Blogs from County Cork, Ireland, Europe - page 12

August 9 2012 Kinsale to Garrettstown, Old head of Kinsale, and return Today I had my tea and thought things over and then scurried down the hill to catch the 249 bus to Kinsale. As usual there was no need to scurry to the bus stop because as usual the bus was 20 minutes. In any case I bought a ticket to Garrettstown with a return for about €7 and rode down to Garrettstown. The bus stopped at the Garrettstown Beach but I stayed on because I wanted to get closer to The Old Head of Kinsale. I rode past the Garrettstown beach and the Garrylucuas beach and on to where the R604 curves north and got off at “The Speckled Door” restaurant. It is the closest place from the Old Head of Kinsale that I ... read more

Tuesday August 7 Kinsale Cloudy and drizzly but the weather looks very nice for the next 3 days. I figure tomorrow I will make another stab at hiking Compass hill and Thursday I will go to the beach at Garrettstown. I can use the #249 bus to get to Garrettstown beach. Maybe next week I will take the bus to Clonakilty, Skibbereen, and Bantry. I could probably get tours to Mizen Head , etc from Skibbereen. I guess I can try it that way since without a debit card I can't rent a car.Actually when you add in the insurance to rent a car the cost per day is about $45 so I could probably get a cab, tours, and buses to take me to some of the places I want to go for around that.They ... read more

Sunday 5th August We had our tea and coffee just after the QE berthed in Cobh on a beautiful sunny morning. We had a nice leisurely breakfast and then disembarked for a lovely saunter around Cobh. It is only a small town so it didn’t take too long. It is very, very hilly but commands great views over the bay. We were invited to a memorial service in memory of those who died on the Lucitania and those who survived on 7th May 1915. Nicky’s grandfather was one of the survivors so it meant something very special to us both. A pipe band marched to the memorial with various dignitaries and the QE ship’s officers. Commodore Rynd was the first to be invited to lay a wreath followed by several others. A priest then led prayers ... read more

August 4 Kinsale Saturday Today I walked into town and had another look around at things and did a little shopping. I stopped at a restaurant called “The Shack” which was a nice restaurant and had a delicious “Murder by Mushroom” burger. I didn’t think I could eat the whole thing but I did. I did have to cut it into pieces and eat it with a fork as it was too “sloppy” to try and hold in your hand. It was sooooooo good. After eating I had resolved to not take another long walk until I had found a nice place to sit down and enjoy the view while my meal digested a bit. However I started walking and saw not too big a stairs and thought I would just walk up it and see ... read more

August 2 Thursday – Kinsale Took it easy today and caught up on my blog up till the time I left Cork. Quite a bit of work but actually for a cold and windy and later on rainy day it keeps one busy. The weather looks good for this weekend in Kinsale for the regatta. I have been updating blogs most of the day and now at 10:30 Pm it is raining on the roof of the patio and I am listening to that as well as George has brought out his guitar and I am having my own private music session. The hostel is almost empty except for one other guest who has gone to bed. The rain as well as the threat of rain is keeping people away. But I believe rain or no ... read more