2004 Europe

Ross Castle, Killarney



June 16 – Today we drive the famous Ring of Kerry. It’s a circular drive around the peninsula that goes through some spectacular country. The weather in this area is notoriously stormy and everyone I’ve talked to about the Ring says they saw it in the clouds and rain.



The day is starting out very clear and sunny so the outlook is good. Our first stop is Ross Castle (above). It’s on the shore of one of the Killarney Lakes and is complete with a wall and corner towers. Many castles in this area are just what would usually be referred to as the keep of a castle with no surrounding wall or towers. This one is more what we think of as a castle. It was started in the 1500s and expanded until the 1800s. The part we see today is mostly the original structure from the 1500s, keep, wall and towers.



Our next stop was an overlook point for the Killarney Lakes (below). It’s gorgeous!! Everything is so green. They say there are 40 shades of green in Ireland and I believe it. After that we stopped for photos overlooking Dingle Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. And then we had a lunch stop in Waterville (below). Diana and I ate in a little fish and chips shop. It was delicious. The town is small and right on Ballenskelling Bay, very picturesque. In the town center is a statue of Charlie Chaplin as the ‘Little Tramp’. Apparently he and his family used to visit here every year in the summer. Two of his daughters still own homes in the area. Geraldine’s house is right in town on the bay side of the main street.



After lunch we continued our drive around the Ring of Kerry. The scenery was outstanding (below). The mountains, streams, lakes, seaside cliffs and the ocean created panorama after panorama until your senses were overwhelmed. And the weather held up, cloudy at times with a few sprinkles, but mostly sunny. Unfortunately, the sun produced a haze that made it hard to get a good pic of the vistas.



Fashion Note: I don’t believe any girl over here over 10 and under 50 has any slacks and blouses that meet in the middle. Low-rise pants are definitely the order of the day. Even their sweats are hip huggers. Maybe it’s that way in the states too, but I just don’t notice it.

(c) 2004 Rod Longenberger