Work in Progress....just got back so am posting the itinerary. Will write the poetry later! :)

IRELAND - APRIL 2010

Each year we take a week trip that seems to coincide with Emily's birthday...fancy that! So this year, we decided to stay a little closer to home and include Foster. From start to finish it was a fantastic trip. We rested in the beginning and ended the trip with a hike to a summit - so much fun in between. I'll give you a little of the highlights but really everyday was better than the last. And isn't that they way it should be!

Friday, 23 April 2010 o/n in Cork City, Co. Cork @ Hayfield Manor

Emily & Foster arrived via Ferry to Rosslare and drove to Cork City; Todd flew from LGW to Cork City Airport.

The journey from London to Fishguard was long and for a period of time it looked like we might miss the boat. An accident on the motorway slowed things down, followed by what seemed like eternal road works. We did make it in the end and the sail was beautiful. Tranquil waters transported us to the Emerald Island. From Rosslare it was another 3 hours to Cork City...thrilled beyond belief to see Todd when we arrived. Despite some fatigue, we had to have our first pint of Guinness but that was about all I had left.

Finding pet-friendly accommodations that we wanted to stay in was a little bit of a puzzle in some of the Irish cities, so we felt lucky that the Hayfield Manor had an outside kennel for Foster. It turns out, Foster would've like to have been consulted on that decision. He was none too thrilled to spend the evening in his outdoor accommodations and spent the evening howling his sorrows. At about 5am, Todd got up and put him in the car where Foster slept without much trouble. I'm sure they were happy to see us go. Which we did after a fantastic spread in the breakfast room. A buffet of fruits, meats, cheeses followed by a Full Irish....does anyone have a Lipitor???

Saturday, 24 April 2010 o/n in Beara Peninsula (Lauragh), Co. Kerry @ The Andrews'

After a late start in Cork, we drove to the Blarney Castle for what we thought would be a quick stop to kiss the Blarney Stone and then be on our way to the coast. We were enchanted by the castle and the grounds. As it is the slow season, we had the place mostly to ourselves. All of the educational materials that are usually quite dull were extremely entertaining, I found myself seeking out plaques to read! We each took a turn at kissing the Blarney Stone...there's a fella who holds your legs as you hoist yourself upside down through an opening a several meters about the ground. Thinking about it now, we probably should have tipped him before we kissed the stone....

Once that was checked off the list we were going to go for a quick walk around the grounds but we couldn't tear ourselves away. Every turn pulled us in a little bit more. The flowers and trees were all starting to wake up; calves in the birthing pen; legends of fairies and witches to read about. We had a fantastic time checking it all out.

Despite the extended visit to the Blarney Castle, we carried on with our original plan to head to Kinsale for oysters and then west to Simon's place (where we would be spending the next 3 days). The rain poured down during our drive so not much stopping so by the time we reached Kinsale I thought I was going to burst. We headed straight for a pub, got sorted on the loos and a pint of Murphy's. Check!

We walked around Kinsale abit but not a whole lot going on in the seaside town this time of year. It looked like they were gearing up for the high season but not in full swing. It seemed like the right course of action was to get those oysters and another pint at Fishy Fishy. Great plan!

Even with 12+ hours of sunlight, we still managed to arrive at Simon's in the dark! As it was very remote, we arrived by the grace of God. The cabin was a perfect haven with a wood-burning fireplace, record player stocked with Irish vinyls, and views of the ring of Kerry (although we'd have to wait until the morning to fully appreciate that bit!).

Sunday, 25 April 2010 o/n in Beara Peninsula (Lauragh), Co. Kerry @ The Andrews'

The Birthday Girl awakes to the sound of pounding rain on a tin roof--exhilirating! Next comes the smell of a roaring fire in the fireplace and breakfast cooking. Todd has whipped in to action getting us settled in to our nest and getting my birthday off to a fantastic start. We sit by the fire sipping our coffee and feeling grateful. A leisurely breakfast turns in to lunch and the sun decides to grace us with her presence. Time to check out the tide pools! Todd harvest a bowl full of whelks for dinner and we both agree we might need something a little more substantial than that.

We jump in the car and head to Castletownbere, load up on viddles and meander back along the Ring of Beara -- stunning. The sun is shining and the diamonds are sparkling on the water. We pass through tiny villages with colorfully painted houses and stop at a beach to dip our toes in the sea. We interact with an Aussie transplant who's sister is in town visiting and he has promised to cook her fresh fish "on the barbie"...yes, he said, "on the barbie". Unsuccessfully with his rod & reel, he gets his dry suit and harpoon! Are you kidding me???!! Anyway, victory is his and he walks away with the biggest Mullet I have ever seen....looked like a salmon, it was so big. Foster was the most impressed. You could see his little wheels turning in his head trying to figure out how he was going to pull the trigger of the harpoon without opposable thumbs!

With the larder full, Todd had one more trick up his sleeve...a birthday plunge in the sea. At the time I agreed to this, the sun was shining and I was feeling quite warm; by the time we actually got around to doing this swim, it had cooled off considerably but, as the English say, nevermind. We jumped in and quickly jumped out -- the ice cold water stung every nether region it could reach to be followed by the blood pumping through veins warming our bodies. Truly exhilarating. We laughed and laughed. A couple of nutters!

Dinner was a work of art prepared by Todd - Irish beef perfectly seared to reveal a red interior

Monday, 26 April 2010 o/n in Beara Peninsula (Lauragh), Co. Kerry @ The Andrews'

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 o/n in Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare @ Drumcreehy House

Driving day through Kerry; stopped in Kenmare & Killarney to stretch our legs; not much to see due to weather so we skipped the Ring of Kerry and drove straight through the pass. For brief moments the clouds would open and we'd get a peak. Definitely looks like a sight to behold!

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 o/n in Clifden, Co. Galway @ Quay House

Cliffs of Moher & hiking in the Burren National Park

Thursday, 29 April 2010 o/n in Clifden, Co. Galway @ Quay House

Hiking in Connemara National Park

Friday, 30 April 2010 o/n in Dublin @ The Doyle's

Jog along Sky Road followed by Horseback riding in Connemara (Orney Island) and then a straight drive to Dublin. Dinner with Suzi & Phil

Saturday, 1 May 2010 o/n in Dublin @ The Doyle's

A bout with food poisoning slowed me down a bit but still managed to walk the city and see the Book of Kells.

Sunday, 2 May 2010 o/n in Beaumaris, North Wales @ Bulkeley Hotel

Explored the southern reaches of Dublin, a town called Dalkey, with Suzi & Phil. Did a drive by on Bono's house...no one home. Prior to that we did a 2-hour walk in the Wicklow Mountains. Absolutely beautiful day! We caught the ferry from Dun Laoghire to Holyhead and watched the sunset over Ireland as our holiday neared its end.

Monday, 3 May 2010 o/n in London @ home

Hiked to the near top of Tryfan in Snowdon National Park. There was snow on all of the peaks and we saw remnants of hail on our hike. What date is it??? The views were stunning. Puffy clouds decorated the bluebird sky and the sun kept us warm.