We had fantastic weather (mostly sunny and pleasant temperature) for today’s walk.  Of course, do to our B&B hostesses thinking we wanted to see the American owned golf course when Mary asked the direction of the golf course, we walked about 1 mile extra at the beginning of today’s hike.  Perhaps we will do one of the future hikes with no mistakes.  It really wasn’t a problem because we had another view of Waterville.

As we went through town we passed a statue of Charlie Chaplin and, of course, had to stop and take a photo.  Charlie frequently  spent holidays in Waterville.

A pleasant surprise was the Irish man playing his acordian on the bench next to the statue,

We took the Coastal Route today which had views of Waterville, the Atlantic, and hillsides across the way.

The following was the site of a piper known as An Piobaire Biu. The story as it that late at night after fishing on Ballingkelligs Bay beautiful airborne music followed him home from Rineen Pier to his house.  Once he got home he started to play the mysterious music on his pipe.  But upon hearing tiny dancing feet outside his door, he knew the music was fairy music.  He never played the tune again.

There was also another Iron Age Ring Fort.

Near the fort was the Lohsr Children’s Burial Ground and Church site.  From late Medieval times until the middle of the 1900s children who died without being baptised were often buried in unsanctified grounds.  This reflected the doctrine of the times.  You can see many of the burial stones in the grass.

 

There was also a stone with a cross slab carving which is said to be based on the metal crosses from the Eastern Mediterranean.

 

We came across another Wedged Tomb.

Here is a panoramic view.

I feel so privileged to be in such a spectacular place.

As we walked further and were more in the woods, the trails reminded Mary and I of the Camino.

I loved the fields of Bluebells.

Mary hiked back to Waterville which meant that she did about 17 miles. I only hiked 9 miles today.  My wonderful hostess from Brookhaven Guesthouse picked me up and drove me to Sneem.   There I was able to finally meet Alison Tanik, reconnect with her husband,Omer (my fabulous driver in southeast Turkey) and their two beautiful, intelligent, delightful children (India and Lulu).  Elaine Newland and I stayed with Omer’s sister and family in Yuvacali, Turkey and then traveled around Southeast Turkey in 2012.  This was all arranged through their fabulous company, Nomad Tours. Alison and the children were in England caring for Alison’s father at that time so I didn’t get to meet them in Turkey.  I have stayed in contact with them since then.   The war in Syria, problems with ISIS, and difficulties in Turkey have caused them to stop providing the wonderful services of their company. The situation in Turkey is also playing havoc with s family. All of these things, coupled with United Kingdom’s Visa policies, meant that their Omer has not been able to be with his family.  Finally, a couple of months ago, (thanks to their work with “Abraham’s Way”) they have been United in Ireland.  I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to see them today.  We had dinner at D’ O’Shea’s in Sneem and took a walk around town.  here are the photos we took today.  I will cherish them,