I have had a lot of people ask how our trip went and what all we were able to work into the week in Ireland. Now that I'm a bit more rested and have a moment I'll see what I can do about that...

 

Day 1, Saturday:

Mostly a travel day from Des Moines, Chicago, Frankfort onto Dublin. To waste time on the plane I took in a few movies - August Rush (too sappy), Enchanted (liked this one). We landed in Dublin around 2pm local time to chilly temps and rain. After checking into the hotel we took off with some others in our group for the Temple Bar area, Dublin Castle and Christ Church.

 

Day 2, Sunday:

Today was a bus tour of Dublin, St. Patrick's Cathedral and then a visit to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. We had a full afternoon to wander the strees and Dan and I had a chance to wander around and we headed down to St. Stephen's Green and even though it was chilly and windy we really enjoyed wandering the park.

 

Day 3, Monday:

On Monday we traveled westward towards Ennis and visited the Irish National Stud in Kildare. We got the chance to see very successful horses as well as new colts who were less than a week old. The gardens on the estate were also beautiful and so lush. It reminded me just how wonderful summer is compared to all the snow and cold we've had recently back here in Iowa. From there we traveled to the Rock of Cashel and then to Limerick and St. Mary's Cathedral. We opted to goto the dinner at Bunratty Castle and I would suggest this highly to anyone in the area. I was worried it might have been cheesy - but instead it was really well done and the food was really, really good. The mead was awesome as well. *grin*

 

Day 4, Tuesday:

We traveled from Ennis to the West Coast to take in the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren limestone plateau. It was great to see just how different the land changes in Ireland from coast to coast and north vs south. We left the lush green fields behind for mostly rock. We visited a marble factory in Moycullen and I picked up some gifts made from green marble. Absolutely beautiful. We capped off the day at Rathbaun Farm and got to see little lambs, Buff the dog working the sheep and the thatched roof house in which we had the most awesome scones. The people in Ireland are second to none and treat you just like family.

 

Day 5, Wednesday:

Today we had a long bus trip as we headed to Dingle Bay and then the Ring of Kerry. My favorite part was stopping at Ladies View in the valley. It was breathtaking and I had to take a moment to just stop, stare and feel the presense of God. It was a very spiritual moment for me.

 

Day 6, Thursday:

On Thursday we headed through the Kerry Mountains to Blarney. Dan headed up to the top of the castle while I headed out to shop. I had no desire what-so-ever to climb up the narrow steps in a small enclosed area to a very high place to kiss a rock that goodness knows how many lips have touched. *shiver* I don't like enclosed spaces nor heights. He did get some awesome photos tho, so that was a definate plus. We also got to go on a tour in Waterford at the Waterford Crystal Factory. It's amazing how easy the workers make it look when working with glass. We topped off the night going to a pub just outside of town that had a local man who came to play music for us. We sat back and enjoyed drinks while listening to authentic Irish music. What a way to wrap up the week!

 

Day 7, Friday:

Heading to Avoca meant being able to tour the Avoca Handweaving Mill and be able to see them work wonders with wool of so many various dyed colors. From there we visited the Glendalough Monastery - which was amazing. Being able to see so much history in one place always amazes me. Sitting on one of the headstones was a robin who sang for us before flying up and over our heads.

 

Day 8, Saturday:

Thus we began our very, very long trip home. We left Dublin after sitting for almost 2 hours due to weather issues in London. We then missed our flight from London to Chicago by minutes. After re-walking the entire airport at Heathrow we finally got an agent who could help us reschedule a flight and found ourselves stuck in London overnight with a very early wakup call. The worst part? We had no luggage.

 

Day 9, Sunday:

Our day started at 6am and finally boarded the plane at 7:30am. Our pilot's name, no joke, was Bubba Frisbee - a guy with a deep southern accent. He got us back to Chicago in only 7.5 hours. It was a really easy flight and I watched Becoming Jane (was ok) and got in some reading. Mostly I was just so exhausted I snoozed although I never actually fell asleep. We landed in Chicago and found out we had no tickets on to Des Moines. So we were on standby all afternoon - finally sneaking on a plane at 8:30pm and home by just after 10pm - completely exhausted.

 

So we're home safely and trying to overcome the jet lag and exhaustion. I'm starting to feel a bit more human and do so more each day. It was an awesome trip and I suggest highly it was a trip for anyone wanting to see a beautiful, breathtaking land filled with the most hospitable people I've met.

 

We are now home again from our trip to Ireland. The people over there are beyond wonderful and all treat you like you are a long lost relative. We had rain the first day we were in the country (in Dublin) but otherwise we had sun and blue skies - what a blessing that was. The green grass over there was so very different then the vast amount of snow we left behind.

 

I'll write more later about the trip later after my brain has defogged from the 48 hours worth of traveling it took us to get back due to weather delays, stuck in London and then on standby a full day in Chicago. For awhile we were worried we'd have to rent a car and drive the 6 hours home. But we got on the second to last flight out and after some more sleep things should return to normal.

 

It's great to be home - but we had an awesome time.

Will post more later, but make sure to check out the Dublin photos. :)

Argh. I stayed home today with a wicked sore throat, headache and my ears are full and draining into my throat. The tube just below my left ear is crazy sore. I've had the "head cold" or "sinus" thing happening now for over a week but last night it finally got to be too much and by morning I had to go get it checked out. She told me my ears were full as well as the tubes and that my throat looked like it hurt. *chuckle* So now I'm on...

 

Prednisone 20MG, take 2 each morning for 5 days. Woo. (sarcasim)

Sunny and in the 60's this morning and tomorrow is slotted for snow and in the 20's.

 

Unbelieveable.

Found this on Gail's Blog:

 

Appetizer
Who was the last person you hugged? My husband

 

Soup
Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.
- Drinking a ton of water seems to lead to less migraines.

 

Salad
What does the color green make you think of? Spring! 

 

Main Course
If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around? - Definately black and white images of iconic Iowa. Old barns, fence lines, farm animals and old houses with large wrap around porches.

 

Dessert
What was the longest book you ever read?
- Not sure on length. Harry Potter books are pretty long but very easy and quick reading. I would say the Bible would be the longest book I WISH I had finished. I'm over halfway.

 

And in other news... let the melting begin! After 2 days of 40'F weather there are rivers all over town - yet there is still a ton of snow out there. Here's what our driveway looks like this afternoon after a ton of melting has happened... here's hoping it'll look even better in a few days!