Day #14: What sight am I most thankful for...

The Cliffs of Moher. They are located in Ireland and a magnificent sight to behold. 

I don't make resolutions.

I am not the kind of girl who makes New Year's resolutions.  I am more of a mid-summer resolutioner...even mid-fall. 

There's a lot of pressure with New Year's resolutions. 

Case and point - my gym every January.  Let's rewind to December.

In December, you will find me and my friend DeDe along with maybe 4 others working-out.

Same gym 1 month later...it's packed!!!!

Check back in 1 month after that ( February )...it'll be back to Angie plus DeDe plus 4 others. It's beautiful.

So back to my initial statement...I do not make New Year's resolutions.  I did, however, set a goal for 2016.

The beauty of a goal is I have 12 months plus 1 whole extra day as it's a Leap Year!!!!  The beauty of my goal is I don't have to complete it within x-number of days.

My 2016 goal is to print my Ireland photos, buy a scrapbook, and begin scrapbooking that trip.

I am contemplating buying an 8-1/2 by 11 scrapbook.  A) It's a standard paper size and B) I have always wanted to do one this size.

Decisions.  Decisions.

I did download 94% of my photos to the Walgreens website.  I suppose this is a step in the right direction.

Christmas supper

My poor brother had to endure numerous foodie photos when mom and I were touring Ireland.  Since he did not get to experience Irish cuisine, I made him my favorite Irish dish...baked cod, mushy peas and mashed potatoes. 

Ireland: Saturday, October 24th

They call sleeping in “lie-in.”

Tonight is their fall-back night.  We will set our clocks back 1 hour. 

The Monday following their clock-turning-back is always a Bank Holiday.  On this particular bank holiday, they are running a marathon in Dublin so there’s a chance that we (all the people on the tour who are departing on Monday) will have to leave for the airport at 6:45 a.m.  The city closes the streets around the hotel for the marathon.

When we stopped in the town of Donegal for lunch and shopping, our guide directed us to a smallish shop which really didn’t have many gluten-free options aside from some snack bars. Knowing that this sometimes happens, I had resigned myself to consuming multiple packs of the delicious snacks called “Nibbles.”  {I’m hoping I can get these in the States.}  Before purchasing all the Nibbles I would need, we inquired of the clerk about other gluten-free options in town.  She sent us to Toni’s Bistro.  It was a bit of a walk but nothing too serious.

Toni’s was worth the hike!!!  The fish and chips was amazingly fresh!!!  My “fish and chips” was cod, mashed potatoes, steamed carrots, and mushy peas.  The kitchen staff made me a delightful mocha topped with one of those trademark Irish frothed milk designs that I described in my last post. 

After lunch, we walked off what we ate by perusing the cute little shops.  In my attempt to procure a souvenir for my friend Nancy, I found a delightful altered book about friendship, only to flip the book over and read “Made in the USA – Kansas.” 

Tonight we stayed at a 120-year old hotel.  It’s been owned by the same family and passed down through the generations.  We were in Room 101.  The old-fashioned furnishing warmed my heart as did the easy to figure out shower. 

Ireland: Friday, October 23rd

Today’s weather is cold, rainy, and blustery.

We made our way to Kylemore Abbey.  Tucked back in a wooded area inbetween two small mountains.  The abbey sits next to a calm, quiet lake. 

We began our tour with a stop at Mitchell’s Café.  Mom and I enjoyed little snacks and coffee for me and tea for her.

From the café, we donned our raincoats and umbrellas and made a mad dash to the abbey.

From the abbey, we walked down the garden bus stop.  We waited and waited and waited.  No bus.  Upon re-boarding with our fellow travelers, we were informed (by Anne) that they stop the garden tours during mass.

Our next adventure – Galway

Mom and I choose to not do many of the extras.  Tonight we would be on our own in town.

We rode the bus back to the hotel and dropped off our stuff.  We, then, paid 2 euro to ride the two-decker public bus from the hotel stop in to the city.  We met up with Christine and Jimmy for the exciting bus ride back in to town.  Our bus number was 409. 

My mom had never been on a public bus.  This was a first for her.  Me – being the city gal – had taken a public bus in Chicago. 

Mom and I got off the bus in Eyre Square – a shopping district.

We enjoyed supper at Food 4 Thought.  Fish pie and decaf mocha for me.  The mocha maker created a lovely design in the frothed milk.  I love that about Ireland – if you order a “hipster” drink, they do something fabulous with the froth.  Hearts, smiles, winks.

Mom ordered the shepherd’s pie only to discover it was made with a tomato base.  We swapped. 

After supper, we shopped.  I managed to find 2 euro sliver knot earrings at Dunnes Department Store.

Mom and I stopped at Butler’s Café for hot chocolate.  When I inquired about how they make their hot chocolate, the café worker took me to a crockpot with thick melted chocolate.  She informed me that they mix the melted chocolate with steamed milk.  4 words:  Party in my mouth!!!  I will never ever be able to drink Swiss Miss again.  This hot chocolate was amazing and totally worth 3-1/2 euro.

After hot chocolate consumption, we meandered about town – through sweater stores and other woolen goods shops.  We saw a couple of street performers.  Two gals – one playing the accordion (which they call a smash box) and one keeping time. 

After all of our shopping, we managed to make it back to the bus stop and find our bus (409).  We went back to the hotel and donned our swimsuits and swimcaps and went for a swim in the hotel’s lovely pool.

Ireland: Thursday, October 22nd

Hawthorne trees are called “Fairy trees.”  A circle of these trees is called a “Fairy grove.”  Typically these circles are found near wells or graves.  Irish people are very superstitious.  They believe no harm should befall these trees.

Today we went to the Cliffs of Moher.  My travel journal says…

Lots of climbing and walking

No coffee at the Cliffs stop – it was much too late in the day

Puffins hang-out at the Cliffs of Moher from May to September.

After we left the Cliffs, we stopped at a lovely abandoned abbey.  Celtic crosses and graves dating back to the 1600’s. 

We ended this day in Galway where we will be for two nights.  It’s soo nice staying at the same hotel for 2 nights in a row because we do not have to unpack and check to see that our luggage is re-packed and ready to go before breakfast.

Sweater weather and a winter storm watch

Sweater weather - it looks like it's here to stay!!!!!  Hip Hip Hooray!!!!

We are also under a winter storm watch...and we may see anywhere from 1 to 11 inches of snow.  Joy!  Actually this is joy because I am wearing my cashmere-wool blend scarf and gloves.  Not the gloves right now while I am typing...but earlier today when I was walking from Rosie in to work.  

Ireland: Bunratty Castle

I loved our morning at Bunratty Castle.  It was sweater weather.  It was morning time.  They had fresh coffee.  I was in Ireland with my mom.  What more could a girl want???

The original owners of the castle gave the castle to the People of Ireland (this is commonly done) with the stipulation that all the original contents remain.  

Bunratty castle had a dungeon.  There were 12 steps and after the 12th step, there was a 15' drop.  I did not go down the steps lest I lost track of what step I was on and down I would fall.  

The fireplace inside the castle was huge.  Mom and I stood inside it and had our picture taken.  I would upload this photo and insert it here but the computer I am working on is not cooperating with uploading.  

It's not my computer - I'm at the library.  My computer is "sick."  I do not believe it has completely perished.  I believe (and hope!) my brother can use the reboot disks and resurrect my computer back to its former working status.  For now - I'm at the library.

Back to Bunratty...  Mom and I meandered around the "village" that was setup surrounding the castle.  The castle was completely self-sufficient.  It was interesting to walk around the grounds and take in the different servants' homes and the farmyard areas.  They had 3 deer in captivity.  

I've never been deer hunting before...so imagine my surprise when we were looking inside one of the homes and I hear a loud "moo-ing" sound from the fenced in yard next door.  It wasn't a real moo...it was more of a bellow.

I did grow-up in the country and I saw my fair share of deer...and I even watched Bambi.  I know the lyrics to "Doe - a deer.  A female deer."  But never ever had I heard a male deer "calling" to the females.  

The bellower totally had the advantage because there was a fence.  Her options were limited.  It was this guy or no guy.  I think maybe she had that figured out because she did not seem one bit impressed with the big fellow's call. 

Deer are soo beautiful and to see them so close up.  It was intriguing to watch them interact.

Since I'm not a hunter, I emailed the hunter in my life and inquired, "Do our deer in the States do this too???"  He assured me they, indeed, do.  I felt like such a city gal at that moment.  

I'm not sure if I could go deer hunting.  Wait - let me rephrase that.  I'm sure I can go deer hunting.  I'm not sure if I could shoot Bambi.  I mean, if that's the only food that was available, give me a gun because I heart food.  But I have fresh chicken and fish to choose from...soooo me not shooting some sweet brown-eyed deer sounds like a good plan for today.  Take away the chicken and frozen fish and I may sing another tune.  Bang!  Bang!  

Thus ends our adventures are Bunratty Castle...

Ireland Adventure: the City of Limerick

Limerick is the 3rd largest city in Ireland.  The population is roughly 95,000.

The musical group The Cranberries are from Limerick.

Limerick is known as "Pig City" because of its popular bacon.

Ireland: Wednesday, October 20th

There are 7 million sheep in Ireland.  I just wanted to bring one of them home with me.  Just one little, fluffy Irish sheep...to shave bald and spin his/her wool into beautiful yarn and to knit my life away.  *Sigh*  Customs has this thing about allowed sheep into the U.S.  RUDE, right?  :)

In Ireland there was actually more sheep than people.  Isn't that adorbs?  I thought so.

While on the Dingle Peninsula, when we stopped on Inch Beach, we learned that the next continent to our east was the United States.  We couldn't see the United States from Inch Beach but it was comforting knowing that those people I know and love were LITERALLY right across the pond.

In Ireland, if you post a letter to be delivered in Ireland, the letter will get to its recipient the very next day.  (Take note, US Postal Service!  hahahahaha - Take note...no pun intended.)

Postcards are 1.05 euro which is about $1.20ish US.

We stopped on the Dingle Peninsula for lunch.  There was only one (1) gluten-free fish and chips place it did not open until 5:30 p.m.  It was 12:30 when we stopped.

Mom and I walked to the local bank and exchanged the rest of our US currency.  

Our tour guide, Jill, suggested ice cream at Murphy's so we stopped.  They let us taste several flavors.  I opted for strawberry and chocolate.  It was 4 euro but worth every penny!  Mmmmm...  My pastor's wife told me to try their ice cream.  I am soo glad I listened to her advice and tried it!  

Their ice cream (and food, in general) is not sickening sweet.  In the US, I think we over-sweeten things until we are sooo far removed from the original flavor that we just accept the sickening sweet taste as it is what it is.  It's not!  WAKE-UP, AMERICA!!!!!  

In Ireland, they do not use corn syrup.  This was refreshing.

After our ice cream break and our lack of finding anything gluten-free, we walked to Super Valu where I bought some nail polish remover before heading to the bus.

And then we were off to another adventure...

Ireland: Ring of Kerry

Have you noticed that I've stopped labeling my posts with the day number?  I have.  It's easier.  I'm just pulling things from my travel journal so that you can enjoy the journey with me.

The Ring of Kerry.

I'm sad to say that we were a week late and had just missed out on seeing the filming of the new Star Wars movie.  Being a gal who loves Star Wars, this was sad news.  But I can now watch the new Star Wars and know that I was soooo close to where they filmed a portion of this movie.

Oh - the movie was filmed on Skellig Rocks.

The Ring of Kerry is 112 miles around.

Charter buses must travel counter clockwise - no exceptions.  The road was narrow and 2 charter buses cannot pass.

We learned Ireland does not have a deer hunting season.  I found this interesting and let the hunter in my life know that when the deer population is out of control, they give the park rangers permission to "Seek A Deer."  One of the rules for this "Seek A Deer" is the rangers are not allowed to remove the deceased deer.  The deceased is left for the eagles to dine on.  Interesting.

They have 2 fishing seasons.  Salmon which is from January 17th to September 30th.  And trout season which is February 12th through October 12th.

We had the most amazing fish while in Ireland but more on that later...

You cannot cut down and remove trees.  The part district wants the trees to fall and rot and regenerate the earth.  

On the day we did the Ring of Kerry tour, mom and I also did a boat trip.  We rode on a 36 ton iron boat.  It took us around a smallish lake which was located adjacent to the Ring of Kerry.  

While on the boat trip, we learned there was an abandoned coal mine.  The ground in the area is full of limestone and sandstone.  The mine collapsed due to the abundance of limestone which lended to instability of the walls.

Ireland Adventures: Blarney Castle

The steps to the top of the Blarney Castle were ridiculously steep and uneven.  The stairway was circular and had I not carried on a silly motivational conversation with myself inside my head, I may have been tempted to turn around.

In front of me was a group of 8 American males who were daring one another to kiss the stone.  These guys made the climb to the top bearable.

Halfway up - you have one option to turn around and head back.  Mom choose that option.  The steps really were uneven and there was no end in sight.  It's not like they post a sign that says "156 more steps to the top."  We had no way of knowing and I would've much rather had her turned around and been comfortable for the rest of the trip rather than injured.  

The top wasn't nearly as impressive as I had envisioned.  

It was a castle.  And yes, the view was amazing...but still...the stone...the Blarney stone that everyone talks about...meh.  It was just a part of the castle.  The legend says that if you kiss it, you will have the gift of gab.

Guess what, blog-stalkers?  I already have the gift.  I don't need to go and kiss some germ-infested part of a castle wall.  I'm not a germophobe...I just didn't want to kiss a stone.  Bleh.

The walk down was much easier.

After meeting up with mom, we headed to the cafe for some nourishment.  I enjoyed a bowl of tomato soup, a bag of potato chips and some water.  

The Lord blessed us with a beautiful sunshiny day to enjoy this castle.

Waterford, Ireland Pictures

Random Ireland Photos

These are from Day #1 in Dublin.

Coffee...
A taxi ride to...
THE CONSTANT KNITTER yarn store.  ♡

Random Ireland Photos

Ireland: Time

"Half 11-ish" is 11:30.

Ireland: Day 2a...Waterford

On Monday, we also toured Waterford Crystal.  While there we watched the entire procedure from the blowing of the glass to the sanding and grinding and lastly the etching. 

The furnaces that are used to blow the glass take 1 week to cool down before maintenance is performed.  Then there’s a week for maintenance…and then another week to reheat.

The temp of the furnace is 1040 degrees Celsius.

They use wooden molds to “shape” the glass while blowing it.  Each mold is made of pear wood and has a life span of 7 days.

Each etcher has to work 5 years to be a craftsman and an additional 5 years to be a master.

They have 1 year between each 5-year span to make a bowl to show their skills.  If they aren’t able to make the bowl within the year, they have to start over.

Ireland: Day 2

The most un-nerving thing about our trip was the wake-up phone calls. 

1. Our wake-up calls were scheduled between 5:30 and 6 a.m. which would be 11:30 p.m. and 12-midnight had we been in the States.
2. The ringers were typically FULL BLAST.

The only saving grace was the adorable Irish accent saying, “Jolly day!  Good morning!”

So enough about wake-up calls – loud ringers – delightful Irish accents…

Day #2 had us hitting the ground running.

Let me just go on record as having said how thankful I am that my friend Nancy made me a travel journal where I could scribble random notes and thoughts and interesting facts.  Here’s what I have for Day #2…

Museum – Dead zoo

The police are unarmed.  Detectives are armed.

The Vikings founded Dublin.  The city was originally walled.  People moved outside of the walls to avoid taxation.

Quays – “keys” at the river

There are more public parks in Dublin than in any other area of Ireland.

The phrase “He’s the biggest codfish!” means “He’s a knucklehead!”

Towns ending in –ford were founded by Vikings when they plundered and raided.

A lezzzzzure center is a gym / fitness center.

Jaunty carts are horse and carriages.

Mobile phones – they say “Mow-bile.”  Infinity texting is unlimited.

Their farms are typically 70-80 acres.

They get approximately 40” of rain per year.

They have limestone in their soil.

Hedgerows are found in Southern Ireland

Stone rows are found in Northern Ireland

Ireland: Day 1

Date:  Friday, September 16, 2015

This day began with a quick trip to the gym - followed by a stop at Meijer's to purchase some last minute items (including a blanket scarf for my mom to wear during our flight).  

Upon returning home, I once again went through my suitcase and purged 5 to 7 items that I really didn't need.  "Keep it simple, Angie Good" was my mantra.  I did not need 3 sweaters.  One sweater would suffice - when turns out 2 sweaters would've been perfect...live and learn.  A shout out to Pinterest for helping me stay focused during packing.  Black, white, and gray with colorful accessories.

The suitcase shut and I did not have to sit on it to get it zipped.  My fear of having HEAVY luggage and a ridiculous $100 heavy fee kept my wardrobe confined to the bare minimum.  Also - my friend Debbie had said, "If you get there and need something you left at home, just buy it in Ireland and then it becomes a souvenir."  

At 10 a.m. - with the time winding down to our 11:30 pick-up - I ran to Target to purchase 2 luggage tags.  One for my suitcase and one tag for the suitcase that we might need to purchase should we get out of control purchasing yarn and sweaters.  Preparation is the KEY...or so I am told.

Our chauffer arrived and delivered us to the VanGalder bus terminal where we happily waited for our 12 'noon bus which would transport us to O'Hare Airport.

The bus ride to O'Hare was not a bit memorable.  I remember snapping a picture outside of the VanGalder terminal and hugging Lori goodbye and purchasing our bus tickets and sitting and waiting.  I don't remember a single eventful thing happening once we were on the VanGalder.  Maybe it's because it was a blur in a series of events taking us to Ireland?  No idea.

We arrived at the airport and were guided to our terminal where we got checked in and waited.  During our wait, we met a lovely gentleman from Ireland who answered our somewhat touristy questions and gave us some insight to what extra activities would be well worth our money and the experience.  He suggested the Jaunty Cart Ride (horse and carriage) and the Saturday outing which would take us in to Northern Ireland.

Our flight began to board about 45 minutes before departure.  The line was somewhat tedious but it didn't matter because the American Airlines airplane was about to take us across the pond to Ireland!!!

Once on board we got situated and listened to the emergency exit speech.  It's a nice notion that they have those cute yellow rafts...but would those rafts really take us to shore should our plane have to land in the Atlantic?  I had no clue.

Bryan and I had a system worked out.  I would text him "No bueno" if something was wrong with our aircraft and it looked like we were going down.  No bueno turned in to mom-and-my mantra at Goodwill when stuff was NOT GOOD.  You know the things - the articles of clothing that were once "cool" (and I use that term LOOSELY!) in circa 1947...somehow now some gal somewhere thinks "vintage."  We think NO bueno.

I digress.

The only glitch during our flight was our travel agent did not order us gluten-free.  Thankfully - THANKFULLY - my friends Patty & Ruthie supplied me with a box of granola bars.  Dark chocolate and dried fruits and nuts.  Mom had brought some fruit.  Needless to say - the gluten-filled food smelled deeeelish.  Have you ever noticed that?  Something that you aren't / can't eat smells good when you are hungry.  Luckily the flight attendants kept serving water and beverages so I was able to fill up on good ol' H2O and those granola bars.  I believe I consumed all but 1 granola bar.

Mark my words - the minute we landed - my first order of business was going online to American Airline's website and attempting to select our gluten-free meal for the return flight home.  This did not work because I did not procure the tickets so I had to send several frantic emails to our travel agent in Tennessee.  Three days and 3 emails later and our meals were switched for the flight home.  (Yeah!)

When we landed in Dublin, we met a couple people from our group.  We were delivered to our hotel - the Ballsbridge.  We were checked-in and given a couple hours at our leisure.  

We managed to find a grocery store to buy some breakfast/lunch/dinner...I'm not sure what meal to label that as we had been up for 18 hours at this point and everything was kind of hazy.

We purchased the most delicious - or maybe they were the most delicious at the moment because of our hunger - rice cakes which were topped with yogurt.  Talk about a party in your mouth!!!  I'm hoping Amazon carries these!!!

We hailed a taxi to take us to The Constant Knitter yarn shop located at 88 Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland.  Our driver was a chatty fellow giving us random pieces of history before depositing us at 88 Francis Street.

The store was every bit as quaint as you would imagine an Irish yarn store to be.  Quaint in a delightful and charming sort of way.  

The owner was a warm, inviting gal who left us to our own yarn perusal.  She answered our questions as they arose.  

Our time before supper was running out so we hailed another cab and headed back to the hotel.  When we got back, I remember thinking, We have an hour...60 minutes of beautiful sleep before supper...but then I came to my senses and realized that a nap would be a very bad idea.  MUST. STAY. AWAKE.

Supper that evening was an introductory meal where we met our tour guide, Jill, and our driver, Jimmy.  It was immediate like! They were both personable and helpful.

We enjoyed supper onboard a river boat.  The meal was exquisite.  What did I eat?  I cannot remember.  At this point in the trip, I was not keeping a photo food log...more on that around day 3.  Sorry...you just will have to wait.

Kudos to the tour group who realized we would all be tired - supper was "early" and we were delivered back to our hotel early for a wonderful night of sweet slumber.

I fell into bed exhausted but energized because after 12 months of saving and planning, I, Angie Good, was in Dublin, Ireland for a 10 day visit to a country that I have only ever viewed on sappy chick flicks or PBS specials.

Someone asked me why I choose Ireland.  I'm not Irish.  I don't really have any Irish descendants.  I choose Ireland...because I think as a child, I had written a report or watched a documentary on Ireland and I had fallen in love with it.  

I'm soo thankful that my mom was in good health and able to go with me on this glorious adventure.  We made so many memories and I'm super excited to be able to share them with you.

Enjoy the trip...

Ireland

Sooo I've been contemplating how I want to go about blogging my Ireland adventure.  I'm thinking I will blog chronologically...but I make no promises as soo many fun things happened during our 10-day stay that I might start out chronologically and forget something delightful thus having to amend my previous post.  My apologies when (note:  not IF) this happens.