One thing about Ireland, is that it has proven difficult to find CouchSurfing hosts. We surmise that this is sue to its peripheral location in Europe, leading to it's lesser exposure to newer ideas. There could also be some scepticism about letting strangers into one's house, due to this insulated island mentality. Whatever are the responsible factors, I do hope they dissipate over the coming years and that Irish people get to enjoy the freedom and also the inspirational potential CS brings as both traveller and host.
Heavy rain all day means and the prospect of a wet night under canvas, dampens our resolve to cover more kilometers. We avoid the "death-trap" betrween Mitchelstown and Mallow by climbing one long hill towards Fermoy and decide to knock on the nearest door asking for permission to pitch our tent in their garden. After a somewhat guarded acceptance, we start mounting our tent as the downpour continues, at which point we are invited inside to take showers and sleep in a warm bed. We spend the night looking after the four kids (Ronan, Rory, Padraig and Hannah) while the parents (Donnagh & Rose) go off to the cinema. I play Halo 4 with the boys, while Mylene talks Art with Hannah.
The next day we get the royal tour of the dairy farm, where the kids have a list of chores to complete. We gain insight intothe practicalities and politics of dairy farming in Ireland.
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