Oh, so much catching up to do so it will be précis form.
Wild camped at Fishguard, Wales on sea front. Perfect with view of harbour dog walk along breakwater and nearby clean toilets and coffee across the road. Many other dog walkers who are exceptionally friendly.
Ferry Stena Lines Fishguard to Rosslare one way £175. Sea calm.
On arrival at Rosslare just followed the road to Wexford. Made my way to campsite across river which was closed and expensive anyway. Wild camped next to the site although a notice said no overnight camping but a local said that it would not be a problem.
Next morning woke up to a cloudy cold day and found a convenience store which sold crusty rolls with a full English or rather Irish breakfast inside. Don't know how the lady managed to fit it in and it was delicious.
Drove to the old capital Kilkenny and walked around the castle - history goes back to 1172 before making a castle tour where I learnt about the powerful Butler family and the legendary Anglo -Norman, Strongbow erected a tower. A little tourist train took me around the sights.
Continued on to Cashel in the centre of Tipperary. My neighbour Sue had lent me a coffee table book with beautiful pictures of Irish sights. The spectacular Rock of Cashel and its tower/ castle/cathedral stood out and I was determined to go there. It was amazing but the weather was still cold grey and windy.
I was in need of a shower so
I booked into Cashel Holiday Hostel located in the centre in a charming Georgian house and the friendly owner PJ showed me around. Sacha would be sleeping in the van so it was convenient to be able to park outside in the road and as it was Sunday it was free. PJ also gave me a ticket for a free entry to the castle and a guided tour. Not bad since it only cost €15 in dorm room.
Went to sample my first taste of Guinness and have something to eat but it seems that dogs aren't welcome in pubs. There was one where I asked a customer if it was ok. He was rather inebriated and said the if they didn't allow it he would focking kill em he focking would. Anyhow it was ok and I found a quiet corner and enjoyed a swift half. It was really smooth.
Cashel....
Made porridge for Breakfast and filled the thermos with coffee for later.
Weather cold and mizzle at first then rain. Drove to nearby village of Golden planning to walk along the river Suir back towards Cashel but there was a sign along the path saying no dogs.
Walked to the village to buy some stamps for some postcards I had written and then posted. Driving along I heard on the radio that there was a postal strike. They could have told me.
Since it was raining decided to carry on driving west and headed for Bantry via Cork. I had considered driving south from Cork to Kinsale but as the weather was so bad -low cloud and drizzle decided to head west to pick up the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) which was my mission anyway, to drive the whole 2500 kms. So from Bantry I followed the WAW south to wherever the start might be.
Much of the time it was a narrow potholed track. Drove round Sheep's Head peninsular. There was a viewing point on the top but it was so misty you couldn't see anything. Same earlier around Cork.
Near a tiny place called Ahakista I drove off road to a little beach and camped for the night. It was delightful, the weather cleared and Sacha could explore to her heart's content and I could relax.
It was close to a memorial for the air crash in 1985.