Friday, February 26, 2010

more photos from Blarney Castle and it's grounds

here are some more photos of the grounds of Blarney Castle.

 
Laura and Tammy by the Wishing Steps


this walkway was all through the swampy land
Loved it so that I didn't get all muddy.




Thursday, February 25, 2010

What's it like to kiss the Blarney Stone?

 
Blarney Castle
As I write this, I am back in the States and guess what's going on outside . . . yes it's snowing, again. I really think they should've held the Olympics somewhere on the East Coast but let's think of something pleasant like the trek to Blarney Castle and Middleton Ireland, home of Jameson distillery.
We made our way to Blarney Castle after a quick breakfast of scones and tea. 
News Flash on the radio, Willie O'Dea, ministry of defense for Ireland, was caught making false allegations against someone in the rival party. What you say a politician was lying? What a shock. Well we heard all about his horrible lie and by the end of the trip he stepped down from his office. I have to say I found this amazing that he was pressured to step down because he lied about another member of the opposite party. Anyway, we traveled through many little roads  and made our way to Blarney Castle. Alaina was determined to kiss the Blarney Stone. She wanted to have that gift of gab. Her aunts and mother not so much. But we tagged along for the journey. 

So we ventured up the path. It was a crisp day. Sunny and beautiful.
I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

 
Laura, Tammy and Alaina heading to the Castle

 
  
  
  
  
If you can see the iron bars that's where you hang upside down to kiss the stone.

 
inside the castle

 
  
  
Buzz and Woody watching Alaina kiss the Blarney Stone.
If you're wondering if anyone else besides Alaina decided to kiss the Blarney Stone, well her Mom and I did kiss the Blarney Stone, there were pictures taken and for only 15 euros you can buy the photo. They don't allow you to take your own photo. Let me tell you hanging upside down I felt like a tressed pig and looked like one too. Rosy cheeked and being held by my ankles over the side of the castle wall it was an experience and I'm pretty sure I screamed like a little girl. I tried to figure out how I could have buzz and woody kiss the stone but I had to use both hands to hold onto the iron rails so that I wouldn't fall to my death. Didn't think Peter would appreciate my untimely demise. So they just looked on. I will say this if you choose to kiss the Blarney Stone, whatever you do DO NOT LICK YOUR LIPS AFTERWARDS!!! Terribly tasting and I'm not sure what it tasted like but it was  not pleasant. 

 
looking down from the top of the castle

 
more photos later of Blarney Castle grounds.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Off to the Land of Shamrocks

Well, February 16th I met with two of my sisters, Laura and Tammy and Tammy's daughter Alaina at JFK to start our adventures to the Emerald Isle. Our flight didn't leave till 8:30 pm and we met up around 4:30. So what do you do at JFK while waiting for your flight. Try and find a place to eat, window shop and take a few photos of your niece with Woody and Buzz of course.









Soon it was time to board our plane. We bundled up for the night of sleeping in an upright position and we were excited for what the next day would bring. As the light crept in through the crack of the shade. We could see the wing of the plane and down not too far below, our destination for the week. IRELAND

 

We arrived safely in Shannon Ireland at the international airport.It's a lovely small airport. One of the easiest airports I've been through internationally. After signing away our life fortune for a car and the fuel to drive it with, we waited ever so patiently for the van to pick us up to "pick up" said vehicle that we would drive for the week. When I write "we" I must mean the royal we as it was deemed that I would have the honor of holding our lives in my small little nail bitten hands traversing the horse and cart roads of Ireland. 


The tree outside of our villa
We traveled to the quaint little town of Adare where were would make our home for the week. Situated about 40 minutes from Shannon airport it's known as the most beautiful village in Ireland. It was quite pretty. The people were oh so nice and helpful. We stayed at the Adare Manor and Golf Club at the Villas http://www.adaremanor.com/
I think all of us would highly recommend this as a great place to stay. After checking in, we  headed into town to grab a bite to eat at the Collins Bar and Pub. http://www.seancollinsbaradare.com/
This became "our" pub. We ate well and of course Buzz and Woody enjoyed themselves there too.
 
Woody felt Buzz needed a shower after the long flight. 
After lunch we walked a bit in town.


Then we headed back to the "manor" and took a nap.  After our "power" nap, we made our way  back into town for Ash Wednesday services. 

 
One of the many churches in Adare

It was rather interesting as it was in Gaelic, Latin and English. I have to say I didn't feel a bit odd walking into the pub with Ashes on my forehead as many other folks that came in to the pub had ashes on their foreheads too.   What you would think of as a stereotypical night at the pub and that's what we experienced. A football match was on the telly, people coming in from church to have a pint, catch up with friends and family and then listen to some traditional Irish tunes. People were singing and  an older gentleman was asking one of the little girls who was about 10 if she wanted to dance a jig for everyone. It was a great evening and a perfect start for our trip.


 One of the birthday girl's: Tammy and daughter Alaina


Singing Galway Girl
Tomorrow we head to Blarney Castle and to kiss the Blarney Stone. : )




Saturday, February 6, 2010

Buzz and Woody in the Tundra of Central PA

 
Winter Landscape in Central PA
Well we've shoveled ourselves out of the snow storm 
 


and Buzz and Woody enjoyed the time as they were able to  practice their summiting skills. They are trying to pitch a new idea after their Caribbean adventure with John Lasseter to explore a variety of environments from snorkeling in the West Indies to trekking in Nepal. 


 

All is well and they are counting the days till the next adventure in Ireland.