White Rose

Max and Colin drove off to Yorkshire for the weekend for a holiday weekend of orienteering (although we don't get a holiday monday in Scotland !). We tried out the new micro mountain marathon tent which worked fine although it was by far the smallest tent in the field. The sun shone all weekend and the campsite was very pleasant. Max did well on his orienteering courses. Colin is in need of practice! Had fun at the Night O with fabulous views across some fine Yorkshire ridges and cliffs. Pickering was also very nice - with a great steam railway and old world railway station.

CATI Orienteering - Blackford

Max and Colin went out orienteering for the first time in quite a while. Max got round the Orange course in 30 minutes coming 4th of 11. Colin did the untimed training course.

Marble Arch Caves

A long drive back from Kerry to the boat. On the way we stopped at the Marble Arch Caves. The recent rains meant that we didn't get to go on the boat journey through the caves but still enjoyed an interesting guided tour.

We got some real Irish weather for our last day with constant rainfall all day. We travelled to Muckross just outside Killarney and went round the gardens but not the house and then did a tour outdoor agricultural museum. Hannah fell in love with the two 6 week old kittens, Socks and Tabby

The weather broke with a vengeance on thursday with visibility down to yards on the drive to Glebgariff. It finally cleared up after lunch and we took a boat to Garanish Island to see some wonderful gardens that had been created on the island. A highlight of the holiday was when a pod of dolphins swam by the boat and treated us to some fantastic leaps just metres from us. On the way back we stopped at a hand-made chocolate factory and shop and bought some absolutely wonderful chocs.

Eyries

Stuck close to home for a walk along the coastline at a little village called Eyries. It was quite pleasant although I do prefer a walk with some hilltops on the route. A few stops to play at pebbly beaches.

Valencia Island

Went for a long long drive round part of the Ring of Kerry from Kenmare round to Valencia Island. We tried to to a trip to the Skellig islands but found that the boats were all booked out days in advance. Spent some time on the beach at Waterville and stopped at Sweem in both directions for food. The scenery was absolutely stunning and the weather fabulous.

Killarney

Headed off the Kenmare in the morning and had a stroll around the very pretty town. As the weather was starting to turn we decided to head for Killarney where we spent the day around town and walking in the park. In the evening we went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at the cinema.

Views from the House

Glen Inchiquin

After the long journey the previous day we stayed close to home touring the local area in the morning. We visited Dereen gardens with its lush sub-tropical vegetation. Enjoyed mussels and chips in the local pub for lunch. In the afternoon we went to Glen Inchiquin which had a fantastic waterfall. Colin and Max did a walk that took us up to the top of the falls with views of the valley beyond. Cherry and Hannah stayed on the low ground and enjoyed the river walk and watching the local kids throw themselves down the canyon.

Arrival at Kerry

We got up for the long drive to Kerry. The first couple of hours to Limerick went quickly with little traffic on the road. After a snack and some shopping we headed onwards but the traffic the rest of the journey was absolutely dreadful with long tailbacks into almost every town the main road passed through. We made it to the house by about 6 pm. The cottage was lovely, sitting perched above the Kenmare estuary with grand views across the sea and the mountains beyond. The interior was nicely furnished and unlike the previous house was a lived in property where a little care and attention had been taken to ensure everything work just right.

Russborough House

Went to Russborough house for a very interesting and informative guided tour which the children really enjoyed. They loved finding out about where all the furniture came from and who made it. They were really disappointed when the tour ended as they would have liked to have gone to every room in the house...

NOT!!!!

Dublin

We got up early for a bus ride into central Dublin. We went on a long walk round the main sites of the city. We started at O'Connell street and the General Post Office and the new spire that has been built at the centre of the street. We walked through the Temple Bar area after crossing the Ha'Penny Bridge. We then went past Christ Church Cathedral and to the Dublinia exhibition about Dublin in Medieval and Viking times. We then went to Dublin Castle, Poiwerscourt shopping centre and on for a rest at St Stephens Green. We went to the National Gallery and then through Trinity College before making it back to the bus stop at around 5 pm for the trip home.

Great Sugar Loaf Mountain

We started the day at the Great Sugar Loaf mountain which involved around 40 minutes climb to the summit. It was a rocky and challenging little climb that Hannah managed very well. We then went to Powerscourt House and enjoyed a nice walk round the majestic gardens.