A quick stop en route from Cork down to the Beara Peninsula to enjoy the view.
A very uncomfortable night as the mattresses in the Cork hotel were too soft and seemed to sag in the middle. I tried the other single bed but that was worse. Shame as everything else was top notch. Packed and went down to breakfast with mum who decided she wanted a proper breakfast after all. Usual very satisfying continental buffet and hot options. I went to town with fruit, scrambled egg, tomatoes and mushrooms as well as two pieces of toast.
Usual yonks spent packing the car before heading west via Lidl in Bantry. Beautiful as we descended with views of the bay ahead. Was a big Lidl and we bought huge amounts of alcohol as well as cheeses and salmon. Grabbed sandwiches for lunch on the road.
Only an hour's drive after, the scenery becoming more spectacular - rocky gorsy uplands with hills with intense geological formations and views out to the sea. The most amazing thing was the wild fuchsia just growing everywhere in the hedges. It's obviously adapted from the garden varieties we're familiar with and was absolutely buzzing with bees. And they put it in the gin too.
Arrived at our accommodation - just a farm and a pub next door - picking up our keys from said pub. The house was spectacularly huge and well equipped. Musical instruments, a pingpong table, CDs, DVDs, games and what have you. Chose our ensuite room, unpacked the car and got mum sorted with the telly. T and B, as well as E and D started preparing supper and we headed back to Castletownbere for a mammoth shop. Castletownbere was an interesting looking place with lots of boats in the dock and foreign sailors around the town. Was exhausted after trudging round SuperValu for a couple of hours and glad to get back in the car.
At the house, no one was there other than mum. They'd all gone swimming. After unpacking the shopping, made myself a gin and played in the great hall before champagne and nibbles by the fire - S had sourced fuel. Supper of chickpeas and aubergines as well as tabouleh and crusty bread.
Stayed up far too long, playing tunes and drinking Dave's special Japanese whisky.
Sounds like a great full on day