Europe, Fall 2014

Spent the day inKillarney National Park.   Took a jaunting ride, walked to Torks Falls and then did a tour of the Muckross House.  Ended the day at Kennedys Pub, where we once again ran into Helen and Morris whom we had met in two previous pubs.  Morris had told me at the second pub that it was an Irish tradition to buy a round the third time that anyone met at a pub.

Sunday, Oct 26, Dingle Today we explored the Dingle peninsula and it was gorgeous. At the end of the peninsula is the raw Atlantic Ocean. It was rough and pounding on the rocks. The road at that point was one lane and narrow, hugging the cliff face. If it weren't for a 2' wall on the outside of the road, it would have been a harrowing drive. As it was, Cindy said very little. We went back to the Marina Inn for dinner once again and it was open session night for traditional music. We ate and listened to music from about 5:30 until 9, then walked around town a bit more before heading back to the house.

Saturday 10/25 We had an early breakfast (8am) said goodbye to Tom and Chris and headed to Kilmare and the Ring of Kerry. I'll let pictures speak here but it was spectacular. We arrived in Dingle and again had a bit of trouble finding our house but eventually we did and were warmly greeted by Mauriean(?) her daughter, two sons and a dog. The house was beautiful and Maurean was very sociable and helpful. I asked the younger son Ronan, I guess he is about 6 of 7, to explain to me the sport of hurling, which is ver popular in Ireland. He ran to his room and brought back his stick and ball and explained the game fully. When he started swinging the bat around the kitchen his mom got a little nervous and took it away, then SHE started explaining the game. Maurean suggested a pub in town and described the doorman. She said his name was Dave and we should tell him we're staying with her and he'll be sure to take care of us. We did and he sat us down next to the fireplace,...

Cashel and Kinsale, Thursday Oct 23 Left Kilkenny and spent most of the day at the Rock of Cashel before leaving for Kinsale. Eventually found "The Olde Bakery" in Kinsale and was met by Chris who showed me where to park before we entered the B&B. Easily in her mid seventies, she was the wife side of the owners, Chris and Tom. It was a very narrow street and I was parallel parking along a wall, trying to get as close to it as I could after letting Cindy out. Trouble was, Chris was standing on the wall side directing me in and didn't quite realize I would crush her if I moved closer like she was suggesting. Finally we got it all figured out and she said "Beautiful parking job, I couldn't have done better myself and I haven't driven a day in my life." And thus began our two night stay in Kinsale. At one point the Olde Bakery was actually a bakery but hasn't been so since 1921. Seems it supplied the bread to the english army and when the wa...

Breakfast was late and leisurely and our great host insisted on telling us everything we would ever want to know about Kilkenny, beginning in the 13th century. We finally got out of the house by 10:45am, late for us, and headed into town. First stop was the Kilkenny Castle and stables, then we walked down the street a bit further and did the Smithwicks Brewery Tour. After that we had lunch at Kyleters (thats wrong, I need to check the name) but it is a 13th century building and bar and it was great. Cindy had Irish stew and I had fish and chips. We walked back to move the car since we had to feed the machine. Did some further walking around and went back to Kyleters at 7pm because the music was starting at 7:30. Listening to traditional Irish music in a 13th century pub which drinking Guiness. I do not think it gets any better than that. It was a duo and they each played a variety of instruments. At 9:30 when the music ended we walked around some more looking for a place to g...

After a weekend in Phoenix, Nick took us to the airport Monday morning at 6:30am for an 8am flight. Realized at the airport I had left my cell phone at his house. Decided it was going to be an old fashioned 20th century trip to Europe and that not having a cell phone was a first world problem that I wasn't going to worry about. The flight to Chicago was uneventful and with 2.5 hours between flights we leisurely found our new terminal and gate. We again packed light, with only carry-ons. Boarded the Are Lingus flight to Dublin at about 4pm and the plane was as empty as I have ever seen a plane that size. There were many of the 4 seat across middle rows completely empty so Cindy and I jumped over and grabbed a row. We shared one, though we each could have had our own. Again, the flight was uneventful even though the captain warned of turbulence on the approach into Dublin. No line to get through customs and have our passport checked. They never did check our bags, but maybe...