Dingle, April 2007

This Easter one of Frances' astrological colleagues, Chris Mitchell from Bristol, came to visit us. He had always wanted to see Dingle, so of course we decided to go to Kerry and West Cork. Here we are with Edward and Sam at the famous viewing spot at Slea Head overlooking the Dunmore Point and the Blaskett Islands, the most westernly point of Europe.

Click each photo to enlarge

Of course Chris had heard of the Travelling Bears, so just after the photo had been taken of us posing in front of Dunmore Point, Chris rushed in to get a photo before we moved on. Ah, well, we didn't mind another shot. Roger asked some of the tourists watching us if they wanted a shot as well...
"Phew, being a celebrity really fills up your time manager, doesn't it?" Roger said.

The Beara Peninsula, Co. Cork, April 2007

We also toured the Beara Peninsula to show Chris the famous home of half the O'Sullivans in Ireland (well, a slight exaggeration), Dursey Island and some of the many stone circles on this peninsula. Here were are at Ardgroom Stone Circle.

On our way south we passed Blarney Castley. This famous midieaval fortress is located just northwest of Cork City. Here we are with Chris just before we went up the tower.

Blarney Castle, Co. Cork, April 2007

We had heard that whoever kisses the famous Blarney Stone will receive the Gift of Gap. Neither Roger nor McBear, however, felt it was necessary to kiss the stone as we had lots of talent for talking and none of us ever felt speachless...
"I am never short of words", Roger pointed out.
"NEVER!" McBear agreed and giggled.

We all went to the Skellig Rocks sailing with Captain Des Lavelle on Beal Bocht of Portmagee. Roger and Des got sentimental talking about old days on the Seven Seas... Listening to Des Lavelle was actually very exciting, but we've heard Roger telling his stories endless time - and suddenly Angus started to bark loud, so nobody could hear a thing. Angus apologised and explained he was just trying to frighten a seamonster. No one believed that was the reason...

It was a tough walk uphill to the top of Skellig Michael, but it was worth it: The view is spectacular! Poor McBear had a tough climb. Roger was giving out to him for eating too much salmon and always sitting in front of a computer, emailing and administering TARF! Roger believes exercise would be good. McBear didn't fully agree...

Christianity on Skellig Michael, September 2002

Tom and Roger are here seen excavating the ancient Christian monastic site, said to be the oldest in the world. It dates back more than a thousand years. Barnaby had to be calmed down: After his trip to Achill Island with Roger, he is so excited about becoming an archaeologist, discovering this site made him hyper!

We went on a walk through the famous Gap of Dunloe. Well, it took a while as Bamse is pretty old, Pinbear has tiny legs and McBear is not fit...

Dingle, July 2002

McBear and Roger went to Kerry. We stayed at a Bed & Breakfast in Dingle Town on the Dingle peninsula. Nice place.

One of the days we went to Dunmore Head, the most westernly point in Europe - apart from the small Blasket Islands further out.