The Last Days

It is always sad when a wonderful trip comes to an end.  This is the last day in Ireland as tomorrow we board a flight back home.  If it has to be the last day let it be in the lap of luxury.  We are staying at the K Club and it is as though we were actually part of the aristocracy.  The property is a great mansion with the most beautiful grounds.  The weather has held so everything is bathed in sunshine along the banks of the Liffey River. 

Not only can you stay here and feel royal but you can participate in the royal pastimes.  Kildare County where we are is the home of the Irish stud so, of course, we wanted to go trekking.  Fly Fishing seemed just right and it was a great time.  It is hard to learn how to cast but once mastered it is a thing of beauty.  Unfortunately we didn't seem to fool any fish except, of course, the big one that got away.

 

On a funny note and to point out some of the unusual customs of this wonderful country we learned that new drivers had to be branded somewhat like the Scarlett letter.  Here are two cars we saw parked next to each other at the K Club.

There is the Learner's Permit and the Novice Driver!

 

 

Dublin and Beyond

Dublin is a great city full of energy and entertainment!  We are staying right in the heart of it.  How much fun to walk out to see the Buskers perform and be able to shop in all the best stores. 

Dublin is also about the Cathedrals and their beauty and the distilling of whiskey and making of beer. Guinness is not just a drink but a national presence that has fostered the economic security of the country. Of course, we cannot forget the importance of the monks to this country and the Book of Kels housed at Trinity College. Outside of Dublin there is also the beauty of Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains. 

 

 
 

 

All Things Irish

Today was a glorious sunny day and time to explore all things Irish.  The most photographed castle in Ireland is the Blarney Castle.  It is beautiful and the grounds come complete with rivers, caves, flowers and a poison garden.

And if you go to Blarney Castle, of course, you must  kiss the Blarney Stone.  Little did I realize that this meant climb to the top of the tower and lean out over the murder hole. 

These pictures should give you an idea.  But the truth is in the picture taken of each person as they kiss the Blarney Stone. Here I am wondering why I am upside down...

From here we drove to Kinseale which is a charming harbor town that claims food as the reason to come since the city was originally where the Spanish imported salt and wine.  The town was lovely with a different restaurant on every corner.  Also, the flowers and brightness of the town made our stay there truly enjoyable.

From here we travelled to see the fort that guarded this area and learned about Irish military history.

 

 

 

 

From Dromoland Castle to Cork

Today we got an even better look at the beauty and the variety of the Irish countryside.  We left beautiful Dromoland Castle and headed south watching the green rolling countryside that has some of the most happy cows and fat sheep one can imagine. 

We were able to put this into perspective by a morning stop at a dairy farm where the current owner and his family had tended the land and the cows for 6 generations.

It was like having an actor recreate the toils and the joy of small farm life as he recounted the days when there were no windows as taxes were charged based on the number of windows until today when the operation is truly mechanized.  He had such joy and pride and was excited to share all with us.

 

From here we continued to Kenmare which is a beautiful small town that shows its joy with painted stores.  It offers great food and plenty of pubs!

From here we travelled on to see the environment change again as we crossed Bantry Bay.  The bay offers lovely vistas while the land along side tours above and stretches out with great vistas of mountains and cultivated fields.

 

 

The Irish Countryside

Today was spent exploring the countryside and enjoying how beautiful Ireland really is.  The prime destination today was the Cliffs of Moher.  They are really incredible.  Even though the day was overcast we could climb to the top and look down at the sheer drop. In ancient times a Castle stood guard here as in many places in Ireland.

 

 

From here we travelled through the Burren which could be an actual lunar landscape.  There are so many rocks in Ireland and they are used to form beautiful fences that dot the landscape.

Finally the day was complete with some time to explore the amazing Walled Garden at Dromoland Castle.  This is a special area that is mystical and relaxing in its beauty.  Another Irish wonder waiting to be discovered.

 

 

 

 

A First Look at Ireland

 

It's Saturday so it must be time to travel onward to Ireland.  The weather has stayed with us and the sun is still shining. 

Before leaving London there were just a couple of more sights.  I toured Westminster Abbey and was reminded again about the beauty and the importance of this building as it houses the remains of so many influential people--from Darwin to Sir Laurence Olivier.  It is also beautiful so well worth taking the time to visit.  I had hoped to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace but the autumn schedule has begun so the changing only takes place every other day.  Instead I did see the changing of the Horse Guards and since I love beautiful horses this too was very special.

With this we flew to Shannon, Ireland and on to a magical stay at Ashford Castle which was just voted best hotel in the world by Virtuoso.  There is a reason why this magical place received this award.  From the minute the castle came into view it was clear that this would be a time to remember.

The beautiful castle stretched before us with an amazing loch to also be explored.  When in a castle  one should participate in the typical activities that are unique to Ireland castle stays.  In this instance that meant having a walk with a hawk.  It is amazing as your bird learns to sit on your hand, then fly away and mystically soar back when called.   I was able to handle a beautiful hawk.  You use hawks instead of actual falcons as hawks are so much more friendly.

We also took a great boat ride on the loch to see Ashford Castle from the water and to learn its fascinating history. 

Goodbye Ashford but you will stay in my heart!!!

 

 

 

Three Magic Days in London

How fantastic to have three perfect days in London.  The sky has been blue everyday and the sun has made walking the city the ideal way to see as much as possible.

Of course there had to be the classic views of the city.

It was great fun to ride the eye and be able to see all of the amazing landmarks from the outside.

I was able to tour St. Paul's Cathedral behind the scenes so it was also a chance to see the sights from the inside.  Here I am at almost the top looking out over the city. 

 

 

And a trip to London wouldn't be complete with a tour of the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels.  Here are the wonderful Beefeaters.

 

 

 

I had not visited the War Rooms before but they are not to be missed with their wonderful realism.  A trip here gives you a real feel for what it must have been like during the tense war years.  The final photo to share is the classic London telephone booth with Big Ben in the background.  It is iconic as is so much of London and therefore a treasure to savor and think about all of the wonderful history!

London and Ireland

Fall is here and I have been waiting for the big adventure to revisit London and travel to Ireland for the first time.  London is such an energetic city with beautiful accommodations and so much to do--historical sights, theater, dining and shopping.

 As you can see we have fortified ourselves with information to lead us and, of course, advice from one of our onsites in London, Noteworthy, and the promise of a wonderful tour with Tauck for our time in Ireland.  The books and maps help but it is the guided tours and advise on where to go that will make this an amazing trip.  I look forward to providing pictures and comments as we embark on this adventure.

THE TRIP!

This was such an amazing journey which unfortunately I could not share while travelling as there was no internet.  It is amazing to learn that the satellites for cruise ships are located at the Equator so since we were in the high arctic it was very difficult to make connection.

The Arctic is so different from Antarctica as here there is land not covered by snow and the environment is hostile with prey including polar bears and even people.  The first glimpse of this area was the beautiful but small, towns in Greenland where the houses are colorful and the major way to earn money is fishing.  People have boats and sleds; not cars!

The above is the first town we saw where the whale bone welcomes guests.  And here we also had a chance to be with the sled dogs.

From here we progressed farther north and got to see the ice as well as the towns and local culture. Who would have thought that you beach house would have a view of icebergs?

Then we entered the pack ice and here we saw the beautiful wildlife.  These are amazing and beautiful.  How lucky to see them so close!

We also saw  beautiful icebergs.  And the biggest surprise of the trip was how much fun it was to be on the bridge and watch the captain as we crushed ice and looked for wildlife.

There was one last surprise and that was the opportunity to walk on the Greenland Ice Cap.  As the world changes how fantastic to be a part of the exploration!

I feel fortunate to to have been a part of this expedition and learn so much!  The world is VAST and we should all explore at our comfort level to see what a great experience our life is!