(Privately shared on November 13, 2022 with a select group of friends). The photo above is Chuck’s cross that I left at Dunlough Castle. More photos can be found here.
As a reminder, words written in italics represent the original journal. Underlined words are edits for clarification within the original journal. I’m also adding new notes in my journal as I share it, mostly historical information of the things I’ve seen and researched upon my return and random thoughts. This will be represented in regular type.
Correction: Last chapter I referred to my rental as Mitzen View. It is actually called Mizen View.
16 September ~ Mizen View
Up at 7ish to a beautiful serene morning. Breakfast was toast x2 and lukewarm coffee. But coffee of any temperature is still good.
The plan for today is to make a picnic and just go! Can’t wait!
One of the reasons I wanted to come to Ireland was so that I could finally say goodbye to Chuck. I planned on leaving his cross, my ring with his ashes and some of his ashes here.
I’m on the coast, near Dunlough Castle. I found a quiet place – a cove that might be good for Chuck but I asked him to show me a Charlie Rock of where he wants to be. It is so serene and beautiful here. He showed me two Charlie Rocks! (A Charlie Rock is a stone with a white band around it, or a stone shaped like a heart. I’ve been collecting them since his death in late 2017). I decided to leave his cross at the castle and leave the ring closer to the sea. I wrote him a letter and wedged it between the stones of the wall, and I hung the cross as securely as I could on the wall. I know with time the elements will corrode the necklace but I hope the cross stays there forever. I picked the side that isn’t facing the wind so hopefully it’ll hang for a long time, being protected from the elements. The ring I placed in the nearby cove and wedged it tightly amongst the rocks. I know Mother Ocean will eventually take what she wants, but hopefully it’ll stay there for a long time. I then climbed back up the hill and blew bubbles and watched the wind carry them away. Of course I cried when I was doing this but I feel good. I will always love him.
16 September ~ Mizen Head
Again, so beautiful! I ran into two Irishmen, Pat and Kiran, and they planned out my next trip for tomorrow. They also said I did a great job planning my itinerary by myself. Irish stamp of approval!
Durrus – Lunch at O’Sulleubhain’s Bar. A half pint of Red Lager as I’m driving and a club sandwich.
16 September ~ Home Base (Mizen View)
After lunch I debated going to Bantry or just going back to the house. In the end, I decided to go to Bantry and I”m glad I did. Most shops were closed but it was still very pretty.
I picked up a bottle of wine. Life is good again!
Back at the house I uploaded some cell phone photos to Facebook. I’m exhausted as today was an emotional day but I am happy and content.
I forgot to mention Mizen Head. So peaceful, and meeting Pat and Kiran was just a bonus. I forgot to grab my regular cell phone so I don’t have a step counter but I know it was a lot. Also, I climbed 100 steps up a steep incline. I didn’t find a magnet at Mizen Head but I did get a key chain that I can turn into a magnet. And as a bonus, it’s green!
It was so nice talking to Pat and Kiran. I’m so glad they approve of my itinerary. They were lovely to talk to and Kiran even drew a map for tomorrow’s excursion.
I’m getting more comfortable with driving and I think even Pierre would say I’m not getting worse! I’m comfortable on wider lanes and am exhilarated down shifting and drifting the curves as long as I can see ahead. (Pierre doesn’t approve!). As far as one lane but really two lane roads, I found if someone is ahead of me, I’m good, because they will alert me if a car is coming in the opposite direction. I was following some Britons and at one point I clocked going 72 km on a skinny lane!
Dunlough Fort was so special for obvious reasons. The hike was well worth the effort but I missed my walking stick. I don’t think Dad and Betsy could do it.
Off to bed.
Photo of Chuck’s cross hanging on the Castle wall.
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