Day 6 Ireland 2025: Waterville to Caherdaniel

 A couple thoughts…  Sue and I had a rest yesterday. We are more better today, able to walk without too much discomfort and we are anxious to be back on the trail. But secondly…. because we didn’t hike yesterday, I didn’t really have any examples of FnF. (Flora and fauna, people!) I mentioned I would include some at the start of each post, so… here we go!

                     *

 There are MANY Hydrangae bushes

on the Island—true “show-stoppers”! But I think my fav is Pennymac, the farthest right. *

Here are some other interesting finds

             

        Loosestrife     

   Honeysuckle        Ice plant                          

Spruce—magnificent example!

                                                                                                                                   

    Tutsan—St. John’s Wort                   Red Campion

Some flowers are native, but many have been introduced in one way or another, not unlike the animals — deer, for example. Several native deer species have died off due to overhunting, deforestation, and the Great Famine. Only one native species survives in Ireland: the Red deer—Ireland’s (and UK’s) largest land mammal. It has made Killarney Natl Park (where we began our ramble) its home. It is purported to have had a continuous presence in Ireland since 10,000 bc. There are several other deer species: Sika, Fallow, and Muntjac. Below is a photo Ana captured !

                                  

………………

This was breakfast this morning. 

(Every morning)

Superb! Smoked salmon (or bacon or sausage)

eggs and grilled tomato!

Muesli or cornflakes.

Brown bread 

Fruit.

Maybe the creamiest of creamy

yogurt!

Juice and coffee.

If you accompany me next time, this breakfast will be yours!

………………

Our walk today was really a delightful ramble around the coastline of the south-western Iveraugh (pronounced Eevraw) peninsula. It was a good restart for my limpy leg. We were often by the water…

                                                    

                                                

… and when my sister and I had the opportunity, we wasted no time looking for …

                                                 

                                 

Sea glass became a treasure for some in our family many years ago when our mom and dad gave us the gift of the Atlantic Ocean at Rehoboth Beach…

                  ………………………………………

A special sight came in to view for us this day! This was our first glimpse.

The island in the background…. 

any idea?

You think on it! We have tickets to visit in a few days—IF .. we survive the hike ! (Then we have to survive the 600+ step climb to the ruins at the top, the island’s ancient crowning glory!)

Here are a few more glances as we were making our way to Caherdaniel.)

    

           

I will make another disclaimer here…. This blog is as much for me as for my readers. It is a journal of sorts by which my memory of the sights and sounds and moments of glorious experience is given an avenue to

                  . . remember. . . to re-feel . . . 

Along the trail. . .

               

           

                                                     

  

                 Sue… a happy happy hiker

              My sister Beth dancing by the sea  

     Ana—waiting for the slowpokies.      

I have more to add for this day! Check back later! I have to move on but I will edit later. . .

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Ok. I’m back for a few minutes… but it has been 2 days since last writing, and so much happens in 2 days. . . But right now I’ll finish this day.

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We really really enjoy every day. But, we really enjoyed this day because. . we were staying in the same accommodation for two nights which meant we were already settled. Additionally, this day was planned as more of a ramble—it was a mere 14km (8.5-ish mi) which seemed like a morning stretch-of-the-legs! We have discovered that the distances given for our daily routes are approximate, however, and I think I remember our true mileage was more like 11-12. Our very first day was given to us as 21.4 km (13.2 mi) and the final distance as we tracked was around 16 miles!

Today was truly a delightful meander along the coast. . .

There were some memorable discoveries along the way.

By the way, HERE IS our way!

                 

Today                                          The whole trip

 

Along the way, high above the bay, we passed a Wedge Tomb. I find myself awestruck by ancient evidence of human community; this was no different. . out on the side of a steep Atlantic bay rocky cliffy hill was placed by someone long ago

   A grave marker. . .

We also passed by Derrynane, the estate of  Daniel O’Connell, a “son of Ireland” meaning a very important, beloved figure in Irish history: statesman, politician, liberator.  

                                                                         Derrynane House

                                                             

On his estate was found an Ogham stone. Ogham stones represent the earliest form of writing in Ireland. They number between 350-400 and are mostly found in the south and southwest of the island. 

Our trail passed by the Derrynane Beg Ogham Stone!

             

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Our day settled into a sweet rest at The Blind Piper Pub in Caherdaniel.   

                

                  ps: I would’ve taken the Blind Piper’s table home if I could’ve fit it in my carry-on  😏

He would NOT have noticed!

    . . . And his stained glass window !

Mother and daughtie heading “home” to bed

on this rainy night.

And so 

  must I. . .

Good night ♥️