Blown Away at Clonmacnoise

Clonmacnoise is south of Athlone in Ireland.  It is the site of a monastery dating back to about 544, a very, very long time.  We had difficulty finding it, Ms. Garmin drove us right past it, the signs are only visible if you are coming the opposite direction from the way we were driving. The narrow, hilly, winding roads, were starting to get to me, I nearly gave up.  I am glad we didn't.  The rain stopped, the clouds cleared, the wind was blowing about 40 miles per hour. I had a hard time standing in the open against the wind.  The ruins are amazing, I was blown away in more ways than one.  By the time we left, it had started to rain again, if you don't like the weather in Ireland, wait 30 minutes, it will change.  

  

Forbidden Photos

One issue with Jay and I in a hotel room, is having just one bathroom.  Both of us trying to get showered, dressed and ready to go at the same time, results in me, getting bored while he gets ready.  If I shower first, I will often go take a nice 45-60 minute walk so he can have unrushed time to fuss himself up.  This is what we did in London.  Along the side of the Hilton Tower Bridge is this wonderful pedestrian street, that leads to an overlook by London City Hall, with a wonderful view of the bridge.  This cute young couple was have wedding photos taken on that walkway, or at least trying to.  Just after I snapped this picture, a security guard came out and shouted for them to stop and leave the "private property."  He screamed that they were on private property taking "commercial photos" without permission, and ran them off to the pedestrian walkways along the river.  I do hope they got a couple of great shots before being run off.  

Would you let them take photos there? 

Gothic Revival Church at Dublin Castle

We took the tour of Dublin Castle.  The guided tour is the only way to get in to see the inside, the group was small, only 6 or 7 of us, and the tour guide was good.  She is the resident medievalist. The Castle started out as a fortress, a couple of the towers of the original castle remain, and later housed the residence of the heads of state.  At one point an Anglican church was built, in grand gothic revival style, on a petite scale.  A rather impressive building. After about 10 minutes of talking about the space, it's history, and what it has been used for over the past 200-300 years the tour guide said, "but I have to admit there is something very fake here, can anyone guess what it is?" Beyond her hair color, I didn't have a clue until she said, "knock on one of the columns, go ahead give it a rap." The structure is made of wood.  Why? There was stream running across the space, that was effectively buried in a tunnel under the building site.  A traditional stone structure would have been to heavy, and it was feared would collapse into the stream.  So the structure was done in wood, carved, plastered, and painted to look like stone.   

Do you like guided tours?  

The Way We Were Wednesday - Ferries

I don't recall my father every taking his car on a ferry when I was traveling with him, but the picture above is my mother and what is most likely my oldest brother on a ferry.  I remember my father talking about the sandpiper-gold car with the two tone paint, very early 1950's, I think it was the first new car my father ever owned.  

On our recent adventure we crossed from Ireland to Wales by ferry.  When I booked it, I wondered about the weather, a couple of weeks before we traveled there was video online of ferries trying to enter the port of Dublin in 60 knot winds and high seas.  We had wonderful weather on the outbound crossing, and good weather on the return, a little windy but still a very comfortable crossing. 

Any idea what the car above is? 

Pulled Pork

I was raised a typical midwesterner.  I didn't sample the delights of pulled pork until my 30's.  It is easy to make, take a pork shoulder or pork butt, season it, slow braise, until the meat is falling apart, break or chop it up, sauce it and away you go.  Seasoning can be simple, salt and pepper, or complex with savory, sweet and heat, do what you like, there is no wrong spicing.  The real secret is cooking it low and slow for hours.  For me is an all day slow cook in the oven at a low temperature.  Good cold weather cooking.  

Do you pull your pork? 

Music Monday - USA For Africa - We Are The World

All of the faces in the crowd, at the crossroads of the world, are all a part of this great world.  

A bit different in the current circumstances.  Times Square is largely empty.  But together, by staying away from one another, we can make a real difference in the world.  

I am trying to maintain my blog as a plague free zone, not to say COVID-19 is not affecting all of us, but I think we all need a few moments each day away from it, remembering that We are the World. We can and are making a real difference.  There is beauty and wonder, and adventure in the world, dream about, plan for it, soon we will be back in pursuit of it.  

Sunday Five - Strange Things

When you travel, you get to see some strange things. Today the strangeness inspires the Sunday five. 

1. Any idea what is in the package above? 
2. Ever seen a dead saint in a glass box? 
3. What is the strangest mode of transportation you have ever experienced while traveling? 
4. What is the oldest building you have visited? 
5. Where was the worst hotel you have ever stayed in? (no names to protect the guilty and avoid libel.) 

My answers: 

1. Any idea what is in the package above? If I told you, you'd know.  I will say it was in a church. 
2. Ever seen a dead saint in a glass box? A couple of times. 
3. What is the strangest mode of transportation you have ever experienced while traveling? A Zeppelin 
4. What is the oldest building you have visited? Something in Rome or Athens? 
5. Where was the worst hotel you have ever stayed in? (no names to protect the guilty and avoid libel.) Hazard Kentucky, the carpet was sticky, it was the best place in town and I had a training at 6:00 AM the next morning.  

Please share your answers in the comments.