Day 2 of the Kerry Way

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The day began with a cup of coffee at the door of my tent. “I can’t believe this view comes for free”, I thought to myself. I got going at 10:20-am. It would be a more strenuous day, up and over two valleys with stunning mountain views.

I descended into a glen and along some old boreens when I realised it had been almost 24-hours since I’d last eaten. I wasn’t hungry but I was tiring and I still had 7-km to cover to reach the Climbers Inn in Glencar. I am writing this here having eaten the wings, the burger and the apple crumble. Limerick are playing Galway on the TV. I had to ask a man how Clare got on against Kilkenny, amazing what 36-hours without your phone can do.

I am surprised at how few people I have met on such a stunning trail, maybe 5 in total. People take planes to do trails of far lesser significance.

The woman at the Inn has offered me a bed for the night but I need to cover another 3-hours to stay on track. No better man to grit the teeth…

I mad it 3-hours further. The legs were tired but the mind was carried the whole way there through the most beautiful forest track parallel to a river. I’ve never experienced peace and quiet like it. After observing some deer up close, I emerged from the forest and began to climb country roads up into the mountains again.

Progress was slow due to tired legs but I just kept putting one leg in front of the other toward my 3-hour target. I was entertained by sheep and several hares (the size of dogs) bouncing around. I laughed out loud when I saw a lamb chase a hare up the road. The hare waited until the lamb caught up and then ran on again.

I was determined to reach the top of the windy gap before retiring for the night. Boy was I rewarded when suddenly the Dingle peninsula came into view. I found my way to the bottom of the glen and was treated to my 2nd night and morning of stunning camping views.