Four Seasons in One Day

As we awoke early to a typical drizzly Dublin morning, I wondered about the Vitamin D levels of the Irish.  I was to learn, as we traveled west out of the city into the countryside and passed more cows and sheep than the entire human population of Ireland, that this island manufactures more milk than anywhere in the world.  It is not uncommon to see grown men drink large glasses of milk "at table".  Whew!  I was so worried!

The first stop today was the Irish National Stud Farm where we met a few very interesting characters.

Are you looking at me????

I just know you can figure out the name of these specimens....
You guessed it....The Oreo Cow.  Personally, I think it definitely is of the Double Stuffed variety.  Don't you agree?

As we followed our guide throughout the 800 acre stud farm, rain showers like I have never been in before followed our every soggy step.  Some of us were smart enough to wear the very attractive Disney supplied clear ponchos over our rain coats.  Our feet were another matter....squish....squish....squish.  I did see one woman wearing flip flops.  At first I thought she was certifiable but then she was able to  use wipes to clean and dry her feet a lot faster than my socks and inner soles.

I have always been fascinated by the horse breeding and racing business.  There are so many facets and so much goes into this industry.  The breeding season in Ireland runs only 5 months beginning in February.  In the fall, these studs are flown by private jet to Australia for the "summer" where they work their magic Down Under.  Over 250 foals are born at the Irish Stud Farm between March and May.  Employees run from stall to stall as these births can happen hourly some days but never on December 31st.  Apparently that day is considered a death knell for the future of  this horse's racing and breeding life.  Stallions are bred in the 'natural' way.  These boys can have fun up to 5 times a day!  Mamma Mia!!!!  Note:  Invincible Spirit who our guide referred to as the Buddha he rubs each night for the wealth he brings to the Farm, earns 120,000 euros a "pop".

We were able to dry out a bit on our drive to the Rock of Cashel, the spot where the Kings of Munster  defended their territory from the Normans and English invaders.  As all things Irish, this Rock housed a church and burial grounds.  As the wind died down, the sun peaked through.

Our longest drive of the Adventure was the 2 1/2 hour journey to Killarney, a sweet town in the County Kerry.  Thanks to our dear, sweet Adventure guides, we are now staying in a suite larger than most NYC 1 bedroom apartments.

Dinner was a short walk into town where I was able to have a puréed vegetable soup followed by a Goat Cheese over toast and salad dish which hit the spot.  I swear, if I saw another "chip", aka French fry, I was going to hurl.  God love the Irish and their fryers but there's only so much this LA girl can eat.  Dom did enjoy a traditional Irish stew.  

As a reward for my healthy dinner, we stopped at Murphy's, highly recommended ice cream shop.  The Dingle Sea Salt and Honey Caramel cone was heavenly.  The salt is authentically scooped from the coastal town of Dingle.  I'm not sure we are going to get there, so this taste might have to suffice.  

As we walked back to the hotel, the weather was downright balmy....Four Seasons in One Day.