Sept 29/23 Friday (second post)

 The post before this one I erroneously dated Sept 29, should have been Sept 28.  That’s what happens when you get behind.

So today we left for our last hike at 11am from Cloghane, walking towards Brandon.  The distance is approximately 8km, a short one.  The day is perfect hiking weather.  We start off on tarmac with the ocean to the right of us, Brandon Bay. The tide was way out. The guide book told us to stay on the road but we met a local who said oh go down to the beach, you will love it, it’s a grand day to relax down there.  We didn’t have a long distance to go so decided to take her advice.  On arrival at the beach we realized to go walking we would have to quite likely get our feet wet.  There is a reason all the Irish we see down by the water are wearing gum boots! We ask the First Lady and her dog to come if we can take “that” road up to the main road. She says no, you have to go back up “this” road.  Not the answer we wanted!   We wait till another local comes by (quite a few out with dogs) and ask if we can go up “here” to the road rather than backtracking the path she says, oh yes just straight up and when you get to a “t” turn right.  After a bit of a grassy path we were back on the tarmac.  We followed this until we saw a yellow sign with the hiker arrow which pointed us back toward the beach.   We were next confused as the signs were telling us to go through a locked  farm gate. Instead we continued on the road, came to another sign which said hikers could pass, just lock the gate, which we did.  We were now walking through a field full of sheep! Now normally on this trip when we come upon fields of sheep and we are on the opposite side of the fence, they scurry away if we get too close.  These sheep paid us no bother whatsoever.  They were fenced only on one side, the other “side” was the ocean.  We were soon out of the grass and on the sand again. It was a beautiful day, perfect walking temperature and we could see the town of Brandon in the distance.  

We walked along the beach, tide was out until we came to a narrow bridge that spanned a small river running into the ocean.  We crossed and we’re on the road approaching the town.  Soon we arrived at the pubs/restaurants we had been told were good and we sat at an outside table for coffees and ate our packed lunches……our last and favourite so far, chicken salad.   We asked the waiter if there would be music later on?  He said yes at about half nine; put don’t tell anybody, it’s a private party and they are paying for the  band.   As we were in many small towns/villages and it was the end of the season with fewer hikers the businesses were closing for the season and not paying musicians.  Of course in places like Dublin and Dingle this wasn’t the case.  So we went with the “flow” back up the road to find our guest house for the night, planning to come back later for a bite and some music. 

Our guest house is definitely a five star!  Unfortunately Joanie is not feeling well as she has now succumbed to the cold and elects to stay in and rest! After showering and getting into clean warm clothes 3 of us head back to Murphy’s Pub.  It is very busy…..basically packed and we wait to be seated. We order an appy to share, which was quite nice, and 3 bowls of seafood chowder……and share a dessert. 

We decide not to wait for the band and start for our guest house.  The landlady had given us reflective vests to wear over our coats for the walk home as the road is narrow and there are no street lights.  Joanie is feeling slightly better. 

We then do a little packing for our early departure tomorrow…..pickup at 8 for the drive to Kerry airport. We fly to London for 3 days of culture. Our hiking adventure for this year has ended.