Of rain that is 😂 🥂

Continuing on with August, our final week of a fabulous month was spent in Ireland. An easy 1.5 hour flight from La Rochelle saw us landing in Dublin with only time to read a couple of chapters of a book. So different from times past with 24 hour flights and jet lag!

Blue skies and sunshine lasted for our seven days there as we caught up with “old friends” whilst enjoying………. a horse event 😂😂 and a few days of wining and dining on the glorious Dingle Peninsula.

It was wonderful to catch up with Paula, Frank and family again, including one very special 4 legged family member- Badminton winner Paulank Brockagh. Seen here out in the field with her second foal since retiring to stud, now just a little different to the super athlete shown on her sponsor banner.

An honour to meet you again Ma’am 😉

Staying with horses (what else would you expect?!) the event we looked in on was the International Three Day Event being held at Millstreet in County Cork. We had no idea what to expect but were  blown away by this fabulous equestrian centre and stunning Xc course designed by Mike Etherington-Smith. The rolling green terrain and beautifully decorated fences reminded us of Badminton minus the crowds. (The lack of spectators possibly due to Millstreet being a half day drive from Dublin.) It was great to see a few Aussies out there eating up the course and finishing in the placings. Just a few random photos below

Our new motorhome Chris??

Stopping overnight in Macroom we stayed at Eldermount House Luxury Studios, can highly recommend this spot if touring Ireland!

From Cork we dropped in on the Lakes of Killarney before heading off down to Dingle.

I make no excuses for the fact that I was leaping out to take photos as we travelled along the Wild Atlantic Way, an area famed for appearing in many a film including Ryan’s Daughter for those old enough to remember that one !

A stroll around Dingle harbour brought back memories of our last visit when we were treated to a private excursion out into the bay to meet up with Fungie the famous dolphin.

Our return to Wicklow took us back through Limerick, a brief stop off at the saddlery on site at the Curragh racecourse and back over the Wicklow mountains via Glendalough.

Some views en route.

Glendalough is known for the round tower and the 6th century monastery founded by St Kevin. So much history and tranquility which I found enveloping standing within those ruins.

 

 

And finally back to to where we started. What a wonderful week !