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April |
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Sheep-travel's
Travel Blog
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 Irish
Christmas Traditions |
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Like many other countries also
Ireland has wonderful traditions during the
Christmas time. Unfortunately especially in the
bigger cities there is not really much
 anymore
to see and so I am afraid one day they will loose
it.
One of the traditional and
most beautiful things is, to put a candle-light in
the window. One it was an important sign to
wanderers out there in the night to see where is a
house and possibly a place where t sleep and get
something to eat. Christians put it to welcome Mary
and Joseph at Christmas eve.
Traditionally the candle
should be lit by the youngest member of the family
and only a girl named Mary can bear it.
Another nice tradition is the
laden table. After Christmas meal the kitchen table
will be set again with a loaf of bread filled with
caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk and a
large candle in order to burn the night. The door is
unlatched so that every wanderer can come in and
have a meal. In the Christian believe it is for Mary
and Joseph to offer some food to them on their way.
The decoration is of holly, a
plant that grew once everywhere and gave the poor
the possibility to use it as decoration. And like in
most Christian countries is has to be taken down not
before January 6th - the Little Christmas - which
would bring bad luck.
There was once the Wren Boy
Procession on that the families would dress up with
old dresses and blackened faces and go from one
house to the other and - in old times - a wren would
be killed. That is an old usage from the Penal
Times. Today the same day - on St. Stephan's Day -
families use to go to visit friends and families.
In the houses there are
prepared 3 puddings: one for
 Christmas
Day, one for New Year's Day and one for January 6th.
The traditional turkey also in
Ireland has to go in the oven.
Mince pies and a bottle of
Guinness is waiting for Santa.
Children like to put out socks
for the gifts.
So far mostly of these
traditions seem to me everywhere in Europe. I lived
in many European countries and saw everywhere very
similar traditions that have gone also to Turkey,
where I have seen the most beautiful Christmas
decorations in the streets and shops.
For me this period is not
really the best, it's full of stress and the most I
like now is the candle-light, the cozy house and the
wind outside. It has some very protecting feeling.
Wish all a Happy Christmas! |
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| keys:
Irish traditions,Christmas |
posted:
06/12/2009 |
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Lady
Windermere's Fan |
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To my surprise one morning my
neighbor and friend didn't come to call me for our
nearly daily coffee-chat but to ask me if I would
like to see a play. Wow, a play - I haven't been to
see one for ages! Of course I would like and she
told me I am invited and it's a play by Oscar Wilde.
Oh, great, I was reading something about the movie
Dorian Grey last night. So the play is called 'Lady
Windermere's Fan' and the afternoon before going I
had a look in the Internet. I didn't know how
difficult it will be for a stranger to understand.
We went last Wednesday, at 8
p.m. The play was n the local 'theater', the
Solistic at Navan. A rainy night like all in the
last weeks, but inside with a lot of people it was
nearly cozy.
Our seats were in the third
row at the very left side, but nevertheless perfect
to see. The theater was full till the last seat!
Then suddenly it darkened and the curtains opened.
Oh, nice scene, beautiful dresses and I could
perfectly understand everything. The actors were
local people, teachers and other professions, some
my friend knew personally. Four acts, after two a
short break to go to drink something. It was a nice
play, great actors, perfectly prepared ad I enjoyed
it very much.
About the play: Lady
Windermere is a nice and innocent young wife who's
life seems to drop apart when a male 'friend'
confesses to be in love with here and a female
'friend' to warn her about her husband seeing nearly
every day an unknown lady. Her husband asking her to
invite just that lady she refuses but he sent the
invitation by his own. So the dinner is not exactly
what she wanted, getting complete confused by what
people say and she fears. The lady in question seems
to be a nice one and everyone during the evening is
changing his mind but Lady Windermere. She 'escapes'
to the friend who confessed his love, leaving a
letter to her husband at home. Fortunately it is the
questionable lady to read the letter and she safes
Lady Windermere from doing something completely
stupid. Happy end of course. - The reason of all
that 'mess' I will not explain, but it's all that
kind of misunderstanding and imagination that people
have in relationships and they are insecure of being
really loved or not.
The play was only for 4
nights. In the Solistic there are more than 400
seats and the first night, when we went, is was
full. It is also a place where one can find the
local library and during the years they organize
lectures, documentaries and much more. |
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| keys:
Lady Windermere's Fan,Oscar Wilde |
posted:
02/12/2009 |
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Four
days at Lake Garda |
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After 8 years finally I had a
kind of holiday - 4 days! But better than nothing I
would say and I made it feel like two weeks to me.
 I
had an invitation of a German friend whose husband
is from the Lake Garda. So I had a flight to Bergamo
- a very big airport thinking of not being a real
great city. When I left the plane it was like
entering summer, warm air which was around 28°C.
Home. Summer. They came to pick me up and two hours
later at nearly midnight I arrived at Arco at the
lake Garda. Eating, a glass of wine, all windows
open - I nearly had forgotten how summer is at home
after years. The next morning I woke up, sun
shining, still warm, motorbikes in the street, women
talking from window to window, the smell of fresh
home made espresso. I missed you Italy!
 Sitting
outside on the balcony I wait for the rest of the
company to wake up. I don't care that they sleep
till late, they have a German breakfast, I have my
coffee. Later we go to do shopping for the weekend -
I do have a long list, what I need to buy: coffee,
books, a keyboard and much more. I start with some
books, I have time for the other things. Later they
make a sight-seeing tour with me, we visit Malcesine
on the east-shore of the lake. Nice place, we walk
in the center, have a drink in a place straight on
the lake. I breath the air, can't still believe I am
here, feel the sun on my skin. The days passes by,
very lazy but with a great feeling of peace inside.
When going home I know mother and father of my
friends husband, I have a talk, must laugh, because
they speak so different to me (I am from Naples in
the very south). I am tired and so I don't care that
in the evening we don't go nowhere but sit home, eat
and play cards. Nothing I would do in an 'normal'
holiday but it's fine this time.
On Saturday I have the same
beginning sitting on the balcony from half seven
till nearly noon waiting the rest wakes up, getting
ready. But I enjoy, listen to the noises in the
streets and feel the sun on the skin. Then we leave
for going to see a friend and nearly seconds later
to the North to see the waterfalls of Nardes. On the
way we pass at the Lake of Tenno
 with
a blue color nearly from another world. White
beaches around and seems to be a perfect place for
bathing. We continue to the mountains, beautiful
mountain nature with deep forests and nice little
villages, large meadows and many small rivers. At
the waterfalls we have to pay 8 € to go by car till
the end - or walk more than 6 kilometers. At least
we have one who doesn't want to walk at all so we
pay and follow w narrow street till the last parking
place. On the way we pass the Nardes waterfall and
arrive at a second which seem much more natural
because situated in the forest. We have a walk, sit
at the edge of the forming river, breath the
mountain air and listen to the calming noise of
falling water. I really recommend this place - but
with time, something to eat and drink and legs they
like to walk! It's a magic place. There is a small
hut with information and toilets. After an hour we
leave, stop a moment at the Nardes
 waterfall
and go back home, it's nearly 7 p.m.
That was a nice day out, to
see something and the same very relaxing.
The next day is the same very
calm, without a car and we walk into the center of
Arco. I learn where to go up to the castle, we have
a nice walk in the piazza and in the medieval
streets. My first ice-cream after years. I would
like to eat the whole shop - wow! In the evening we
go to have a pizza in a restaurant nearby, I try a
pizza. Not bad but of course not like home. Naples
is the place for the best one, but I enjoy to sit
here, to see the people around, to listen to Italian
and to know I will have a nice pizza.
Monday, my last day before
leaving I begin with a shopping morning.
Some medicines, supermarket and some other places to
get some things of my list. Then later everyone but
me - we are 5 - wants to go to swim in the Lake of
Tenno. I stay home, take more sun on the balcony and
at 3 p.m. I start to go to the center of Arco and to
climb on the castle. HELP! It is much higher than I
thought but a beautiful way through olive trees and
with a beautiful view on the village. At the top I
pay 2 € and enter the medieval castle. The blue sky
and the green cypresses give a perfect contrast
 to
the white rock and stones of the castle. The
paintings in the game house are incredible and they
remember me of paintings I saw in Turkey. When I
leave the castle after an hour I feel tired of
walking but there is still a long way home to
Bolognano where I stay. On the way in the piazza I
buy some other books, some souvenirs and another BIG
ice-cream. After 4,5 hours in all I arrive home -
tired and happy. I don't move anymore this day.
Tuesday is my leaving day, I
take the last time the sun knowing well that rain is
waiting in Ireland, cold and everything but
summer-feeling. They bring me back to Bergamo and I
think: chi me lo fa fare? (who let me do so
(leaving)?) But I have my cat at home and I know he
will be more than happy to have me back. I arrive
home at 1 a.m. in the night and since then my cat
has not left me even to go to the toilette. He is
happy as me to be together again - also if I already
miss summer, warmth on my skin, life in Italy.
Everyone who is still looking
for a nice holiday place: Lake Garda is definitely a
perfect choice in summer! |
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| keys:
Lake Garda, Italy, Arco,
castle |
posted:
02/09/2009 |
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Discovery
at Bective Abbey |
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I do live near to Bective
Abbey, but it's only now I discover about the
important digs they did in the last two months
there. And that's about an article in the
newspapers.
When I passed a few weeks ago
at the Bective on my way home from Lidl in Trim I
saw a blue tend there in the field and I thought
about filming or something like that. It would be
not the first time. I promised myself to have a look
the day after - but you know how it is when some one
say 'tomorrow'.. the famous 'mañana'.
Anyway.. now it's too late but
I still can report about the very important
discovery. Mathew and
Geraldine Stout are two archaeologist from St.
Patrick's College Drumcondra and they dig together
with 30 volunteers from archaeological schools in
the field in front of the abbey. The dig began on
6th July and it was discovered a guest house out of
the inner walls. It was identified as this because
of a big amount of waste in one corner with bones
and oyster shells. The monks only had fish to eat in
the order, no meat. Spoons, pottery, nails and much
more were dig out.
The monks of Becitve Abbey
where the first monastic order to become
self-sufficient. Normally they were depending on
local people giving them food.. The Bective monks
farmed over 4.000 acres of land, had their own corn
and program a land proclamation. It was also the
oldest Cistercian foundation in Meath, the
second-oldest in whole Ireland.
Here
you can read about Bective Abbey.
I missed such an important
event because I had to go abroad.. what a pity!
If you are really interested
in it have a look at the archaeological blog of the
Stouts
here. |
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| keys:
Bective Abbey, Cistercian, Archaeology |
posted:
05/08/2009 |
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A
night at the dog-racing |
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I have never seen a racing at
all but a dog-racing I thought must be interesting
and I should see it once. So I asked a friend who
likes gambling and knows well the racing places to
go to. And yesterday was the exciting night.
We left at 7 p.m. from home (Navan)
to go to Dublin. The racing ground we wanted to go
was the Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium - in the
heart of Dublin. With traffic and considering coming
in from the country it took nearly an hour to arrive
and find a parking place somewhere near to it.
We entered, paid the entrance
fee and I got a brochure I didn't know what to do
with. My friend explained that there are the courses
in and the dogs names, statistics and so on. Oh,
great, and what do I do with it? I have never seen
one of the dogs, names are just words written on a
paper - and anyway I don't like gambling. Well, some
one will think now: so what is she doing there? I
can tell you: it's never a good thing to talk or
having an opinion about something one doesn't know.
So I wanted to see by my own what it is, experience
it.
We passed in a really full
restaurant. Nice dressed ladies everywhere, they
seemed to imagine 40°C outside (I had a jeans and
trench-coat on, it was freezing cold yesterday
evening, not more than 8°C) and everyone with a beer
in a hand. Outside only a few people first, then
later a good number. I put myself near to the racing
ground which was a little bit higher then my stay.
So when finally the first racing started - it was
already over. The dogs go out of their boxes with an
incredibly high speed, one can hear them breathing,
people shouting around and after maybe 30 seconds
the dogs have already passed a second time and
nothing.
I read in the Internet
something about thrilling, exciting, great
feeling... what did I miss? I did some photos, lots
of questions to my friend and tried not to show my
disbelieve that that is all.
The people around take this
racings like an event, just instead of going to
cinema or theater or disco they go to a racing.
There is another restaurant outside, everyone
eating, drinking, chatting...
After nearly two hours we
left, the last two courses we didn't see. My friend
bet on 6 courses 5 euro each and won just once. He
said it was a nice evening, he enjoyed it. That's
important, I only was curious.
Well, I can say for myself: I
just saw it, I have experienced it and I am
definitely not the right 'race'. I didn't enjoy, I
didn't feel excitement and I never would go a second
time there. But now I can say with emphasis: no,
nothing for me, go ahead.
Read more details
here. |
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| keys:
Dublin, dog-racing, Shelbourne Park |
posted:
02/08/2009 |
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Irish
experience at the Causey-Farm |
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The first experience I had on
Irish ground was the one of the best moments in my
life. It must have been the right place in the right
moment and the right mood - I don't know but my
first impression of Irish people was GREAT.
A few days before leaving
Germany I had a look for some houses where to live
in Ireland just not to go there and not knowing
anything and I wrote to a woman who had one ad a
(half) reasonable prize in the area I wanted to
stay. She told me just to come over when I am in
Ireland. So I didn't write her anymore.
When we arrived on Tuesday
afternoon I didn't call her immediately but slept
another night in the car. The morning after I called
her to ask about the house and she told me it was
rent. She didn't know if I would come or not. Maybe
a misunderstanding? Well, but she told me to come to
her farm and she would help me to find a place where
to stay. So she gave me direction and I started my
adventure towards an unknown farm. Farm sounded well
because with my dog and cat - then still both of
them - I wanted to stay in the country-side. When I
arrived I really found a farm: the Causey-Farm. But
also lots of buses and cars. I parked, let out a
little bit my dog and the cat free
 in
the car and walked later on the farm ground to have
a look for Deirdre, so her name. I asked a few
people and when I saw her I thought she is a nice
person, lightly 'alternative' but perfect for a
country-life. She greeted me and asked me some
patience because they have so many people in the
moment, if I want to sit in the (horse) stable and
watch with an American group the Irish dance. So I
sat between elderly people an the ex-horse-stable,
Irish music on, two nice girls dancing the
'River-Dance' dancing (that's what they reminded me)
and to be explained how to use an Irish drum. It was
a magic moment - I felt like in a movie and I
constantly waited that some one will say: stop the
shot or something like that. I was dreaming, the
magic was so powerful. After that Deirdre told me to
come into the kitchen, she gave me a dish of Irish
stew, something to drink, fresh scones and homemade
jam, coffee. People were talking to me, ones to know
about my journey, others to know if I am there with
a group. It was so amazing. I assisted a group to
prepare the brown bread - I honestly don't like too
much because it's lightly sweet - to see the dogs
work with the sheep and many other things. I was
tired, had no wash for a few days
and Deirdre offered me to have a shower in her house
and then we would have a look in the Internet for a
house. So I did and we found something that could
suit me and I could see the day after. Instead of
sleeping in her house like she offered me I decided
to sleep again in the car with my animals, not to
let them alone. I could take my dog in the house but
for the cat it would be too much trouble. Better let
them both in a known 'area'. The next day I had a
look at the house, there was no alternative and so I
took it, had another day in the car and signed the
next day and moved in. After 6 days in the car it
was good for the animals to be on a 'firm' ground.
But the experience on the
Causey-farm was so great. I think it is a lovely
place and perfect to have a look at the real Irish
way of being. We had also a walk on a tractor to the
woods where they once were taking the turf. I have
been there a few other times and it was always
incredibly busy. They offer special days for
Halloween, Christmas and Easter, they organize for
children and adults as well, one can have a
beautiful dinner there and sleep in the nearby hotel
and many other things. I recommend it strongly to
everyone who would like to live a really
unforgettable experience and a typical Irish day. It
is simply GREAT! Have a look at their
web-site
or at my
Info-page. |
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| keys:
Northern Ireland,Antrim,Giants Causeway |
posted:
19/07/2009 |
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Some
like it wet... |
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..when going on sightseeing
but in Ireland that is something you never know. And
so the Monday was a lovely day and we spent a lot of
time in the shopping-center and later to go around
in the country-side.
 When
we woke up in the early morning at 6.30 a.m. on
Tuesday the day seemed to be fine again and we had a
short breakfast before our 'driver' would come over
to have his coffee and going then to the very far
end of the island, even into another country. We
started our journey with some clouds but what are
some clouds in Ireland? Heading down to Dublin to
take the motorway to Belfast we were in a good mood
and even the traffic was fine. More clouds, not even
one ounce more light... well, nothing will darken
our excitement we decided.
We were so fast in Northern
Ireland that our friend - the driver - said after a
while he wants to stop in a small town to change
some money - and buy cheaper wine. In the meanwhile
it was raining lightly but constantly. We were
driving around a little bit and he asked us if we
have ever seen the cathedral, because Armagh is an
important religious place. That was the moment my
friend from Germany began to start not to like the
day. It was a stupid question to someone who has
never been before in Ireland and she is very
sensitive to things like that. We had a quick walk
to a shopping-center we were not interested in, we
had to wait and waste time and we two of us decided
to stop at a big lake were there was some ancient
high cross. After our driver-friend came back
carrying bottles of wine and other alcoholics and we
got in the car, rain was coming down now very
'Irish'.
We couldn't find the street
right away and had to look after the right place but
in the end we arrived where we wanted at the lake.
The position was great, high over the sea and it was
there that we noticed that all headstones in the
graveyard were 'looking' over the sea. The remains
of the church were a delusion like the high cross I
even forgot to take a pic.
Now on the way straight to the
Giants Causeway - always in the hope the clouds will
open a little bit and let shine some sun on our
heads. Rain coming down now heavy we arrived at
Portrush, where our driver was convinced to go on
the left. I was suggesting on the right. I was right
so and we had to turn back all the way. Then he said
he wanted to go straight to the Causeway so we gave
in thinking we will go to Dunluce Castle (we really
wanted to see) after, still in hope of a little bit
of sun!
 Big
parking place, a modern visitor-center, a
shuttle-bus to the sight. In the rain the bus was
welcome also for such a short way like less then a
kilometer. It stopped to rain a little bit, just
heavy humidity, but it was not really better. We had
a look around, the stones in seize and form were
amazing and it looked to me more than a Roman
street. I must confess I had no time before to read
something about it and so I were there just looking
on strange stone formations on a rainy day. Well..
but there was still Dunluce Castle!
On the way from the Giants
Causeway we both females were not really impressed
but our male-driver was for all of us. We asked him
to go to the castle along the coast. He said the
inner side is better. The sun was coming out
finally, perfect to see the romantic castle situated
on the coast high over the sea. But we finished up
at Bushmill's Distillery. Whiskey? My German friend
and I hate whiskey and we were not interested at all
in that distillery. Ok, buy your whiskey then! Buy?
Sure, but first we will have a guided tour. What? We
lost nearly two hours there in, I tried to find the
best in it but the day was over. It was after 5 p.m.
when going out, no pics till now, just a few
insignificant, and the only moment when it was great
to see and do some beautiful pictures.. we were in
the distillery. I already had a headache, my German
fiend was extremely grumpy and my Irish friend
extremely satisfied. We had to stop him by drinking
because it was him to drive! Why Anglo-Saxons are
all the same with the drinking?
The way back was a boring
disaster and we came back around 10 p.m., exhausted,
hungry - we only had an apple, a sandwich and
something like that the whole day - and
disappointed. An unforgettable day because gone so
wrong!
But I have to say one thing
for myself: when I was preparing the Giants Causeway
page for my side I understood all the amazing story
behind it, the myth and the real formation of this
strange stones and I appreciated it very much. There
are a few pics I made I think they are really
beautiful and after all: I had a nice day.. if it
would not have been for....... |
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| keys:
Northern Ireland,Antrim,Giants Causeway |
posted:
18/07/2009 |
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Lübeck - St.
Mary's Church |
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Germany, Lubeck, Church |
posted:
13/07/2009 |
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How
we arrived in Ireland |
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For a few circumstances I
decided to move from Turkey to Ireland. Best job
possibilities for someone in the tourism, easy to go
with my animals, still in Europe and anyway: I
always wanted to see Ireland. Ok, now everyone
things: normal people go for holiday to see a
country, not for living. I am different obviously
☺
When I move I move with my
car. All my belongings have to get into my car,
otherwise it will not move with me - and miss an
adventure! So because I were for some reason already
in Northern Germany I only had to decide which way I
will go: straight from France to Ireland or from
Holland to UK and then Ireland? I decided for the
second version. So my way to drive was:
Lübeck (start point in
Germany)
Hoek van Holland (Holland)
Harwich (UK)
Holyhead (UK)
Dublin (Ireland)
I had a short look about the
prices for the ferries but without doing the
tickets. That was definitely a mistake and for the
next time I know better. But I also decided to leave
Germany just the day before going.
Lübeck – Hoek van Holland,
1/7/2007, 580 km, 7 hours
I start at 1 p.m. instead of 8
a.m. but just to put the few things in the car, dog
and cat, say good bye to everyone... it takes more
time at least you think. On the motorway near
Hamburg I try not to take the way to Hannover and
Italy - home - but to go north to Bremen and
Holland. Road works everywhere, it's nice and warm -
too warm for the animals I think - and we are in the
middle of millions of cars.
 After
Bremen I go straight in the hope it is ok, I don't
have a navigation system and drive still 'old
fashioned'. Near to Osnabrück I finally see a sign
for Amsterdam. Well, that's Holland, must be right
so. After half an hour and more than 350 km I arrive
in Holland. I didn't see a sign for it, but
everything seems more flat, more 'Dutch'.
Imagination is all!
After an hour there is a sign
to Den Haag, I take the road. After another hour I
arrive at Rotterdam and like always I loose myself
on the ring-road. Can't be different! After two
times around that city - I think about all bad words
I know in Italian - I finally get the right exit to
Hoek.
Only a few minutes later I am
already at Hoek - more a village than a town - and I
only have to follow all road-signs to the port. I
put petrol in the car - don't want to do that in UK
- and pay much too much. But do I have a choice if I
don't want to walk?
8 p.m.: I park my car in the
empty parking area thinking, nothing will leave
anymore today. I enter the small building - the port
is very small! - and at the information desk I ask
for a ferry to Harwich. The nice fair haired man
tells me the next will be an hour later, no problems
for the animals and the cost of.. 383 €! I nearly
fall unconscious. For 4 hours on the sea? I can't
believe it but anyway I don't want to wait 24 hours
to pay a few Euros less. I take the ticket: Hoek van
Holland-Harwich economy class 224 €, 4 people cabin
(obligatory, I don't need that) 114 €, arrangement
on board (what's that?) 30 €, counter booking 15 €.
HELP!
I ask for the passage time and
make a strange face when he tells me about 8 hours
for such a short way. Do we have a swimming stop
somewhere? No, we have to wait 4 hours in Harwich
before leaving the ferry. They only start then to
work there. At that point I am surprised THAT they
work.
At the car I let out my dog
and my cat (in the car). They have to be to do their
things before we are such a long time on board and
they can't leave. I think what to do that I don't
have to leave the car and decide to wait for the
situation.
 Well,
at the moment to go on the boat I show the ticket
and the passports of all three of us. But everything
is perfect also with the animals papers and we don't
have a problem - only a nice woman who likes the big
and small white 'flushies 'in the car. I get a green
paper I have to put in the car to show I have
animals in and enter the ferry.
I park my car on the first
deck, start to open the windows, to clean a little
bit, food for all three of us, water, I start to
prepare my bed.. and wait they will throw me out or
close the doors. Well, after one hour - for my bad
conscious - I try out the doors. All closed up. So I
stay in the car with my two beloved ones and fall
asleep dreaming about our new adventure.
Harwich – Holyhead, 2/7/2007,
600 km, 8 hours
In the morning at 7 a.m. we
finally can leave the ferry boat, after nearly 5
hours waiting. Just before I had a walk on the outer
deck and saw a big harbor, not very easy to find out
I thought. I don't have to forget to drive on the
'wrong' side of the road!! When leaving the boat
they winked me on the right to stop. A young guy
starts to ask me a few very much questions about
why, where, how and so I want to go to Ireland. He
is not interested in the dog and cat! I nearly don't
understand him, has a strong accent and he has to
ask always twice before I understand. After 20
minutes finally he lets us go and I follow a Dutch
car - also a stranger here and for sure going for
holidays leading me out of this mass of port. And
really: he takes the road to London - as I have to
do.
The country is flat,
everywhere fields and cows. I think about a movie I
saw lately in the TV and think: that's England.
Again: imagination is all!
Till London everything is
really easy, driving on the left is no problem at
all. I only have to follow the other cars. Around
London I start my normal 'lost on the ring-road'
drive and I loose an unimaginable hour between two
exits! I ask information at a petrol station, good
explanation - only that that guy misses to tell me
about a roundabout. But instinctively I take the
right exit and find my way finally out of the
'road-horror'.
Till Birmingham I am fine and
I drive as I think. At B'ham the 'lost-syndrome'
comes over me again and I get simply out now into
the country-side and the last 100 km I don't have
any rush and I can find my way slowly. I am tired,
it's only afternoon but I decide not to go today to
Ireland. I will have a look around here, stop
somewhere for my dog, eat something and then go to
Holyhead.
 Holyhead
is a peninsula and very long but the village
extremely insignificant and small. I find the harbor
and enter the building for asking information. I
take a ticket for the next day at noon and pay
another 180 €. Same story as in Hoek: in the
internet I pay much less.
Well, all done now and I drive
around to find a nice place where to stay for the
night and let my dog out, free. I find a romantic
place at a castle near to a kind of beach - it only
rains like crazy. But my dog is happy, wind in his
nose, seagulls everywhere, some goats to look at and
free walk. My cat is free in the car and looks out
where his big brother is going.
And during my dog is having
his minutes out in the rain and my cat is eating I
clean again a little bit, prepare my bed and eat
myself. In the night we all three of us sleep one
near to the other, warm, comfortable and listening
to the rain that I think, maybe I will not need the
ferry next day.
Holyhead - Dublin – Navan,
3/7/2007, 54 km
Next day at 10 a.m. I am at
the harbor, drink an American coffee - urgh - and go
three times to the toilette. 1 liter of black water
wants to go out soon!
I put myself in the right row
for the Irish Ferries and go on board. It will take
only two hours to Dublin and I decide to have a walk
on the boat. I stay and watch the movie 'Babe'
(can't sit all the time). Outside it's raining- what
did I aspect?
In Dublin the roads are nice
but there are no directions and when you see finally
one sign for the
M50 you will not know which of all the roads you
have to take. On the M50 I take an exit for my tank
is empty and this way I will go on the ring-road
again easily. Hope is a nice thing! I loose myself
and go to a place I knew from the internet. There
finally I get on the N3 to Navan - where I wanted to
go.
Welcome to Ireland to all
three of us! For my dog Sciuba is was his last trip
he did with us: he died half a year later. He was
very old then. I miss him soooooooo much! We had 12
and a half year full of adventure and action and
uncountable great moments! My cat is still with me,
he has only three years. And we already moved into
another house last year. He will have an adventuring
life as my dog! |
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| keys:
Ireland, Car, Ferryboat, Holland, UK |
posted:
13/07/2009 |
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An
Afternoon with Lady Dunsany |
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Last Saturday finally I
decided to have a look at Dunsany Castle. There are
only the summer month to have a change to visit
because the castles are still occupied by the owners
who are obliged to open to the public at least three
month a year.
So at 2 p.m. I drive to
Dunsany to see if I can get a visit. I have to wait
till someone opens the door. I nice and kind lady
asks me what I want and I explain I would like to
have a visit and when there will be the next. She
agrees for 4. p.m. and recommend a restaurant on the
Trim road. I don't tell her I am not really
interested in lunch, she seems so nice
I don't go to the restaurant
and prefer to visit another place in Trim and out of
Navan I still haven't seen yet..
At 4 p.m. I return to the
castle and she opens also this time teh door by her
own.
She asks me in and also to wait for a few minutes
and to have a first look around Her husband is ill
and she has to give him a moment the medicine. She
seems like every good wife and no nobility with the
nose in the clouds. I wait full of excitement
because I am between knight's amour, weapons, modern
sculptures and wonderful wooden furniture. I don't
feel the time passing by, all is so interesting here.
When she comes back she immediately starts to
explain, stops at the one and the other painting,
talks about the painter and the century is was
painted, talks about the old knight's amour (and I
think about ghosts), the old furniture with
beautiful wood-carving. My head is spinning around,
so much interesting information. The family is
related to the House of Plantaganet who were one of
the most important king families in ancient England
(think about the war of the Roses between the two
lines Lancaster and York) and to the Plunkett family
by marriage. I follow her from room to room, marvel
at wonderful oil paintings, wandering on old carpets,
looking out of high windows that need to be painted
urgently, complete porcelain services from Meissen
similar to my mothers and let her explain the
gallery of ancestors. During the talk I get to know
that she is born in Brazil, she is an well known
American architect and I feel how much she is loving
her husband and his history, his past. She is proud
and she has all rights. Her husband is a famous
artist and has created. And exactly there where they
are preserved, in the castle library, I loose myself
in old and new books. I love the smell! We talk
about how difficult it is to heat all these high
rooms - at least 4.5 m - and that they live only in
a small part of the castle. All is lightly dusted
and I see it's really impossible to clean all like
it should be. They don't have enough servants. But
also they don't want to help being afraid to break
something of this ancient things. She likes to talk
but it is incredibly interesting what she is talking
about and I love to listen to her. But I think also
she is often very lonely. We say farewell because
her husband is in need of her but she invites me to
come for a 5 o'clock tea and to have another chat. I
think it was not so long I was with her and have a
look on my watch when I am out: it's 6 p.m.! It was
a great afternoon I will remember for long time. And
for sure I will go for the 5 o'clock tea! |
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| keys:
Irish Castle, Dunsany, Norman Castle |
posted:
12/07/2009 |
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Please
keep gate closed
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Some time ago German author
asked me to put her book on my web-page. I didn't
have time then and so I had a look only a month
later. I told her I can't add the book on my page
because there are only books I recommend and I don't
know her book. So she send me one and I added it
immediately. It is such a beautiful one. The name is „Please keep gate
closed - auf der Suche nach dem irischen Herzschlag“
and is in German written by Astrid Behrendt.
She talks about her trips to Ireland, the way she is
loving it.
The photographs are all made
by herself and in black and white but they seem so
colourful the same way. I enjoyed to read it because
she has a wonderful way of telling her feeling in
moments arriving at an ancient castle for
example. Every photography has its own story to tell
and seems full of sunshine. She talks about the
feeling she had to be on an open graveyard and the
wind whispering in her ear when being on a hill in
Dingle. She is travelling through the country
hand in hand with the reader. It is a 'must' for
every Ireland fan and should not be missed in the
private library. It is simply wonderful!
„Please keep gate closed - Auf
der Suche nach dem irischen Herzschlag“ by Astrid
Behrendt |
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| keys:
Irish Books, Castles, Photography |
posted:
09/07/2009 |
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An
Abbey made of Honey? |
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Many things I read about the
Mellifont Abbey and I was curious to see it.
Thinking it must be a huge place. So one day I took
my car and of to Slane where nearby the abbey should
be. Well, no road-sign in Slane but finally on the
N2 I saw one - just in the moment I passed it. I had
to turn back and take then the left into a small
road leading... where? I thought I am lost, because
no other signs to tell me where I am. No houses and
in the middle of nowhere. Well, I only can lost
myself in a small area so I got further. After a
while I arrived at a junction and there I saw a
road-sign for the right. I took it and stood
immediately in front of the Mellifont Abbey. So it
was easy to find at least.
On the small parking place
there was no car, the visitor centre closed and no
human being. In the winter time there are even less
people around here. For me it was the best because I
had my dog with me and we could go around freely
without disturbing and being disturbed.
The big entrance gate is
situated before the parking place and I think I park
my car in the court of the abbey ground. The
entrance gate is a high 3-story tower and it's easy
to imagine a big gate that opens and closes.
Just on the other side I can
step down to the abbey monument. It must have been
huge once but now there are nearly no walls all open
and it's seems a little bit .. miserable? But there
are still some marvelous pillars with great work.
The once washing house for the monks is one of the
finest works I have seen here. One room - maybe once
a cellar for wine and vegetables? - has a very
strange ceiling of stones that I thought if someone
doesn't pay attention and hit his head there.. ouch!
The church must have been something enormous from
the ground walls one can see. Unfortunately one can
see only where the walls once have been. Beautiful
is the colonnade with double-pillars. There it was
for sure easy to contemplate and find god in the
prayers..
After going around I had a
look for the toilets (closed of course) but behind
the visitor centre there is a small way up to
another church. Very small but interesting. Must
have been one outside the abbey-ground seems so. It
has a nice arched window above the entrance and also
a small bell tower on its top.
Going back to the car my dog
wanted to go on the green and I followed him. There
is just beside the abbey a small river and on the
green there are some seats and a stone table for
picnic.
Mellifont is a really nice
place, especially if one go during the winter time.
In the season there is an entrance fee and of course
the visitor centre is open (and the toilets).
If you are interested about
further information then have a look
here.
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| keys:
Ireland, Abbey, Mellifont, Religion |
posted:
28/06/2009 |
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Translating
my own homepage |
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It is unbelievable how much
time it takes to translate a homepage into another
language. Ok, it's not that I am doing it every day
for hours and hours. But at least I am translating
from January and that's a long time when I decided
to translate my homepage into other languages. Many
days I had no time but many days I spend hours on
it. Like in these days. I am translating into
Italian and English. I am doing these together so I
have ready the first pages in English too. The most
boring ones.
But the problem is a different
one: it's not really difficult to translate but to
put the pages in coordination among them, put the
right links to the right pages and optimize them.
Otherwise how one can find my page? Translating is a
very easy thing at least: above I read, below I
write. And I can follow my own thoughts. I just have
to control the grammar later.
But all the pages need their
own ads. On the Italian page I can't put the one in
English and the German books are not interesting to
someone in Italy. And so it's a big chaos I have to
think before I can put one page out.
Well, the Italian page is
nearly ready, there are only still a few pages left
and the rest is already out. And visited well. How
many month I am on them? 4 or 5 at least. And now is
English the language. I will do this maybe till the
end of summer. What a mess to translate whole
homepages.... But I love it! |
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| keys:
Translating, English, Italian |
posted:
28/06/2009 |
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Hunting
after the key |
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Last Saturday I decided to go
and see the only castle in town and I still have to
visit.
I asked a friend instead of going to have a coffee
to see the Athlumney Castle in town. He liked the
idea especially because he has never been there -
also living in Navan for years. In my Lonely Planet
I read that the key is in a religious house nearby.
 So
we've gone immediately to the only religious house
we knew there. The office was closed but an old lady
passing by told us that on the other door they will
open.
Said and done. It was not this sisters house but one
just opposite of the castle. There a nice lady opened
the door and explained that the key will be in the
house of the beginning of the one way street just
after entering on the right side. So we drove again
around the whole complex on the search of the house.
We rang only by accident at the right door. The man
was very kind and explained that in the moment it is
dangerous to go in because on one side of the castle
wall there is a huge crack. They are working at.
Asking for hw long it will be before they will open
it again to the public, he smiled.. and said: „We
now our community! Two years for sure!“
Well, I had no choice and had
another look from outside. I am very sorry! |
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| keys:
Ireland,
Athlumney Castle, Navan |
posted:
26/05/2009 |
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Other
countries - other costumes |
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... about
that I could write books. The electrical connections
or better the plugs are an important point in this.
Before I decided to go to Ireland I had a look in
the internet which kind of plugs they use in
Ireland. Nothing really helpful so I had a look in a
big good assorted electrical shop. But they had only
sets of 6 different plug-in. What do I do with one
working in Abu Dhabi? Well, after the fourth shop I
took that multiple set just to have one at least for
my laptop. € 12 for plugs I will never need.
Anyway..
As I arrived in Ireland I
learned first never trust people they say they know
but they don't. No plug worked! I choose Ireland,
not Abu Dhabi! So I had to go here in Navan to find
one and I found one for € 5 each. After 1,5 year in
this country I still have only two plugs because I
am an intelligent person and took a multiple plug
from Germany with me. And so everything plugs
somewhere. Only my laptop has a longer plug-story:
from the Italian to the German to the Irish. Well,
obviously I can not plug-in everywhere! |
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| keys:
Ireland,
plug-in, power |
posted:
29/04/2009 |
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A
restaurant on a graveyard |
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I never wanted to go to Duleek
but I finished there while looking for the right way
to Newgrange. In Ireland it's not easy to find
immediately the right place. While driving into the
small town of Duleek I saw the church on the left
and stopped parking my car at the side of the
street.
Together with my dog - he
still lived then and had lots of sightseeing with me
- I went down the small side road to the church.
It's not really spectacular but I really liked the
headstones and reliefs. Very interesting a 'real'
church that is no church but a restaurant. Never
seen something like that! I've never been there to
eat - who knows why?
Here you can
read more about the church which has an interesting
history and see some more photos too.. |
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| keys:
Ireland, Duleek,
Church, Restaurant |
posted:
27/04/2009 |
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Tara
- the heart of Irish history |
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Tara - that's what I read - is
one of the most important historical places in
Ireland. So it was the first I went to visit also
because I live nearby in the same county and just a
mile away. Nevertheless I had to drive around to
find the site because the post-signs are not really
the best. On the parking place was much more than
enough space maybe because there are not too many
visitors here.
Through the gate I enter and I
am - disappointed? Yes, because there is nothing
than meadows, green and hilly but that's all. Where
is the historical site? Is this all? Well, my
guide-book never said anything different. There is a
small protestant church and a graveyard, a passage
tomb you can see only from outside and - the only
remains of a great time - the walls/earthworks.
Without a good guide-book you are lost here and it's
really boring. The best to visit this place is to
choose a sunny clear day, to have a good
history-guide and read at every wall the meaning and
explanations. The monuments and houses once were
made by timber and we all know it will not survive
hundreds of years in rain, wind and sun.
But it's possible also to see
an audiovisual presentation in the visitor center
(the church). Best to do so before visiting the
site, after the visit there is no sense in it. A
guide can be hired too, they are really very experts
and full of knowledge to give and will make you live
the meadows as the old king court.
Who is interested in the meaning
of this magic place can read more
here and see
also some photos. The view from these hills are
really great and you can see most of the Leinster
county.
Have fun in the high kings
court! |
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| keys:
Ireland, Tara, Irish history, High King |
posted:
25/04/2009 |
upward |
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