Hey there everyone! Wow, you’d barely know you were in Ireland today – it’s so warm and sunny outside! So I thought it might be the perfect day to catch up with the rest of Explorer Beastie’s springtime wanderings, after our slight digression last week.
Oh, and if you missed part one, you’ll find that here. We’ll kick back and relax while you get caught up.
Springtime in the Irish countryside is a very colourful time. The fields are full of blue…
… And white…
… And yellow!
Those gorgeous golden gorse flowers are always a treat. Take a good big sniff there, Explorer Beastie – being careful of those spines, of course!
“Mmmmm! It smells like… Coconut!”
He’s right, it really does. It makes a stroll in the countryside feel like a holiday in the tropics!
And the plants aren’t the only ones putting on a show in glorious technicolour.
“Look! It’s the first ladybird of the season!”
There were also plenty of butterflies to admire, but the ladybird was the only colourful critter who stayed put long enough to be photographed… Next time I’ll know to bring along my proper camera! But never mind, there’s still plenty of exploring to do.
Through the long grass and rushes, and up a staircase made of tree roots…
… To discover traces left behind by other visitors.
What’s this?
“Someone’s stopped here for dinner recently! It looks like they ordered escargots…”
Oh yes! Flat rocks and broken snail shells are a sign that a bird (usually a song thrush) has been enjoying a springtime snack. The birds use the stone as an anvil to break open the shell and extract the snail from within.
Are we having snails for lunch too, then?
“No thanks! I’ll hold out for a sandwich when we get home.”
Fair enough. Oh look, dandelion clocks! Take a deep breath, and…
… BLOW!
So, what time is it?
“Huh?”
The number of seeds still clinging to the stem after you blow supposedly tells you what time it is. That’s why these seed heads are called clocks! One seed left means it’s one o’clock, two seeds, two o’clock… You get the idea.
“Oh, okay… One, two, three – LUNCHTIME!”
Ah, a Beastie after my own heart! Let’s turn our paws for home, then.
PS…
For anybody outside Ireland who couldn’t watch me on the telly last week, the nice people at Ireland AM sent me a video clip of my segment! I’ve popped it on the Beasties’ Facebook page, here, if you’d like to see it!
And we’ll be back next week with another new Beastie for you to meet… See you then!
Um, can you maybe turn around so we can see?
Much better! That’ll keep you nice and cosy while we go exploring. Although it looks like we’ve been uncommonly lucky with the weather – you’d hardly know we’re in Ireland at all!
“Yes, and it smells AMAZING!”
“Hey, what’s over there?”
“I’ll stand next to them, for scale!”
It’s always nice to see their sunny yellow faces peeking out of shaded, Beastie-sized hollows in the hedgerows.
Thanks to Pedro at 
Paddy: Yeah, and the beaches!
It’s also easy to travel around because it’s not very big.
Paddy: I think he means ACTUAL travel, Plunkett, not just photoshopping ourselves into pictures. I choose LA!
Paddy: Action films! And fast cars!
Answer: Nowhere. Because they weren’t on this world at all! As spotted by some eagle-eyed readers, the boys have magicked themselves onto Mars. Overall, they enjoyed the experience, but Paddy says the nightlife isn’t really up to much.
You’d hardly believe you’re in the heart of one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world here. This temple is set in a park of tall old trees and shady bamboo groves, and it’s possible to grab a quiet moment or two to yourself there, as you can see.
The temple is dedicated to a former ruler of the country where it’s situated, and celebrated its 100th birthday last year. It’s not just a tourist attraction either… The locals love it too! Many (and from what I can see, that numbers in the millions) choose to come here for the first prayers of the new year, making it the most popular shrine in the country.
“Pop it in the side of the computer here… We’re on our way! Look at all those photos.”
Let’s swing in for a closer look.
I don’t know about you, but this is EXACTLY the kind of view I needed to see today! And the boys’ tour isn’t finished yet… Now they’re off to Carlingford town.
“Yes, Paddy! Carlingford Castle was built by King John of England, and has been here on the shores of the Lough since the 12th century.”
There’s a medieval church too. Plunkett is in raptures over all that lovely stonework.
“I’ll just zoom in here, for a closer look…”
I can think of worse places to spend a day looking for the “little people”! The Mourne mountains are also nearby.
“And there are some incredible beaches, too.”
“I’d love to go there sometime, Plunkett!”
“… We can!”
Don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to walk this off later.
Glengesh Pass is pretty spectacular at any time of the year. The last time we were there it was late summer – look at those rolling green hills! It’s also on the way to Glencolmcille, where a Beastie can dip his paws in the Atlantic if the mood takes him.
Mind you, it’s not all sunshine and sand dunes here. Sometimes it can be a bit on the breezy side…
… And the traffic is terrible.
All this would really give you an appetite. Lunchtime! Conveniently enough, we’re just passing through Ardara… Nancy’s Bar here does a cracking lunch, and a very tasty homemade cider.
Alright, time to head north! And because we’re travelling by blog, we can enjoy two sunsets at two different locations. First, Fanad Head, where there’s a beautiful lighthouse to admire…
… And rocks to scramble over.
Next, we can journey to the northernmost point of the island of Ireland – Malin Head.
Then we can cruise by the wide sandy beach at Five Finger Strand…
… Before catching the last of the daylight on our way home.
Don’t forget to leave a rock monster behind to show we were here!
And once we get home, we can warm up by the fire and swap adventuring stories.
Aaaaah! Toasty.
And while some shadowy thickets retained a feeling of chilly mystery when the clouds parted…
… In some places the winter sun broke through the trees and made the empty fields glow.
And there are wonders right at your feet in the undergrowth, too.
These alien-looking marvels are fungi called earthstars. They pop up in the same place every year, so I always make sure to check in on them when I’m in the neighbourhood.
But where was Explorer Beastie while all this was going on? Ummm…
Well, I suppose the holidays are a time to rest up and recharge your batteries.
Paddy was up nice and early, so he spotted it first. And of course, the very next thing he did was…
“What IS it, Paddy?”
“Look at that!”
But just looking at the snow was never going to be enough for Paddy. I think it’s time to head outside and play in it, don’t you?
It looks like he already has a project in mind, too. Look at him go!
“It’s a SnowBeastie, Plunkett! What do you think?”
Much better! It’s almost as cute as you are, boys.
… And get toasty again by the stove!
… Or enjoy a picnic together.
Yum!
And if that wasn’t enough, we’re also within walking distance of the National Botanic Gardens…
…The city centre parks of St Stephen’s Green and Iveagh Gardens…
… And spooky St Kevin’s Park, as featured in our 
Plus you never know who you might bump into along the way.
Dublin is also packed full of interesting old buildings to admire. The city is especially well-known for its Georgian-era architecture – a style that was popular for just over a century, beginning in the early 1710s.
How about you? Have you been seeing what’s on your doorstep with fresh eyes these past couple of months? Be sure to tell us all about it in the comments!
“Awww, Plunkett!
“Taaa-DAAAAAAH!”
“… And wait for a bit. That’s it, straight ahead.”
… As the leaves had turned vibrant red before he’d even finished climbing up to where Paddy was sitting among the branches!
And with that, Plunkett started to clamber back down to ground level.
And now Paddy can scoop up giant pawfuls of red leaves, and give Autumn Beasties everywhere a run for their money. Nice hat, Paddy!
I still haven’t figured out why Beasties love Autumn leaves so much, but hey, at least they’re happy!