Cabins to Castles

Just back from two intensely action-packed days with TJ as we went off for a bit of exploration on the Beara peninsula. Day 1 (day two coming up later) and the weather was shite! Fog, gloom and mizzle but not the torrential rain as forecast. We decided to set off early anyway and have plenty of coffee breaks. Stop 1 - Organico cafe where  TJ has a photographic exhibition, literally put up the day before. It looks fantastic - a great array and she has arranged it so you travel from the Sheep's Head up the Wild Atlantic Way via her favourite places - the islands. Should you be passing through Bantry, and why wouldn't you, pop in.

On to the Beara by which time we were ready for more coffee and cake at the Adrigole Arts Centre, and then onwards to Castletownbere where we risked getting out for a holy well explore. The most extraordinary wells, lurking behind an ancient church, now all toppled gravestones and wild garlic. The wells were four huge ballauns (manmade scoops into the rock). Unfortunately in all the excitement of coping with GPS, camera, reading glasses, climbing over barbed wire and attentive ponies, I dropped my phone and have cracked the screen.

A quick stop to take a photos of  one of my favourite abandoned  house - currently for sale. Last time I managed to get in but today it was firmly locked: 83,500 euro! A bargain I'd say, only draw back is it's on a main road.

Next stop on to Dunboy and this incredible edifice! It was built by the Puxley family who got rich in copper mining in the 19C. For many years it was a picturesque Gothic ruin and then a few years ago there were ambitions to turn it into a 6 star hotel. It was almost completed and then they went broke, the building was closed up, fenced around and taken over by NAMA and here it sits. I'm gob-smacked by the whole thing.

Next stop the Dzogchen Beara  Buddhist centre - a remarkable retreat and hospice clinging to the cliffs above the Atlantic. Today the fog was so thick we could see nothing but they did have a good cafe!

On to Allihies and a mooch on what's normally sparkling white sandy beach, today a bit more rugged and we got very wet. On to our B&B, very comfy, a pub supper and a hope that the weather might improve!

Thank you to everyone who entered last week's DS Challenge and some fine rustiness came forth. Hearts are awarded to the following:
Talpa - for finding rustiness and a window, hard to resist
RaspberryJefe - for a riot of rustiness and a very suspicious character lurking in the midst
Marlieske - for her extraordinary find of derelict aircraft
Airedaleknitter - for her very sweet little tractor
Davidc- for his very discrete bit of rust but what an artefact

Honourable mentions:
Weeflecky - some beautiful colours
kd - for a totally different colour scheme
elizm for her colourful weaving
mrshb70 - because I want one
Mambo - yet more gorgeous colour

Don't forget this week's theme is loosely Cabins to Castles and the tag is DS82.