YES … for the first time in months and months and months I’ve received a confirmation email….. such a thrill!!!
NO -not a flight – I’m not going far anytime soon …
BUT…..
Last August I was in Kerry – looking across at Skellig Michael …
Just in case you haven’t been hanging on to absolutely every word I write, this is from my Ring of Kerry piece:
The Skelligs
The larger of the two islands, Skellig Michael, is the site of an old Irish monastery. Monks occupied this isolated place from the 6th century. Situated about 12km from shore, conditions must have been harsh – especially in winter. Their days would have been filled with prayer and physical work. Their diet probably consisted of fish and bird eggs. By the 12th/13th century, the monks had relocated to the priory at Ballinskelligs but its thought that they continued use the island as a place of pilgrimage during the summer months.
It is a testament to the skills of those monks that so much can still be seen today in its original form. The monastery is accessed by over 600 steps and is made up of churches, the famous bee hive huts (where the monks slept) the cemetery and garden. There is a hermitage on the other island peak.
Visiting the UNESCO listed island is a challenge I’ve yet to face – but its a must-do! Boat sailings in the summer months are weather and tidal dependent and numbers are restricted – and that was before Covid!!! This is something that needs to be planned and booked well in advance – but the opportunity can be lost at the last minute if the weather is bad. If you ever do make it, the boat trip takes 45 minutes and you’ve about 2 hours on the island.
Of course, Star Wars fans will recognise the location from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
So I’ve booked the trip for August. I may travel far and wide whenever I can but this is a bit outside my comfort zone!
- Sea-sickness …..mmm – I’m so bad on boats (even massive car ferries).
- Head of Heights – No comment!
- 600 Steps – I hate steps…..
Sure, it’ll be grand….
This will be us in August – calm seas, blue skies (I’m definitely due some good weather!), looking trim and fit (if we don’t eat anything between now and then), perfect hair, all loved up after climbing those 600 steps!!!
May the Force be with us!
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