South western tour of Ireland 4/4 Three Castle Head walk

Last stop is at the other side of Mizen Head to do this hike, 2 hours return for a group of Norman towers built by local Irish clan in the 12th Century as protection for this area.

Most unique beautiful setting near an upland lake, with panoramic views of fields and the coast. 

In the evening near Crockhaven Bay, sea level is just right for fisherman to land a couple of sea bass and one golden mullet, first time to catch wild sea bass in Ireland. 

South western tour of Ireland 3/4 Mizen Head Signal Station

Finally reached the most westerly point of south Ireland, Mizen Head that sticks out well into Atlantic Ocean. Can easily see the twisted rock layers in this headland, and many big rocks along the shoreline, making sailing very dangerous. 

Hence over a hundred years ago, nearby Fastnet lighthouse and this Signal station was built. In those days, this was the last radio station to contact before leaving Europe for America.


來到愛爾蘭南部向大西洋最西的地點 Mizen Head Signal Station參觀，常在天氣報告聽到的名字，講述風速多強勁。

西岸海岸大石極多，早年航海常有海難，所以附近有 Fastnet 燈塔，又有這訊號台，都建在百多年前，以減少意外。

早年遠洋航運，這Mizen Head 訊號台是離開歐洲前住北美的最後一個電台。

地點險要，附近山崖石層紋理扭曲多變，異常獨特，但那連接的石屎橋，相反地形態極奇平庸，原來也是建在百多年前，在這個每年冬季會因強風暴雨而關閉不能觀光的地方，仍然䇄立已經不容易。

South western tour of Ireland 2/4 Beare & Sheephead peninsula

Stop at Beare Peninsula to visit friends living in a seaside house there. A beautiful peninsula with very varied landscape and many hiking trials, from easy to steep ascent. This time we have a gentle hike along the coast at Eyries, crossing sheep fields full of wild flowers. This Sea Campion bladder type flower is very rare but easily seen here. 

 

Stayed a night at the next peninsula further south, Sheaphead peninsula, for some mackerel fishing near Dooneen pier. Gorgeous full moon rise and sun rise the next morning.  

South western tour of Ireland 1/4 Ballyheique area

A camper trip to visit the most south westerly corner of Ireland, a long 5+ hours drive on small twisty roads. Stay 2/3 way near Ballyheique area to enjoy beach walk and fishing. 

A ruin Ardfert Friary nearby, from the 12th Century, stone works and columns so pretty under the gorgeous sunshine. 

 

 

Silken tofu dips

Created another way to enjoy silken tofu, blend to puree and use as dips, high protein low fat version.  I used pomegranate molasses and chilli oil in one and pumpkin seed miso in the other, perfect texture.

Grilled turbot

When weather is fine we like to have alfresco dinner, meaning using the bbq to cook. For turbot, it will give a drier result compared to baking in the oven, but still fabulous. The key is to put some twigs like laurel below to avoid sticking to the grill. 

Fermented turmeric, ginger and lemon

After a month of fermenting turmeric, ginger and lemon in raw honey, bubble subsided and ready to enjoy. 

The liquid is filtered out to be used as a not very sweet but full of all sorts of nutrients cordial. Slices of turmeric, ginger are separated from lemon rind, which is cut into fine pieces. Both dried at 60˚C for around 4 hrs, excellent snack and palette cleanser. 

2026年8月15日 種植目標

今年的種植目標，是有多些菜葉蔬菜吃，尤其在夏季，天氣熱就難種這類蔬菜，一般以吃豆角、瓜、蕃茄、粟米等等果子為主，加上各式香草。

是年春末，種下Kale sprouts 羽衣甘藍芽苗，和在夏初種下Italian radicchio 義大利菊苣，兩者都成功長大，月中開始有收成。

前者是kale 和 Brussels sprouts 的混合品種，商業名稱叫Kalette, 基本上長相如 Brussels sprouts, 但長的是羽衣甘藍的苞苗葉。

葉片墨綠色，蒜蓉炒，味道似芥蘭多過羽衣甘藍，易種味道好，滿意。

而Italian radicchio 義大利菊苣，顏色雪白艷紅各半，似在意大利市場見到的一樣完美。作沙律吃，帶有菊苣的獨特微甘苦味道，亦可以炒吃，苦味消失。

終於可以在夏日，吃豆角青瓜蕃茄等等以外，尚可以大口大口吃菜葉，願望達成。

Big squid

Really great to get hold of a nice thick squid from the on-line fishmonger. Clean and cut into portions, quick blanch so that it can keep better in the fridge without smell. 
Some are grilled, love the slightly charred flavour, the rest stir-fried the next day. 

Honey bee and pumpkin

This is how the honey bee looks after enjoying the nectar of pumpkin flower, so well showered with bright yellow pollen. 

Organic shoulder pork chop

Pretty hard to find organic pork in Ireland, and this is my favourite chop, on the shoulder and not rib chop, darker red and more fatty meat. Simple season with salt and pepper then grill on bbq, delicious and can taste the meat.

Tour of Irish midland, West Meath 3/3

Did another section of the Royal Canal Greenway, this one has an aqueduct near Abbeyshrule, a canal crossing over the river! The cut stone bridge is wide and the feet flare out, so graceful, and has been standing there over 200 years without leaking a drop. 


Finally we need to do a boardwalk in the bog in this midland full of bogs.