We woke to rain and thick fog. We realised that the glorious view would elude us.
Katie and Teddy O'Sullivan, loving their busy B&B life.
Despite the low visibility we still decided to take the cable car, which had already been booked for us.
The view became more and more obscure.
The cable car arriving.
The antique cable car
We shared the cable car with a sheep farmer, whose flock graze on the island. He was taking bricks in wheelbarrow loads over in the cable car to build a sheep pen. He was interesting company as we journeyed across and back.
Arriving in Dursey Island.
What we were expecting to see today. Dursey Island is mainly grazing land now, there were three villages in days gone by which are now just rubble. It is a popular walking route.
A photo from a travel brochure, showing how they used to move sheep from the mainland to and from the island on the cable car. The shepherds and sheep had priority over tourists and walkers, so at peak season there would long lines of walkers waiting as the flocks of sheep were transported to and fro. Some frustrated customers if it was a miserable day or if they had taxis waiting.
Some of the grazing sheep. They are used for wool and meat. The climate is so amenable, with the help of the mild Gulf Stream, that the sheep survive without much extra maintenance.
We walked back to the B&B to meet our taxi.
Back to the town of the O'Sullivans.
Lots of activity in the port. Boats large and small.
There is quite a large Spanish fishing fleet based here. The boats off-load their catch immediately onto refrigerated vans and return to Spain. This truck is transporting its load to Lugo in Spain, one of the towns we have just walked though.
Life boats and the Bere Island ferry (20 minute journey). Another island, with a population of about 150, which features on the Beara Way walking itinerary.
Bere Island has several scenic walks. One includes the Ardnakinna Lighthouse loop. A walk we'd love to do next time...
Dinner at another end of the harbour. Pleasant walk watching the fishing boats coming in.
M&M
3 comments:
Glad that despite the fog you are talking about a next time! Equally misty and foggy in Courtmacsherry!Maugie
We're so sorry you've had a such rotten weather while in Ireland (our home country). We've followed your blogs for several years years now. We've also done the Slovenia and Alpes Maritimes "OnFootHolidays" which you wrote about. If your travels ever bring you to Northern Ireland we'd love to meet up with you.
R&M
Did you ask the farmer about the paint on the sheep? A modern day form of branding perhaps? Such a pity about the weather. Did you buy some postcards so you know what you missed.....JulieJ
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