dingle, and Kerry it was very crowded with people and buses (reminded me of the towns on the edge of the Smokey’s) we moved on to Kenmare. And are spending two nights in a very nice Bread in Breakfast (as Syd would say). Today we toured a small part of the Bera Penninsula, tomorrow it’s the Ring of Kerry. I am looking forward to seeing it with trepidation. The sites to see are many, but the roads are narrow and the tour buses have the right of way. Depending on which way you go you’re either sucking the fumes behind one, or backing up to let one pass. The time of year to visit is May and September when Europe and America are not on holiday. Today was NOT a soft day, and the clouds helped make great pictures. Some more differences.
Tomatoes are served, cut in half, at almost all Irish breakfasts.
Houses are paved all around the foundation, due to the soft soil.
The Irish are very trusting. When you eat in a group (or just Sue and I), you go to the register tell them what you ate and drank and pay.
When driving on the left, Americans tend to hug the left side, therefore you can tell rental cars, they have no hubcaps on the left side.
A long time ago I used to drink Scotch; I didn’t think I would like Irish whiskey, which is similarly made. Olcan introduced me to Jameson, which is quite good. Then he told me the secret, the Irish only gave the Scotch people half of the recipe.