18 July Ireland

My first day on the road in this wonderful green land. My first night was pretty memorable with a family that described themselves as artists. What great people not only making me feel so welcome but also invited me to dinner with them. We shared a delightful night of conversation. So the day that followed was fine and fun as I headed off through Dungarvan.A seaside old town. Boars in the harbour and old walls and buildings. Easy to forget Ireland has lived through some pretty tough times. Off down the road to Blarney and that was unplanned. Pretty town. The roads were my favourite type with no paint. Narrow winding country roads that were a joy to ride. Remuera houses on lovely tidy well cared for farms No dumped cars overgrown land farming gorse and junk just people that are proud of their farms. Ireland is a funny place, no street names no numbers, houses have names, usually, and no fast code that let me find any house in Britain with a GPS address. Not in Ireland. I was in the street I was supposed to be in. My host was in the next street. Oh yes we know it says that on the map but that's not what we call it. But the town was a real tourist village once again on a delightful harbour. Dinner at the Pub but all too much tourism for my liking. No real pub meals even in Ireland it's more handled food, you know the sort don't use a spoon to get it on the plate use hands and play with it and charge double. However the after dinner event at a local pub was great. Guitar bass guitar and harp. It was great.