6/5/12

Dingle Peninsula

Okay, so I told you I was too tired to think when I wrote my blog post last night. I laughed out loud when I read it this morning. There were a few nonsequiters. How funny.

For one thing, the rapeseed field we passed isn't ground into oil to make "potato salad." It's used to make canola oil. I'll be you already knew that, and when you read about the potato salad, you said, "whuh-huh?" Where potato salad came from is a mystery to me.

Anyway . . . today is a new day, hopefully, a little more coherent. We drove the Slea Drive (wish I could link to some things . . . you'll have to do your own googling--sorry) on the Dingle Peninsula. It was absolutely glorious weather.

It rained at our first potty stop. Our driver informed us that there wasn't a lot of point in driving out on the Slea Drive with it being as misty as it was. He said we wouldn't be able to see anything, and so we opted to stay and have lunch. I had perhaps the best fish and chips I've ever eaten. The batter was so light and crispy.

While we ate our lunch, the weather cleared and the sun shone the rest of the day. We stayed and did some shopping first. I didn't buy anything, but it was fun to look. I just love Europe and how the little shops are so colorful. It's like being in Disneyland . . . and some people are lucky enough to live here!

After that, we drove out on the peninsula and saw some beautiful scenery, including ancient ruins and some beehive huts. These settlements were all built from stones collected from the land, and some of them date back to the 500-700's. Amazing. It is an ancient land for sure.

So, it doesn't seem that there are many quilt shops in Ireland, even in the larger cities. Just the same, we did pass by one on the way this morning, and then we stopped there on the way back. And remember the quilt kit I was supposed to get, and then it got canceled? Well, the quilt shop is owned by the quilter who created the kit, Nikki Foley. Not only that, but she had copies of her book for sale, and I bought one! Signed! Cool! Yes, even in Blogger Mobile, my exclamation point still works! She had the cutest little shop. I bought some Irish regional fabric that I will show eventually.

After that, we came back to Killarney and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening roaming around. Tomorrow, we have an early start and we'll be on the road again to Galway, where the quilt show is. Til then . . . I hope you are all doing well. Wish you could all be here with me. Wouldn't that be a hoot?

18 comments:

Debbie said...

Oh, wow!!!! Love the colorful views and that beehive house is amazing. So far back in ancient times.....enjoy it all, soak it up, and take tons and tons of photos. I want to see them all!

Marj said...

Love that "Bee hive" hut. Glad that the day ended up sunny and you got to see a quilt shop. Tomorrow sounds like a fun day. Will you get to see your quilt? I hope it won a ribbon!

make.share.give said...

I thought the potato salad thing must be some crazy irish recipe. Just like I think Dingle Peninsula is pretty funny. Love the green squares quilt and I'm very jealous of the fish and chips.

Diane Wild said...

It all looks like fun to me. When you said Galway tomorrow the song "Galway Girl" by Celtic Thunder comes to mind. Love that song. The shops look fun.

Sand and Sunshine said...

How great about the shop owner and her book. Makes it feel like this way was meant to be. Sounds like you're having a great time, though hopefully you will have some potato salad to help get it off your mind soon.

WoolenSails said...

What a wonderful day and so many wonderful shops and sites, too tempting to buy for me;)

Debbie

Quilter In Paradise said...

We went to Ireland about 10 years ago and have vowed to go back. Thank you for posting your days and the pictures - it's bringing back good memories.
Beth in dallas

Anonymous said...

The scenery is beautiful and I love the colors on those buildings. I'm so glad you found your quilt kit and got your book signed.

quiltzyx said...

Firstly, on using the crushed rapeseed to make potato salad - I just figured that you had a special recipe that uses Canola oil for the dressing. Possible, right?
Love the pics of the town - is it called Dingle too? I would LOVE to be there with you too, absorbing all that greenishness & sharing foolishness!

Celtic Thistle said...

We had a great holiday on the Dingle peninsula when the boys were small, fabulous scenery and great beaches. Our eldest son, Daniel, was delighted to find a village called Caherdaniel, he thought it was named after him!

Dana Gaffney said...

The pictures are all so wonderful, I love the colors of the shops, it would be wonderful to just wander through them.

kc said...

I'm sure it's a lot more difficult (and probably a little frustrating, too) to get these posts out, but they are FABulous!! Thank you for taking the time & trouble to share your journey with us, potato salads and all!!

I can't believe how GREEN everything is - coming from the drought & fires of Texas, that's a color we haven't seen much of lately. Those little shops remind me of Rainbow Row, down by the water in Charleston, SC. So pretty!! You must have some mighty strong willpower, to resist buying everything you see~

Have fun, keep sending us pix!!!

Needled Mom said...

I am reliving our trip through your jouney. Those Beehive Huts were amazing. Their stone walls dividing the hillside were also wonderful.

I am so glad the mist lifted enough for you to enjoy the awesome views. Did you try the surfing??????

I can't wait to read about the show in Galway. Are you eating lots of good fish soups?

Gill said...

The Slea Head circuit is wonderful when the weather is good!! I'm glad you're having a great time!
Niki Foley's sister owns my local quilt shop!!

Teresa in Music City said...

It looks like you are having a marvelous time! Love, love, love the pictures!!! Those colorful houses all in a row, the Mad Hatters Dingle, the sea views - WOW! Ireland is definitely on my bucket list :*)

Kate said...

Love the Mad Hatters Dingle, paint scheme and name. How fun!

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Adorable shops! I'm glad you're having fun.

Dirt Road Quilter said...

Yes,or perhaps I should say
aye', if we were all with you, it would be quite the party! Laughing on the potato salad - I thought, "Well, ok then. I guess Irish potato salad is quite different from the potato salad I know." :) Ireland looks so charming!