Kalen and Elena's Adventures in Bray (and Greystones)

Yesterday, Kalen and I had planned to go to a Fringe show, as the festival is on here right now. We picked a show, but it didn't start until 9 PM, so we needed something to do to fill the day. She had heard that there is a hill you can climb in Bray (south of Dun Laoghaire) called Bray Head, which is not a really difficult climb, and once you get to the top there's a really spectacular view. So, because it was a beautiful warm, sunny day, we figured we'd go give it a try.
We took the DART to Bray, which is a very pretty little village by the sea (it actually smells like the ocean!)



We walked along the road by the beach



until we came to the heart of the town. That gorgeous hotel with the turrets is a Best Western. Go figure.



We found Bray Head quite easily (it's huge) and started up the path.



It was a very pretty walk, the path up the hill is right along the ocean. We turned around and looked back towards Bray. Goodbye, Bray!



There are some old old stone walls on the way up. The sun was very bright.



And an old old gate. Clearly it's seen better days, but I quite liked it.



The walls just keep going, up and up, following the path.



Looking down over the edge (I didn't fall in! Yay!). I love all the layers in this rock. Makes you wonder just how long it's been there...



Look up. Waaaaaay up.



The Irish Sea is really quite a fantastic colour in the sunshine.



Here you can see how the path winds around the side of the mountain, and you can just barely see where the train runs straight through down below.



Nice colours...



It just keeps going....



At least it was very clear where the path was, so we couldn't get lost.



Mmmm...blackberries. We ate some, because we're hardcore like that. We didn't die from pesticide poisoning, and we didn't arrested. Yay! And they sure were tasty.



It's a long drop. We tried really hard not to fall. Mission accomplished!



Can you tell which side of this tree gets more sun?



The sea is still down there! Still not lost! Hurrah!



We liked these little baby ferns growing out of the rocks. They look like snakes. Or perhaps something slightly Tim Burton-esque.



Some areas were quite wet and muddy. Watch your step!



There were sheep up there!



These leaves were impressively shiny.



Lots of big trees...



Some with berries. We didn't eat those.



This tree is too cool. The tree itself is dead, but it's covered with things that are alive. Love it.



Hey look! A waterfall!



Can't see Bray behind us anymore...just mountain.



This used to be a fence post, until the ivy ate it.



Peek! I can see the water through there...



We saw lots of pretty flowers...













Watch out for this plant. It's not very nice.



We also found a snail



And a ladybug



But wait...
Oh my...that town over there is Greystones. We walked all the way into the next county! Bray is in Co. Dublin, and Greystones is in Co. Wicklow.



This was after walking for two hours. Kalen was told that the climb up the hill took about 20 minutes. Also, we never actually reached the top, we kind of just looped up and around. Way around. So we decided to just walk into Greystones, have some tea, and then head back to Bray on the bus. So that's what we did.

Back at the beginning, we think this is the path we were supposed to take to get to the top...



...but we both agreed that we would have to be in much better shape before we attempt that one. Yikes.

Once we were back in Bray (which was a much longer bus ride than we expected - we didn't think we had walked that far. But apparently we did.

We made it back to Kalen's apartment around 8, made a really quick but really tasty supper, and ran off the the theatre venue to catch our fringe show. It was called Saori's Birthday, and was...interesting. It was not at all what we expected. But oh well. At least we can say that we went to the Dublin Fringe Festival.

Next week's Kalen and Elena Adventure: Dublin Culture Night! Stay tuned!

But first...College starts tomorrow. Wish me luck!