Monday 24 January 2011

A lovely winter weekend in County Kerry


That is how it looked like in County Waterford, when we headed towards Kerry on Friday afternoon. There was lots of fog and the landscape looked eerie, as if it is hiding something.





                                                                                       We arrived late at Benners Hotel in Dingle, but we were happy with the accommodation and the staff was very friendly and delightful.


The next morning started misty, but there were also sunny spots here and there.


It was very quiet in this bay, only the footsteps in the white sand showed that there must have been someone else there before us. There were seals lying on a sandbank on the lefthand side, but it was too difficult for us to get closer and we did not want to get into the seals' living space and disturb their peaceful harmony.

 

                                                                                                    


We drove along the Dingle Penninsula with its astonishing views.




I bet this beautiful beach is not crowded in summer as there are not many people living in this area.




I found this looks like a landscape from another planet, but amazing in its way!


A really fantastic view down from the rugged hills.


The same place, but another view.



I could not take enough pictures from this beautiful area.

















On the left Gallarus Oratory, built in the 7th or 8th century. It is still waterproof, though it was never renovated. On the right an old stone house, left by its former owners, but with its own flower pot on the top of the chimney.


I thought Ireland would be boring to look at in the winter season, but I was wrong. I was so excited about the various landscapes with its beautiful colours. It certainly looks different than in summer, but it has its own charm and feels like a peaceful place.




Who would not be overwhelmed by this beauty! Nature is the best architect!


We headed back home through Killarney with its lovely lakes.



Pity that the weekends are always too short, I would have enjoyed to stay longer, but there are more weekends to come!

Photos by Margit Anna Binder

Saturday 8 January 2011

A long winter season

Photo by Margit Anna Binder ( Charleville, Co. Cork)

We were in Charleville yesterday and as predicted it started to snow. Within an hour everything was covered with snow again. I saw a woman coming out of a shop, she was so excited about the weather change, but I suppose not everyone was. On our way home we saw 3 cars, which slipped off the road and one landed in a ditch. We needed 90 minutes longer than usual to get home to Waterford and that was not fun!
It seems this winter is going to be a long one, with long periods of cold temperatures and lots of snow. Scientists talk about Global Warming and it is so cold here, unusual cold for Ireland!


Photo by Margit Anna Binder