Ireland is formed like a big basin, with low mountains around its sea coast and flat farmlands and peat bogs inland. We were traveling in County Kerry home of Carrantuohill, at 3415 feet the highest point in all Ireland. Any grade of more than three percent, Bob considered an affront to his dignity; many times [...]

By now a stiff wind was blowing over the barren hills and a chill came over us. We returned to our caravan just before sunset and climbed into bed wearing sweaters and slippers, with four blankets. At 8:50, bells from a small church across the field began to chime. Before long, families began arriving on [...]

By early afternoon we were at the 200-year-old pub. Mrs. Ashe showed us where to park our wagon and where to pasture Bob. Coin-operated showers behind the pub washed the dust from caravanners such as us. The caravan was equipped similar to many American tent trailers of years ago: it had a sink and a [...]

Right after breakfast we met Bob. Having grown up farming with horses in Iowa in the 40s, I bad some idea of what a horse of Bob’s build could handle. Bob would have looked small compared to the American draft horses that we now see at fairs and parades around the US; he was about [...]