New Friends.

 Maggie and Boon Wah came for lunch,

before we took them to see our castle.  Boon Wah and I first meet in a Starbucks cafe in Singapore in January this year, a completely random encounter as he joined me to take up the only available seat in the place. Subsequently, we connect through FB, from which I saw a couple of days ago that he  was in Wales. Amazing how you can connect with fellow humans in more ways than one!!!

Sugar Loaf

 A day out to take full advantage of the Indian Summer we are currently experiencing.

 The views fabulous.

 Sugar Loaf, a National Trust area.

We had hoped to perhaps make the top, but will need another day and packed sustenance to get there. The views from the top must be amazing, going from the Cotswold's in the East and The Channel to the south.

St. Fagans

 A return visit after 30 + years and quite a few new buildings added to the museums collection.

 The shops are still shops.

But this farmer's cottage, a long house from 1470, just for exhibition.  The cattle and the farmer used the same entrance to access their respective accommodation - to the left cows, to the right humans.

Ireland - Kilkenny to Fishguard via Rosslare

 A spot for lunch at New Ross, the origins of another famous American.

 The river Barrow here is 20 miles from the sea.

 Rosslare port.

Our last night in Ireland accommodation. It is, honestly.

Afloat again on a moderate swell.

 St David's Head coming up on starboard.

Fishguard. The big surprise was the absence of even a passport check and not a sign of any Brexit preparations what so ever. Drive off the boat and straight on to Welsh roads, a 5 minute job.  No complaint.

Ireland - Kilkenny

 Yes, very odd.

 But sort of cute.

 Hmmmmm.

 Kilkenny's contrasting Castle.

 Kilkenny is home to the Smithwick's brewery

 and Kilkenny Beer.

A can we had to buy and drink to absent friends. Cheers Alice and Mary-Ann.

Ireland - Kilrush

 A day for the breakers.

 Cliffs of Moher in the distance.

Ireland - Cliffs of Moher

But first, Doolin.  We debated whether to go to the top of the cliffs or not, given that everybody and his dog  seemed to make for the place.

From Doolin you can walk the coastal path from sea level to the cliff tops,

 a route we had pretty much to ourselves.

 A spraybow from the crashing waves..

 These guys are braving the swell to view the cliffs for below. Some no double would be too sick to notice them!!!

 The first of the Mohers,

 from where we turned tail,

 for a welcome lunch in a Doolin cafe.

Ok, come all this way and not 'do' the tourist trap? Capitulation. With a 4 foot wall all along the cliff edge, the excitement has gone. Not so wild here, very domesticated now.

Ireland - Tralee to Killaloe

 Via Adare. first, into the visitors centre for coffee, hot chocolate and you know what.

 Thatched roofs an attraction,

 and a rather over the top Augustinian Priory dating from 1315. Hummmm.

 Just down the road, from early 12th century.

And so on to Killaloe on the banks of the river Shannon.

Ireland - Across the Dingle Peninsular

 Again kissing the clouds, up one side.

 Loving these quiet, out of the way roads.

 Down t'other,

returning to our Courtyard attic accommodation for the last night. A short drive around this day.

Ireland - Ring of Kerry

 The cliffs of Kerry.

We managed to catch the sun between the rain.

 Looks heavy above the Skelligs.

 A potter back to the car,

 and on to Waterville, a frequent holiday spot for this young man and his family.

 Time for afternoon tea,

in a very quirky cafe.