Trip to Ireland - Day 9 - Train back to Dublin

Today was my last day with the tour group. Part of me couldn't wait and part of me was quite sad. I had made friends with everybody in the group and I am going to miss them. I also wish I had more time to see the rest of Ireland with them as they go to Dingle and Cork. It was a good group and they all feel like family. As I left they all gave me big hugs, even the guys. The Australians even gave me a kiss on the cheek.

This morning we went and saw some more cliffs in a small sleepy town called Kilkee. The energy of the ocean was amazing and it was quite a site to see massive waves crashing into the rocks. There was that big storm that came through and it's made for some very big waves.

We caught a small ferry that lasted about 20 minutes. Great for people watching. There was a motor home pulling this iddy bitty car looking thing. It looked more like a windup toy. Found out it's called a Peel Trident and only 45 were ever made. Here's a photo because you just need to see it. :)

I guess another highlight on the ferry ride was the 3 German guys who seemed to take a liking to me. They spoke just enough English to say hello and how are ya. After that it was all smiles and waves. The rest of my group enjoyed watching these German guys watch me. As one of the Australians put it, "it was if they'd never seen a pretty girl before." It was fun, especially knowing that nothing would come of it.

About lunch time we stopped off in a small town called Tralee. It was time for me to catch my train. I said my goodbyes and got on a nice train. I do love trains. This one was more of a commuter type train and not built for excessive comfort,though it was comfortable enough. Watching the countryside go by and overhearing different conversations was grand fun. There were quite a few different Irish accents floating around depending on where in Ireland they're from, especially in Northern Ireland.

Made it to Dublin just fine. Found something to eat and checked into my hostel. It's right by a busy road so we'll see if I get any sleep tonight, but the location is prime and the hot shower was one of the best I've had yet. I'm rooming with 2 Germans and an Australian. Nice girls. The hostel has a fun flavor and it's fun to see where everybody's from. We all have the love of travel in common and it makes for a comfortable atmosphere. I feel like people get me here because they are the same way. :-)

Oh kind of a fun thing they told us about on the tour. There is a man here named Willie Daly and he is an old Irish matchmaker. He's from this little town, but people from around the world work with him. He puts on this matchmaking festival every year and apparently he's quite successful in what he does. Apparently it's in his genes. His father and grandfather were also matchmakers. To keep up with the times he even has a website. :-) Anyway... I got teased about getting with the matchmaker to find me a match. You wouldn't believe it...everyone on the tour wants me to keep in touch and keep them posted on my relationship status. Too funny. 


Here's another Irish blessing

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow
For every tear, a smile
For every care, a promise
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem that life sends
A faithful friend to share
For every sigh, a sweet song
And an answer to each prayer.

Trip to Ireland - Day 6 - Weavers, Waterfalls, and Cliffs

Today was a good day. Well all my days have been good days here. Nothing really exists outside Ireland right now. Not work, boys, or any other worry. It's quite lovely really and one of the main reasons I love to travel. I get to leave it all behind and be carefree.

I sleep so well here. it's probably due to exhaustion and the sea air, but I melt into bed every night and don't even remember dreaming. I only wish I could sleep a bit longer, but I can do that when I get home. There's too much to see and do here.

First thing this morning we saw an old weaver who has been using his homemade loom for over 50 years. He explained the process and how everything worked. He showed us how the different patterns were created and how he could make over 4 meters of weave in an hour. He then sends it off to be tailored into suits, hats, and lots of other things. He was truly fascinating and it was amazing to watch him work. Weaving is becoming a lost art.

On our drive to Sligo, we happened upon a spontaneous waterfall. I guess that's what happens when it rains so much. It was big and coming down fast. I tell you what... We are all over the cheap thrills. The sheep, the waterfalls, thatched roofs, castles and rainbows. :-) They are almost everywhere. No wonder there's talk of fairies and little people. This place is quite enchanting. Our poor tour guide has to pullover quite a bit for us to take pictures, but he's quite good about it.

Field for drying turf. Turf is burned to use for heat and fuel.

We will see the Cliffs of Mohor in a few days, but today we saw the tallest cliffs in Europe, the Slieve League. They are over 600 meters high and coach buses can't make it to them. So we were some of the few people there. They were beautiful and quite the sight to behold. They don't quite drop straight down like the Cliffs of Mohor, but they are still quite impressive. The weather was gorgeous and we took lots and lots of photos.

Our guide is really into Neolithic stone forts and tombs. I guess there's over 400 that dot the island and that's only the ones they've discovered so far. We stopped by another huge one and they truly are a sight to see. Yes, they are just a pile of giant rocks stacked on top of each other, surrounded by thousands of smaller rocks. But when you consider how they got there, how old they are, and how in the world they were able to stack these massive rocks on top of each other, it's truly an amazing site.

I think most of us are a bit warn out. I think we all dozed off for a bit in the jeep while we were driving. We might need a vacation from our vacation.:-)

Tomorrow is day 5 of the group tour and half of our group is leaving. A few of them I will miss quite a lot. The one Australian who came on her own, Jennifer, I will miss quite a bit. She's such a classy lady and has been such great company. She's going to rent a car and spend 10 days traveling around the rest of the island on her own. She's got to be in her mid 60's, but she's still just as adventurous as ever. 


Irish blessing for the day:  

May the frost never afflict your spuds.
May the leaves of your cabbage always be free from worms.
May the crows never pick your haystack.
If you inherit a donkey, may she be in foal.

Trip to Ireland - Day 5 - Derry, Castles, and Forts..oh my!

My hair has been a mess most days.
Seriously, with the scattered rain, the intense wind, and the humidity - it just has a craziness about it. I actually have been just enjoying it. I don't care and it's nice to NOT have to care. :)

 We drove onto a gorgeous beach yesterday and just walked along the sand. We were the only ones there except for a man and his two dogs. Because of the rain we got the day before there were waterfalls and it had created a small river on the beach. This guy was so sweet and was giving rides across it with his jeep. The Irish hospitality and generosity is everywhere. We, Americans, could learn a few things.

The whole Vagabond group

Random Beach Lookout spot.

The three solo travelers in our group.

We stopped off in the walled city of Derry/Londonderry and did a walking tour to get the history. We also got an in-depth look at the site where Bloody Sunday took place. Lots to take in. Well worth the time though. Beautiful city. I could have spent a lot more time there. 

  

Bloody Sunday Mural taken from newspaper clipping

Beautiful flower garden in downtown Derry/Londonderry

Soup and wheat bread was my lunch most days. Yum!

We went inland and drove across rugged, rocky land. Still green, but different then what we had been seeing. We visited yet another old Neolithic ring fort up on top of a large hill. The view was amazing. We soon saw a storm quickly moving in and we barely made it to the car before it was a downpour. Don't worry though it only lasted 5 minutes and the strong wind blew it off. The whole concept of scattered rain showers has new meaning. The weather has been mostly rainy, but we find ourselves not even noticing or caring anymore. It's just part of this beautiful country and we are embracing it. As our guide says, before we know it we'll be sleepin' in our rain gear.

 

We also visited a castle not far from Donegal. It was pretty spectacular. Out in the middle of no where and overlooking a large loch (lake). It was quite fascinating. My pictures of the castle didn't really turn out, but here are a few of the gardens out back.

Jennifer was so classy and cute!

Heated swimming pool out by the lake.

Half shower walls

I don't know why but a lot of the showers have only half a shower wall. It's in a bath tub, but it has only half a shower door that covers half the length of the tub. Not quite sure about the logic behind that one. Makes for some interesting shower maneuvering so that the water stays in the tub and not all over the floor. If someone knows why only half...please fill me in. :)

Tomorrow we are stopping by a weaver's to see how he makes scarfs and such. We might even get a chance to do a bit of shopping.

Our tour group is becoming quite close and we enjoy each others company quite a lot. Some will be leaving in a few days and that will be sad to see them go. It has been a gift to know them though.

Here's my Irish blessing of the day:

May good luck be your friend
In whatever you do
And may trouble be always
A stranger to you