Pictures

Okay, I still haven't figured out how to get the pictures where I want them. The picture from the "Home Again" post are: rocks/stones stacked in fields between Carrick-on-Shannon and Boyne. The second picture is of the "Old Boro" pub in Swords (north of Dublin).

Home Again

Okay, we have been home over a week now and my sleep schedule is finally returning to normal.

On Sunday (9 May) we drove north from Limerick to Athlone and then to Longford (the middle of Ireland). We decided that driving all the way to the northern part of Northern Ireland would be a bit much so we toured the interior. We ended up in Carrick on Shannon and found a B&B and then went into the town to find a pub and something to eat.

On Monday (10 May) we headed east towards Drogheda. We decided to go to the Valley of the Boyne and check that out. We wanted to tour the passage tomb of Newgrange and the mounds of Knowth and Dowth. The tombs are supposedly 5,000 years old with their swirling rock art. As we drove we saw lots of stacked stones/rocks in the fields.

When we arrived at the Vallye of the Boyne, we were told we needed to go to their Visitor Center on the other side of the river and get a tour bus to see the grounds. It was about a 20 minute drive and then another 45 minutes to wait for the next tour. The tour itself was about 1 and a half hours. Since it was late mid afternoon, we decided to head back to Dublin.

As we neared Dublin, we decided to stay close to the airport so that when we turned the car in, it wouldn't be too expensive to get a cab to the airport. After checking in Richard and I found out that there were some pubs about a 15 minute walk so we decided to walk. At the suggestion of the hotel clerk we went to the Old Boro where we were able to tip a few and relax before walking back to the hotel.

On Tuesday, Richard, Bertha Dale and I took a bus into Dublin to do some more shopping. We were only gone a few hours. Then in the evening we drove over to the Old Boro for our last meal in Dublin (at least on this trip). We all enjoyed the food and beer. We dropped Bertha Dale & Ollie back at the hotel then drove to the airport to return the car. While we were at the airport we checked on our Wednesday flight and everything was "A OK". It turns out Tuesday's flight had been canceled, but Wednesday's flight was okay.

When we got to the airport on Wednesday, we found out the airlines had to bring in another bigger airplane to accommodate more people and also to be able to fly higher (over the ash from the Icelandic volcano). Therefore everyone had to "recheck in" and get new seat assignments. Because of all these changes the flight was an hour and a half late leaving Dublin. We soon figured out we would not be able to make our connecting flight. If we hadn't had to go through customs in Chicago, we might have had a chance. After we made it through customs and got seats on another flight to Dallas, we called Shannon (our taxi) and informed her that we wouldn't be getting to Dallas until about 8:30pm (2 hours later than planned).

Shannon picked us up and we visited with her for awhile then headed back to east Texas. I insisted on driving because I figured since Richard had been driving on the opposite side, I needed to give him some time off to readjust. I drove most of the way, but finally let Richard drive the last 45 minutes. We go home about 12:30am. We only brought in what we ABSOLUTELY needed.

On Thursday, we emptied out the luggage and I began washing clothes. Over the next few days we managed to get back into our routine (whatever that is) except for my sleep schedule. I think I finally am back on track. Richard didn't have as much readjustment as I did.

Thanks for following and I hope it wasn't too boring.

Dublin & Blarney Part 4

We drove pretty uneventfully towards Cork. As we neared Cork, we plugged the hotel address that Bertha Dale had made on Tuesday night into the GPS and continued as we were directed. None of us had any idea that Cork had hills like San Francisco. As we rolled along the road gor narrowere & narrower. It appeared to be a one way (thank goodness) road because our vehicle was scrapping bushes on both sides. As we arrived at the hotel, there were tour buses that prevented us from getting to the front so Richard let me out while he stayed in the car. The drive up the steep, winding, narrow road had my sister in a nervous frenzy. She wanted to go someplace else, but we couldn't get money back so I said "we're here, let's stay tonight & go elsewhere tomorrow". The rooms were nice, clean and quiet and okay for one night.

Thursday morning we took off toward Blarney Castle. As we arrived in town, we sae the "Blarney Castle Hotel" and I checked for availability for Thursday night and we were in luck. Bertha Dale & Ollie both have trouble with steps so I asked for something on the first floor. I was assured that would not be a problem. Only thing is I forgot in Europe the first floor is actually the second floor. Their first floor is "ground". So I goofed by agreeing to first floor rooms. I guess Bertha Dale & Ollie will eventually forgive me. We asked if we could leave some of the luggage there instead of carrying it around as we toured. They agreed to do that. Everyone was extremely accommodating and carried all the luggage up to our rooms before we got back. Even though it was drizzling, we went to Blarney Castle which was within "spitting" distance of the hotel. Bertha Dale & Ollie decided not to climb the castle so Richard & I took off. The stairs going up were extremely narrow, but we made it to the top. I didn't know the "Blarney Stone" is at the top of the castle and you have to lay on your back, grab onto handles and lean down, kiss the stone and the attendant grabs you and pulls you back to a sitting position. As we visited the souvenir shop there was a woman fro Staunton, VA (almost a neighbor to Luray). We laughed because Mom almost always would meet someone that she knew or was from our county in VA and Bertha Dale & I knew she would have gotten a kick out of our coming to Ireland and meeting someone from Staunton.


Then we couldn't decide where to go in the afternoon so finally we headed to Waterford. It was still raining off & on, but we saw some beautiful land, houses, views and sites on the drive. We stopped long enough for a potty break (better facilities this time) and light snack before heading back to Blarney. We arrived, rested a bit and had dinner and then went to the bar for a drink, then to bed for a good night's sleep.

On Friday we went to the "Blarney Woolen Mills" to shop. We found some things (it's only money) then went back to the hotel and loaded up the car (AGAIN).


When Richard & I went to Europe in 2000, I took a kite and flew it over as many countries as I could (Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands (I think) so I have now flown the same kite in Ireland. When I was going to fly it in England, it was raining and/or we were busy.


Again we climbed into the car and headed towards Tipperary. It was a busy town, but we couldn't really find any shopping places so again we had a potty break and drove to Limerick. We had picked a hotel, but decided (after we drove by), that we would rather be in a smaller town so we headed to Bunratty and found this neat B&B that is all on one floor (maybe Bertha Dale & Ollie will forgive me for the hotel in Blarney). Ollie wasn't feeling well today so once we checked in, he thought a peppermint schnaps might help so we went to the pub next door. He ended up with Creme de Menthe instead. Ollie came back and went to bed. After a little rest, Richard, Bertha Dale & I went to dinner.


Today we went into Limerick to shop and then back to Bunratty Castle. This castle had some large rooms for banquets and even bedrooms with some furniture. There are thatched roofed buildings that have been restored to represent life in the period time of the Castle. In the afternoon we drove to the Cliffs of Moher. Richard & I walked part of the area, but because of the wind, Bertha Dale & Ollie stayed in the car.


We got back to Bunratty and went to Durty Nelly's (I think this pub is listed as the oldest, but I'm not sure if that is just in Ireland or world wide) for a drink. I could get used to Murphy's Beer with Black Currant.


Well, I really need to get to bed so I'll close with hopes of being able to add more either Sunday or Monday.

Dublin & Blarney Part 3

After lunch we got back on the bus and finally made it back to the hotel about 6:30pm. We ate, packed in preparation for Wednesday (getting THE CAR).

It was raining when we picked up the rental car in Dublin. Somebody decided I would ride "Shotgun" in the front for Richard's driving. After getting a few instructions on how to work things in the car we took off. We thought we were heading southeast, but quickly realized our blunder and got headed in the right direction. We stopped at a quick stop to use the bathroom and this is what we encountered. I felt like I was back in Virginia on a backroad. There was running water, but no toilet paper (we used tissues) and tried not to touch anything. We had quick wipes in the car that we used as we laughed for about 5 miles over the availability of outdoor facilities.

Dublin & Blarney Part 2

I'm still having troubles with photos so this is how I will get the photos with the comments (by only putting one photo per post.

After the prison tour we went to Ryan's Pub for lunch. We met a girl there that had been in the brewery the same time we were and also on the prison tour. She was from Vermont, but had recently started working in Boston.

Dublin & Blarney

Okay, I didn't get around to blogging last night so I hope to catch up some now.

On Tuesday (4 May) we got on a Hop On Hop Off bus and went to the Guinness Brewery. After we completed the tour get got a great view from the top of the building where we also got our Pint. As you can see, we are having a great time.

After the brewery we toured the Dublin Prison. It sure made me feel thankful for warm clothes, food and heat.

Catchup

Hey,
I haven't been able to get internet for several days. Cork & Blarney hotels didn't have connections that would work.

I hope to add to the blog later tonight.