Ireland Day 2

Finally arrived in Shannon at 7:30am in the morning. Exhausted and tired for the sardine can known as an Airplane. First thing, claim the luggage. For once my luggage and myself arrived in the same place at the same time. YEAH ME!

My luggage has been to better places than I have or has gotten there before I have (aka the trip to Manila where the luggage went on 2 earlier flights).

Second thing, get the car. The car we were given was the same one my mom got over a year ago.

For the most part, all the cars in Ireland are small, this one was a four door. It took some getting use to getting in on the other side. In the airport, I asked should I hit the ATM. My mom said no need there is one at Bunratty Castle. I shouldn't have listened to her.

So off we go to Bunratty.

View from the car, while driving.

The Castle

The ATM was not working, so we couldn't do anything. She had a few Euros. All I had was some Philippine and Mexican money (in my passport case) and about 12 bucks. So we decided to drive the time share we were staying at...all the way on the OTHER side of Ireland south of Kilkenny.

The pictures of the place look rather cool but nothing compared to the actual place. So three hours later, we were pulling in to see this.

This is the front...can you believe it. This is where we stayed a converted abbey.

Right in front is an old ruin and cemetery...oohh ahhh.

We were on the 3rd floor, 47 steps to that floor... no elevator and a ton of
luggage to carry up. This is the entry area to the room

The beds

The kitchen and bath.

Pics of the bathroom (I liked the color scheme and tile used. So did my mom who has to redo one of her bathrooms.)



Please note the double taps. And let me tell you Cold is very cold there.

The tub with a hand shower.

This is a view from the main window overlooking Knocktopher.

We then relaxed for the rest of the day. Slept most of it, I can't sleep well on planes.

NOTE TO SELF: Better to fly in at night and get a hotel near the airport and sleep than try to function on little sleep.

Ireland Day 1

Most of the day was spent in Airports or on Airplanes. The last time I was in Boston the Fleet Banks were still Fleet now they have been changed over to Bank of America-I work for them.

We left for the airport at 5am our flight to New York did not take off until 8 am and Starbucks was not open, so I started the day off caffeine deprived.

From New York, flew to Boston then got on a plane for Shannon.

NOTE to self: Next time handle the arrangements for travel yourself.

Home...

Well, I made it home last night. Around 11pm, after being up since 4 am (Ireland time). It was a long day starting with a drive from Knocktopher to Shannon but driving in the early morning is the best in Ireland because the roads are not congested and you safely go through towns without people darting across the street.

I am currently downloading the photos and will be posting them through out the week. I just need to get them organized.

Plans are already being made to go back, to see things we didn't have time for and another longer trip to London and a couple days in Paris. I was very upset to find out that there were Jack the Ripper tours while we were there but our information before hand only said they were done on the weekends. I was also inspired by the novel muses and have an outline of another book.

And yes I bought yarn...more about that too.

ME

Hello from Ireland

I am in Ireland and having a great time. I am staying at a converted abbey just outside of Knocktopher (I think that is how it is spelt) about 15 KM south of Kilkenny. We went to the Castle there man they knew how to live.

Today we were in Dublin for a bit. We went and saw the Book of Kells at Trinity and walked around the city. Tomorrow I fly to London for two days and hope to get some yarn shopping in there.

Funny thing, you see at lot of sheep, a lot of sweater and woolen stores but no yarn or wool shops for the most part. Crazy!

Sorry no pictures but there is no card reader. But I did take plenty. Including this incredible store display for Christmas.

Until I can find another computer.

ME!

What's in your Knitting Bag??

This is my new knitting bag...looks like luggage don't it. But too big to fit in the overhead...RATS!

This is it opened. I really dig the pink stripes. Look it is full already.

I have to admit I just dumped what was in my two knitting bags into this one. But did some organization at the hotel last weekend (No CourtTV on the tv. Means no so cool shows like Forensic Files and all that).

What is in your knitting bag???

This is a picture of mine. Here is the list

• 6 Skeins of Berroco Cotton Twist
• 1 Ball of Gioco
• 1 ball of Eros
• 1 skein of Trendsetter Segue
• 1 ball of Eros and Flirt wound together
• Set of Denise Interchangeable
• 2 balls of Eros and eyelash wound together
• Lantern Moon Sheep Tape Measurer
• Joann's Sheep Tape Measurer
• 2 gauge markers
• my knitting supply kit (holds needles, scissors, stitch markers, and
• stitch holders)
• 2 balls of Koigu KPPPM
• Calculator
• Notebook
• Wine carrier for my straight needle
• Pencil case for my double points
• Noro 18
• Laines Du Nord #2
• Vogue Knitting Fall 2005
• Shapely Tank Pattern

Here are some close ups of the Pencil Case and Wine Carrier. I have to say they work rather well for holding needles.

Projects:

• Shapely Tank -Burple Sweater
  
  
  
  
• Ruffle Purse (own design)
  
  
  
  
• Pair of ankle socks
  
  
  
  
• Kiri (thrown in there in disgust)
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Ribbon Shawl
  
• Harry Potter Slytherin Scarf
  
  
  
  
• Vogue Knitting Fall 05 Arm Warmers
  
  
• Furry Scarf
  
  
  
  
  

Wilma Pics

Here are two pics from my mom's house the day Wilma hit. As you can see, the sky is blue and no rain (we got very little at her place). Check the trees out. They are blowing big time. All her area got was a lot of wind.

Even the wind was not as bad as where I work. No pictures from there because of building security rules.