Beautiful Bray

So Gang, remember my very first "field trip" two months ago to Howth?

While Howth is located at the Northern most stop of the DART,  Bray is the equivalent to it in the south... and just a 25 minute ride from Blackrock.

The Monday after St. Paddy's Day, Pam and I decided  that since it was a bank holiday and a gorgeous outside, we would explore the city. 

Arrival to Bray: 
After arriving by DART, Pam and I soon came across a huge carnival by the coast.We took the opportunity to marvel at the puppies and beautiful babies. Have I mentioned children are cuter in Ireland?

Bray has it all...especially puppies and babies

point proven

Exploring the Carnival:
We started walking through the carnival. Both of us took more pictures of the adorable children. In hindsight, taking pictures of stranger's children was probably extraordinarily creepy. Thankfully, because I am neither male nor was wearing a hoodie that day, people didn't seem to mind. Enjoy the fruits of my labor:

Town of Bray

Carnival

are you seeing all these strollers?

ridiculously cute

baby on a horse

babies on a bus

Mountain Climbing
After some lunch, Pam and I were feeling ambitious, so we decided to climb this: Bray Head.

Bray Head

Neither of were really dressed for mountain climbing, but based on the amount of people who were headed that way ( some of which had strollers) we assumed it would probably be paved most of the way and a relatively easy hike. Little did we know...

view of Bray as we began our journey upward

The Bay

Flower Child Pam

Coast line

How the trail started...

How the trail looked half-way...Pam isn't enthused

How the trail ended...wahh

Bray Head
After about 30 minutes, we made it to the top of Bray Head.

It was worth the hike...

The view from the summit was like being at the end of the world. On one side, the sun streamed through the clouds reflecting on tiny houses and  illuminating the town below.  On another, the sea crashed on the cliffs while sea birds climbed higher into the sky coasting on pockets of strong wind. On yet another, the brilliant green valley of the countryside was bursting with light. It's easier to show you than try to describe it:

Lion King Status

After the hike, Pam and I stopped to grab a pint. 1 pint turned into 2 and a half and we also had dinner. We caught the DART back to Blackrock and didn't get home until after 10:00. Spring break ended on a definite high note.