Dublin, August 2020

Because of the Covid-19 world pandemic we hadn't been out travelling all year and it was getting unbearable...

In the garden we had a bird feeder hanging down from the shed. It seemed though that the sparrows were dropping seed everywhere. Over the years the seed had grown to an entire hill. Around the hill we now had nearly 6 square feet of crops, enough to bake bear sized bread. We were however wondering what kind of bread we could bake; would it be wheat bread, rye bread or perhaps multiseed?

Click each photo to enlarge

Finally some of the restrictions were lifted and we were allowed to travel around Ireland. We went with our humans to Kerry in the south west. We were going to stay at the wonderful Lake Hotel just outside Killarney. Wow! Roger, being a responsible bear, had demanded a costumized face mask be made for him. Then, because we were all going, one of our humans had to start a production of bear sized masks while we were at the Lake Hotel.

Poor McBear - by mistake his mask had been made too big and he couldn't see a thing...

Killarney, August 2020

We had a large balcony overlooking the old castle ruin and the Lough Leane - we could even see deer walking around.

Skye, the cow from the Isle of Skye in Scotland was with us. So was a red bear, from a hospice and whose origin we all had forgotten...

The Lake Hotel is fairly old and dates back to the early 1800s - the hotel was actually established in 1820, exactly 200 years ago! Here we are enjoying the lovely lounge downstairs. McBear had ordered tea with honey, Tom had ordered a pint of Guinness and Roger had asked for some water... he was trying to stay fit'n healthy...

Now, as responsible bears we were of course wearing masks.
"I wonder how many humans have forgotten their mask while eating or drinking," McBear pondered.

Killarney, August 2020

After dinner Roger went outside to enjoy the sun setting over the mountains.

Killarney, August 2020

It was an amazing area with swans and deer within sight.

Next morning Roger got up early and out the door to get some exercise. Roger pointed out that exercise was crucial to stay healthy and sane. Here he is in the lobby enjoying a well deserved rest before a shower and then breakfast...

Dingle Peninsula, August 2020

During our stay we went around the peninsulas of Kerry and one of the days we went to the Dingle Peningsula. Here, around 2015 when some of the filming of the Star Wars "The Force Awakens" was done, an entire village of "beehive huts" was built at the cliffs near the village Ballyferiter. McBear wanted to some of the Star Wars road signs. People could do sunset walks in the area.

Also Skye had a face mask now. Face masks were not just for bears, they were made for all species. This was one of the issues that Toy animals Right's were fighting for: Equal rights for all species - the fight against specism!

In front of the hotel in Ballyferiter sculptures of Yoda and Darth Vader had been erected. The writing on the wall said Fadó, Fadó. It's Irish and means "Long ago...". McBear said it fit with the Star Wars opening line: "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
"Maybe the old Irish writers already knew there would come a time of Star Wars and distant galaxies..." Tom pointed out.
"Undoubtedly," McBear agreed. "Undoubtedly...!"

Killarney, August 2020

Much too quick our holiday at the Lake Hotel in Killarney was about to end. The last evening we enjoyed a large collection of chocolate cupcakes from the dining hall, yummy yummy!