Secretgarden and Secretschoggi

The night in Allihies wasn't very long, actually it was, but there was a little sleep. The next stage today should be Kenmare, around 70 kilometers. That means a good and hearty breakfast. Let's go. In the kitchen, it was 'help yourself'. We didn't think that would be the case at a Bed & BREAKFAST, but yes, we help ourselves and gather everything together. Somehow we start off full (probably for the last time before the big rain) in beautiful sunshine along the Eurovelo Route 1 towards the north along the Ring of Beara. Right after the village, a long, steep ascent awaits... phew, that's tough. We should have just eaten bananas instead of toast and cornflakes. But where there is an ascent, there is also a descent - just as steep. There is hardly any traffic, so we can just roll along. Besides sheep, there is no one in sight, the Atlantic is calm today, deep dark blue, and always on the left side in the direction of travel. This helps with orientation for left-hand traffic and reassures us that we are going the right way. The sheep are mostly freshly shorn and marked with many colorful dots for orientation. Some farmers go all out or go a bit crazy, as you see it, and spray the sheep in bright colors like during a carnival. Yesterday we saw a herd that was neon green from top to bottom - bright signature markers on a pasture. Quite a sight for some reason.
Today is once again very hot for Irish standards, 25 degrees. We know we have to travel a lot today and cannot linger long in one place. It is currently low tide, and the brown swimming areas with their exposed sea grasses don't invite us to stay. We make good progress, stopping in two small villages along the route for food refueling. Peter is in the mood for ice cream, Anja is skeptical and passes. By the evening, the ice cream seems to have done nothing to Peter's stomach, except that it was very, very delicious. Anja secretly regrets it and buys a bar of Cadbury chocolate and some gummy bears for the evening tea. (Of course, Peter gets some of that too). Just before Kenmare, we don't take the road through the mountains, but the Ocean Road. The landscape suddenly changes rapidly, and we drive through a type of rainforest with ferns and huge trees. We didn't expect that, but it's pleasantly cool and a nice change from the open coastal road.
Kenmare is a larger town, and we are no longer in County Cork, but in County Kerry. In Kenmare, there are many small shops, plenty of pubs, and cafes. Of course, we stop for an ice-cold pint of apple cider. Oh, that feels good. But we still have about 10 kilometers to go to our hostel on the Ring of Kerry. Our legs are heavy already, and we need something to eat. At a pier amidst bathing locals celebrating the summer Saturday evening, we cook rice and a salad. Anja still keeps the chocolate hidden. 3 kilometers to the hostel 'Greenwood'. The name is the program - located in the middle of the forest and run by a German, the hostel is where we brew tea and spend the evening in the Secretgarden. Finally, time for the Cadbury chocolate, oh, and the gummy bears must also be part of the deal.... We've earned it honestly!!!
Route: Allihies - Kenmare - Templenoe
Kilometers: 77
Elevation: 839