A Stony Place

Today we explored the Burren in county Clare. A ‘Burren’ is merely a stony place. And there are others in other places but this one here is the most famous. We opted for a cave experience because – limestone. And we weren’t disappointed. Allwee caves is an amazing way to spend a morning between the raptors and the cave tour. We started with raptors and suddenly I found myself in pure goddess mode with an owl. I was simply enchanted.

After the raptors we took a cave tour. Once upon a time I was artist in residence down at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky and I wondered how this smaller cave might hold up. But like everything in Ireland, though it be small, it was mighty and our tour was delightful. Right down to our young tour guide who was lovely and whose deadpan humor kept those paying attention in stitches.

Onward and seaward we journeyed and found ourselves confronted by a seaweed bath situation, complete with barrels and heads bedecked with Pom-Pomed beanies. Oh how I wish I’d known about this!! I’d have donned my swim suit and dipped into the ocean to be warmed in a barrel of warmed water with seaweed!! Perhaps next visit.

Instead we sketched.

And this was a fun thing indeed.

After sketching a bit I wandered the waterside and considered things.

It was delightful. Now I’m back in our hotel, showered and cozy after a beer and a snack for dinner. I have a knitting project which needs attending to and tomorrow we hit the road once more. A prospect I find exhausting. Much as I am a traveler, I am also a home bird of sorts and I’m looking forward to a sense of place to be had once more when I land in Listowel.

For now, onward we go.

More soon.