Tag: travel

Snapshot #192 and a Question 

At our first hotel in Ireland I couldn’t locate the blow dryer. I looked high and low and finally called the front desk. The young lady who answered the phone advised me to look in the center drawer of the writing desk beside our closet. 

Sure enough, there was the blow dryer, its base firmly attached to the inside of the drawer. I’d forgotten that in the U.K., none of the electrical outlets in hotel bathrooms will accommodate any appliance other than an electric shaver. I guess I could’ve shaved my head and then I’d have had no need for a dryer.

Let’s call this one, “Thar She Blows!”

Question for my friends in the U.K.: Can you blow dry your hair in the bathroom? 

Flowers of Ireland 

I was traveling southwest Ireland with folks who know their flowers. Unfortunately I was unable to absorb any of their knowledge via osmosis. I only know that flowers grew everywhere in such beautiful colors, rich textures, and romantic aromas that my senses were in overdrive. 

Cliffs of Moher

Before we dropped the golfers off at Lahinch on Thursday our entire group took a trip to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. The gray day leant an air of melancholy to the visit and the winds blew cold and fierce. More than once I thought my phone would be blown from my hands as I snapped photos.

This picture is of the left side of the cliff walk. I only walked up the right side.

Studly Doright only ventured as far as the visitors’ center, above, so I explored without him.
Members of our group
I didn’t really gain weight on the trip, but my multiple layers made it look like I’d added at least a stone (aka 14 lbs.)

Our bus driver, Paul, said the Cliffs of Moher had seen more than its share of jumpers through the years. Often the only clue that a suicide occurred was an unclaimed car in the parking area at day’s end. On a brighter note, the Cliffs are also a favorite place for marriage proposals. I just watched for dragons.

Peace, people.

Snapshot #189

I was a wee bit homesick for Ireland. Let’s call this one, “Guinness, Dear Guinness.”

Snapshot #189

There are areas in southwestern Ireland where the road signs are only printed in the Irish language. I’m calling this one “It’s all Gaelic to me.”

Poulnabrone

Without a doubt the most memorable side trip of our eight days in Ireland was a visit to the Portal Tomb or Poulnabrone Dolmen in County Clare. We drove out to the tomb on our last full day on the island while the men played golf at Lahinch. I’d almost despaired that we’d have no opportunity to see such a place, but the wait was worth it.

As we drove through the Burren toward the tomb the landscape took on an otherworldly aspect, with outcroppings of limestone competing with short grasses and bursts of wildflowers. Our driver parked the bus and a blast of cold wind greeted us, but didn’t deter us from scampering up the hill to the Poulnabrone.

Limestone outcroppings made for treacherous stepping.

There was power in this place.

The tomb is thought to have been erected between 2,500 and 4,000 years B.C. 

I spoke with a gentleman who helps keep watch over the crowds of visitors. He said that vandals have found ways to carve initials into the stones, have removed small stones, and have even urinated on the tomb. I can’t imagine the callous disregard for something so ancient.

Snapshot #188

I took this one in the gardens at Doonbeg. It should be called, “Bee Irish!”

The Malton in Killarney, County Kerry

Our first few nights in Ireland were spent in the lovely Malton Hotel in Killarney. The hotel is within easy walking distance to the shops and pubs in the charming downtown area and most evenings we enjoyed a stroll to a restaurant for dinner and maybe a pint or two.

Reception area

View from one of the conversation nooks.
Outside the hotel’s pub.
Russ, one of the golfers, struck an impromptu pose in front of the Malton
Each morning I enjoyed honey straight from the honeycomb in the Malton’s breakfast area.

The loggia connecting the hotel with the spa area
Dennis the Menace chatting away.
Lovely Rachel with her hubby, Russ.

The Malton Hotel made us feel welcome in a faraway land. I highly recommend it, but suggest that you request a room with a larger shower. Some in our party, including Studly Doright and I, had tiny shower stalls while other couples enjoyed more comfortably sized ones. Our bathtub was luxuriously sized, though.

Peace, people!

A Swig and a Miss

I suppose it was inevitable that there’d be a beer I didn’t fancy as much as some of the others. If I were better versed in the language of the brewing arts I might be able to explain why it fell short, but all that I can say is “meh.” 

The Hop House Lager 13 I drank at Morrisey’s Pub in Doonbeg on Wednesday night didn’t thrill me. It wasn’t awful, but I had no desire to order a second pint. So I ordered a dessert with eclairs, ice cream, and chocolate sauce. It was amazing. Life in Ireland is pretty sweet. 

Shall I offer a toast?

He’s a fool who give over the liquor,
It softens the skinflint at once,
It urges the slow coach on quicker,
Gives spirit and brains to the dunce.

The man who is dumb as a rule
Discovers a great deal to say,
While he who is bashful since Yule
Will talk in an amorous way.

It’s drink that uplifts the poltroon
To give battle in France and in Spain,
Now here is an end of my turn-
And fill me that bumper again!

Kinsale, County Cork

While our husbands played golf at Old Head on Sunday, the wives toured Charles Fort and the town of Kinsale.


Rachel outside the fort.


Kinsale is a seaside tourist town with lots of little shops. Many were closed on Sunday afternoon, and our husbands sighed collectively with relief.


The city had hosted a regatta on Saturday, and plenty of sails still decorated the harbor.


We only had a wee bit of time there, and again, the husbands were happy.

Peace, people!