Ireland: The Missing Days (Derry to Ballygally)

With this posting I will finish the Ireland pics and commentary, although abbreviated at this point (meaning more pics than commentary).

Derry was our first stop after Ardara and was only for one night. We arrived early enough that we could walk the area where we were staying (The Derry City Hotel) which walking included the area of the Bogside where the Bloody Sunday (Jan 30, 1972) incident (or massacre, depending upon perspective) occurred. In the course of a civil rights demonstration 13 (and a 14th later from injuries received that day) demonstrators were killed by British troops. The area is filled with reminders, either by memorials or murals. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Sunday_(1972)

The incident ... was set out in a movie from 2002 titled, simply enough, "Bloody Sunday." It's well worth watching. I can't say Derry was our favorite stop but any discomfort had as much to do with the weather as anything else. It was a warmer day and it was windy. A neighborhood trash pick-up might have helped. A shower in the hotel helped us later. That was Saturday, Feb 21.

Now, Sunday, Feb 22, From Derry we traveled the north coast and found some of the most spectacular scenery on the trip. The weather was cloudy and was most comfortable as we visited Downhill, Donluce Castle, and the Giant's Causeway. Almost as if scheduled in our planning the mist and rain arrived just as we were leaving the Giant's Causeway on our way to Ballygally. As it was becoming dark this mattered little to us. This was probably the most crowded tourist day we experienced (which doesn't say much) as it was Sunday and the daylight weather was inviting not only to us but locals as well.

Pics should be enlarged by clicking in order to read some of the written material.

Derry, NI, UK (February 21)

We were greeted on our arrival at the Derry Hotel by a towel arrangement which I interpreted as being in the form of an elephant. Who would have known?

The greetings didn't end there as we were also greeted by street signs warning of our presence. I can't say I witnessed any driving deferrals due to our presence but the thought was nice anyway.

Walking uphill from our hotel we found St. Eugene's Cathedral (6th century Irish Monk) where we later attended Saturday night Mass several hours later.

Another of the Cathedral.

The Cathedral's interior.

Looking toward Derry from the Cathedral.

Another view of Derry from the Cathedral.

Bogside.

"Ernesto Che Guevara Lynch?" What have I missed?

When they paint a building in Derry (or a side of a building, at least) it's no small task. When we might contract with a vocational school grad (at best), in Derry they're looking for art school grads.

"Entering Free Derry..."

and more...


and more.

The "Bloody Sunday" Memorial.

This is a portion of the 1614 wall that surrounds Derry and kept it safe through the centuries.

The Northern Coast, NI, UK (February 22)

The pic is of Mussenden Temple which is one of the buildings located at Downhill, a residence for the Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry in the late 18th century. Mussenden Temple was used as a library and was built in circular form on the edge of a cliff. All of the nice structures seem to be on the edge of the sea throughout NI along the coastal highway.

Another view of the Mussenden Temple and its proximity to the sea (on the edge).

Looking from Messenden Temple toward PortStewart in the distance.

Believe it or not, this couple climbed up and around the "temple" to perch themseves above the coast on the edge of the cliff just to dangle their legs. As for me, I didn't even want to look down.

Another perspective.

This is the "looking down" as taken by "fearless" Sheila.

Another view - we were impressed. Of course for Sheila, it had particular significance since it was a library. In a storm it might have been difficult to concentrate?

The remains of Downhill House. Construction began in 1774 and now only stone remains. Not so obvious in this pic but

moreso in this one.

On to Donluce Castle (14th century), purportedly the most romantic castle in Ireland. The castle "clings" to a cliff over the sea. Well, in truth, a portion of it no longer "clings." During the time of its use the kitchen fell off into the sea killing 7 servants in the process. The "lady of the manor" declared she would no longer live there (and I don't blame her) and she left.

This is the view from another angle.

This is the drop off on the land side.

This gives an idea of the drop off on the seaside.

Sheila has no trouble with the edge. No closeup photography by me.

I did get a little closer (with the lens).

Not the least bit phased!

She coaxed me into this shot. It was as close as I'd get. You'll notice I'm not looking out...

This was one Sheila took "from the edge."

Looking through the remaining stonework

and another.

Next stop was the Giant's Causeway. This is Ireland's top tourist attraction. Tradition holds that the steps were formed by a giant to accommodate access across the sea to his "betrothed" who lived in Scotland. Not affected by romantic thought, scientists determined that the steps were actually created by volcanic activity. The stones are six-sided basalt columns. This giant is walking toward me.

A better view of the stones.

Easily climbed and both Sheila and I could not but help ourselves from thinking about how anyone could tempt Kiera away from this spot. She'd still be climbing in the dark.

Maybe the "giant" had similar thoughts looking toward Scotland across the sea?

As for me: well I just kept snapping away.

And I will...

A Day at Christendom College

This was our day at Christendom College in Front Royal for their annual Summer Institute.  Since we are concluding this week the Year of St. Paul, the topic of the conference dealt with the "Spiritual and Scriptural Contributions to the Church" by St. Paul.  It seemed the conference was not as well attended as in previous years (economy?) but the program and presenters were outstanding.  The most distant presenter was from Seattle and the overall program was well in keeping with those of previous years; all inviting a return for the following year's program.

It was a partly sunny day but warm when the sun was out.  

I've always been fond of Sycamore trees and this one seemed more horizontal than vertical.  Such growth is more often along the water but we were some distance from the Shenandoah River which runs along the college's border.  There was insufficient time in our breaks to walk to the river, at least at our pace as you would likely say.

The chapel for the college student body and...

a broader view.  Nice way to spend a Saturday.
Tomorrow I'll start catching up with some past due postings.

'til later...

Red Sox In Town

It's been a while since I last posted.  Baseball season here in Washington has been slow but in the past week it seems things may be turning around.  At least the talk about our challenging the 1962 Mets' record had eased since we began playing the AL East teams.  Nevertheless, a few pics and commentary from last night's game and then I'll catch up with pics from the season so far (and some other events as well, including some of the pics I owe from the missing couple of days in Ireland).  

It's easier to begin with a win; particularly a nice win like last night and the convincing 9-3 defeat of Smoltz.  It was the first game on the mound for Smoltz after his release from Atlanta and rehab.  The Boston reporters tend to minimize the loss for him but the Nats have beaten him before and there were enough runs scored from the Boston bullpen after Smoltz left that the Nats would have won anyway forgetting about the 4 run 1st inning.  This was the only Boston game we attended and as the Nats lost the other two it was just as well.  This was the 3rd consecutive record crowd and, in large part, thanks to the Red Sox fans.  Fortunately, after the 4 run 1st inning they were somewhat subdued.  In the seats directly in front of us were a couple of Sox fans who started off challenging the worst in me.  The fellow was wearing his Sox cap but also an "Ireland" jersey.  He had one of these shrill whistles that not only rings the ears but sends out vibrations... and we were right behind him.  It was difficult but the 4 runs in the first were like good aspirin for a headache.  He was much more tempered as the game went on and the two were gone by the 7th inning.  After a while it seemed the game became less interesting and they became more interested in each other.  Not a distraction in the lest as the Nats (and Jordan Zimmermann) kept our attention.

It appeared that many STH had unloaded tickets on stubhub or elsewhere and as we learned - "for a profit."  It's nice to know that some capitalism remains, particularly here in DC. I'm not certain how many of the fans were Sox fans but I can say the 4 run 1st was a godsend.  It was nice to see the stadium packed and I long for the day when Nats fans keep their tickets, can buy out the remaining ones,  and can fill the park as the Caps did this year at the Verizon Center.  

Before the game a meeting on the field between Adam Dunn and David "Big Papi" Ortiz, neither of whom had a game worth wring home about. 

"Big Papi" has a wonderful smile but best evidenced before games and not after, at least when playing the Nats.

The day and the game really belonged to Jordan Zimmermann, the 22 year old from Auburndale, Wisconsin, near Marshfield, which then, of course, means near Eau Claire, Altoona, Chippewa Falls and so on...  No wonder he can throw hard!

He had a masterful game giving up 1 run in 7 innings, striking out 6 and walking only 1.  When I was checking he reached 95 and was in the low 90s most of the game with the exception of his change-up.  

Nick Johnson wasn't long for the game.  This was a play made early in the game (top of the 1st) and gave me a chance to use a little natural lighting.  Night games are terrible for pics as the lighting at Nats Park is not as good as it was at RFK.  I've concluded that the surface is darker and doesn't afford enough reflection.  Bring back the old days at Wrigley and before that at most parks when day games ruled - at least for the sake of photography.  Back to Nick - as in the bottom of the first he was hit by a Smoltz pitch in his shin and after eventually scoring left the game.  

The next two pics are the very delivery by Smoltz when Nick was hit.  Nick has a very open stance and brings his right foot in toward the plate in anticipation of his swing.  That was his undoing.  Although Nick has been "fragile" in the past all Nats' fans hope the swelling is down this morning and he'll soon be back.  Dunn took over 1st base and played flawlessly.

One of those great moments!  "Big Papi" fanned by Zimmermann.  The ump was slow with his hands and I missed the ump's call but what happened is clear enough from "Big Papi's" expression.

In the 6th inning with Willie Harris and Anderson Hernandez on 1st and 2nd, J. Zimmermann came to bat in an obvious bunting situation.  He laid down a "beaut" and the Boston relief pitcher, Daniel Bard (no relation to our Josh), failed to field it.  His excuse in this morning's Boston Globe was that he was concentrating on making a play at 3rd but when he went to field the ball everyone was shouting 1st and in trying to turn himself around to make a play at 1st, he lost grasp of the ball.  Zimmermann was safe;  the bases were loaded; and Cristian Guzman promptly singled home Harris and Hernandez.

Unfortunately I was on the wrong side for a good pic but this in some fashion shows the unusual batting stance of Kevin Youkilis.  His right hand is up on the bat which is pointed at the pitcher.  His right hand contact with the bat is with fingers.  He will bring the hand (and fingers) down in preparation for swinging but it is most unconventional.  He went hitless as a pinch hitter.

Ryan Zimmerman had an outstanding game in the field.  It seemed that there was a spectacular play in every inning.  He was leaping, diving, throwing off balance, and doing everything necessary to defend the "hot box."  Here he had charged a ball only to have it take a strange hop on him.  He adjusted and made the out.

Tyler Clippard, brought up from Syracuse 2 days ago, appeared in relief in both the 8th and 9th innings.  He did give up 2 harmless runs in the 9th on a home run to PH Rocco Baldelli but otherwise none of our all too frequent (this year) bullpen collapses occurred.

Again, Ryan Zimmerman was "all over the place."  Here he is in the Red Sox dugout missing a foul ball by about a foot.

Bang Zoom go the fireworks...

and

Not too many so far this year but things are looking up.  A sweep in Baltimore would be nice!

'til later...