My Day in Dalkey

Sunday I took the train out to Dalkey to see the "posh" little town where so many celebrities live.

Plus it is the town PJ, my B&B co-owner comes from and he told me it was the "only place my picture is on the wall". So Off I went to see the sights. It is a charming little town and PJ's picture is on the wall of the Club Pub....I went in to see and had the joy of being the only women in the place. The men were charming and I enjoyed a pint before I left so they could get back to their bawdy conversation. The pictures I'm posting will give you an idea of this lovely little town.

New Adventure Beginning

I'm in Wales waiting for a train. Just took a 3 hour ferry ride across the Irish Sea....beautiful. The sun is shining, my cold seems to be almost gone and I'm getting my travel mojo back.

I have a bunch of pics to download when I get settled. Spent Sunday on a train trip to the Ireland Coast. Had dinner in Dalkey....home of Mauve Binchey. Stopped in the local book shop and talked to the owner. She says Mauve is a wonderful lady but is having a bad time with arthritis and doesn't get around too well. I feel for her living in the damp climate of Ireland. I suggested the bookshop get a life size cutout of Mauve so we tourist types could have a picture with her. The owner thought it was a great idea.....Dalkey is a lovely town, very "posh" as they say over here. Apparently Enya, Bono, Mauve and other famous folks have homes there.

When I took the train back to Dublin the "football" match at the stadium had just finished and the town was wild. Lots of guinness fueled young men cheering and partying. It got a little uncomfortable with the crowds and noise but I managed. Sports fans are the same world wide, such enthusiasm.

With luck, I will be in my new London "home" in about 5-6 hours. The train ride is about 4 hours through the mountains in Wales and the English countryside. A long trip but worth it I hope. I could have flown to London but this sounded way sounded much more interesting. We'll see.

Last Weekend in Ireland

Well, what can I say. I'm sick! I think it is just a cold but I feel rotten. The cold, wet, gloomy weather isn't helping. I mean really, Weather God, it is almost August 1st. Surely somewhere in your heart you can find some sunshine for the lovely people of Ireland. God knows they make the best of it all. ... but even my Seattle training did not prepare me for this constant, dampness and grayness during the summer. Yes the shades of green are beautiful but the 40 shades of gray are not. I've only been warm enough a few days during my visit. So there it is, my truth about Ireland and the weather.

Maybe I need an antibiotic or a trip to the PUB!!

Goodby to My Austrian Friends

Sadly today I had to say goodby to my new friends from Austria. They are a young couple who have brought so much joy with them. We have laughed and laughed. What a delight to meet them. I wish them God Speed and they return to their families and real life. Who knows, maybe they will make a trip to the US at some time and we will meet again.

Just wondering....Is there anybody reading this blog?

I'd love to know if anyone is actually reading my blog....If you are please email me at judereed@earthlink.net and let me know.

Thank you

Jude

Hoath Trip, Sunny Seaside

I took the train out on Sunday to the seaside City of Hoath. It is a scenic Fishing village that supplies much of Dublin's fresh seafood, as well as a harbor for recreational sailing. It was a beautiful day for a walk around the harbor. I had one of the best Salmon dinner's ever, and I know Salmon! People everywhere enjoying a sunny day out. They also had a Farmer's Market where the Hot Item was "OBama Bread", fit for a president!

I'm finding, that much like Seattlites, Dubliners get outside the minute the sun shines. The train ride was fun, short and scenic. I loved the color of the green line.

When I got home Sunday night, I started getting sick. I thought it was perhaps food poisoning but now realize it was just a bug which I am hoping will not stay long. This is my last week in Ireland. I have a tour scheduled for Thursday to the Wicklow Mountains. They are described as the "Garden of Ireland", so I'm looking forward to a beautiful view from the bus.

The Sun Was Shining and Dublin Was Buzzing!

What a beautiful day in Dublin. Sunshine makes such a difference!! People were out and about....including me. Today I visited Trinity College and saw the Book of Kells. What an amazing piece of history. So beautiful and so old. They did not allow pictures but I purchased a DVD of the contents. I also visited St. Stephen's Green which is both an interesting shopping center and a beautiful City Park. I did so much walking today I had to finally find a place to sit down, have a Guinness and dinner before I could face the bus home. (Any excuse for a Guinness)

The exciting thing today was the Zombie Walk that took place in Dublin. A whole group of young people were costumed and made up to look like Zombies and they were all over the downtown area. I stopped at Starbucks (the only one I have found in Ireland) and there were two beautiful, young Zombie girls at the next table. I couldn't resist having a picture.