Leutasch, Austria, to Kenmare, Ireland. March

Monday and Tuesday forecast was for -22C to -11C so we decided a walk was best, not skiing in that weather. Ken did try it but found it very cold. We enjoyed lunching down at the local bistro watching people etc. There’s lots of snow here unlike the last time we visited Leutasch in 2007 with all the family. There’s over a metre of lovely snow cover now whereas it was only 15-25cms last time!

Wednesday was a better day so we did some skiing on the trails down towards Moos and around the track nearby. Thursday was much warmer, only about -6C so we skied down to the Swimming Pool area. This was a lovely long ski across the open areas from Gaistal to Weidach and we both enjoyed it, although Ken started to cough as we neared Weidach. On the way we saw preparations for the 45km cross country ski race, a loppet, being held on Saturday and Sunday.
On Friday, we had to pack and leave this lovely area and head back to Zurich. Here we had booked into an airport hotel. Saturday, we took the train into the city and wandered around the huge underground shopping centre below the main railway station in Zurich. Lunch was at a great Sushi place just outside the station area. It was still rather cold and bleak so we weren’t tempted to walk very far!
Sunday, we caught the flight to Dublin. The whole of Ireland had been “snowed” in after heavy falls. However, on Saturday , we’d had an SMS from the Shaws, saying they were back in Dublin after their trip to Vietnam. They’d had to wait in the plane on the tarmac for 2hrs when their flight had landed. This was because there was still snow on the airstrip and not all gates were available. We assumed then, that they’d gone on to their home in Kenmare.
After going into Dublin and catching the train to Killarney, I rang Alan saying we were on the train as they’d instructed us to do. We all laughed when we realized we were all on the same train! They moved down to where we were and we started to catch up. The railway station had been closed when they went there on Saturday, lines hadn’t been cleared! That meant they’d had to stay overnight with a friend in Dublin. We had to change trains at Mallow and with cold winds blowing, we were all rather cold by the time the next train arrived 15mins. later. Shaws only had light gear and we didn’t have thermals on either. Anyway, when we arrived in Killarney, a friend was waiting for the Shaws and took us to her place for dinner too – wonderfully warm home and tasty meal.
Monday was a time to catch up for the Shaws and we enjoyed relaxing there too. Ken and Alan looked over the golf course while Vera and I did some shopping and took the washing in to be dried. Later on, Ken and Vera went off and played some golf.
On Tuesday Alan drove us around much of the Ring of Kerry. He was rector of the Kenmare parish before he retired and so knew the area very well. It’s 90kms from Kenmare to Valencia Island the most western spot of the parish. He entertained us with many stories and gave us lots of information too about the places we saw. We even went to the Skillings Chocolate Factory on the way!! Great place and we bought some chocolate, of course! The Skillings are jagged rocks off the coast with puffin nests etc. Few people are allowed to visit these places.  It was a wonderful day in a beautiful area of Ireland and despite threatening rain, we didn’t get wet. It only rained while we had lunch.
Wednesday Ken and Alan went off to a discussion group and Vera and I went to Women’s group to hear a speaker, friend of the Shaws. The talk was given by Mo, a woman who had been a neighbour of the illustrator of the Ladybird books. He two children had been used by him as the models for the children in the books. It was a fascinating talk. Later there was more golfing, but not for me.
On Thursday we went up to the Bridia Valley for lunch and a short walk. The people running the restaurant have some accommodation as well. Alan and Vera have known them for some time.
The Shaws first started to go to this area many years ago when their accommodation had no facilities such as power and running water! They did many family walks in this beautiful area. The snow covered mountains surrounded these valleys, making it really amazing to see.