We didn't realise how spectacularly beautiful the Kerry coastline would be. We were dimly aware of the Ring of Kerry - the tourist road upon which we've seen coaches at roughly five-minute intervals - but from the sea and in such fantastic weather, it's been awe-inspiring. Even Barbara has run out of superlatives!
We left Crookhaven at 7.00am as we had arrived, under sail. An interesting beat out of the narrow entrance followed by a run westwards along the coast to Mizzen Head, where the lighthouse and coastguard station clings to the cliff.
From here we turned northwards and had a gentle Force 3 and flat water to sail up to Dursey Sound, a very narrow (100m at most) short-cut between the mainland and Dursey Island.
From here, with Puffins sighted, we hugged the rocky coast to the natural harbour at Derrynane. It's worth looking it up on Google - a really narrow, rocky entrance opens into a small anchorage with a fantastic beach close by. Steve volunteered to complete the (very optimistic) 3km hike to the nearest village for milk and a few other essentials whilst the rest of us walked the beach.
The area is liberally sprinkled with holiday homes, most of little architectural interest, but we fell in love with this mini ship!
Exercise completed we had a couple of thirst-quenchers outside Keating's bar - well, we just had to keep the family business going!
Mrs Keating pours a pint for Mr Keating in Keating's Bar
The wind piped up in the evening - a cold north-easterly Force 6 - but a home-made chilli supper aboard warmed us and we slept well.
No comments:
Post a Comment