Tough hike to the highest point in Ireland!

We got up at 6:30am and drove the narrow single lane road up to the parking area for the hike up Carrauntoohil... the highest mountain in Ireland.

We had our breakfast at the parking area, then packed our backpacks and set off at about 8:20am. We had read that the 12 km (7.5 mile) hike would take between six to eight hours.

We're going to get an early start and go for it!

We got up at 6:30am Sunday morning, and the first thing we did was to drive the short distance to the parking area at the Gap of Dunloe. It's a popular spot, and we wanted to make sure we had somewhere to park Max, especially on a Sunday when it would likely be busy.

And the plan came together just like that. We got a good parking spot for Max, and yes it did become busy!

Hiking up Torc Mountain, Ireland

When we were in the parking lot for Torc Waterfall the other day, I had seen a trail leading up Torc Mountain. We didn't have time to do it then, but decided to return yesterday to do the hike.

Weather conditions weren't great... but we needed some exercise! The temperature was pleasant, but there was some wind and it was overcast, although there was no rain to speak of in the forecast.

The trails are absolutely beautiful

First stop of the day was to head up to the parking lot for Torc Waterfall. From there, several trails lead in various directions. Most of them seemed pretty quiet, but there were quite a few people on the short waterfall trail. 

You can stay overnight at the waterfall parking lot, but there is no cellular access.

The Rock of Cashel, and on to Killarney National Park

One of our facebook fans mentioned yesterday that it's hard to absorb the ages of some of these ancient buildings. Being from Canada, where an old building might be 200 years, we are always amazed when we are in structures that are maybe 800 years old. It's truly hard to comprehend. After all, we were taught in school that history began when Christopher Columbus "discovered" America in 1492!

I remember the first time this really sunk in. We were in a big church in Czechia that was built around the year 1100. I mean, we had been in old buildings in England quite a few times before, but this was when I really started thinking about it.

Glad we made a stop at Cashel, Ireland!

We headed out at exactly 10:00am. First stop was at a Tesco Extra grocery store where we did a bunch of shopping, then arrived at the checkout to find they didn't want our business.

Tesco has a "Club Card" where you get fairly big discounts on some products. The card is free, so just about anybody shopping there would have one. You'd be crazy not to. 

Insider tour of an Irish dairy farm

Our break here at the house sitting is now over, and we're ready to hit the road again this morning. We're going to head fairly quickly down to the southern part of the west coast, and pretty much resume where we left off... back on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Our first plan when we get there is to go to Killarney National Park and do some hiking. 

Ireland is very tidy!

Well, our time here at the house sit is going by quickly. One more night, and we're back on the road!

Max is all cleaned up. We just have to put everything back in its place, make the bed, and he's ready to go. Our hosts will be back here this afternoon sometime, and Ruth is making dinner for everyone this evening. 

Living like normal people

While we love living and traveling in Max, house sitting and looking after someone's dog or cat gives us the opportunity to live like normal people, with access to normal shower and a washing machine. And given the price of doing laundry here in Ireland, we had kind of saved up in the dirty clothes department. 

It also gives us a chance to do a deep clean on Max. While Ruth spent a good chunk of the day doing laundry, I emptied out Max's storage area and vacuumed and wiped it out. Then with access to a ladder and a supply of water, I got up on the roof and gave it a good scrub.

On our own with Juno the dog

We had a late night, so the family all straggled down for breakfast at various times. A hairdresser showed up and did the ladies hair because of course they were all off to a wedding. So, a busy morning around here.

And, another beautiful blue sky day!

Arrived at our house sitting and met Juno the dog

The morning started off cloudy and overcast, and a little cool. But by lunchtime the sunshine arrived and it became another beautiful day here in Ireland.

We drove about twenty minutes to arrive at our house sit out in the countryside. We're only about 30 kms (18 miles) north of the center of Dublin as the crow flies, and yet we're totally out in the country.

Exciting news!

Regular readers will remember this past January when we headed to the rarely visited country of Mauritania and rode the iron ore train through the Sahara Desert.

Well back in March, we signed up for another crazy trip to another rarely visited country. Received word this morning that it's definitely a go, and provided we're approved for the visa and permits (which looks likely) then we are off to Turkmenistan in October!

Portrane Cliff Walk

We did a long drive of about 14 kms (8 miles) yesterday! Just for a change of scenery, really. Although, I had read of a cliff walk path that looked interesting.

Yet another gorgeous day. All of these beautiful days are starting to make weather news here in Ireland because it's rare to have such a stretch of them. And they are expected to continue for at least another week.

May Expense report... just under budget. Sort of.

We had a budget of $2,650 CAD for the month of May, and we spent $2,455 CAD ($1,808 USD, €1,700). 

Pretty happy with that, considering we started the month in Spain, we brought Max on a 28 hour boat ride, we toured the entire south coast of Ireland, then drove all the way across the country and spent a couple of days touring Dublin. I'd say we did really well!

Have a look at our plan for June...

Wow, today is the last day of May. We arrived in Ireland May 8th, so we've already been here for three weeks. 

Our original thinking was that two months in Ireland would be enough, but now we're not so sure!