Finally Ireland/Return to Scotland – Day 16 – Trek On for Monty’s 65th!

After several of these treks, we have our routine down pat now. We rose and packed and taped our feet. I think we are the only ones in the group of 10 who are prone to serious blisters if we don’t do this. I forgot to tape up my knees, but it was fine as the days trek was easy on the knees.  We visited the local shops and picked up some food for sandwiches and some dates.  Our package included vouchers for breakfast at D’lish- and it was.  We had an amazing big breakfast with wonderful homemade bread. They are clearly well thought of as the place was packed. Michaels only real birthday celebration on the day was at breakfast when the gang all gave him a signed Irish cap – a perfect gift as a memory with friends.

Then off to start our Irish Wicklow Way 6 day walk. Paul again did the heavy lifting and found us the package with Footfalls Walking Holidays.  In typical fashion, it took us a while to get sorted….it was hilarious!  It took 15 minutes to figure out where to go to start the hike!  We finally set off in the rain/ thick Irish mist.  It was a pretty easy day to ease us into it, although there was a fair bit of trekking on tarmac so it was a bit harder on the feet/joints.  That said, we passed through field after field of sheep and cattle.  The rain pretty much held off but thick fog and mist stayed with us for most of the day.  It was warm enough though – 4 of the guys chose to wear shorts. Given the abundance of stinging nettles and mozzies (aka mosquitos), I was certainly not interested in that option!

As directed in our instructions, as we neared the end of our days trek we called ahead to arrange for our lift to the nights accommodation.  Our hosts at Kyle’s Farmhouse were Seamus and Margaret and they couldn’t have been more lovely.  They have run the place for 25 years now.  It is an active farm with 110 head dairy cows.  Their 4 children all have built their homes on the farmland and the eldest son plans to continue as the 6th generation working this property.

All 5 couples had their own room with bath, and we all freshened up. We had a couple hours before dinner and managed to polish off 5 bottles of wine they supply at 10 euro each – a good deal. Dinner is no longer provided as Margaret finds it too much, but we were shuffled back to last nights square for dinner. 

Back in Tinahely we went to the ‘other’ pub which had a bit better food.  Then they picked us up again – it was very accommodating to chauffeur all 10 of us back and forth. The boys stayed downstairs playing 500, with Lucy joining them for a bit. I expect she left for her room at one point as her distinctive voice disappeared from the chatter. 

Breakfast is still supplied, and we ordered pack lunches for the morning with the aim of hitting the trail for 9am.  The next day was more hilly and also longer, so a good sleep was in order. As I hit the sack at almost 10pm it was still daylight!