Exploring Ireland
Sat., July 1, 07:05 AM
Just when I thought the snide remarks had stopped and everyone had grown up, noooo thats just not possible. Just why I bothered to read for the first time in weeks I dont know, its all manipulative rubbish. At least I dont LIE to everyone I know.
There is so much to say about the last 2 months, its going to take a while. No photos on this entry, I left them all at home after carefully putting the cd aside to bring but my short term memory failed me yet again. Long term memory, theres nothing wrong with that. I remember things for years like peoples birthday and what has been said to me but remembering to put something in the car, nope, not going to happen.
I said bye to Mum on wednesday night, she was blubbering on and off for hours she didnt want to go home. I did alright until I got home and had to pick up the things left, then I had a cry.
First off, thank you to everyone who made Mums visit so memorable:
Jo Jo - cheers chick, we had a good time and Happy Birthday!
Helen - even tho you are probably not reading, thank you for picking mum up the first night and entertaining her, she was really keen on meeting you and Lotty
Lousie - pleased you could join us for dinner, shall we eat there again?
Briggsy, Milky, Bloo, Nicky, Steve and Char - had a great time on the sunday, thanks for all showing up even tho Bloo let the secret out
Shelagh and Steve - for putting mum up for a few nights, feeding and entertaining her, thank you
Helen J - Sleeping in the attic watching the rain fall on the skylight was fun, better than listening to Mums snoring!
And finally Mr and Mrs Bloo, the king and queen of hospitality. Not only did Mum stay there for a week or so, she was fed, watered with copious amounts of liquid and taken to see the various sights with detailed commentary thrown in. Thanks also for hosting the BBQ, so much food!
Right so I will go backwards in order of doing stuff. Monday and Tuesday we went to Paris. Been there done that but I was the tour guide, only got us lost once in 3 weeks and 4 countries, so thats not too bad. We did the usual, Eiffell tower, Lourve, Arc de Whatsis etc etc. Nothing wonderfully exciting to report, Mum loved it which is the main thing.
Before that we spent 5 days in Ireland, not enough by any stretch of the imagination. What a lovely country, we had a fantastic time. The hospitality we encountered was wonderful bar 1. The first place we stayed at was the best, I would thoroughly recommend Bert & Iris Neill 'Lisnamandra House' Lisnamandra, Crossdoney, Co. Cavan. Iris was so nice, we were given tea and scones on our arrival, and the next day she presented me with a little birthday cake. So sweet.
We did the family thing that day, found some graves in a very overgrown cemetary then popped in on the Radisson hotel in its unfinished state and were shown around as my great-great granfather leased land there. That was all very lovely. We then headed off the the Sheelin Lace museum which mum was dying to see and had a nosey at the so old lace dresses etc. Couldnt possibly afford anything in the shop! Then it was off to Bellek to drool over the pottery and discover why it is so exspensive, yet lovely. We did the factiry tour which was well worth the time, they take you thru each stage of production and explain in detail how everything is created. We came away clutching various pieces, I am now on the look out for a particualar pattern when I have a bit of spare cash (ahahahahaha not anytime soon).
Then we headed up to Donegal, it was ok, had a quick look at the castle, and I mean quick because it is more of a stone house with 3 rooms than a castle. I have to say something about the Irish roads. They are shite. There are only a couple of short motorways around Dublin and thats it. A bit like NZ really. The roads in the north are slightly better than in the Republic, but Co. Galway has the worst of them all. Real blader shakers those ones. I've not had to stop and find a loo as often than we did in Ireland.
Next up was Galway and the cliffs of Moher. What a sight they are. We had to clutch onto the hand rail and release our eyes from squinting position as it was gale force winds. Walking up the path tp the lookout point was a bit of a mission, leaning into the wind was the best way to go. I would recommend a trip there for anyone visiting Ireland.
That night we stayed in a B&B in Bunratty, the woman was so different to Iris in that she said I do this this and this, no more blah blah blah. Iris bent over backwards for us Bless her. Anyway next day we headed into Limerick, what a waste of time that was. Its a bit shit there, not much to see or do. Mum just loves thatched cottages so passing thru Adare I had to go round the block and back so she could take piccies. We ened up in Kilarney for lunch then investigated the tourism centre. After discovering it takes 4 hours to drive roudn the Ring of Kerry was decided to just go a short way and drive to Ladiesview. I will stop there and put piccies on tomorrow