Today was not the most straightforward of touring days. We'd decided to take a car ferry from Ringaskiddy to Cobh. That would be a very short trip and avoid the construction around Cork. So off we went - only to find that the ferry was not operating today due to "trade cars" whatever that means. Where to go instead? Dingle - it's only 2 1/2 hours away. For us that's no big deal, so off we went. Folks around here think we'd lost our minds travelling that distance.
The drive was pleasant, and the weather was cooperative other than a couple of showers while we were driving. Most of the trip was on good roads with only a couple of diversions onto the dreaded L roads. But they had only a 4-digit ID and not a 5-digit which usually means a strip of grass up the centre.
The view of Inch Strand was most impressive and we marked the stop with a video and a few photos, and on we went. Some warning signs of upcoming curves seemed to be redundant and some upcoming curves went unmarked. I didn't even approach the speed limit - only the truly foolish, or a local, would do that.
Once in the town of Dingle we did a little tour in search of a parking spot. We found one a few blocks from the main drag. The walk into the town centre was all downhill and easy going. You know what that means for the walk back to the car later. But we did have to walk off our lunch.
At Murphy's Pub, we shared a single order of seafood linguini, at the suggestion of our waiter. And what a good suggestion it was. I managed to eat all of the shrimp, mussels and salmon and left some of the pasta. I had to leave room for Murphy's Ice Cream, located a few doors away. There is no connection between the two. Murphy is the most common surname in the country and it seems that many of them live in Dingle. Well, everywhere actually.
For the drive back to Carrigaline we opted for a route via Tralee so we would not be covering the same territory. Ms. Google had other ideas. It seems she was offering a drive around Slea Head. No doubt it would have been very scenic, but it was in the exactly opposite direction. She had been behaving badly all morning, choosing to tell of upcoming turns immediately after we had passed them. But I realized we were not on track to the chosen destination and we turned around.
Ms. Google reluctantly provided directions to Tralee via Anascaul and Blennerville but gave a couple fewer instructions than we wanted. Fortunately, the signage was great and got us on track. Just after the exit from the highway to our hotel, she announced that the left turn she'd just advised us to take should have been a right turn, but it was too late. I was stopped at the intersection and three lanes too far left. So we turned, realizing that somewhere a U-turn would be needed.
We'd hardly started up this road when the oil light came on flashing red and beeping like mad. We were already lost, kept finding one-way streets going the wrong way, and following Ms. Google's instructions were soon en route again to Ringaskiddy. NOOOOOOOOO. The oil light kept chirping and we were lost with no idea how serious the car problem was.
I pulled over and we called Diarmaid to ask for an assessment of the situation. When we parted from the Keating clan and in-laws on Saturday night we didn't realize we'd be talking to any of them so soon again but we didn't know what else to do. We were unable to tell him exactly where we were but with the info we gave him, he thought he knew and said he'd be along in about 15 minutes. Then my phone died. Judi still had juice in hers and she called to let him know to call her number.
Before he arrived he called again, unable to find us. Then a helpful gentleman pulled over having seen the car stopped, hood up, and the two of us wringing our hands. He was able to tell Diarmaid when he called again, how to find us. Whew.
By then the warning light and beeping had stopped. As we had checked, the result was the same for this chap. The oil reservoir was half full. That means we're losing oil quite rapidly and we have to get the car checked. It was topped up with 2 litres when the level was down a few days ago.
Diarmaid eventually found us, and by then all seemed well but we knew that the car needed attention. In the morning he will call and find a mechanic to help us. We've booked the hotel for another night and will call the B&B where we are supposed to be tomorrow night.
Once back at our hotel, after following D, now considered to be our guardian angel, we headed to the bar and both of us enjoyed a G&T. We're winding down for the night and will follow instructions in the morning. We are also hoping to meet up with another friend, now time to be determined by the car. Touring tomorrow is iffy at best, but we are safe and sound and the frazzling of nerves has settled. It's time to call it a day and dream of a better outcome tomorrow.
Our time was well spent and at least the car problem happened at the end of the day. Fingers crossed the repairs don't cost a fortune.
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