Is Summer Coming to an End?

I remember when we first moved here, I was a bit confused as to why they had clothes lines.  I couldn't imagine in a place so damp that you would ever be able to dry clothes outside.  But later on, I discovered that last year was one of Ireland's wettest summers in many years (which just happened to be our first experience of this beautiful country).  This summer just happened to be one of their driest summers in about 10 years.  We have had a couple of months of sunshine and very little rain. The end of last week was finally a moment of rain for most of Ireland.  I have been amazed at how yellowish and dry some parts of the grass have been.  I didn't realize how quickly lack of water would affect this place.
I think the end of summer is in sight.  As I sit typing this it is cloudy, gloomy and raining off and on. 

Stabilizer's

Our little Tater-Tot has had a new interest in riding her bike.  Recently she has begun playing with the neighborhood children, of whom all ride bikes.  She has recently befriended an Irish boy and girl who just happen to be twins.  They are four years old and ride their bikes very well.  Tater-Tot just told me a couple of days ago that she wanted me to take her "stabilizers" off.  (for you American friends, that is what they call training wheels here)  She barely has the strength to push the peddles and she wants to take them off.  Really made me giggle.

A Day on the Ring of Kerry

While at the Muckross Stables we drove around the Ring of Kerry.  We heard conflicting reasoning on which direction to go.  We read that it was wise to go counter-clockwise.  It even said to do so on our map.  But, after speaking to three different locals we decided to go the other way.  We were told it was much more beautiful to go clock-wise.  It was quite the drive.  Because of all of the stopping and going it took us all day.  It was a beautiful drive and I am glad we added it to our list of

 "Places to see".

This is the second place we stopped by on our trip.  It was quite majestic.

This man came up to us asking if we wanted a ride in his boat.  His Irish accent was so strong I barely understood him and we've been living among the Irish for a year now.  If we would have had more time we definitely would have hired him.

I could have stayed here all day.  The serenity of it all was amazing.

                                        
                                          Beautiful Church on the view.

We stopped here and ate our packed lunch.  It was a gorgeous view as you can see.  We didn't see any leprechauns but I'm sure they were hiding somewhere.

                                                                                                        
             On the drive we found this cute little shop across from the amazing view.  After eating our lunch we enjoyed some ice cream and the trying on of some hats.  I just had to bye the sheep hat.  It was just too adorable not to.

The fog kept getting thicker and thicker, which at one point, made it impossible for pictures.  That is one of the beauties of Ireland.  You never know what your photographs will look like.  It makes it worth coming back.

Here are some photos I took while driving.  They might make you a bit dizzy but I wanted to show the greenery that we were seeing.

 Because of the fog, I was able to get very little photos of the ocean.  Here are just a few.

The water truly is that blue-green color.  Absolutely gorgeous!

We happened upon this lake somewhere along the Ring.
 

 I had to get a photo of this sweet little horse.  I had that puppy in the pet store window moment.  As soon as I saw him I wanted to take him home.

I'm pretty sure that miniature horses are for either Hobbits or Leprechauns.

Goodbye little fellow...  We'll always remember you!

Some structures we saw while driving.

Muckross Riding Stables in Killarney

Our first trip we took after arriving back to Ireland was to Muckross Riding Stables B&B in Killarney.  This time we had my Hubby's mom with us (aka Nana).   

The first day we arrived we spent the evening enjoying the views by walking the property.  We also were able to take a peak at all of the animals they had there. 

While eating our very yummy Irish breakfast, the next morning, we were able to enjoy the beautiful serene views of greenery and sheep grazing. 

 They had a play area which was a great relief for our little Tater-Tot

They have a petting zoo and anyone can go to it even if they don't stay at the B&B.

As you can see, this puppy was very excited to see us. 

One of the mornings there we took Tater-Tot out for a quick ride on one of their ponies.  They told us his name was Joey.  He was a wonderfully gentle pony. 

 The kids had a great time playing on the tire swing. 

The Donkey was quite curious as to what we were doing.  He decided to come by and say hi.  We didn't mind a bit.

My two favorite things about this B&B was the animals that walk freely on the property. The horses and donkey were out during the evenings and the sheep roam freely all day and night.  The ponies kept reminding me of the ponies in the book  

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.   

My other favorite thing was the scenery.  It was quite lovely.  I could have stayed there much longer had we the time.  This is one B&B we will never forget.  I can truly say it was our favorite place in all of Ireland.