This Time it's for Real

It seems ages ago that we were telling you about looking across to Bear Island and anticipating our visit. I did say at the time that I was whetting the appetite of my friends with the view, and they would have to wait a while for the visit to take place.

However, I couldn't keep them waiting for ever, and I wouldn't be that cruel anyway. And so, as our first weekend in Ireland came round, it was back to Castletownbeare, not just to watch the ferry, but actually to get on it, as foot passengers of course - the bearmobile had the day off on the quayside.

Gilbert feels the cold a bit - and boat trips are usually rather windy affairs - so he used a minder's rucksack as a sleeping bag and reserved us some seats in the cabin, while the rest of us took a short stroll round the deck (it wasn't very big) before seeking a vantage point on the life ring. Don't get me wrong, this didn't indicate that we were worried about the crossing, just that it was dry place to sit. In any event, with a boat name of Sancta Maria, what harm could come to us?

As the car deck filled with the two cars we were taking (there was possibly room for 4) we were amused to notice shop assistants from the nearby supermarket coming on board with bags of shopping, which they deposited on the car deck, as you see below. We found this a quite novel alternative to the more usual Tescos home delivery.

We spent longer waiting to set sail, than we did sailing. In just a matter of minutes we were putting into the harbour at Beara island. Perhaps the interesting fact that, during WW1, the passage of water we were crossing was so full of anchored battleships, that it is said it was possible to cross from mainland to island on boat decks without getting your feet wet, indicates to you that the distance wasn't that far.

We look forward to showing you the delights of the island next time.

Lots of love Patrick and friends xxx

Our Own Island

As we drove out of Eyeries we didn't turn left to go home. Instead we turned right and headed for the principal town of the Beara Peninsula, that of Castletownbere. While we wanted to replenish supplies in the local supermarket and take the measure of this town, famed for its fishing industry, our main reason for visiting was to research what was, for us, an essential day out: a visit to an island named after us - none other than Bere Island.

As you can see from our first picture we soon found the ferry that would take us across and we noted down the times of the sailings so we'd know when to come back. As we were there in season, there were plenty of crossings every day.

We then got back into the bearmobile and drove round to a viewpoint for our first proper look at the island. This was quite an important occasion so we were all present and, as you can see, while the smaller bears were off exploring, the more sedate members of our travelling party gathered on the roof of the bearmobile to take in the sight and compare first impressions.

It was only 2km away so we could see lots of detail and it looked a very fine island and worthy of a full day out to explore it. There's nothing like a bit of anticipation is there? I think I had successfully whetted the appetites of my friends.

Lots of love Patrick and fellow leprechaun bears xxx