The Peninsula

When you have nothing more to say, just drive
For a day all round the peninsula;
The sky is high as over a runway,
The land without marks so you will not arrive
But pass through, though always skirting landfall.
At dusk, horizons drink down sea and hill,
The ploughed field swallows the whitewashed gable
And you're in the dark again. Now recall
The glazed foreshore and silhouetted log,
That rock were breakers shredded into rags,
The leggy birds stilted on their own legs,
Islands riding themselves out into the fog
And drive back home, still with nothing to say
Except that now you will uncode all landscapes
By this: things founded clean on their own shapes,
Water and ground in their extremity.
Seamus Heaney

The forecast predicted wall to wall sunshine and 20C, roasting - we headed for the hills,  me remembering to apply sunblock first this time - impressive. We decided to do the signal tower loop, an energetic and spectacular walk along part of the spine of the peninsula, passing the remains of an old signal tower perched on high, and a second world war lookout post. We had a cuppa at Bernie's Cupán Tae at the very end of the peninsula, accompanied by the fairly well behaved seagull and decided we could do a bit more. The walk to the lighthouse looked packed so we took a right turn and decided to walk back along the north side on the romantically named Poet's Way. An awful lot of up but some truly spectacular views. We lunched overlooking a waterfall, then continued marvelling at the colours. A few orchids still out and bog cotton fluffing but now the wild thyme, heathers, sheep's bit and bog asphodels were coming to the fore. A chatter of choughs , a croaky raven and larks plus lots of flitting butterflies were also spotted. Even a few human encounters - a couple from Dublin who couldn't believe the weather, another couple from Dublin who'd gone off piste,  and two Americans who live here for four months of the year, cups of tea were promised when we next passed. The main pic is when we have crossed over the peninsula and are on the home run, amazing views down into the Cove.  A tough slog upwards and a look at the little ruined cabin - an interesting trail running through the grasses.
Around 11km but it felt like a lot more! Hot and sweaty I then went for a swim which was almost pleasant! Wrecked now.