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Published: September 16th 2011
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Kinsale
The view from our room. Day 4: Kinsale
It is sunny! And it is really, really, really windy. Great day for a brisk walk we think. After a good sturdy breakfast, lots of chat with our B&B mates, and our host Donie to keep the joking up as Margo comes in to shoo him away which starts the joking all over again, we set out with a map and the best of intentions for a trip to Charles Fort. After the plane and car trips it feels good to stretch our legs even if it is wildly windy, and keeps getting windier. We walk on and on along the river on narrow sidewalks on the motorway. We walk on and on and on. Suddenly we hear "Kennedy!" It is Donie out on his morning run to the Salt Marsh Preserve to feed the birds. To his query of our route and our answer of "Charles Fort," he looks puzzled: "You do know you are going the wrong way don't cha?" So, with Donie for a guide we get turned around and he points us in the direction of James Fort across the water passageway from Charles Fort. Donie runs off
The River Trail
or maybe not...which way are we going? and we try to make our way across the bridge that spans the inlet, but we can't. At times the wind is blowing so hard that I am blown backwards. Bracing ourselves, we slowly make headway back to our car and drive up the other side of the inlet and the steep grade to Charles Fort. I am actually glad that we got lost because I don't think I could have made the steep trek to Charles Fort by foot.
Charles and James Forts were built by the Irish to protect their Southern Coast with its close in proximity to France and Spain. Both are built in a star fort formation overlooking the Atlantic. We wander about--it is huge--and try to stay upright in the wind. After more than an hour of battering, we head down the hill to Bullman's Pub for lunch and then head back to Landfall House for a bit of a rest.
We make early dinner reservations for Hoby's on Main Street and leave early so we can wander around Kinsale for a bit. Kinsale is a resort town and has a bit of a Sausalito vibe to
Charles Fort
Entering the fort it. Unfortunately we spend most of our time getting lost, and after 2 phone calls we finally manage to find the door. The owner/hostess only teases us a bit about our inability to follow directions. The restaurant is warm and draped in tartan. The music is tenors singing classical pieces and the food is fabulous. Also fabulous is Kinsale at night with the wind dying down and beautiful Technicolor blue skies.
Although we didn't find any records in Cobh yesterday, we are pleased with our day of vacation relaxation in Kinsale. It has been a fine day which we find out in Ireland means a day without rain; it can be gale force winds, but no rain and the day is fine. And a fine day to you!
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Caitlin
non-member comment
Glad you are keeping the tradition of Zesty Walks alive - and expanding it beyond just happening around meal times!