Ireland – The Wild Atlantic Coast Day Three

It’s rained again. Awoke to rain drops streaming down the Van window and the sky overcast.

Enjoyed a lovely hot shower in slightly antiquated surroundings, but it did its job and I was happy. The well oiled team that we are, we soon had The Van ready for the road and headed to Kinsale, some 130 miles and 3 hours to the south.

We gave the SatNag instructions to avoid any tolls (yes, all 4.60 euros) but not necessarily all motorways so we had a mixture of A roads, motorways, single track country lanes and everything in between. We passed through towns and villages (which seemed to be clogged with traffic), spotted distant mountains and enjoyed lovely countryside, albeit a bit flat. We loved the names appearing on road signs – Twomileborris, Horse and Jockey (yes, really) and Watermillgrass. Hubby said they reminded him of what3words codes. In some distant rural back road, the SatNag had a breakdown and lost our route and refused to bring back the original. We seemed to be stuck in deepest Ireland and a feeling of going nowhere, but suddenly we were back on the motorway and zooming down towards Cork. The weather is spectacular today – sunshine, big black brooding clouds, sudden downpours lasting minutes and back to sunshine. Big skies. Stunning.

We managed to get confused on a relatively new motorway layout on the outskirts of Cork and went back and forth twice before we got into the right lane and the right road. We sailed through suburbia on a major N road and headed to Kinsale. Soon we were parking and walking into town, finally stretching our legs and The Pup’s. What a beautiful little town, full of independent shops and brightly coloured buildings. We had a good wander around, getting bits and pieces and investigating little side streets. We waddled down to the port area and found a lovely little cafe with chairs outside – it overlooked the harbour, full of boats and yachts and the houses on the opposite bank. It reminded me of the Dartmouth in Devon. I was liking this place. Another rain sodden cloud released its contents on Kinsale and delayed our walk back – the rain bounced in the road. Once it finished, we walked back into town and had another look around the streets. The sun comes out and the temperature rises – its very humid and sticky.

We find the Van and jump back in – time to find a place to sleep. Our first choice that we found on the internet, didn’t float our boat and we carried on through beautiful hilly countryside to Timoleague (another fabulous place name) and just beyond, the Sexton’s Caravan and camping site. Perfect. Lovely views and plenty of personal space. The sun is now out permanently or for the rest of the evening at least and we chill. Hubby catches the bus to nearby Clonakilty for a music festival and a well earned Guinness. I stay with The Pup and relax and write this blog. Tomorrow we have places to find and check out – but top of the list, is a fantastically sandy wide beach for our Pup to discharge her excess energy. Boy, she so deserves it, she’s been a star on this trip.