We made it to the emerald isle. After our flight was delayed in TO for 2 hours (due to a customs inspection!), we finally got underway and flew across the Atlantic overnight. Our final destination was Shannon Airport (near Limerick), where we picked up our rental car and headed out to the Cliffs of Mohr.
Mom drove first, while I was in the driver's seat navigating and gripping the door handle as we got used to driving on the other side of the road. Once we got up nearer to the Cliffs, the roads got narrower and narrower, so I was gripping the door harder and harder, and Mom was dropping the "f" bomb more and more. The scenery was breathtaking, including the most beautiful and rugged golf course I've ever seen...overlooking the ocean, with rocks, hills, and blustery weather.
The Cliffs of Mohr, once we arrived, were truly breathtaking. The weather was gray, blustery, and rainy, which seem totally fitting when looking at these Cliffs that had been worn out of the rock over millions of years.
After the Cliffs, we drove along the coast for aways, and into The Burrens. The Burrens are limestone formations that cover the landscape. This is when the driving got truly terrifying. Picture the narrowest road you've driven on in Canada, then cut it by at least a third, then put rock walls on both sides, and cover them with large bushes that creep out towards the roadway. Then, try to drive one way with a car coming towards you at 100 km per hour, around curving, hilly roads.
Luckily we could laugh about it was we took a set of hairpin turns down a hillside into the heart of the Burrens. And, when we got to our Clappabaigh(?) B&B outside of Ballyvaughan, the first thing we asked was where we could find a drink. Of course, after being up for over 24 hours, we were cheap drunks that were sleeping in bed by 9:00.
I, of course, was up the next morning at 7:15 to take pictures of the rolling limestone hills surrounding the B&B to catch the morning light. It was just me and the cows.
After a huge breakfast, we headed out of The Burrens on even narrower roads and back towards Limerick to Adare. Adare is a very quaint town with thatched roof cottages, a 1230 RC Church, and a set of gorgeous ruins. We took the tour for Castle Adare, a partially restored castle ruin from about the 1100s. The tour guide had a Masters in Medieval history, so the tour was completely engaging. (And, yes, pictures to follow.)
Tonight we're staying in Killarney at the KingFisher Lodge and enjoyed walking around the city centre after supper. Tomorrow, it's off to more death-defying driving around the Ring of Kerry.
More to come...when I can get hold of a computer again.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Working off some energy
We had two extra kids last night (their parents went to U2). So, in an effort to make bedtime easier, I took them to the park to run, climb, jump, and generally exhaust them.
This is a shot of the boys climbing the rope wall...they are little monkeys.
This is a shot of the boys climbing the rope wall...they are little monkeys.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The imps
We got together with two of my three brothers on Tuesday night and tried, yet again, to get a picture of all four cousins. We had three cameras going, and three adults making insane noises and funny faces to get all the kids to look up at the same time. Success was elusive, but this was the best of my lot.
I shudder to think how we're going to do this once we throw the next cousin in the mix (expected at the end of November).
I shudder to think how we're going to do this once we throw the next cousin in the mix (expected at the end of November).
Grade 3
This was Faith's easiest first day of school ever. She made the token protest about the end to her summer, but she was happy about her grade 3 teacher, happy that her best school friend was in her class, and generally very laid back about the whole experience.
The original plan was for George to drop her off in the parking lot at school so she could take off, and he could hand over Blake to our sitter. But, our sitter had to be at the other side of the school by the grade 3 door, so George, Faith, and Blake trotted through the playground together. Faith was not really happy about this..."What if you're the only parent? I'll be embarrassed." Uh-oh. Soon, she'll be walking 15 steps ahead to pretend she doesn't know us.
She informed me after school that her teacher "likes FUN", and that she was very happy with her first day.
Whew! That was easy. Now here's hoping the trend continues for the other 200 odd days.
The original plan was for George to drop her off in the parking lot at school so she could take off, and he could hand over Blake to our sitter. But, our sitter had to be at the other side of the school by the grade 3 door, so George, Faith, and Blake trotted through the playground together. Faith was not really happy about this..."What if you're the only parent? I'll be embarrassed." Uh-oh. Soon, she'll be walking 15 steps ahead to pretend she doesn't know us.
She informed me after school that her teacher "likes FUN", and that she was very happy with her first day.
Whew! That was easy. Now here's hoping the trend continues for the other 200 odd days.
Last days of summer
After spending part of our long weekend at the my parents, we spent the rest of it at home puttering about and generally being pretty lazy. I had great intentions of getting a whole list of to dos done. But, the weather was nice, we didn't need to be anywhere, we had lots of books to read, and some very comfy outdoor furniture to sit on. Throw in a bottle of wine or two, and it was pretty much the perfect end to the summer.
(Faith is reading a book from the Chronicles of Narnia...when did she get so big?)
(Faith is reading a book from the Chronicles of Narnia...when did she get so big?)
Monday, September 07, 2009
Red ribbons
Faith cemented her love of all things horse on Friday when she entered the horse show at my hometown fair. More precisely, her Grampa entered her in the Fair, and she enthusiastically went along for the ride.
Her first class was the carriage driving class for the under 12 set. She was the youngest one in the class, driving the biggest carriage, and the biggest horse (Sheba). My dad rode along (they had to be accompanied by an adult).
And, yes I'm biased, but it was pretty impressive watching her drive around the ring so quickly (not like Calgary Stampede fast, but fast enough!). She was extremely serious as she concentrated on her driving, while Grampa gave her a few pointers along the way.
When she pulled into the first spot for the class, we were totally ecstatic (including the Great-grands, and Great-Aunt Marg, who were all in the cheering section). My Dad, in his usual way, showed his happiness by shedding tears (yes...multiple tears, in succession, which he later denied).
Faith also entered a costume class (for fun), a riding class, and a lead line class. She ended up with 3 red ribbons, and one third, and $70 worth of prizes. On our way home she stated that she wanted to win more red ribbons next year. She is definitely addicted.
Her first class was the carriage driving class for the under 12 set. She was the youngest one in the class, driving the biggest carriage, and the biggest horse (Sheba). My dad rode along (they had to be accompanied by an adult).
And, yes I'm biased, but it was pretty impressive watching her drive around the ring so quickly (not like Calgary Stampede fast, but fast enough!). She was extremely serious as she concentrated on her driving, while Grampa gave her a few pointers along the way.
When she pulled into the first spot for the class, we were totally ecstatic (including the Great-grands, and Great-Aunt Marg, who were all in the cheering section). My Dad, in his usual way, showed his happiness by shedding tears (yes...multiple tears, in succession, which he later denied).
Faith also entered a costume class (for fun), a riding class, and a lead line class. She ended up with 3 red ribbons, and one third, and $70 worth of prizes. On our way home she stated that she wanted to win more red ribbons next year. She is definitely addicted.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Up to code
Update: Yes, we did have a fire alarm start beeping at 1:30 in the morning. I heard it first, while George snored on. So, I shook him awake so we could suffer together. . He "fixed" it and we went back to bed. Uggh.
We now have all our new fire alarms/carbon monoxide detectors installed and working.
We now have all our new fire alarms/carbon monoxide detectors installed and working.
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