I woke up early in Gougane Barra. Not sure if it was the whiskey the night before or if my schedule is just totally messed up. But I got up, showered and went for a walk outside. Others in our group beat me to it. The weather was cool. The water was placid. I think blissful might be the word of the trip. Because it was.

We had a filling Irish breakfast with Cashel cheese. Mm… How I love cheese! The sun shone in throw the windows. And it was a pleasant dream looking out across the lake as we ate. Finally, we boarded the bus and started our next journey.

John told us that the weather was exceptional. So we would stop at a couple extra sites, one, a stonecircle overlooking Bantry Bay. There were tiny roads but we made our way up there, and the vision was spot on. The sky was uncharacteristically clear. The bay was beautiful.

The stonecircle had everyone bouncy, it seemed. It was located in this cow patty filled field, but despite dodging droppings, it was fascinating. Over three thousand years old. This was our start of the Beara Peninsula. John told some stories about the deities that the area was named for. The walk back to the bus was filled with reflection.

Our next stop was another out of the way place. A one lane road led to it. There we met an aged man, rugged from the sun and years, with a thick Irish accent. John bought us some postcards and paid our “ticket” to the next stonecircle. This one was even more spectacular than the last.

The path led across some bog and rocky terrain up over a hill and there was a stonecircle with the most panoramic view of a lake field valley behind it. When we arrived there were four waterfalls in the distance from the falling rain that met our bus going out there. By the time, left there was just one, because the sky was clear. The wind was blowing. I sat and lounged leisurely on a rock up on a hill overlooking the stonecircle. I missed most of John's speech about the stones, but the vista was so amazing. I wasn't too worried.

Everyone was feeling blissful by the time we left, and a little bit hungry. So our next stop was a small fishing town where we would run into a grocery store, grab some food and have a picnic at our last vista.

When we arrived, the toilet was calling, so three of us ran to a pub, used the toilets and then grabbed a pint. Mine was Murphy's. I'm trying out more drinks while I'm here. As much as I love Guinness, it's a heavy drink and for me, tough to consume in great quantities. I know. I know. That's sacrilege, but that's the way it is.

We left there and went to another ladies home to see an Ogham stone. Once again, we paid our way up the hill, and there we had lunch, beneath the shadow of this ancient rock that held the key to an ancient language. Once again, beautiful weather and great company. We ate delicious local cheeses and had a wonderfully relaxing time before we drove to Kenmare for our final stop for the night.

By then, I was quite exhausted. The sun and wind wore me down a bit. I lay down for a few minutes, before meeting some of the folks who wanted to go shopping.

That struck me immediately regarding CIE tours versus this one. I talked about it over dinner too. This trip was so much different from the “let's do our best to part as much money from tourists as possible” CIE tour we did last year. There is no to go and out gift shops. Consequently, by the time we got to Kenmare, I think everyone was fairly starved for shopping.

I like that. The focus is about the country and companionship and not the almighty dollar. That's definitely something I'll remember for the future.

My dinner wasn't spectacular, but was still good. I was still a bit full from lunch, so I ate less. And after checking some email, I joined others who were already out for a pint and listening to some trad music. No. I haven't heard “Danny Boy” since I've been here, and that's just fine by me.

Sadly, I couldn't stay out late. I was too wiped. So I head home for some happy sleep.