Mr irons' country residence

What a fabulous day!! The sun has shone, it's warm and the wind has died down. Himself had to go to Cork so I've had an adventure. Up bright and early to take Hector, (car) in for his NCT. He flew through - fortunately, for if there was anything wrong I would not have been able to understand why it had failed, as the Cork accents were impenetrable.

Purchased some geraniums at a garden centre, coffee in Schull with Lisa then on to Ballyrisode. This little beach is amazing - when the sun is shining the colours here are Caribbean. The tide goes right out and you can walk for miles on soft golden sand. On to Crookhaven for lunch al fresco, then to Barely Cove. This is an astonishing wild and remote place, a massive sandy beach separated from a natural lagoon by huge sand dunes, apparently dumped there by a tsunami in the 18C. It has proper sand and you have to walk over a big bouncy pontoon to get to it.

On again, to Mizen Head, the most south westerly point in Ireland. No wind today and the colours were magnificent. This suspension bridge has just been restored. You have to walk over this to get to the lighthouses. it goes over a ravine and is not for vertigo sufferers. These are two of the three lights that warn sailors of the rocks below - and the Fastnet rock of shipping forecast fame is very close.

And I went to Kilcoe to take a peek at Jeremy Irons' castle. He restored this some ten years ago, it was just a shell when he bought it. The final paint colour has always caused passionate discussion and controversy. It was mocked as being 'pink' but actually it's very subtle and changes in the light. It's also meant to be totally authentic and is based on lime and bull's blood!! I think it's wonderful. He's done a great job. I couldn't get very close but lurked in the local graveyard which has wonderful views out to the castle and Roaringwater Bay beyond.
An ice cream on the way home finished off the adventure. I feel like I'm on holiday!!