This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 40-year-old bookmark (give or take a few years) and I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).
Today’s travel notes
Me and the TC are currently riding out Storm Agnes on the west coast of Ireland. This worm is taking the opportunity to write up some travel notes. My first Irish post was about Blennerville and the mystery of Robert Emmet’s grave. Now I’m going to tell you about yesterday’s drive from Tralee to Dingle, taking the scenic route via Camp, Caherconree, and Inch Beach. We then took the route over Conor Pass back to Tralee.
The book I’m in
Darknet, by Matthew Maher. The TC started this book once before, and abandoned it because the writing style is a little naive and there are some typographical errors. However, the TC-once-removed has persuaded her to try it again. So far, this bookworm approves the choice.
Travel tips
Go mall is not a direction to the nearest shopping centre. It means go slowly.
The photos
Me in Tralee, sprouting a pair of pink wings. Relax, dear reader, they’re not real. My metamorphosis is some way off yet:
The town of Tralee is a good place to stay if you’re planning to spend a couple of days exploring Ireland’s west coast. We’re lodged just outside the town, near the village of Blennerville. From there, we set out one fine afternoon to see part of the Dingle peninsula.
We branched off from the main thoroughfare (N86) at Camp and took the Caherconree scenic route. This is a gorgeous, single-track road through the mountains. Tumbling rivers and sure-footed sheep lined the way:
Upon reaching the southern coast of the Dingle peninsula, we headed towards Inch Beach. The TC, bless her cotton socks, had harboured romantic notions of dipping her toes into frilly waves on a golden shore cooled by a playful breeze. Instead, we encountered a somewhat fierce beach with a banshee wind and but two hardy souls venturing into the salty surf:
Dingle is a pretty sea-side town:
Signs and names come in Irish and English:
Leaving Dingle, the road heads through green fields and hedgerows:
Little wonder that Ireland is named the Emerald Isle. The theme of green runs through hill and vale:
We made our way up to Conor Pass. At 1,496 feet (about 455 metres), this is one of the highest paved passes in Ireland. The views occasioned the necessary ooohs and aaahs from the TC:
More of those sure-footed sheep braved the drop at the top of Conor Pass:
As a memento of these dauntless hill-trotters, the TC invited Sherbet the Sheep to join our flock of travelling companions.
Sherbet’s first home was this booth at the top of Conor Pass:
Peg was delighted to welcome Sherbet to the fold, once I’d assuaged Peg’s jealous streak by letting her be in the forefront of the shot (without, of course, mentioning who’d be in focus):
That’s all for today, folks.
Travelling Worm 
Talk to the Travelling Worm!