A very wet kiss ... ...

Views from Blarney Castle Tower ... ...
see all photos »

We drove into Blarney with the rain driving against the windsdreen to such an extent that the wipers simply couldn't cope. So we sat in the castle car park wondering if it was really wise to venture out of the car until conditions improved. After a few minutes the rain seemed to relent a little and a shaft of sunlight made a brave appearance from behind some of the blackest clouds we had ever seen. We seized the moment, bought our tickets and entered the castle grounds which were by this time bathed in sunshine. The castle grounds are beautiful with a babbling stream running through them. The castle is interesting rather than impressive, quite small, with a spiral staircase leadind to various rooms and eventually the battlements and the fabled stone. By the time we reached the top the rain was back with a vengance. This made the task of kissing the stone and obtaining the associated gift of eloquence even more difficult than usual. So in torrential rain and howling winds Rob proceeded to lay down on his back and hang upside down over the battlements with the keeper of the stone holding onto his legs until the kissing was done. Whilst the thrill of kissing the Blarney stone was very special the total drenching by the relentless rain soon had us heading off in search of a pub, a fire and the first Guiness of the day.  

Whilst the thrill of kissing the Blarney Stone was very special, the total drenching by the relentless rain soon had us heading off in search of a pub, a fire and the first Guinnes of the day.