Written June 2017

August 4: Cork, Ireland

Sites: I don’t remember much of Cork proper, other than it looked like a lonely, ugly step sister, unkempt city. We stayed there only so we could visit the Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney stone! I remember Dawn mocking us when she learned of our plan, and yet it was such a fun day for us to wander the beautiful, green grounds and join the other tourists lined up to bend over backward to kiss that smooth, greasy stone.

Lodging: In Cork we stayed one night at the Kinlay Hostel. It was hidden on top a hill with only a one-way road that reached it. I remember driving in circles up and down that hill looking for the place. We had a private room with shared bathrooms, which by then we were quite used to. More bunk beds, which I don’t remember minding. After spending 24/7 with someone, it’s kind of nice to have your own space, even if it means sleeping in a separate bed from your spouse. I remember doing laundry here and having our garments mixed with other patron’s laundry, then finding the static made them stick together so we ended up with someone elses’ drawers, teehee.