The Munce Family: A travel day from hell.

Yesterday was a big travel day for us. It was our first time going it on our own (no extra helpers or hands to help us navigate). We conquered Heathrow like a group of champs, passing out Rice Krispy treats and suckers by 9am to keep the kids occupied and in good spirits. We were weighted down with kids, bags, and so much crap (half the time I feel like I have under packed for this trip, until it is time to move us and all of our stuff). Everything went off without a hitch. We landed in Shannon, Ireland with no issues and settled into our rental car for the 2.5 hour trip to Kenmare. Dave managed the clutch with minor irks and jerks and quickly became accustomed to the left hand lane, until we turned onto N22.

We were 13km north of Kilarney, about 45 minutes from our destination when Dave couldn't get the car in gear, I told him we were in neutral and needed to find a gear when he said he couldn't even find the clutch pedal. It was stuck in the engaged position. I immediately suggested pulling over, which he did and we were stuck. He realized what had happened and disengaged the clutch but all gears were shot. We were pulled over near some overgrown foliage, so the car was alarming that we were too close to something and the noise about put us over the edge. Dave pushed us 12 feet forward to stop the alarming, all along this narrow two lane busy highway.

I immediately called the roadside assistance number and they assured me someone would be out within the hour (the hour!!!). Within about 30 minutes, a man showed up to assess the situation. He quickly conceded the clutch had 'gone flat' and that we would not be driving that vehicle. We would need to wait for a tow truck to tow both the car and us to Tralee to get a replacement. Meanwhile, we kept the kids busy with coloring books, iPads, eye spy games, and songs. Everyone took potty breaks on the side of the road, and someone even managed to go number two while hovering out my door. We were briefly entertained by a bumble bee who managed its way into our car, and quickly made its way out. Another hour goes by before O'Sullivan's tow truck showed up only to notify us that he is not equipped to take our children and we would need a taxi for that, one had been called and would be there in 20 minutes (gasp).

The tow truck driver came to the side of the car just as the last potty goer was finishing up and said he needed to move us as we were sitting in a very dangerous spot and he didn't feel comfortable leaving us there for another minute, I politely told him I had been feeling that way for the past two hours. He took the driver seat, Piper had been in my lap and he didn't even give me a chance to get her back into her seat. Dave had to climb in on Sully's lap and this man was more aggressive with the vehicle than I had ever seen. He rammed it into different gears, revving the engine, swearing and grunting and acting fast. I buckled Piper and I in and felt ever muscle in my body. I was so anxious. He did eventually get us to a safe grocery store parking lot where the car completely died. If there had been any chance left at its life, it was now gone. He told us to unpack the vehicle as a taxi would be along momentarily.

When the taxi driver arrived, we were told that rather than going to Tralee, we would instead be going to Kilarney as they had a vehicle there for us. I called Enterprise four times on the drive, getting disconnected after telling my story each time. Each operator asked who told us to go to Kilarney and my explanation seemed to complicate things. As it worked out, Enterprise was closed in Kilarney and wouldn't open for another 36 hours.

Fortunately someone from the Dublin office called me back and was able to connect me with the manager of the Kilarney location who showed up just in the nick of time...but the only vehicle they had was a compact car (lol). He said that in fact there was the proper vehicle in Tralee, 1.5 hours round trip from Kilarney and that was basically our best (and only option until Monday evening). This was when I lost it. I started crying and everyone involved was now feeling terrible.

After some contemplation, we decided it would be best for me to stay with the kids at the Gleneagle Hotel in Kilarney while Dave went to Tralee with Aubrey to retrieve the vehicle. The kids did well, considering. There was a fancy wedding going on and the fashion and gowns were incredible. We had dinner in a restaurant (a first for me, three on one in a restaurant), played in an arcade, ran around outside, and found Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on in the hotel bar area. Before we knew it (;)), 2 hours had gone by and Dave had returned with a replacement vehicle and a few groceries.

We set off toward Kenmare, getting in a small portion of the Ring of Kerry, which means curvy roads, sheep crossing, views, and driving through clouds. All awesome things, unless you have had the day we had and only wanted the quickest and most direct road home. We arrived at 8, 5 hours later than planned. But we did arrive and were so happy to be there.

Silver lining- at the last minuted, we paid double for our rental and opted for the full coverage/roadside assistance insurance route. And, it was worth it. This place is amazing, the views, the sea, the space. Its incredible.