Well, we are back in the US.  Boston to be exact.  Waiting for flight home to Jacksonville.   Sorry I had so many typos but did this every night very late.

Ireland is a very beautiful country.   Flowers were in bloom every where.   They even had planter boxes on bridges.   Every town was so clean and well maintained.  

The biggest challenge had to be driving.   When we first got on the highway Dan was driving in US fast lane and people kept telling me to move over as they passed us on left.    So everything was backwards.   We walked around a lot and I had a hard time remembering which way to even look before entering a street.   Boy am I lucky I did not get hit!!

The Guinness really was better and I really hope we get a chance to go back one day.

Wednesday June 12, 2013

Wednesday June 12, 2013

We left Knock on Sunday, already deviating form our original plan, to visit Westport.  When we picked up the camper the owner told us not to plan any vacation to Ireland.  He said to do it right one must just go with follow and settled wherever feels right.   We have come to agree completely with this line of thinking.   They are plenty of B&B’s everywhere.  One would not have to wonder long before finding a place to stay for a night.  

Westport was very interesting.   Madi and I toured the Westport House while Dan and Will played some crazy game where they rolled down a hill inside a huge ball  (Zorbing) and then zip lined.   It was a fun little Family Adventure Park.    The home had belonged the pirate queen in the 1600’s.   It was quite a joy to tour.    We would have stayed longer but the park was closed on Monday and Tuesday so we decided to pack up and head south.   Which brought us Flemings White Bridge in Killarney.  

The owners here are quite nice and seem to really enjoy having Americans onsite.   They said they get a lot of Brit’s but not many visitors camping from US.   We were able to take a bus tour of the ring of Kerry yesterday.   It was beautiful.   I was really glad the bus driver knew what he was doing.   It was a lot of twisting and turning.   I already don’t have any fingernails left from the first couple of days in the camper.

They use a lot of different words here than we do.  Don’t ask where the restrooms are, you ask where the toilet is.   To-go food is called take away.   Houses aren’t “for rent”, they are “to let”.   I can’t imagine going where I don’t speak the language at all. This is a good first try at European travel.   

The time is going so fast.   We really don’t want it to end.  It  is hard to believe we only have a few days left.   We are staying on an apple farm tonight and trying to figure out tomorrow.  Don’t know where we will end up Thursday but I am certain it will be a good time for us.  

Saturday and Sunday Morning

After sleeping very late we checked out of our apartment a bit late and grabbed a taxi to get the camper van.   The folks at Celtic Campervans were so nice and helpful.   Gave us a the campers 101 class and sent us on our way.

Forgot to mention at Guinness Madi and Dan ran into people from Jacksonville and Bishop Kenny.  Small World right!

Well then we had to drive ourselves.   The roads our small and we have certainly said a prayers a plenty but we did finally make it to our destination.   Dan is adapting to the driving pretty well.  I just wish he would stop trying to crank the camper while it is in gear.   It has a manual transmission.

We spent last night at Knock Shrine Campground.   The Holy Mother, and St. Joseph appeared here to 15 witness in the late 1800's.   The Shrine is beautiful.  We attended the 8:00 am Mass here this morning and it was very interesting.   Shorter than Masses back home with only one reading and  a few other minor differences.   We are now deciding  where to spend our day today.   We may be packing up and moving on.  

That is one of the strange things here.   Most people don't make reservations.   You just drive till you find some place that sparks your interest and you set up camp there.   Some folks camp in the parking lot of pubs!  Can you imagine.  

Going to run go decide what is next....

Our Super cool ride from Celtic Campervans

St. Patriks Cathedral - Dublin

Dan and Will at Dublin Castle 

Will outside Fish and Chips spot in Dublin

Dan,  Madi, and Will at Christ Church

Wow,

What a hard days travel.   When we left for airport in Jax its was 1:00 in afternoon local time.    We were a little stressed leaving while a tropical storm was hitting and not being able to check-in online the night before.   After brief delay on I95 we were arrived well before our flight.  We were delighted to also confirm we could check our bags for entire trip regardless of multiple carriers.

Both flights were bumpy but took off and landed on-time.   Alas I did not sleep even a wink.  I just simply can't do it.   Dan and the kids got a few hours in though.    So at least someone had rest.

The time difference is horrible.   We landed at 8:00 am Dublin time.   Three a.m. at home.   After a lengthy process of getting through customs, we hailed a cab and were in our hotel/apartment by 10:00 a.m. local time.   We were able to check-in early thank goodness.   We got settled into the rooms and then headed out to see the sights.

We stopped and had a treat at Thank Goodness Bakery on Francis Street first.  Wow was that a treat.  Everything was delicious.   I had veggie quiche, Dan had a chicken pie, Madi a scone, and Will a tart.   Thinking of going back tomorrow.

Next we headed to the obvious - Guinness.  It was huge.   I can't believe the history there.  It is a bit a tourist trap though.   I hit my wall while we were there and pretty much refused to go on without a proper nap.    Dan had his sample of the brew but I was just too tired. At this point I had been well over 24 hours with no sleep.   Dan had his sample of the brew but I was just too tired.    I was simply done with the day.  

We came back to nap.  But first  we did take another quick break to tour St. Joseph's chapel.   It was so peaceful and well worth the stop.   After napping for two hours we headed back our.   We checked out Dublin Castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Trinity College.   Then stopped for a really great dinner were I was finally ready for my Guinness.  It was really good and nice way to end the day.  

It is 9:22 pm in Dublin and 4:22 p.m. at home.  I am yet again ready for bed.    Will post pictures as soon as we get settled with Wifi.   We got lucky here and had it!

But I don't have access to my pics on phone yet!!

D-

Leaving Tomorrow. . .

Okay to say I am nervous would definitely be an understatement.  I am so not looking forward to the 6 hour flight.   Then we have to tote our luggage around Dublin until we can check into hotel at 2 p.m.  But hey we will be in Ireland before we know it.   Hopefully touring the Guinness storehouse, although I hear it is a tourist trap.   

So we are having a bathroom remodeled while we are away.  Not sure if that makes us even crazier.   I just keep thinking of all the things that could go wrong.   Luckily I have great neighbors and friends that will be checking on things for us.  

We have not booked any tours or sightseeing for any part of this trip.    Basically the only thing planned is campground bookings.   Everything else will be what we wonder into.  

Our first stop is the Knock Shrine for Saturday and Sunday night.   Very interested to see how different Mass will be there.   I have read that Catholicism is on a decline with the Irish population.  

I am charging the cameras today and hope to post a few pictures along the way.  Praying for safe travels. 

The Plan

I am not sure how we came to this grand plan.   As I recall we had been talking about taking a big vacation.   Saving and really setting a goal to go somewhere really cool.   Then one weekend we had been talking about Ireland and then progressed to our love of camping.  It was one of those light bulb moments when all the planets seemed to align and send beams of intelligence right to my very house.   Camping in Ireland, could it be done?

Dublin is a relatively short eight hour flight from Boston.  Since I haven’t really left the country other than a few cruises to the Caribbean, I thought Ireland may be a good introduction to European travel. We quickly started researching.  As it turns out camping is quite popular in Europe.    We sent for the travels guide and have now mapped out plan.  

We fly into Dublin on June the 6^th.  There we rent a camper van and head across the Island to Galway.  We head south and then back up to Dublin over the next week.  We will be staying in mostly campgrounds and one Bed and Breakfast during our stay.  

I named this site Ignorant Americans as we really know very little about what we are getting into.  We have never driven a camper, been to Ireland or studied the sites much.   Dan has a least travelled but not much for pleasure only work.   I hear the whiskey and beer are awesome.   What more can we ask for?