Notes from Galway I

It won't take too long to see that there are no pics, again.  On the way to Athlone and then to Clonmacnoiose, we stopped in Longford and I purchased another card reader, another European reader, which I was told by the shop owner would work "just fine."  The packaging indicated it would work with "all popular memory cards" and with a Mac. It works fine with the Mac but does not read the "unpopular" SDHC cards which I use.  It apparently can read SD cards and I can always purchase a couple of SD cards and use them for the duration of the trip but that means some of the photo stories will wait.  Of course that is not the end of the story for today.  When we arrived in Galway we checked into the Park House Hotel and after getting ourselves grounded dashed to a nearby camera store where the staff member attempted to sell me the same reader I had purchased in Mullingar.  He was insistent but after removing the directions from the box I convinced him that "OS" meant operating system in describing the various windows systems which would accommodate the reader.  "OS" did not mean the Mac OS "OS."  When we finished in the store it was too late to shop elsewhere.  There will be one more stop tomorrow before we set out and it will either result in the purchase of a working reader or in an SD card.  At this point I know more about card readers than I ever wanted to know.  In fact, this quest is becoming a story of its own.  That story will soon end.

It was a great day otherwise.  We were the only guests left in the Keenan's Hotel and we had breakfast (Continental) to ourselves ... with Nell.  Talkative doesn't begin to describe Nell who gave us the "skinny" on everything (almost) Tarmonbarry.  Too much to note here but we did learn that many of those who have moved into Tarmonbarry in recent years commute to Dublin, a drive requiring 1.5 to 2 hours each way.  I suspect that's peanuts to those commuting from Bristow (hello Rebbecca) but no "small order" nevertheless.  We also spoke with Annette who then took us over to the Guesthouse to visit with Eileen. Ignoring the cane, Eileen hasn't changed much at all.  A pleasant conversation and most enjoyable.  Annette has 4 children, one living in Chicago, two in school in Dublin, and the fourth still at home.  He came in as we were talking and helped himself to a bowl of porridge.  Yucch!  With some trepidation I asked the source for the Salmon.  Much to my delight I learned that the Salmon was SHANNON River Salmon coming from downstream of Tarmonbarry.  At that point it didn't really matter as I had already eaten breakfast, including my fourth "run" with the salmon.  I am going to miss the fish and taste, at least for now.  Kiera would have been in "fish heaven."

On the road:  We traveled east to Longford (as you already know) and headed south to Clonmacnoise. Clonmacnoise is the site of an ancient ecclesiastical site along the Shannon River about 25 miles south of Athlone.  Unfortunately there is no direct route from Athlone and in keeping with my desire to stay on the backroads we really did so this time.  We've experienced winding and narrow roads but today it seemed ever more the case.  There were some trucks that were approaching so fast on our side of the road that breathing became difficult. They apparently knew what they were doing but ...  I am pleased to say there are no branches we are bringing home from today's travels (barely.)  We did smile thinking about Matthew and Samantha making the same road trip.  (Did I hear Dramamine mentioned?)

Clonmacnoise was founded by Saint Ciaran (hello Kiera) in 548 AD and survived repeated attacks and destruction from Vikings, British and weather.  The site is now an Irish National Monument and is in a wonderful location along the Shannon.  The gravestones and structural stone remains suffer the white splotching which is so common here (and hopefully you'll see in pics soon) and yields a somewhat ghostly appearance.  It was cold and after more than an hour's stay we returned to the road.

Next stop:  Athenry - as in "Fields of Athenry."  We never saw the fields (if there are specific ones) which gave rise to the song but we did see plenty of fields along the way.  We can now say "we were there" everytime we hear the ballad.

Then to Galway.  After the "reader" run we found a pub (The Skeff) where we enjoyed our first fish and chips meal since arriving in Ireland.  One of the food "specialties" (?) of this area is, are you ready?, mushy peas.  As you might guess I ate Sheila's but all in all the meal was delicious. We have enjoyed outstanding food since arriving and I can say - mushy peas included.

It was then back to the room and planning for tomorrow.  It looks like the Aran Islands are out and the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher are in.  We'll also do a little shopping in the am before traveling and then returning to Galway again for tomorrow night.  It's a lovely city with a very young population.  It is supposedly the fastest growing Irish city.  We're right in the center of town and it's a great location for walking.  Just in walking tonight we heard French, German and Polish.  The foreign languages spoken were from those who appeared to be college students.  Sheila commented that we heard just as much Polish in Tarmonbarry.  Again, not the Ireland of her father.

Apparently no comments to last night's query: what does "soft margins" mean. Very simple - soft shoulders of which there are many now in Ireland due to their winter.  More about that later.

Tonight's query: what does "traffic calming" mean?

Enough for now.  Hopefully pics tomorrow.

and, Til tomorrow ...

Notes from Tarmonbarry

It has been a relatively busy day with only limited road travel.  We rose about 8am+ having slept well (and late) and scurried to make breakfast at 930 am.  The breakfasts, both Continental and Full Irish, are outstanding.  We've yet to do the Full Irish but we came close Saturday in Ashbourne. The Continental is more than enough.  The fruit, meats, and breads are sumptuous.  We're on a Continental plan anyway and any more to eat would be a waste.  For example, this morning I had toast, Irish creamery butter (haven't seen margarine or oleo yet-thank heavens), strawberry conserve (in a little personal jar), smoked salmon, fresh OJ, coffee (my separate pot), and a bowl of delicious fruit dampened with orange juice.  I mention what I ate because for lunch it was salmon again; that's 3 meals in a row for salmon.  Not yet out of my system!  Maybe tomorrow too?  The salmon servings have been fresh and I've convinced myself that the fish were caught in the Shannon.  I haven't asked for fear of learning that they might have come from some farm in Idaho or ...  

We quickly worked breakfast so that we could make 1030 am Mass at the church in Whitehall where Sheila's father attended.  We didn't want to be late again.  Unlike 2001, the church seemed larger as if they had moved the altar back and inserted more pews.  Unlike 2001, this time we sat and did much better in blending in to the congregation.  The church was full and I thought the church was fuller than in 2001.  Sheila disagrees but I think I'm correct.  There has occurred substantial development in the area and it stands to reason attendance would be greater.  Of particular note for those of you who who have difficulty singing.  Take comfort in knowing that at the church in Whitehall you are accommodated.  There are no hymnals.  A choir, including all ages, approaching about 30 (full congregation about 200) in number, sat to the side in front and did all the work with their voices.  It made me think that they screen new attendees for singing skill and if found to know one note from another (with their voices, of course) are then drafted to serve in the choir.  The others are then left to sit in their pews only to listen.  In fact, the choir was quite good and it was more comfortable to just listen.  In mentioning the choir it was amongst the choir members that we spotted Mickey Kelley who looks only about a day or two older, but no more.  We talked for a while and we were pleased to have seen him again.  He had other plans for the afternoon (my guess is the Ireland-Italy rugby game on TV) and we were quick to point out that we also had other plans for the afternoon and that we would be traveling to Galway in the morning.  He was most appreciative of Sheila's and Pat's Christmas cards and notes.

Next stop: to visit some of Sheila's father's haunts including Roosky and Strokestown, something we failed to do the last time here.  We also planned a stop in Carrick on Shannon where I looked for a card reader but without success.  I came close in a store (which was open) called TESCO, a miniature Wal-Mart.  I found a reader but the print was in Polish and  I found nothing to indicate that it would work on the Mac.  I needed Wackerbarth to help.  We also walked all the commercial streets (or so it seemed) in Ck on S and found that all the stores that might have  had a reader were closed.  As a result, no photos for the blog yet.  Tomorrow night, for sure, as we travel through Athlone tomorrow and end up in Galway following our planned stops and visits.  I am confident!  By now, of course, each one of you is asking "Why Polish?"  There is an answer.  The four most spoken languages in Ireland are: 1. English, 2. Chinese, 3. Polish, and 4. Gaelic.   The Irish are concerned that Gaelic (Irish) has been demoted; perhaps the price of the "Gaelic Tiger?"  It was also in Ck on S that we ate a late lunch, thus qualifying as dinner, which included the salmon.  Scrumptious!!

We travelled back to Tarmonbarry, surveyed (in the mud and whatever as Matthew would say) the Lodge and found it to be pretty much the same.  I took a number of pics (you'll have to wait) and Sheila acquired some more contraband.  There has been considerable development in Tarmonbarry including some rather large homes in the area of the Lodge but we are not certain the farm land has been sold off to others.  There still remains a clear line of sight to the Shannon from the home sight.  It's clear the Keenans are using the Lodge for storage (must be no zoning laws in Roscommon) and the pics will show the present state (I hope and I regret the clutter that's likely to be portrayed).  You would not believe the development in the area of the Keenans, the Pub and their hotel.  Look up Tarmon Harbour on the web.  Our impression is that the euro problem, much like our dollar problem, is having a negative effect on development and there are homes (vacation and otherwise) t0 buy.

Enough notes for today.  Tomorrow:  Check on Eileen, the Noonans , then to Athlone, some stops along the way to Galway, including Clonmacnois and Athenry (remember "Fields of ...) and, of course, shopping for an effective card reader.  The fun continues.

The query for the night for each of you:  What are "soft margins?"  The Irish do have a way with their use of words!

Til tomorrow.

First Report From IR

We're here and having a great time.  Oh yes, here is Tarmonbarry.  Tonight's dinner in the pub (not the restaurant) was salmon and was outstanding.  Flight was smooth; arrival and treatment in Ashbourne was just great.  Last night we did the Literary Pub Crawl in Dublin and this morning we travelled from Ashbourne to Tara; to Trim; to Mulligar; to Longford; and then to Tarmonbarry.  Only one "fly in the ointment."  I forgot to pack the card reader for the digital camera images.  This was first realized last night when I sat down to copy the pics I had taken.  It was only then that I realized that in having changed computer bags before leaving I forgot to repack the reader.  Says something about check lists - no?  In any event the stop in Mulligar was not only to walk the streets but to pick-up a reader.  Good fortune turned sour tonight when I went to connect and discovered the reader was "PC only."  Maybe I'll be set tomorrow, although it is Sunday in rural IR.  In any event the pics and stories will wait for a day or two.  Get ready!  There will be stories about Brendan Behan,  a "snug" room, cows and pies (your mother would prefer I not say cow pies without separation), Mel Gibson, and the latest in fashion for Irish ladies (maybe not ladies?).  

To prepare for Behan it's enough to know that he was truly a souse.  He was a popular literary figure here and abroad but managed only 44 years.  He started drinking at age 8 when his grandmother would send him out for a bottle and he would return home with a less than full bottle having swigged and gulped along the way.  His answer was to fill the loss in the bottle with water and we are to believe his grandmother never knew.  His death at 44 was a result of (guess what) alcohol poisoning.  At the time of his death there were 700 pubs in Dublin, most all of which he had frequented at one time or another.  While in one of the pubs he sat up erectly on his stool and decided he would travel to Canada.  He announced his intentions to the barkeep and when asked why, he responded that he had been moved by the sign behind the bar.  The bartender turned around and read the sign: "Drink Canada Dry."  Of course Behan's interpretation was to drink Canada dry.  He did travel to Canada to follow one of his plays but failed in emptying the reserves.  A colorful character whose name came up several times last night in the "crawl" and for whom there are other stories to share but not all appropriate for this blog.

Oh, by the way,  I think there are a total of 2 ATMs (at least that we could find) in the Dublin airport.  Maybe we were just tired after the flight but lugging around suitcases and looking for ATMs was a challenge. Bring your Euros with you.

Til tomorrow ...

Anticipation II

Now it's time to complete last minute errands, to finish packing, and to check all the lists in preparation for the Thursday (2/12) departure to Dublin.  No doubt we'll forget something but the passports are in the camera bag which is never forgotten.  The TSA requirements are a headache and one of the errands tomorrow will be to acquire approved luggage locks.  We're still unsure about medication and I can picture the Rx being dumped in the trash as we're checked through security.  Hopefully we can keep the Excedrin!

The itinerary map (google) is inserted and at least every other day we'll be bedded in a location with internet either in the room or otherwise available.  Our stops are the "pointers" (Ashbourne, Tarmonbarry, Galway, Sligo, Ardara, Derry, Ballygally, Drogheda, and Dublin). We'll try to keep you current with the travel, the sights, and the fun.  All pics will be sent through the blog along with the daily log so that you won't have trouble viewing.  The extended weather forecast for Ireland looks reasonable for February; 40s during the day and 30s at night; clouds and only a little rain; but no 70 degree days like tomorrow in Manassas.  

Stay tuned!

Anticipation

For those of you troubled by the persistent cold weather be warmed in knowing that Spring Training is just around the corner and the stadium awaits.  

I am!

Winter on Bull Run

It's been a cool winter but we did not experience any sustained cold until mid-January.  The sustained cold provided the opportunity to visit Bull Run with Kiera when the ice was thickening but not yet thick enough for steps.  Nevertheless, Bull Run is a favorite visit and an inviting backdrop for pics.  This pic is looking west at the Stone Bridge.  You will see again in this pic, as well as in others, that there is no effort to clear tree trunks, branches, or fallen trees from the run or from the park unless they hinder movement on a path.  If you enlarge the bridge pic you will see a log that has come to rest against the bridge's foundation and which has been there for a while.  It will be cleared only in a subsequent storm when washed downstream but it will not be cleared by park management.

Kiera is dressed for the weather and has brought her chipmunk along for company.  

She took great pleasure in throwing loose stones and small branches on the ice and watching them slide across the run.  All the time she was clutching the chipmunk but relentless in her throwing.  I'm not certain how I managed to pry her away from the throwing but I recall it wasn't easy.

Here is another pic of the run with the clutter and debris.  Again, this is all in the name of leaving things as they are, naturally, avoiding "human intrusion."  Of course, if you look carefully in the left center of the pic you will see a drain (manmade) emptying lowland drainage into the run.  I scratched my head.

 

Another remnant of past flooding which has been left alone for years.

As we were leaving Kiera took a seat on some coping stone (Br term for Copestone - sandstone?) which was installed after Aaron had selected it and then ordered it as part of his responsibilities while working at the Manassas National Battlefield Park some years ago. Appropriate that Kiera would rest on it.

Hope you're having a happy winter season.

Christmas 2008 in Manassas

Christmas came twice this year.  We enjoyed a lovely tree that fit perfectly in the north side bay window.  The tree needed no clipping or adjusting and was a perfect size.  Christmas Day we missed Aaron, Rebbecca, and Kiera but their return from New York on the 27th provided the second gift exchange.  It also provided the chance for family pictures at the Battlefield, an activity I had been lobbying hard to accomplish for some time.  The holiday was especially nice with the visit from Ron and Pat.

Did I hear a "whew?"

Christmas Tree Lighting On the Ellipse (20081205)

This was a fun day with Kiera.  Rebbecca had obtained seating tickets for us and all we had to do was show up for the annual tradition on the Ellipse which was being held on December 5. 

(Of note is that when I was a youngster the Ellipse was set up for baseball with about 4 or 5 ballfields where the local colleges and others could play and where anyone could wander out and watch.  Mom might take me down to the Ellipse area where we would park and wait for Dad to meet us from work during which wait we'd watch a ballgame.  In the Fall you'd still see baseball but there would be footballs thrown around as well.  The Ellipse was not necessarily on Truman's route when he would take his "constitutional" but noone would have been surprised to see Truman walk past with his quick pace.  The only threat to Truman then (although there was an attack by a couple of Puerto Ricans who were staged at what was then a drugstore at the SW corner of PA and 17th streets and who failed in their targeting of Truman when he was in the area of the Blair House) were the press who tried to keep up with him in his walks.  Nevertheless, today there is a permanent Christmas tree on the north end of the Ellipse and there are strict restrictions on where you can and cannot walk.  Baseball  ... well not like it was before).

We arrived in plenty of time and the weather was relatively mild.  There was a threat for rain and we (KES) dressed accordingly.  The pics belie the chilly weather we had been experiencing but pansies seem to be hardy downtown.

KES needed some hair adjustment when we met Rebbecca but then it was off to our seats.

Once in the seating area there was entertainment to help pass the time and  between jugglers and carolers the time passed quickly.

We were greeted by the dignitaries and, of course, our President and the First Lady.  The speeches were of the right length, the entertainment truly that and

  

the tree was magnificent.  A glorious evening and introduction to the Advent season.

During the program it turned colder, largely due to a brisk wind, and we headed back to the parking garage for our car in anticipation of the rain we sensed was coming.  In fact, only about 25 yards from the garage the rain began.  The evening was superb and our timing faultless. 

#40

Can't pass November 30 without a comment.  Another wonderful day with family in celebrating "Our Anniversary."  Following church we were treated by Aaron to omelets which were probably the best in preparation and taste I can recall ... and that says something.  He was up against "Steve, the Horse Thief" and Wackerbarth's "Dust Mop" special.  Talking of the Wackerbarths - we would have enjoyed more of the Kringle but for it having been "polished off'" early Thanksgiving Day.  Was a wonderful day again with family topped off by a sumptuous beef loin dinner at home with all that night.  Thanks kids.

Thanksgiving Day 2008

It's been a while and really without an excuse.  I need to develop better habits in writing.  In any event, Thanksgiving was a busy and wonderful day.  Everyone was here and everyone was healthy.  The morning dawned brisk and sunny.  In fact, the morning sun gave the opportunity to catch the last bit of leaf color available.  Most of the leaves are down (save the oak and a few stragglers) and have been taken away by the City to who knows where ... perhaps a mulch pile for the future?

The morning began particularly early for Aaron, Rebbecca, and Kiera who completed their "2nd Annual Turkey Trot" over a 3 mile measured course.   Sometimes running is helped by a "helping hand."

Kiera liked the one showing both of her feet off the ground at the same time.  The stroller suggests that both of the feet may have been off the ground before the photographer arrived.

When finished, there was no panting from the runners although the photographer was breathing a little heavier since it was time to "run" to Dulles to collect Amy. 

 

Aaron helped with the fire 

and the table was readied by Sheila, including

edible decorations (not to include candles and wicker).

While others rested there was one who was thinking ahead to Christmas and red and green decorations to replace those of brown and gold.

Was a wonderful day with family and a wonderful weekend followed.  Next visit will be the National  Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.