Return to the living

It has taken a week to readjust to the time change and the chaos at work. I thought returning would have been easier, as you gain 5 hours. I forgot you wake up at 3 AM and your mind and body think its 8 AM.
Our last day in jolly ol' England was a trip to Bath, Stonehenge, and Windsor Castle. First, let me say that I grow very weary with the folks who take tours and then proceed to talk loudlt as the tour guide is sharing information on the bus. I have to commend our tour guide-she clamped it down as soon as she heard them chatting. They are also the ones who brought hot food on the bus (and was asked not to) and was late returning to the bus. We should of left them behind.
Also, tour company needs to adjust the tours a bit. We barely had time for Windsor and Bath. I would prefer just to skip Stonehenge, which i have seen before. And next trip spend alot more time in Bath.
After the debacle of transportation leaving Dublin, I wasn't about to try and change the times of leaving London for Heathrow. They were scheduled to arrive 4 hours before our flight, which was around 1 PM. Just enough time to make a quick walk to Buckingham Palace and see the changing of the guards. Which is always an adventure with my brother, who only concern watching the statuesque guards who never move what they do if there balls itch. Inquiring minds need to know.
Our transportation arrived at 10 15 for a 5 PM flight. We sent them away after much discussion. I suppose better early than late.

london continued

Yesterday was beautiful. For about 2 hours. I went on a trip to oxford, stratford upon Avon, and Warwick castle. Oxford was charming and a step into old education. Christ church (the most well known Oxford university) has 400 students attending a school that dates back to the 1500's. Its like a step back in time. The highlight was the dining hall, which was used as the model for Harry potters Donny hall. And we climbed the steps Harry did in the first movie to meet prof. Mcgonagal.
We headed over to stratford upon Avon, home of shakepeare. We paid a visit to his childhood home, where heat was provided by fires and little ventilation. Child mortality was was quite high-maybe cause kids slept on trundleswhere the smoke was the thickest and they suffocated. Cant deny his brilliance tho. We had actors doing short passages from his plays on the garden of his home. Quite amazing.
final stop was Warwick castle. Lots of history and monarches past thru those doors, but truly what struck me was the amount of bed hopping that went on there. Daisy the Countess of the castle had her revolving door of men as her husband gave her free reign (no pun intended) she even had an illegitimate child. Isn't English history the best?

Today we went to hampden court. It was all about crazy Henry the Viii, who by the way, was walking the halls yelling at Ann boleyln. Oh and Charles II was his own exhibit. He had a mistress who he had move on with his wife as she had his illegitimate child. And Ann was accused of giving birth to a changeling (she supposedly smuggled the baby in during the birth in a bed warmer) sure sounds like a page from a current London rag.
final big highlight was a visit to abbey road with Tim. Yep, we took pics crossing the road. What a moment.
onto Stonehenge, bath, and Windsor castle. Been a phenomenal trip.

a lost day

Yesterday was our last day in Dublin. And I am having a hard time remembering what we did. Wait a sec...its coming back to me. We headed to the country after a delicious continental breakfast of Irish cheeses and meats (Irish cheese is the best), yoghurt.Irish browtime ton bread, nuts and fruits. And very strong coffee. Our first stop was Dun laoghaire on the coast. It was another cold, damp Irish morning that chills you to the bones. We visited a place on the sea called forty foot where hearty Irish women and men swim all year around. And indeed, a man was just climbing out of the 30 degree water the color of a cooked lob

ster. Tim commented to our 80 year old guide that people must be on crack. She agreed there was a drug problem in the villages. Think she missed the point.
we headed over to another small village glenlachue. It was the home of some of the oldest monasteries in Ireland..backstops the 8th and 9th century. And still standing. Had lunch in the only hotel there and had great root vegetable soup.
We returned and met Grainyga for dinnner, our long lost cousin who is a bit younger than Tim. We began with Irish coffers wdhere they whip the cream for each individual drink by shaking the cream in n empty beer bottle. We made fast friends with the Czech bartender until he told him to give everyone in the bar an Irish coffee.
Dinner was lamb of course. Followed bysome procseco. And then off to see one of the smallest bars in Dublin (seats 15) and then Irish music. I have to admit I had this romantic idea that most bars had crusty old Irishmen hanging out, drinking Guinness, and singing ballads. Not so. But we found music where mom sang and we drank. Tim ended up behind the bar with the Irish lads pouring Guinness. We did mini Guinness shots with a group of coca cola guys, which was really ba iley's and tia Maria. It was a late night.
Up at 4 am. Tim and mom overslept so departure was ugly. But we made it and the highlight of today was tea at the hotel. Over the top.
I need to sign off.

bog crypts and lagar

As we all retired last evening in a quasi coma, our plan today was to meet for breakfast at 8 am and Ann our new relative would meet us at 9 for touring. I will even mention our dear mother thought she would fit in a walk before breakfast. I arrive at breakfast at 8 and no signs of the rest of the clan. I wait 5, 10, 15,20 minutes...no sign. I head upstairs and bang on the door. No answer. I call the room. No answer. I would be worried but the paper was outside the room. Finally after 5 minutes of banging mom answers the door~hair askew and ear plugs in. I inform her its 8 30. She asks 'in the morning?' So much for a walk before breakfast. Jet lag rears its ugly hat.
we did a museum tour in the am~which we had the chance to see ancient (2000 Bc)human remains that were found Ianthe bogs of Ireland. Mud does wonders for preservation. Mud masks from now on. We visited Trinity college to see the book of Kells. Really most impressive was the library. Massive. 200k books. There was a group of women up at the top section vacuuming the books. It takes a year to go threw the entire collection. Then they start all over. Never a sense of accomplishment.
then off to Guinness storehouse, and the kilmainham geol. Old jail of Dublin with many hangings and history.
we need more time here. We missed the Jameson's whiskey tour. Searching for music tomorrow. Priorities.

pubs galore

I fit right in here. The city is beautiful and easy to walk. Good thing cause is not a great idea to drive Its not only the issue of driving on the left but drivers are nuts. I have to say, costco does travel right. The driver was waiting for us when we arrived in Dublin. However, the name on the sign was Shipton(my middle name). So unusual it had to be our ride.
The hotel is top notch. The location is walking distance to Trinity college. And what a melting pot. I've heard languages from all over the world. The Irish are a friendly group. Maybe because they consume copious amounts of Guinness.
our long lost Irish cousin twice removed from the third moon (not clear how we are related but will know tomorrow) is coming to pick us up for some sightseeing. Looks like we might see some Irish countryside afterall. Cold as hell but who cares.
Yep, my kind of city.

let the sdventures begin

We are awaiting our flight~due to take off in an hour. Never mind we arrived 3 hours esrly but we find ways to entertain ourselves. Which involves sitting st a wine bar and people watching. There is a large contiguency of servicemen on our flight heading to Afghanistan. We wished them godspeed.
As we wrapped up our 10 dollar glass of wine…in strolls a gentleman in a very blinged out sparkle shirt; earrings; beret; cocktail lounging pants; high heels; long grey beard/; and long grey hair kn a ponytail. I am a bit perplexed. Man wanting to be woman? Woman wanting to be mam? Wanting to be both? Or just doesn't give a shit about high fashion? With my luck he will be my seat mate.
we are boarding soon. I understand they r serving a hot dinner with wine. I also suspect to see packages of sleep masks; socks; blankets all waiting for us in our seats I love the Brits.

warm weather?

It's April. Almost the middle of April. And I am still in my winter coat. I walked last night, with gloves, hats, sweaters, and coats. That's the last time I listen to Punxsutawney Phil. I hear it might in the 60's by next week. It's in the 30's in Dublin and London. Great.
In the anticipation of warm weather, we just purchased kayaks. Now, I would love to sit here and say I am a connoisseur of kayaking, but I would be lying. Not that I haven't lied before. However, I have had limited experience any small boat, other than a sunfish sailboat as a pre-teen. That was light enough to carry to the beach myself, plop the centerboard in, pull the sail up and head to the shipping channels in the bay. And avoid being run over.
Maddie and I rented a canoe while in Sanibel Island. The boat had 2 seats -black; that had cooked in the hot sun for quite a while before we arrive. I am surprized we didn't get 3 degree burns. We went searching for manatees. We found none. It was hot, steamy, and some of the waterways narrow with thick brush and trees, which we got caught up in. We couldn't wait to get back. And when we pulled in, the beach was an incline, which meant my big ass could not get out of the boat. The young, very cute boating guy had to pulled my out-no easy feat.
So, I have a bit of trepidation when it comes to kayaking. Especially before the water warms up in case I flip the boat. And then there is the issue of getting out. Stay tuned.