LIFE IS A HIGHWAY find me one!

We have a day off golf today and will drive south to Killarney for a 6 night stint at the Great Southern Hotel………even though we discussed squeezing in a second round at Lahinch and would have loved that, the only tee time available was at 7:00am, and we have 4 more rounds in the next 5 days on some big golf courses in the south, so decision made to have a relaxing travel day. Our second decision was to take a bit of a shortcut (distance not time) and take the ferry across from County Clare to County Kerry at Killimer, knocking off a whack of km, but depending on our timing, we might have to wait bit for our ride.

First things first however……..I can’t say I’m sorry to see the back of this breakfast menu at Vaughn Lodge………give me the buffet……..I’m a buffet kinda guy…….but, all offerings are well prepared and I can’t say I ever left the hotel hungry.

It’s a fairly quick ride down to the ferry landing and we have time for a machine made latte…….the barista is a gruff old gal who pushes that latte button with such skill it would make your head spin just watching…….she also runs cash for the sizeable gift store and snack rack……..with some time to spare I have a look around and come up with these beauties……..only in Ireland might you find these gems. My father once told me, explaining why Fallon did not appear on the Scottish Clan Map, that our ancestors were the O’Fallon’s from Ireland, but we were kicked out and sent to Scotland for being horse thieves and pig stealers. I drop them on the counter and say to Mrs. Gruff, “I’ll give you three guesses at what my last name is and the first two don’t count.” She said nothing, but I did get a smile. The ferry is approaching and we roll on with just a handful of other vehicles……..light load heading south, but we find on the other side it is lined up for 1/2km and they will be full on the return trip. Only 20 minutes for the crossing and we got a good look at the two power stations……..one on either side…….the old lighthouse, and long abandoned old ferry landing.

Not far off our route is Ballybunion which we play in a few days, and just beyond that is Tralee……..also on the agenda……so we figure to do a recon and stop for lunch at one of the two. Ballybunion is busybunion…….quite a production with golfers everywhere…….better be prepared for a slow round at this course. A very large modern clubhouse is a bit of a surprise, but I guess that is just a sign of the times. Quick root through the pro shop and we are off to Tralee. Wow……arriving at this property, with the golf course laid out before you and the ocean backdrop, it is stunning. We want to play NOW! Not happening, but we do stop in for lunch, take in the views, pro shop, and head up to the practice area where there is a lovely little stacked sod bunker in the chipping area where we decide to sharpen our sand skills for the upcoming rounds. Ok lets be honest, Sibylle’s sand skills. Progress is made, but to say she has become an expert, or even proficient, would be a lie. But progress is progress and it will only get better.

Back into the Jogger, and Killarney will be our next stop. The NAV system has us travelling on some pretty skinny twisting little back roads for much of the way…….must be something in settings where I can eliminate shortest distance and go with quickest route or something, but on the positive side I can’t wait to get back to my F1 simulator where I am sure to be a star. Eventually we break through, and get onto a road that actually has a centre line, traffic volume steadily picks up, and before long we are in Killarney. NAV does bring me right to the hotel front door, and my premier parking spot twenty feet away is ready and waiting. The Great Southern is a big ass old hotel near the centre of town and is abuzz with activity……..clearly there is a wedding/reception today…….too many people all dressed up…….ladies in flashy dresses…….a few tuxedos…….and two or three Uncle Paddy’s wearing that suit that only sees the light of day once or twice a year…….you know the one……..every year it gets a little tighter and the sleeves get shorter……..the neck on this dress shirt used to fit, and, I though this tie was longer the last time I wore it.

Checked in, we head up to the room…….nicely done……modern…..nice view of the lawns outside…….bathroom, spacious, but, uhh ohh…….shower stall……..if it is 3’X3’ I might be exaggerating. If I drop the soap in this puppy I’ll have to get out of the shower to pick it up. Damn FULL IRISH BREAKFASTS. As expected, the hotel is FULL. Nothing we can do until tomorrow when we are promised a change. J&S take off for a walk about town, and I relapse.

Dinner tonight is in the big hotel dining room……..we did have the option to go to the bar for a more casual setting, but it is full with a large group who have come in from a funeral……..only in Ireland…….dinner is ok, but we agree that going out on the town would be a lot more fun………we will do that tomorrow after we return from OLD HEAD…….yep we have a big one tomorrow.