Interesting couple of days!
Friday evening was wonderful with laughter, music and celebration. After spending the better part of the day sightseeing at Jerpoint Abby, in the rain, we arrived at the hotel with time to shower and change for the evening. Fun program of chatter and music starring a friend of ours. Very interesting hearing about his childhood and also the pride that people have in relating stories about his growing up and successes. Then on to his mother's 70tht birthday party. Wonderful celebration for a very nice lady. Had a great laugh walking back to the hotel. EVERYONE walks everywhere! That's wonderful when you know where you're going but we've been having issues even finding our B&Bs!
Saturday morning we started out with our own personal tour guide taking us to the Heritage Center in Wexford. Lovely new facility telling the history of Ireland through the ages. After a walk around the park we proceded To a local hotel for some tea and great converstion. After dropping our host off we were on our way to "The Famine Ship," a replica a the real thing with a lot of information of how it was for those having to escape the famine and trying to save their families and create a new life. It was hard at times to listen to what was being said knowing that some of my own relatives didn't make it across to see that new life. On on to lovely Kinsale, a beautiful seaside town with some of the tinest streets you've ever seen and no street signs. We made a stop at the Spainard an historical pub in the area. Had a wonderful meeting some of the locals and even picked up some tips on the quest for the family history. After a drink and more "craic" (fun) we headed into the town for our B&B. We finally gave up after much searching and asked for assistance. The local garda (police {female}) lead us, on foot of course, to our B&B which was only a few yards away! How embarrassing!!! Have to say we've had a couple of small rooms before but nothing this small! The reviews were interesting...all glowing about the breakfast and have to say that was it's very best point. Great food, service and the dining room was so perfect for a bright sunny morning.
Sunday brought new challenges should I say? Once we were on the road we headed off to Cobh another site for those leaving for America, Canada and points beyond. Also was given more ideas of where to look for our family. One thing's for sure, the people here really seem to want thos interested to be able to find the "missing" pieces. Next, off to Blarney Castle where I fulfilled one of my Mother's dreams...I kissed the stone! I made it up to the top (have to say I'm really proud of that accomplishment) and have the picture to prove it. The view from the top of the castle was beyond discription. You can see forever and it was just amazing. I will admit that once I made it down from the castle my legs were shaking. Don't think I've used that many muscles in a while. Would love to let Dr. H (my surgeon) how well those knees work! For sure I'll have to let Steve, my friend and physical therapist know. A little shopping done afterwards and off to our B&B for this evening. We've been doing pretty well getting to and from places but locating the B&Bs still seems to be a bit of a challenge. How do they expect you to find things without street signs?
Well, this has been rather lengthy but did want to bring you all up to date on our adventures. Tomorrow we'll be off to Kerry, the county of our "family." Hopefully I will have good luck in my search tomorrow. Maybe the give of "eloquence" will help serve me....fingers crossed! ;)
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
At Last!!!
WE'RE HERE!!!
It took forever but we finally arrived this afternoon. Only 5 1/2 hours late and all of it sitting on a plane. I've never liked O'Hare and dislike it even more now. I know EP has blogged about the details so I won't go through the details again only to say given a choice I think I will find some other city to fly through in the future.
We finally set out on our adventure this afternoon and in just a very short period of time the country has proven all my dreams about it true. Discovered the most beautiful waterfall and mountains. Have already seen and taken pictures of sheep and even a deer! Have seen a few horses off in the distance but will make up for that tomorrow morning when we head to the National Stud Farm. Finally made it to our B&B at 7:30, checked in and after a brief visit with our host headed for a nearby pub and our first pint! (Pictures to follow)
Unfortunately after being up for over 60 hours since I've seen a bed mine is calling to me. It's now 11:30 and we both need sleep. I do promise more details soon. For now let's just say the dream is coming true!
It took forever but we finally arrived this afternoon. Only 5 1/2 hours late and all of it sitting on a plane. I've never liked O'Hare and dislike it even more now. I know EP has blogged about the details so I won't go through the details again only to say given a choice I think I will find some other city to fly through in the future.
We finally set out on our adventure this afternoon and in just a very short period of time the country has proven all my dreams about it true. Discovered the most beautiful waterfall and mountains. Have already seen and taken pictures of sheep and even a deer! Have seen a few horses off in the distance but will make up for that tomorrow morning when we head to the National Stud Farm. Finally made it to our B&B at 7:30, checked in and after a brief visit with our host headed for a nearby pub and our first pint! (Pictures to follow)
Unfortunately after being up for over 60 hours since I've seen a bed mine is calling to me. It's now 11:30 and we both need sleep. I do promise more details soon. For now let's just say the dream is coming true!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Butterflies and Knots!
Well, the count down has really begun. A week from right now I had better be in bed....no sleep, but at least in bed. Everything will have been done and all the anticipation behind us.
I was given a small preview of things to come from my nephew and his wife this weekend. They just returned from a whirlwind 9 days and enjoyed all of it. Sue is ready to go back anytime and be with her "Gypsies" and any other horse she can find. They visited a Gypsy Breeder and all her mares and foals followed her everywhere; the National Stud Farm and even caught some horse races on the beach! What I've seen of the pictures so far have been wonderful! (Anything with a horse in it makes the two of us happy.) :) Comments from both of them have moved me to the melancholy mood once again especially when Michael says that he wishes his Grandmother could have been there. :'/ When Sue and I finished talking their first day back I had so many butterflies in my stomach! I'm so anxious to be able to share some of the same experiences with them. Our first week will be in some of the same counties and towns that they visited with a few others thrown in for good measure. Another new adventure has been added, thank you, to a new friend in Wexford. There will be a special "Ladies Only" event that he will be performing at and has been kind enough to invite us to. Not only will we get to enjoy his beautiful voice but a tour of his home town. It always makes it special to see a place through the "natives" eyes.
I actually kept my goal of packing this last weekend (sort of). Trying to figure out what I can take in carry on without upsetting the TSA and what I should check is a bit challenging. All I could think of was I needed the help of my friend Priscilla. She's an amazing "packer" and can put more things in a small space. I've actually got plenty of room in both cases but am just trying to be sure not to be overweight on the checked piece. It's been rather sad to talk with both her and my other best friend, Deanna. The two of them are beyond sisters to me and I don't get to see either of them often enough what with Priscilla in Texas and Deanna recently moved a good two hour drive away. And now to be gone for as long as we are it will seem very strange. Really wish they could be joining us. At least we have email and Skype.
Just a few more errands to run; bank, cleaners and a couple of other little things to pick up. Oh, and cat food. Poor Katie. I know she'll have good care. Another friend to will be looking out for her (with a "back up" just in case). Fortunately Nancy LOVES animals and has offered to make sure Daddy's baby is well cared for during my absence. She'll probably be even more spoiled than she already is by the time Nancy finishes with her.
Just little things left now. Almost all set. Spending the weekend with my father and having a great Father's Day celebration is my primary goal now. He's been so encouraging and supportive about this whole trip. It's made it so much easier to do this. So all that is left now is deep breathes and try to relax those knots I'm feeling right now. The dream is really coming true!
I was given a small preview of things to come from my nephew and his wife this weekend. They just returned from a whirlwind 9 days and enjoyed all of it. Sue is ready to go back anytime and be with her "Gypsies" and any other horse she can find. They visited a Gypsy Breeder and all her mares and foals followed her everywhere; the National Stud Farm and even caught some horse races on the beach! What I've seen of the pictures so far have been wonderful! (Anything with a horse in it makes the two of us happy.) :) Comments from both of them have moved me to the melancholy mood once again especially when Michael says that he wishes his Grandmother could have been there. :'/ When Sue and I finished talking their first day back I had so many butterflies in my stomach! I'm so anxious to be able to share some of the same experiences with them. Our first week will be in some of the same counties and towns that they visited with a few others thrown in for good measure. Another new adventure has been added, thank you, to a new friend in Wexford. There will be a special "Ladies Only" event that he will be performing at and has been kind enough to invite us to. Not only will we get to enjoy his beautiful voice but a tour of his home town. It always makes it special to see a place through the "natives" eyes.
I actually kept my goal of packing this last weekend (sort of). Trying to figure out what I can take in carry on without upsetting the TSA and what I should check is a bit challenging. All I could think of was I needed the help of my friend Priscilla. She's an amazing "packer" and can put more things in a small space. I've actually got plenty of room in both cases but am just trying to be sure not to be overweight on the checked piece. It's been rather sad to talk with both her and my other best friend, Deanna. The two of them are beyond sisters to me and I don't get to see either of them often enough what with Priscilla in Texas and Deanna recently moved a good two hour drive away. And now to be gone for as long as we are it will seem very strange. Really wish they could be joining us. At least we have email and Skype.
Just a few more errands to run; bank, cleaners and a couple of other little things to pick up. Oh, and cat food. Poor Katie. I know she'll have good care. Another friend to will be looking out for her (with a "back up" just in case). Fortunately Nancy LOVES animals and has offered to make sure Daddy's baby is well cared for during my absence. She'll probably be even more spoiled than she already is by the time Nancy finishes with her.
Just little things left now. Almost all set. Spending the weekend with my father and having a great Father's Day celebration is my primary goal now. He's been so encouraging and supportive about this whole trip. It's made it so much easier to do this. So all that is left now is deep breathes and try to relax those knots I'm feeling right now. The dream is really coming true!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)