A bit of catching up to do

Friday was chilly and cloudy making us wonder if booking a game at Mount Wolsely had been a great idea. However, we went to the course and decided to play after all. The pro gave us the key to a buggy (a power cart) and didn't charge us. 

This course suited me better than any others we've played so far. There were, however, a few oopsies here and there. Standing on the first tee, looking down the fairway the first thing we saw was the high fence - just the wrong distance for my drive. This was the view.

And yes, I managed to hit the top of the fence and the ball came to rest on the tee side. However, you get a free lift to the other side and I ended up with a bogey which at this point in the year is good enough. 

The fairways and greens were in the best shape of any courses we've played and we had no complaints about any of them. Much to our delight, the fairways were pretty wide, allowing us to stay on the fairway almost all the time. Here are a couple of other views, including a couple of the foxy variety - on a tee box. They were not taken with a long-range lens - he was right there and not at all afraid. This poor fox had a bad leg and it was almost painful to watch him "run" off to the trees when he got bored with watching us.

the fairways were wide, there was plenty of water, and some of those slopes forced you to consider your target

Teeing off on #18 - there is a pond in the upper right, just by those trees. There is a ball marker now resting in that water with the name "Faye" on it. I had on 5 layers of shirts and jackets. My best guess of the temperature was in the high single digits. Of course, some of the locals wore shorts and short-sleeved shirts. Brrrrrrr

Mount Wolsely is a resort and I'd love to spend a golf holiday there. They do have a special of games at their course, Bunclody (which we loved although it's very long, but that elevator ..., ) and Carlow, which we didn't play. Next time. I'd be happy just playing those courses, with maybe a game or two at Coollattin.

After the game, we went into Tullow to the Tara Arms Pub and enjoyed a great dinner. Later we made a short visit to Coolruss, with a peek at Bob's tree in the dark, and caught up on the news with Jim, Mary and Aoife. We'll see them again at Egan's this evening.

Today was Saturday and we had to keep asking ourselves if it has really been almost two weeks since our arrival. It was bright and sunny but cold and windy. We've played golf 4 of the last 5 days and even if cajoled we would not have taken out the clubs.

Instead, we met friends for a late Irish breakfast at Rathwood and although we wandered through the shops there, bought nothing. Then it was off on a drive to Glendalough and to our surprise I think the entire population of Ireland decided it was THE place to go today. Cars were parked all along the road.

So, we changed course and drove over the Wicklow Gap. From the first vantage point, as well as glimpses along the way, we saw that there is little or no water in the lakes. It was shocking to see all that bare ground where the lakes should be. There is a considerable drop from the road down the mountainside. I watched the road ahead as I drove and Pat dared not look down. She did remind me to watch the road. On we went to Hollywood but didn't see the sign. Yes, they have a Hollywood sign on the hill.

A picture of this sign can be seen at: https://www.rareirishstuff.com/blog/the-original-hollywood-hollywood-co-wicklow.6431.html

From there we got back "home" without help from Mr. Google. I'd passed that way before, more than once. We took the highway back having enjoyed the byways in more than enough locations. Mr. Google has a penchant for saving you 100 yds of distance via a road barely wide enough for a car.

After a nice dinner at Park View House in Shillelagh, we're relaxing for a bit before joining the Byrnes at Egan's pub, just down the road. We will undoubtedly be the first to leave, being of the 'early to bed' persuasion, unlike the locals.

Tomorrow we'll do our final packing up, play our last round of golf at Coollattin and head to the Carleton Hotel in Blanchardstown so Pat can be at the airport for 7 am for her flight home. And later in the day I'll meet Judi at the airport for Part 2 of Ireland 2022.

There may not be another post for a couple of days.

Slan