We had no news yesterday.
I have been closely following the weather so I have a good feeling for when it
will be too rough to send an email from Midwatch, however, it is nerve racking
to go through a whole day and not receive any mail. Grandma says she wants to
hit Bobby over the head with a winch handle when there is no news. We have been chuckling about “Stretching your
comfort zone.” Although we recognize that sailing across the Atlantic is a huge
stretch, we each have had little pulls in that direction over the past few
days, me picking up the manual transmission car and navigating Limerick City
Friday afternoon rush hour traffic, Grandma muscling her way up to the bar at a
very crowded pub to order us all food and Anna allowing a Harris Hawk to land
on her arm at a falconry exhibit. We recognize we are comparing apples to
elephants but it is still a good exercise.
Our trip here in Ireland
has been more than we ever expected. We found a wonderful family at our first
B&B that welcomed us like family. If you are ever looking for a B&B
near Limerick/Shannon area, stay at the Bunratty Meadows B&B. We have
visited a castle, seen the circus, hiked through a cave, saw a stone age fort,
saw the birds of prey/falconry show, Anna patted a wild dolphin while waiting
for a ferry, saw the Cliffs of Moher and Puffins (Finn’s favorite), went to
Innisheer (Aran Islands), the kids got to drive a horse and cart and we happened
into a traditional music festival….and that is only in the first three days!
Ireland is an interesting
blend of modern and tradition. In some ways the culture is very Americanized.
As we drive around, the farms, limestone and simple homes remind us of New York
State; but then you see a castle. I never imagined there were so many castles.
I keep asking myself, who were all these people that built these castles? As we
get further west, we have encountered a little more Irish language and we
learned today that some Irish students go to Innisheer for a year of
highschool, where they speak Irish. We had a wonderful cart ride around the
island and as we were walking back to the ferry found an artist selling his
wares on the side of the road. He had a table composed of two empty kegs with a
plank between them and was wearing a kilt. Anna bought a beautiful chiseled
stone pendant with an ‘a’ on it and he personalized it by writing Anna on
reverse side in ancient Irish. I chuckled as he pulled his ringing cell phone
out of the folds of his kilt and noticed he was wearing crocs.
Good
Morning,
We
are fine. Grandpa had a big couple of
days steering and doing bow work in big winds and seas. I believe he has conquered his fear and I
didn't even have to whack him with the winch handle.
We
played the storm well and have made some decent time. No records but we made progress. Unfortunately we have just become becalmed
again though. I think we will risk a
little diesel and try some motoring towards Cork. If nothing else we will get some hot water
for a shower. We sure could use one.
Hope
you guys are enjoying Ireland.
Bob
and Bob
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