|
|
|
|
 |
Judi & John |  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Judi & John | |
|
|
|
|
Friday - May 10, 2002
 |
Today we headed out to Achill Island (pronounced ACK-ILL)on the Western Seaboard of Ireland. This is a coastline reft with history. This was the first Irishman I met on the Island. =) Animals have the right-of-way in Ireland by default - when they're walking the middle of the road - or sleeping in the middle of the road - you wait. =) |
Friday - May 10, 2002
 |
This is one of the craggy coastal coves on Achill Island. |
Friday - May 10, 2002
 |
A breathtaking view of the Achill Island Penninsula. |
Friday - May 10, 2002
 |
We went for a walk out among the sheep (still determined to get a lamb home =) ) and found many of these marvelous deep gorges that just seem to pop up out of nowhere. Fabulous Kodak moments. =) |
Friday - May 10, 2002
 |
The lambs are quite brave as long as mom is very closeby. You can see how close to the road these wonderful woolies are - often they will walk right into the road and simply lay down to nap! |
Friday - May 10, 2002
 |
This is a small section of the Deserted Village on Achill Island - visited by thousands every year. There are the ruins of some 70 stone homesteads out here. During the Potato Famine, families fled to the farthest coastal villages available to them, built stone huts and either eventually escaped or starved to death. |
Friday - May 10, 2002
 |
I sold some cookie jars to a lady in Ireland many months ago. She lives in County Mayo where our first B&B was located. I found out when I arrived that she was a dentist and a periodontist. We were invited to have dinner with them Friday evening, and I wanted to share pictures of their palatial home and wonderful animals with you. Please meet Rocky and Blondy - they are both 120 pound Leonbergers from Bulgaria. They are gorgeous, and very sweet gentle giants. |
Friday - May 10, 2002
 |
Blondy had had enough of the "movie star" routine and left us alone for a picture with Rocky. |
Friday - May 10, 2002
 |
My friend Ingrid collects the most marvelous tins. She had two of these floor to ceiling bookcases built in the kitchen for displaying them. She also has a few walls displaying original tin signs. Very nice touch in this 4000 square foot log home. |
Friday - May 10, 2002
 |
In the kitchen beside one wall of tins is this amazing cart - brought from Belgium but purhased in Manchuria. Absolutely lovely - looks just right for Blondy and Rocky to take a spin in! |
Friday - May 10, 2002
 |
Bertram the Baker and my Mammy with Child have found a wonderful home here in Ireland in Ingrid's pretty kitchen. |
Friday - May 10, 2002
 |
The grand piano in the sitting area showcases my Sammy the Saxophone cookie jar. This piano was made in 1849 I believe Oswald told me. It has quite a colorful history and is stunning in this room. |
Saturday - May 11, 2002
 |
This is, of course, the only log cabin in all of Ireland. Ingrid has her dental practice in one wing of the house with probably the most technologically advanced dental surgical unit and equipment available in Ireland. It's very impressive. The log home was designed in Victoria, British Columbia and brought to Ireland by container ship - to be built in place here in Castlebar, County Mayo. People come from far and wide just to drive by the home to see it - their dental practice is booked two years in advance right now - they have been well accepted into this area, along with their combined talents and skills. |
Saturday - May 11, 2002
 |
There was a very unique Exhibit area in the Ceide (CAGEY) Fields area that depicted many scenes of what life had been like through the ages there. |
Saturday - May 11, 2002
 |
Today we visited the Foxford Woolen Mills - where else? Foxford, Ireland. =) Of course most of the loom work is all done by large computerized machines now, but they had a fascinating tour and a lovely shop where I purchased a woolen angora couch blanket. We then continued our journey to Ceide Fields (pronounced CAGEY Fields) which is Neolithic Site going back to inhabitants from 5000 years ago. This was considered the Bog area of Ireland and because of the conditions there, apparently scientists have found it very easy to explore the history of the area and the people who have inhabited it. |
Saturday - May 11, 2002
 |
Another view from the front of Tullycullion House - with the Atlantic Ocean and small town of Killybegs in the background. |
Saturday - May 11, 2002
 |
This is the harbour in Killybegs. Killybegs Harbour is said to be the Premier Port of Ireland and is only about 30 minutes from the highest and roughest cliffs in all of Europe - which we will visit tomorrow. =) The wild salmon here is supposed to be the best in the world (however, if you know ME - I will not be finding that out - you must ask John) =) |
Saturday - May 11, 2002
 |
We have continued up the coastline into the North West part of Ireland to end our long day. We will be staying with Jackie in her lovely B&B that you see pictured here - high on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the Port of Killybegs, County Donegal. The name of the house is Tullycullion House. |
Saturday - May 11, 2002
 |
We will be staying in the Blue Suite. Excellent accomodations and very gracious Hostess. First person we met in the Conservatory as we had afternoon coffee before dinner was a man from Texas. His wife immediately announced to me she was from Texas and had three degrees. John took one look at my face and said it was time to go to dinner. LOL. |
Saturday - May 11, 2002
 |
A glorious view from the side gardens at Tullycullion House. |
Sunday - May 12, 2002
 |
All over Ireland, there are few trees to be had - yet many fireplaces and chimneys and plenty cold weather. Although firewood is available for sale, it is in high demand and I would guess it's quite pricey. Instead, they harvest turf (or sod). It is grown (or harvested) in long rows like you see here. You see these very long strips of it all over the country sides. It has a rather wretched smell - John and I first thought everyone here was smoking pot (which they may well - who knows) but we were actually smelling the burning turf in the fire places. |
Sunday - May 12, 2002
 |
We're doing a bit of calculated guesswork here - but it seems that once the turf is cultivated in this long strips - it curls into what almost looks like a log. It is then stacked in these large stacks to dry - later to be transported. I'm sure it must be fairly economical - come on - it's only grass and dirt! |
Sunday - May 12, 2002
 |
Today we traveled to the Slieve League Cliffs - the tallest and most magnificent of all the cliffs in all of Europe. This is the Bunglas range of the Slieve League Cliffs. They rise to an elevation of 1,972 feet. They house the Silver Strand - Ireland's most dramatic coves. There are two formations within the cliffs called The Giant's Desk and Chair. At the crest of the cliffs, there is an area for hiking (4-5 miles long) where One Man's Pass is located. Not for the faint of heart, it has sheer dropoffs on both sides. =) |
Sunday - May 12, 2002
 |
This is Jood's 'OH MY GOD' rock. We decided to hike to the top of the cliff - because it was there - we just had to. I spotted this nice rock which looked just wonderful for a picture. I ran straight to it without a thought and flopped my butt right down on it. Then I looked over my left shoulder. Immediately behind me was a sheer dropoff. I started screaming to John, "Oh My God - come and get me!!" Of course, he was just laughin' his butt off at me. |
Sunday - May 12, 2002
 |
The "Oh My God" rock just wasn't extreme enough for John the mountain man, so here he is scaling the side of the rest of the cliff. =) He grimaced as he gazed at me, muttering under his breath: "Are we near the top YET????" |
Sunday - May 12, 2002
 |
If you look closely at this picture, you'll see ITTY BITTY little cars parked WAAAAAAAAY down there - that is how far we have climbed. Ours is the TEENY little blue car in the front of the line. Man - NOW we have to climb all the way back DOWN! |
Sunday - May 12, 2002
 |
We have safely made our way down the cliffs - but it is truly not something we will ever forget. This is one of the dramatic coves I spoke of earlier - they are simply breathtaking. |
Sunday - May 12, 2002
 |
In the Hamlet of Glencolumbkile at the base of the majestic cliffs, there lies a still working thatched roof village. Believe it or not, although Ireland is very under-developed in most all areas (and the internet - you don't EVEN want to try to use - they are about 10 years behind and all still on dial-up) there are still many people inhabiting thatch roofed homes. There are many luxurious homes here - really homes of all natures - but the thatch roofed villages still contain all that old world charm. (Probably because I don't have to LIVE in one!) |
Sunday - May 12, 2002
 |
This is the schoolhouse in the thatch roofed village. It is the Dooey National School - established in 1881. (And I don't think they've changed a thing SINCE!) =) |
Sunday - May 12, 2002
 |
This is one of the larger of the homesteads in the thatch roofed village. I've got to say it's extremely charming. What an interesting day we've had - we'll head back to the house for a nap now (that cliff climbing takes it right out of ya') and into the pub later for dinner. Tomorrow we have decided to go ahead up into Northern Ireland. We'll have to change a bit of money to the British pound (all that is a colony still controlled by Britain) and hope not to run into many checkpoints along the way. I have decided I must see the Great Causeway - so North we must go. =) We'll see you again - soon as we can find internet connection. =) God Bless! |
Monday - May 13, 2002
 |
We entered Northern Ireland today through Strabane which is over a river. It was a rather awesome site with guards walking the streets armed with M16's - however, there were no checkpoints and we were not stopped. Just after that on the Downhill Beach we came upon this beautiful sight - we're not sure what it is - appears to be a castle on the edge of a dune - but it was surely worthy of a picture. It's right along the beach - the beaches in Northern Ireland are some of the most gorgeous in the world we're told - today we will find our B&B, settle in and will begin touring tomorrow. |
Monday - May 13, 2002
 |
We will stay for a few days at the Breezemount Guest House in Coleraine as it is situated within very close driving distance of the points of interest we would like to see while we're here. This is much different than the houses in South Ireland, with guest room accomodations of 16 rooms. (Almost like a very small, but very quaint hotel in the US) |
Monday - May 13, 2002
 |
This is quite a place! We were astounded to find that we have an apartment. Full kitchen, nice living room, bedroom and full bath. I'm overlooking the Victorian gardens as I write this from our living room. The hallways are all done in Scottish plaids, very warm and welcoming - and we will have internet and a washer and dryer! You don't know what a Godsend this is! G |
Monday - May 13, 2002
 |
This is the Breakfast Conservatory. Trust we'll be checking this out closely in the morning. =) |
Monday - May 13, 2002
 |
This is me enjoying my first afternoon in Northern Ireland. =) We're waiting for the laundry to be done and I'm dreaming of America and wondering why I can't rent such beautiful places as these for $26.00 a night. =) We have had to change our money to Sterling here - since the North is under the rule of the British - but with that done, the laundry done - and being settled into our B&B now, we'll be ready to start exploring this awesome and magnificent part of the country. TALLY-HO! =) |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
After a wonderful breakfast, we took off for a day neither of us knew would be so full and so much fun . We were headed to the very tip of the Northern shore of Ireland. Along the way we discovered the race course for the Annual Coca-Cola International North West 200 - a huge race week festival road race for motorcycles. We discovered they would be making practice laps later tonight, so we'll be visiting back here later. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
We have now entered the Antrim Coast and have stopped at the Dunlace Castle. What a fascinating place this is. It was bitter cold today with winds of about 40 knots coming in off the ocean, but I wasn't about to miss one thing in this gorgeous place. They are restoring the castle - not to a point of inhabitance, the castle originated in the 1400's and the last inhabitants now live in another castle that has less "air conditioning". =) We are told they were the last owners and sold Dunlace to the Government for historical preservation. Right on the cliffs, it's amazing to think anyone ever lived here. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
This is part of the internal walls of the Castle - during the time period when the last Mistress and Master of the castle actually lived here, on one very stormy night an entire wall in the kitchen crumbled and fell into the ocean, taking with it several of the servants. The mistress of the castle said she would leave and never live here again - and that they did. I can only imagine - the winds were so ferocious today that it was almost impossible to walk. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
They have a narrow gauge 3 feet steam engine that runs from the train station called the Giant's Causeway & Bushmills Railway. Delightful trip through very quaint villages, past the potato fields, by flocks of sheep, and along the Atlantic Coastline. This was our engineer. Fine chap he was! Beautiful way to see the Antrim Coastline. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
John was fascinated with the steam engine and nothing would do except to have a picture of it. =) |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
This was primarily what we came to see today. The Giant's Causeway. About 60 million years ago, intensely hot volcanic lava errupted through narrow vents and, in cooling rapidly over the white chalk, formed about 37,000 extraordinarily geometric columns and shapes mostly hexagonal, but also with 4, 5, 7 or eight sides. Scotland is only 15 miles from this point and you can just look out across the ocean and actually see it. As you enter Giant's Causeway, you come to one of the first formations - I'm standing in front of - The Pipe Organ. Just breathtaking - makes one feel VERY small. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
My favorite formation. This is called the Giant's Wishing Chair. It's quite a trek out to it and was quite dangerous today with slick rock formations and extremely high winds, but I came to sit in this chair and by gum - I did! By this point in the day, my wish was that I were in Aruba on a beach with a Mai-Tai in my hand - I may not look like it but I'm freezin' my butt off! |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
Of course John, the ocean air and gorgeous scenery bringing out the boy in him, had to climb to the TOP of the chair - even though it was very dangerous to do that (!!) and then, of course, stop for a Kodak moment! He's taking my picture from the very top of the chair. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
Finally someone else was brave enough to come out to the chair with us - a very young man from Japan - and we were able to get a picture together in the Wishing Chair. I will never in my life forget this place. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
After the Causeway, we went on to the Bushmills Whiskey Distillery. This neat village is the home of the world's oldest legal distillery, which was granted its license in 1608. The water from St Columb's rill (or stream) is said to give the whiskey its special quality and runs right through the distillery at the appropriate combining location. You see many of these phone booths around Ireland - just like those in England. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
There is a small teahouse inside the Brewery where we stopped for lunch before our tour. All of Ireland has the most amazing soup I have ever eaten and a lunch of brocolli and cauliflower soup with brown bread and coffee was just the thing on an extremely cold day like this. We also sampled a few of the wonderful "sweets" as they call them. The Irish seem entranced with Laurel and Hardy - we see them everywhere we go. They also love the American music from the 60's. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
The tour was extremely interesting - and at the end we are invited to sample a whiskey of our choice. Those of you who know us know that neither of us drink a drop - so this was an experience for us. =) I had my first genuine warm toddy which was actually quite good and John had the special whiskey that is made and sold only at the Brewery - it can be bought no where else in the world. (It was actually quite nasty - laughing here) We found a man to take our picture in front of this beautiful copper still, however we think he had stayed for several rounds of samples and it required three sessions with the camera to get this picture. =) |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
We are leaving the brewery now and had to pause by this wonderful wall of kegs for a picture. The kegs in the brewery are used three times each in their life span which could be up to 25 years. They are all oak. When they are retired from their whiskey aging usefulness, they are made into delightful trash containers and flower planters in and around the distillery. All the spirits must be aged a minimun of 5 years before it is finally declared whiskey, until then they are called spirits. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
Our last stop on the Antrim Coast today was the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Now keep in mind last summer John and I were in Vancouver and walked the Capilano Suspension Bridge which was one of the biggest in the world - so I thought this would be a cake walk. I have now renamed this bridge - and call it the Carrick-a-Rede Holy Shit Rope Bridge. This is a shot John took looking down through the walkway of the bridge as it was swinging over the Atlantic Ocean - keep in mind the winds were about 50 mph today. The Capilano Suspension Bridge you cannot see below under your feet like this one - but only over the side - this bridge turned Capilano into a pussy cat. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
When we walked across the bridge the first time - the wind was fairly quiet. This is on the return journey - and John says to me: "Sweetie - turn around - I want your picture!" (Keep in mind I have already wet my pants at this point) I said: "I CAN'T turn around! I'll die!" He's laughing his butt off and I know I'm going to die. I finally got turned around - and by now the wind has kicked up to about 50 mph and the bridge is just a rockin' and rollin'. I manage to get turned back around and am screaming all the way to the other end: HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT. When we hop off the bridge, a lovely Irish woman asks me: "Is this a new Irish saying???" I may look very happy and smiling in this picture - but it's actually a look of sheer terror! |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
It's actually a good mile's walk just to get TO the Holy Shit Bridge from the car park, and this was on the way back. Mind you I have already kissed the ground. There are so many of these Jetties along the coast line and they never cease to amaze me - God just never has done any bad work. I am looking here at the coast and thanking God I'm alive and marveling at the privelege to have such an exciting and wonderful trip with John. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
At the Railway Station today we found out that the racers would be doing practice laps tonight in the towns of Portrush, Portstewart, and Coleraine. Mindless of the fact that we'd already had a 12 hour day in the bitter cold and 50 mph winds, we were all about going to watch them run. We picked up a picnic lunch to take with us and headed to park the car and find a place to watch. John wanted to be at the hairpin turn (of course) - and here are some of the Superbike Class racers coming around the bend. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
There is a hill just before this straigh away that the bikes just roar up over probably at speeds in excess of 125 mph and then brake for the hairpin. For others used to this, they probably didn't notice (like we did) that this was all transpiring right as close to the Atlantic Coast as one could get and still remain dry. Large, choppy waves breaking behind us and all this fast moving machinery in front of us. Quite the sight. |
Tuesday - May 14, 2002
 |
Another pack of bikes hits the hairpin and then we hit the road. We stopped at small pub on our way home for hot coffee and tomorrow we'll be leaving Northern Ireland and headed for points unknown. We're too pooped to figure that out right now. But, we'll be in touch. God Bless. |
Stay tuned for more to come!
Please feel free to send us an email with your comments or questions