BlogPostThurs24Sept09
22.30 pm Wednesday. WOW! Finally I’ve heard Irish Trad! Went to the Spaniard tonight and had a delightful 3-course meal and music in the bar afterwards began at 9:30 – two accordions, fiddle, bodhran! It’s so FUN! Wish I had time to hear MUCH more – hope my Quicksnap camera recorded some for me – the bodhran player showed me a couple things that will help me in my own feeble attempts! The bartender promises to get a t-shirt for me – on and on – again Ireland is an unbelievably hospitable place.
This afternoon Kathy and I took the road train to Charles Fort – and spent an hour wandering around the many structures still standing – many restored or preserved or whatever they call it so that you feel as if you are in the past – 1600’s! Spectacular scenery looking out at Old Head lighthouse, James Fort, and, of course the Kinsale harbor and lovely sailboats. Did I tell you that off Old Head Kinsale is where the Lusitania was sunk by German U-Boat? “The Lusitania was seen from the signal station at Kinsale to be in difficulties at 2:10 pm and at 2:28 pm she had completely disappeared – May 1915.” The first inquisition was held here in the court house (50 yds - metres? from my flat) where the Germans were accused of murder and this in part led to the US entering World War I. There is a memorial just outside the gates of the Old Head Golf Club – I’ll try to remember to post that photo. The Lusitania was a sister ship to the Titanic.
Time is running out – but not without fanfare!
8.00 am Thursday. Sun salutations, tea, and people watching as I report in this morning. Still reeling from the great time last evening – only two glasses of wine! Finally I’ll get back to yoga with Rose this morning. Haven’t been since Kathy arrived – just too much fun stuff going on. We’ll see what the rest of the day holds – but plans are for Kathy to go to Blarney Castle while I mess around here – I’ve been twice already. Then this evening Joan is joining us for the Ghost Tour led by a man who is part of the family that owns the Tap Tavern. They are friends of Alana and Margie. Jim: Remember the guy riding around town in the black suit and derby on a bicycle advertising the ghost tour? Or, for sure you remember all the laughing that we heard from the group as they were over at St. Multose? I can’t leave without finding out what they laugh at every night. Of course, I could just stand on our landing outside the door and hear it, but that wouldn’t be the same fun.
Another curiosity – friend Joan drinks hot water – without tea or coffee – hot water! I am seeing others doing the same thing occasionally – blows my mind. But, then, lots of things are blowing my mind on this trip. I had coffee served with whipped cream last evening – YUMMY! Not artificial stuff either – REAL CREAM. That’s one thing that is abundant – dairy products – yellowest butter I’ve seen since childhood on the farm that Mother churned – all kinds of cheeses – but ricotta and cottage cheese often is not on the shelves. So, I’ve given the cottage cheese up for the REAL STUFF! Amazingly I can still zip up my jeans – with some difficulty when they first come back from the laundry.
22.30 pm Wednesday. WOW! Finally I’ve heard Irish Trad! Went to the Spaniard tonight and had a delightful 3-course meal and music in the bar afterwards began at 9:30 – two accordions, fiddle, bodhran! It’s so FUN! Wish I had time to hear MUCH more – hope my Quicksnap camera recorded some for me – the bodhran player showed me a couple things that will help me in my own feeble attempts! The bartender promises to get a t-shirt for me – on and on – again Ireland is an unbelievably hospitable place.
This afternoon Kathy and I took the road train to Charles Fort – and spent an hour wandering around the many structures still standing – many restored or preserved or whatever they call it so that you feel as if you are in the past – 1600’s! Spectacular scenery looking out at Old Head lighthouse, James Fort, and, of course the Kinsale harbor and lovely sailboats. Did I tell you that off Old Head Kinsale is where the Lusitania was sunk by German U-Boat? “The Lusitania was seen from the signal station at Kinsale to be in difficulties at 2:10 pm and at 2:28 pm she had completely disappeared – May 1915.” The first inquisition was held here in the court house (50 yds - metres? from my flat) where the Germans were accused of murder and this in part led to the US entering World War I. There is a memorial just outside the gates of the Old Head Golf Club – I’ll try to remember to post that photo. The Lusitania was a sister ship to the Titanic.
Time is running out – but not without fanfare!
8.00 am Thursday. Sun salutations, tea, and people watching as I report in this morning. Still reeling from the great time last evening – only two glasses of wine! Finally I’ll get back to yoga with Rose this morning. Haven’t been since Kathy arrived – just too much fun stuff going on. We’ll see what the rest of the day holds – but plans are for Kathy to go to Blarney Castle while I mess around here – I’ve been twice already. Then this evening Joan is joining us for the Ghost Tour led by a man who is part of the family that owns the Tap Tavern. They are friends of Alana and Margie. Jim: Remember the guy riding around town in the black suit and derby on a bicycle advertising the ghost tour? Or, for sure you remember all the laughing that we heard from the group as they were over at St. Multose? I can’t leave without finding out what they laugh at every night. Of course, I could just stand on our landing outside the door and hear it, but that wouldn’t be the same fun.
Another curiosity – friend Joan drinks hot water – without tea or coffee – hot water! I am seeing others doing the same thing occasionally – blows my mind. But, then, lots of things are blowing my mind on this trip. I had coffee served with whipped cream last evening – YUMMY! Not artificial stuff either – REAL CREAM. That’s one thing that is abundant – dairy products – yellowest butter I’ve seen since childhood on the farm that Mother churned – all kinds of cheeses – but ricotta and cottage cheese often is not on the shelves. So, I’ve given the cottage cheese up for the REAL STUFF! Amazingly I can still zip up my jeans – with some difficulty when they first come back from the laundry.
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