Tralee to Camp: Day One of the Dingle Way
Super interesting day. We left our B&B around 9:00 and began our journey on the Dingle Way. Looking at our guidebook, we had thought this day would be a piece of cake...NOT SO! It started off well as we walked through the small village of Blennerville. We couldn't believe our luck ...hiking through Ireland on such a nice day, together, and happy! Everything in the world was right.
That's when our "luck" began to change. It started with a vicious black dog encounter, teeth showing, ears pointed back, and tail NOT wagging. He had a little posse of small dogs behind him... Needless to say, we heard some horses with people behind us, so we waited to cross until they got nearer. They happened to know the dog, so all ended well.
Next, we entered the moorland of the Slieve Mish Mountains. At first, we were very impressed, and once again, couldn't believe how beautiful and open everything was. Then, it started to pour. Pouring on the open moorlands is not a good thing...especially when the ground you're walking on is BOGGY . . . something we had never experienced before... We remained optomistic for the first three hours of that type of ground and weather. Then, I fell into a boggy hole. I was in up to my waist...face down, in a wet, muddy, sheep-foul-filled hole! Then, it was no more pictures...just walking as quickly and carefully as possible.
Next, came the angry sheep. Things at this point were not looking good...we heard a loud "Baaaaa" up on the hill. Seconds later, we heard the same "Baaaaa" about 10 yards behind Andy.
Saoking wet and almost to Camp, something really Irish happened. At the top of a hill, we saw a young farmer waving towards us. Seconds later, a hundred or more sheep came running through the path. We scurried off to the side as they passed us, baaing loudly the whole way. The farmer yelled, "Rush hour!" to us as he passed. Andy and I decided that the troubles of the day were well worth it in the end.
All in all, I am writing this in a much more negative way than the day actually felt. We were just surprised to be in the boggy moorlands the first day. If we had to do this first day of the walk again, we would.
That night we stayed at the Moan Laur House, just a few miles outside of Camp. It was the best B and B we've been to. The hosts were exceptional, the breakfast features farm fresh eggs from the chickens and ducks outside, and the views were spectacular. The hosts assured us that the next leg of the hike would be much more scenic and enjoyable. They mentioned that all the walkers they receive complain about the first day, but love the second day. We decided to believe them!
