If You Don't Hold It, You Might Miss it!

Our trip to Europe had our first stop in Dublin, Ireland (the Emerald Isle), which we soon discovered...it really is GREEN. Not just green, but bright green and I don't think I've really spotted our kinda dirt, it is such fertile ground.  We landed at 10 am, not 8 like we were supposed to due to of course flight delay. We thought we might get sleep on the plane, but that was no use as one of our seats did not recline so Coby switched with me (sweet man! I know...Awww) because he has no trouble sleeping (except for on airplanes with 7 hour flights), he got some sleep and I got nada, OK, maybe two hours total. It was a little rough but I stayed positive because I was excited for what was ahead.

When we arrived, got situated, went through customs, found our bus straight away and found our hotel too easily. When we arrived, there were Curt and Sharon patiently waiting for hours because they expected us around ten and not noon. We dropped our backs in our room and quickly went to their neck of the woods quickly walking and talking while we make our way to the Blarney Inn where we had our first pint of Guinness, fish and chips and irish chowder... Brilliant! Which by the way became our new word for the week.

Then off we went to Kells to meet up with some instant friends that Sharon and Curt met while staying at their 350 year old cottage, which took longer than we wanted because there aren't really street signs in Dublin and if your lucky enough to see one you probably already passed it. So there we were zig-zagging in and around Dublin.  The anxiousness to get out of town were hitting Curt and Sharon, while Coby and I were finally getting lulled to sleep. I awoke to try and help (hahaha) and Coby, the co-driver was out, while Sharon is trying to navigate from the back seat. Too funny when we look back now. So we finally get out of town and then I get a little shut-eye before I realize I need to pee like I don't know what--damn pints of Guinness! We make it to Kilkenny where we are searching for a Grocery store and a potty, Meanwhile we don't know where one is and my anxiousness to find one is growing... literally! I finally yell from the backseat, "get me a cup." Hilarity. Curt turns around back to the umpteenth turnabout and pulls into (LOL) KFC! Finger lickin' good. I am relieved finally and we once again head out to find the grocery so we can arrive properly. We arrive at the cottage and all of the city, worries, and hurriedness just rolls right out the car along with us. I remember taking a long sigh of relief and just taking the whole beauty in around us. It is gorgeous. Then we met Jadzia our host and new friend from Ireland who is just as gorgeous and welcoming. I just gave her a hug and her reply was "Brilliant!" I looked at Sharon and I could tell we were going to have a grand time.

Sean owner of SlapJacks

We  walked to the local pub just down the road after putting our bags in as you see by the pictures was absolutely breathtaking and inspiring. There is no sign for the pub on the outside, no need, the locals know and make themselves at home. Sean, the owner is one hell of a character, welcomes Curt and Sharon back like there old friends. Curt says, "bet you didn't expect us back here did ya!" Sean looks at him with his one good eye and replies in his great Irish accent, "Ohhh, but I did!" We order, of course, 4 pints of Guinness and sit by the fire where we met some locals and had a good ol' unexpected political talk, they love Obama I find out quickly. I am glad I didn't have to use the "I'm from Canada" bit because apparently the Irish like us and our President--Imagine that.

Curt, Coby and I decide to take a walk to the old priory where there is this old castle, a mill and gorgeous pastures. Just what I wanted to take pictures of. I was in heaven, but again needed to pee... Guinness will do it to you every time. So that is how I got my slogan, if you don't hold it, you might miss it. Because otherwise I would have missed the great shot of the rainbow in the background of the already gorgeous surrounding. Magnificent!!!!

We headed back to find a party underway, paella cooking and people mingling so we joined in and soon music was playing we were laughing, talking and just getting to really know the locals. Jadzia and Dave the owners of the Red Shed Barn and the cottage we stayed in are really great people and welcomed us in like family. The sun didn't really completely go down until 11 and by midnight we were wiped out silly. Coby and I went to bed and were out for apparently 12 hours. We awoke at noon to find some of them hadn't even gone to bed yet, those Irish do know how to party that is for sure. We sat and had leftover paella, talked and got to know each other. It was hard to say good-bye and especially for Sharon because I am pretty sure she found her sister there. Booohooo!

Moses Morehouse

Thin Lizzy and Coby

Dublin scene

Coby getting me my drink at Jameson

The whiskey aging process

Barrels that smell so sweet

We made it back to Dublin, had dinner and a couple more pints before heading back to our room to get a good nights rest which brings us to today where we spent the day walking what I think was just about all of city centre Dublin. We met Curt and Sharon and went to do the only touristy thing so far, the Jameson Distillery where we learned all about Irish Whiskey, but more importantly drank some and I think I discovered my new favorite drink an Irish Mule, like a Moscow Mule except with whiskey and not vodka. Brilliant! We walked into Temple Bar area and found a Boxty restaurant with some corned beef and cabbage and Sharon and I had Boxty with Irish filet. So now that we are full of food and beverage, we are heading to the Garden of Ireland-The Wicklow Way.

I hope to figure out how to blog better but I am sure I will learn once it is time for us to return, sorry for the sloppy page but I will work on it, for now this is the time I found to do it and now I will be tired for our hike. Love and Peace,

Sara