Today starts the meat of our Influential Writing Retreat. This weeklong retreat that Mark and I are on is organized by Perry Marshall and is for those who want to shape the world in crucial, permanent ways. This retreat gives us a chance to get out in nature and write, reflect, and be inspired. Our day began in the James Long pub, which is our group’s favorite breakfast gathering place.

Mark decided he was going to hike to the top of Mount Brandon today. Quite a challenging hike, made more challenging by the wind, mist, and cloud cover. I decided to decline the hike and go shopping with Shirley in Dingle! The highlights of the shopping trip were Lisbeth Mulcahy’s shop in which I found a lovely alpaca wool sweater. You will see me wearing this green sweater in many upcoming pictures! We also visited a local artist’s shop, Carol Cronin Gallery. I fell in love with the beauty of the way she created artwork of the waves. It was especially interesting that she had spent a summer on the Great Blasket Island, which we are heading to tomorrow. She was inspired by the ocean and began drawing. Later, this developed into her life’s work. The water really is this color off the coast.

Back to Mark and the Mount Brandon hike. This video, made by Cuyler, shows what it was like at the top of Mount Brandon when you get to the last cross at the peak.

We ended our day in the Paul Geaney’s Bar and Restaurant for a much needed rest. More Irish fare, including Seafood Chowder, of course.