We are back in Jax. Luckily our favorite Jax RV park had a space available for us. I am thinking that they might be paying off the road department in South Georgia to not finish construction on I-95. We remember the same construction from 2006.
You know from a previous blog that we knew there would be delays on I-95 south from Savannah. We have the photos to prove it. However, we did not expect an average speed of 5mph from mile marker 67-62 (it took one hour-do the math), from mm 67 the speed picked up to about 8mph. We observed two construction men in reflector vests and one dump truck. We have to assume that one of the men in reflector vests was a supervisor. All in all, it took us from 12:30, when we got on I-95 to 5pm to get to the RV park in Jax. Average: 30mph.
The other news is that there is no one left in Ontario, but we know where to find them. Honestly, you could invade the Province and no one would be there to report it.
One of the reasons the RV park is full to capacity tonight is the Gator Bowl this weekend. There are groups of Seminoles all over the RV park-interspersed between the Ontarians and Vermonters.
Still, today was light years better for me than yesterday. From 4 am to about 4 pm my best friends were the bed and the toilet. I suspect it was something I ate as Marcia doesn't seem to be the least bit effected. It seems to be all gone now, and stone ground wheat crackers and gatorade have restored my appetite. I was able to enjoy the buffet at Cross Creek tonight.
So, we are back on the road tomorrow morning (knock wood). We are back in the Sunshine State where fleece garments are outdoor-not indoor wear. Tomorrow we pick up the black eyed peas and otherwise prepare for the new year.
Hoping your new year is the best ever!
Kay
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Carriage Ride in Savannah
Dinnah at the Lady and Sons was not to be. Gotta get into town early to get a reservation. No exactly my style. We'll catch them later.
We dined at the City Market Cafe where we also dined several years ago. I had the signature dish, blackened creole shrimp and grits with a side of greens. Marcia got the gumbo and a sandwich. We both declared the gumbo to be Campbell's finest.
Next was our carriage ride with Carol and Sonny and Cher. Actually, there was a carriage load of people and it took awhile to load us up as everybody had definite ideas about where to sit. We opted for the front row with the driver and were not disappointed-like having a private carriage for considerably less price. Carol was quite good-not too much schmaltz and plenty of information.
I remembered from our last ride that Ogelthorpe, founder of the colony in 1733, had three rules. No hard liquor (beer and wine were fine), no Catholics (things were not going well in Europe when Protestants and Catholics were mixed), and no attorneys (Ogelthorpe's own personal experience). He also outlawed slavery, so the colony was slave free till Ogelthorpe went back to England and got himself a romantic interest.
Our driver also pointed out a little shop with the best cupcakes in Savannah, so we found our way there after the carriage ride and scooped up 4 cupcakes just before they sold out. They were out of milk, so we had to settle for the Starbucks for our coffee. Great treat!
It was a cold day in Savannah and tomorrow promises to be colder. We fortified ourselves with a little mall shopping this afternoon. Malls have never been our favorite places and after Christmas not our favorite times for malls. Still, it was a bit shocking to see so few people and stores in the malls. We managed to find what we needed to keep us warm, but these are not the malls that we remember.
It was too risky to take Stella to the beach this morning, so she had an explore of the road by the marsh. She was quite animated about it, so I didn't feel too bad. I anticipate a brisk walk tomorrow wearing several layers of clothes. Luckily the isotoner gloves were on sale for 1/2 price in the mall.
Check the photo blog for some scenes of Savannah.
KG
We dined at the City Market Cafe where we also dined several years ago. I had the signature dish, blackened creole shrimp and grits with a side of greens. Marcia got the gumbo and a sandwich. We both declared the gumbo to be Campbell's finest.
Next was our carriage ride with Carol and Sonny and Cher. Actually, there was a carriage load of people and it took awhile to load us up as everybody had definite ideas about where to sit. We opted for the front row with the driver and were not disappointed-like having a private carriage for considerably less price. Carol was quite good-not too much schmaltz and plenty of information.
I remembered from our last ride that Ogelthorpe, founder of the colony in 1733, had three rules. No hard liquor (beer and wine were fine), no Catholics (things were not going well in Europe when Protestants and Catholics were mixed), and no attorneys (Ogelthorpe's own personal experience). He also outlawed slavery, so the colony was slave free till Ogelthorpe went back to England and got himself a romantic interest.
Our driver also pointed out a little shop with the best cupcakes in Savannah, so we found our way there after the carriage ride and scooped up 4 cupcakes just before they sold out. They were out of milk, so we had to settle for the Starbucks for our coffee. Great treat!
It was a cold day in Savannah and tomorrow promises to be colder. We fortified ourselves with a little mall shopping this afternoon. Malls have never been our favorite places and after Christmas not our favorite times for malls. Still, it was a bit shocking to see so few people and stores in the malls. We managed to find what we needed to keep us warm, but these are not the malls that we remember.
It was too risky to take Stella to the beach this morning, so she had an explore of the road by the marsh. She was quite animated about it, so I didn't feel too bad. I anticipate a brisk walk tomorrow wearing several layers of clothes. Luckily the isotoner gloves were on sale for 1/2 price in the mall.
Check the photo blog for some scenes of Savannah.
KG
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Uncle Bubba's and Ft Pulaski
It was Uncle Bubba's for dinnah today. Those familiar with Paula Deen may also know that her little brother has a restaurant of his own-Uncle Bubba's. We had a taste for seafood today, and it was satisfied at Uncle Bubba's. It is technically called Uncle Bubba's Oyster House, so I had the small raw appetiser. They were quite large so that Marcia suggested that they were the frying kind. However, I found that I could center them on a saltine and garnish with goodies and get them all in my mouth at once-and it was good!
There were little corn muffins which were great all by themselves-not too sweet and little kernels of corn in them. You can have the honey butter which Marcia suggests might just be honey margarine. My shrimp were quite fresh and tasty-great breading. The cole slaw was not made my favorite way, but it was fresh and crunchy cabbage and I managed to eat it all. I just would have left out the bell pepper bits. Marcia's crab cakes were quite good-more crab less bread crumbs. We were brought a sample of the house specialty, charred oysters in half shell with cheese and garlic. I wouldn't order them over the raw, but Marcia might.
We decided to do Ft Pulaski with the remainder of the afternoon. The visitors center provided an excellent historical overview in film and several interesting displays. Basically, the story is this: After the British bout took the young US back in 1812, there were a series of forts built along the southern coast line. Ft Pulaski was one of them-named after the Revolutionary War hero, Count Pulaski who fell in the battle for Savannah. Another fort of this era is Ft Jefferson (named for then President Jefferson) in the Dry Tortugas. With any luck you will get a blog on this fort sometime in January.
So, when the Civil War broke out, the Confederate soldiers of Savannah, 150 of them, sailed to the fort and took it from Union troops without a shot fired. However, shortly thereafter President Lincoln gave orders to secure the coast, so, Union ships headed to the mouth of the Savannah River to get the fort back.
The big problem with these Jeffersonian forts were that they were built before rifled cannons, so it was fairly easy to blast them away. Union soldiers pulled massive rifled cannons through the swampy ground on Tybee Island and aimed them at the fort. I suspect someone had consulted the plans of the fort as they aimed for the magazine. By the second day of shelling they had easy access directly to the powder magazine, so by the afternoon of 11 April 1862 General Olmstead of the Confederate Army surrendered. The fort was used as a prison for the remainder of the war.
You can see photos of the fort on the photo blog.
As for the rest of our day, Stella and I had a lovely sunset walk on the beach. We were warned by a local that the beach is regularly patrolled by the island police and they liberally give $200 tickets for dogs on the beach. We were advised to duck behind a dune if we heard their beach vehicles approaching. Stella and I are not good duckers, so we stayed near the beach path home. We met a night photographer and I got a few tips.
We have two more days here. Gotta get in that carriage ride soon.
KG
There were little corn muffins which were great all by themselves-not too sweet and little kernels of corn in them. You can have the honey butter which Marcia suggests might just be honey margarine. My shrimp were quite fresh and tasty-great breading. The cole slaw was not made my favorite way, but it was fresh and crunchy cabbage and I managed to eat it all. I just would have left out the bell pepper bits. Marcia's crab cakes were quite good-more crab less bread crumbs. We were brought a sample of the house specialty, charred oysters in half shell with cheese and garlic. I wouldn't order them over the raw, but Marcia might.
We decided to do Ft Pulaski with the remainder of the afternoon. The visitors center provided an excellent historical overview in film and several interesting displays. Basically, the story is this: After the British bout took the young US back in 1812, there were a series of forts built along the southern coast line. Ft Pulaski was one of them-named after the Revolutionary War hero, Count Pulaski who fell in the battle for Savannah. Another fort of this era is Ft Jefferson (named for then President Jefferson) in the Dry Tortugas. With any luck you will get a blog on this fort sometime in January.
So, when the Civil War broke out, the Confederate soldiers of Savannah, 150 of them, sailed to the fort and took it from Union troops without a shot fired. However, shortly thereafter President Lincoln gave orders to secure the coast, so, Union ships headed to the mouth of the Savannah River to get the fort back.
The big problem with these Jeffersonian forts were that they were built before rifled cannons, so it was fairly easy to blast them away. Union soldiers pulled massive rifled cannons through the swampy ground on Tybee Island and aimed them at the fort. I suspect someone had consulted the plans of the fort as they aimed for the magazine. By the second day of shelling they had easy access directly to the powder magazine, so by the afternoon of 11 April 1862 General Olmstead of the Confederate Army surrendered. The fort was used as a prison for the remainder of the war.
You can see photos of the fort on the photo blog.
As for the rest of our day, Stella and I had a lovely sunset walk on the beach. We were warned by a local that the beach is regularly patrolled by the island police and they liberally give $200 tickets for dogs on the beach. We were advised to duck behind a dune if we heard their beach vehicles approaching. Stella and I are not good duckers, so we stayed near the beach path home. We met a night photographer and I got a few tips.
We have two more days here. Gotta get in that carriage ride soon.
KG
Aye Matey-The Pirate's House
We stayed home on Christmas. The smells of roast pork permeated the Cronemobile and we had an easy day. I did get a long walk on the beach-no sunshine and occasionally misty rain, and Stella had several walks around the RV park. There were too many people on the beach to risk a walk with her on Christmas Day.
Yesterday we ventured out to Savannah for dinnah. We opted for the Pirate House because it was recommended by the Callahan Cousins and because it was open. We were not disappointed. We were seated next to a window which our server said was one of the most haunted places and featured on YouTube. I have not gone to YouTube to see it. It was a bit more lighted than other tables but a bit more drafty as well. The buffet was quite wonderful for those who love Southern cooking. Vegetarians need not even darken the door of this restaurant. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the food. Chicken fried right, fish fried in a thin and crispy corn meal batter, yellow squash casserole, corn casserole, broad green beans, baby Lima's and greens all swimming in their pot liquor with little bites of fatty pork. Potatoes mashed and sweet. Biscuits and corn bread muffins not too sweet. For desert we had the little square of pecan pie warmed and drizzled with caramel-quite tasty.
The restaurant has been there since 1733, so it made me wonder if my/our ancestor, David Cutler Braddock might have dined on the same spot. Grandpa David was called upon by Oglethorpe to keep the colony safe by keeping the Spanish ships to a minimum and looting their cargo. He was a government employee working on commission rather than a free lancer. Still, he might have raised a tankard or two with the indys.
One of the restaurant employees has the job of circulating with the customers and speaking to them in pirate talk. It is not necessary to respond to her, and indeed she probably appreciates not being spoken to. There are many losthsome jobs I would rather have than this one. Even the children do not seem interested. She did make me think of Ed's yearly reminder for "Talk like a pirate day". Maybe an annual convention could be held here-people who would appreciate her talent.
Next we were off to the movies. I have been wanting to see the new Hugh Grant movie with Sarah Jessica Parker. It was a dud. I probably laughed once. It was quite predictable and Hugh Grant couldn't even do himself very well. So, we decided to try again and made a double feature with "It's Complicated". This was better, but I have to say that I prefer Meryl Streep in roles with more substance. Sometime this week we will give "Nine" a try.
I am thinking of a trip to Fort Pulaski and Marcia has a carriage ride in downtown Savannah in mind. The temps are moderate-highs in the 50's and lows in the 30's and 40's. It continues to be overcast, but we are promised to be rain free till the day we leave-Wednesday. The big rigs all around us are moving out. We might just have the park to ourselves for awhile.
We will also make it to Ms Paula's for dinnah some day. Time for a beach walk now.
KG
Yesterday we ventured out to Savannah for dinnah. We opted for the Pirate House because it was recommended by the Callahan Cousins and because it was open. We were not disappointed. We were seated next to a window which our server said was one of the most haunted places and featured on YouTube. I have not gone to YouTube to see it. It was a bit more lighted than other tables but a bit more drafty as well. The buffet was quite wonderful for those who love Southern cooking. Vegetarians need not even darken the door of this restaurant. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the food. Chicken fried right, fish fried in a thin and crispy corn meal batter, yellow squash casserole, corn casserole, broad green beans, baby Lima's and greens all swimming in their pot liquor with little bites of fatty pork. Potatoes mashed and sweet. Biscuits and corn bread muffins not too sweet. For desert we had the little square of pecan pie warmed and drizzled with caramel-quite tasty.
The restaurant has been there since 1733, so it made me wonder if my/our ancestor, David Cutler Braddock might have dined on the same spot. Grandpa David was called upon by Oglethorpe to keep the colony safe by keeping the Spanish ships to a minimum and looting their cargo. He was a government employee working on commission rather than a free lancer. Still, he might have raised a tankard or two with the indys.
One of the restaurant employees has the job of circulating with the customers and speaking to them in pirate talk. It is not necessary to respond to her, and indeed she probably appreciates not being spoken to. There are many losthsome jobs I would rather have than this one. Even the children do not seem interested. She did make me think of Ed's yearly reminder for "Talk like a pirate day". Maybe an annual convention could be held here-people who would appreciate her talent.
Next we were off to the movies. I have been wanting to see the new Hugh Grant movie with Sarah Jessica Parker. It was a dud. I probably laughed once. It was quite predictable and Hugh Grant couldn't even do himself very well. So, we decided to try again and made a double feature with "It's Complicated". This was better, but I have to say that I prefer Meryl Streep in roles with more substance. Sometime this week we will give "Nine" a try.
I am thinking of a trip to Fort Pulaski and Marcia has a carriage ride in downtown Savannah in mind. The temps are moderate-highs in the 50's and lows in the 30's and 40's. It continues to be overcast, but we are promised to be rain free till the day we leave-Wednesday. The big rigs all around us are moving out. We might just have the park to ourselves for awhile.
We will also make it to Ms Paula's for dinnah some day. Time for a beach walk now.
KG
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Jax/Nassau to Savannah/Tybee Island
Georgia gas prices.
FHP is working.
Southeast meets Northwest.
St Mary's River-where the ancestors lived. At one time it was the southeastern border of the US.
The good news is that we didn't have rain or sleet or snow to drive through. We do marvel at the fact that there seems to be the same construction on I-95 that we remember driving through Christmas 2005.
However, the trip was smooth considering the construction, and it must be said that I was not driving. Marcia's hands and shoulders and neck and nerves might tell another story.
The RV park on Tybee is about the same-some construction going on. We have a good site-a big site very near the office, so the wi-fi is great. Though we will eventually get rain, it is sunny now. We have all we need-food, wine, wi-fi, books and full hook up.
Stella and I got a nice walk on the beach while chatting with my brother, Danny. Technically there are no dogs allowed, or at least that is how I remember it. I was sooooooooo busy on the phone that I didn't get to read the sign. I did notice that there were other paw prints on the beach and nobody seemed to care. A walk on the beach is what Stella wanted for Christmas. It's what Stella wants every day as well. A full bowl of kibble with gravy, morning shredded wheat and a beach walk-it doesn't get much better.
We have made a plan for eating in today as most of the restaurants we want to go to are closed at 3pm today. They will be ready to go next week, so we will eat our seafood dinners and Paula Dean dinnah then.
My big plan for Christmas Eve-get the laundry done.
Hope your Christmas Eve is as serene.
KG
Monday, December 21, 2009
Short Day-Full Heart
Hello Empty Cage Blogophiles. We are on the road again! Wa-hoo!
Our day began with a bit of running around in circles. We have been orienting our Swiss exchange guests to our house and community and have been bunking in the Cronemobile since Saturday night. So, somehow after giving my house and KIA keys to Birgit, I misplaced my Honda key. The first run around was looking for these keys and giving instruction in all the things I had forgotten to instruct about the day before. Most of you know that morning is not my time, and this kind of morning in particular was not my idea of a good time.
Eventually the keys were found and we got the Cronemobile together. Rene had a good time photographing our departure for his Facebook page, so we are Andy Warhol famous in Switzerland. We got as far as Hawthorne on Rt 301 when the noises from the front wheels and the shaking of the steering wheel and when we got out, the smell from the wheels made us turn around and head to the dealer in Ocala-luckily, in North Ocala. We were able to have a nice lunch while we waited. As Marcia drove the repair man around so that he could listen for the noise, Stella and I went for a walk around the parking lot. I found a $100 bill lying on the ground. I have never found this much money. With visions of little children going without their Christmas, I asked the owner if anybody has reported loosing money. So far, no reports. Now I am imagining a careless someone with a pocket full of $100 bills flying about.
When we got to the Flamingo RV Park in Jax and got all set up, I got a call from Stas on his new cell phone. He continues to do well. He has a cell phone and a laptop and an address. His employer plans to go to India in January and leave Stas in charge of the store. With the money he makes, Stas plans to pay off his court costs and probation fees-one more step towards emancipation from the State of Oregon. He will also move into a newly refurbished apartment above the store where he will have low rent-the same as he pays now for a multi-person apartment share, and a very short commute to work. I'm sure his employers will get the benefit of eyes and ears above the store as well, so it will probably work well for all of them. He sounds good.
Marcia and I had dinner with my Callahan Cousins, and a fine dinner it was. They are all quite dear to me, so seeing them and their families and hearing our family stories is a great gift. Also, Linda's daughter, Amber is expecting a baby in July. More cousins!!!
When I got home and checked my email, there was an offer for a house exchange from a French family. They live fairly close to our Swiss friends, so it would make a convenient addition to our summer exchange plans. It is way too early to tell if this will actually happen, but it was icing on the cake for my already very rich day.
Happy Solstice to all, and I hope your very short day had as much heart as mine.
KG
Our day began with a bit of running around in circles. We have been orienting our Swiss exchange guests to our house and community and have been bunking in the Cronemobile since Saturday night. So, somehow after giving my house and KIA keys to Birgit, I misplaced my Honda key. The first run around was looking for these keys and giving instruction in all the things I had forgotten to instruct about the day before. Most of you know that morning is not my time, and this kind of morning in particular was not my idea of a good time.
Eventually the keys were found and we got the Cronemobile together. Rene had a good time photographing our departure for his Facebook page, so we are Andy Warhol famous in Switzerland. We got as far as Hawthorne on Rt 301 when the noises from the front wheels and the shaking of the steering wheel and when we got out, the smell from the wheels made us turn around and head to the dealer in Ocala-luckily, in North Ocala. We were able to have a nice lunch while we waited. As Marcia drove the repair man around so that he could listen for the noise, Stella and I went for a walk around the parking lot. I found a $100 bill lying on the ground. I have never found this much money. With visions of little children going without their Christmas, I asked the owner if anybody has reported loosing money. So far, no reports. Now I am imagining a careless someone with a pocket full of $100 bills flying about.
When we got to the Flamingo RV Park in Jax and got all set up, I got a call from Stas on his new cell phone. He continues to do well. He has a cell phone and a laptop and an address. His employer plans to go to India in January and leave Stas in charge of the store. With the money he makes, Stas plans to pay off his court costs and probation fees-one more step towards emancipation from the State of Oregon. He will also move into a newly refurbished apartment above the store where he will have low rent-the same as he pays now for a multi-person apartment share, and a very short commute to work. I'm sure his employers will get the benefit of eyes and ears above the store as well, so it will probably work well for all of them. He sounds good.
Marcia and I had dinner with my Callahan Cousins, and a fine dinner it was. They are all quite dear to me, so seeing them and their families and hearing our family stories is a great gift. Also, Linda's daughter, Amber is expecting a baby in July. More cousins!!!
When I got home and checked my email, there was an offer for a house exchange from a French family. They live fairly close to our Swiss friends, so it would make a convenient addition to our summer exchange plans. It is way too early to tell if this will actually happen, but it was icing on the cake for my already very rich day.
Happy Solstice to all, and I hope your very short day had as much heart as mine.
KG
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Atlanta Again:Weekend Perfection
We had almost forgotten how we love Atlanta. In spite of threats of flooding we braved the elements and headed north. Hotel rooms are relatively cheap these days, so we left the Cronemobile at home along with Stella and the housesitters.
Atlanta is about many things for us, but eating is a big draw. On the way up I-75 we figured we had better stop to eat before we got to the city, as we would be getting in fairly late. I was ready for home cookin and fired catfish was foremost in my mind. Our new Blackberries are amazing at finding lots of things, but home cookin and catfish dinner might not be totally Blackberry accessable. Marcia suggested rather standard fare at a Red Lobster. She "navigated" us in with the Blackberry, and right next to Red Lobster was "Folks" featuring their Friday special of fried catfish. You can bet that we pulled in and logged it in the Blackberry memory. The greens had a smokey pork taste that made us want a bucket of them had the consequences not been such a bad outcome. The banana puddin and cobbler were out of the question after our meal, so we headed north on I-75.
We always stay in Buckhead when we are not Cronemobiling, and our fave is the Fairmont Inn right across from the Buckhead Diner. We have come to know the neighborhood well; some of our favorite places are here; it works well for us. The Fairmont did right for us last night as we slept off the catfish and greens.
We got a late start this morning and had a leisurley coffee at Starbucks. Then off to my favorite silk fabric store in the world, next to Shanghai. I would love to bring Honey (Marcia's mother) here, and I am willing to schedule the entire day here because I know that is what it would take. We would be happily browsing and dreaming and indulging in a tactile feast fit for an empress. Brocaide, charmeuse, duiponi, satin, name it, it's here and in abundance, though you may have to dig but that is part of the fun. My purchase was rather spartian compared to my dreams. I don't have occasion to wear the fabulous prints that I saw, so a simple pair of black silk pants and a couple of tops for travel will do me.
Next was the Container Store-always a fun shop. We managed to find several things for the fly tyer and several things for travel. Orvis had moved, so we almost missed it. Flash for fly tyer!
Next, lunch at the Corner Cafe and Buckhead Bread Company. This is an Atlanta hot spot for weekend brunch. Marcia had the chicken salad with applewood smoked bacon, avacado, tomato and red onion on fresh bread. I watched with wonder as she managed a bite, as it was real big. The cucumber salad was good too. I know because I tried some. I got the corned beef hash browns combo with poached eggs and holandaise. Fabulous! The holandaise was creamier than it was lemony, and I think that worked well with the corned beef.
We walked off our lunch at the Mandarin Antiques on Miami Circle. This is where we got the big table in the bedroom and the Empress of China chairs for the bay window. We were glad to see that they are still well stocked with lots of Asian antiques that hold our interest, but best of all was a nice visit with Peter. He is a delightful gay guy who is all aglow with new love and he loves to chat with us. He is 35 now and beginning to look for more mature love.
After a little rest, we headed out in the rain, the pouring rain, for a few errands. On the way we saw Trader Joe's which we had forgotten was here, so we had to have a little shop. Two bags of groceries and a little bag of Honey Crisp apples later we again slogged through the rain to one of our favorite restaurants in the world, the Buckhead Diner.
The Buckhead Diner is the kind of restaurant that is not embarassed to list potato chips and hamburger on their menu. That's because the potato chips are handmade from fresh potatoes and fried and slathered in fresh blue cheese dressing. Atlantans always start with this appetizer, and we follow suit. We passed on the veal meatloaf and the hamburger dinner that I saw a family enjoying across the diner. When I say, Diner, think great big chrome and neon building on the outside and mahogony and art deco and chrome on the inside. The waitpersons are all in black and white and it is definitely upscale. The wine list is unpretentious but excellent. What makes it really special is the food. Simple local ingredients cooked with a flair for the fine. Marcia had a pork chop with potato rounds cooked to a crisp with Asiago cheese lightly sprinkled on top. As far as we both were concerned, the garlic spinach stole the show. I know that we will be seeing that spinach on our kitchen island some time soon.
I got the macadamia encrusted black grouper with mashed potatoes and baby fordhook limas. Chef did fine by the grouper, the mashed potatoes were basic and simple, but enhanced by a gravy that was more like a very lemony holindaise-just a hint of the richness. The baby limas were lightyears away from anything from the plastic bag in the frozen food or, Goddess forbid, a can. These baby limas had clearly been lovingly cared for from the seed to my plate, and they tasted so. They had body. They played quite nicely with the potaotes and the grouper and the lemony gravy.
Tomorrow we will plan a stop by the DeKalb Farmer's Market on the way home.
Here are my suggestions. Check Orbitz for cheap flights to Atlanta. Then cheap hotels and be sure to check out the Fairfield. If shopping isn't your thing, maybe the new Atlanta Aquarium or the Fernbank Museum would be. They are on our list for next time, and I think next time will be sooner than last time was.
KG
Atlanta is about many things for us, but eating is a big draw. On the way up I-75 we figured we had better stop to eat before we got to the city, as we would be getting in fairly late. I was ready for home cookin and fired catfish was foremost in my mind. Our new Blackberries are amazing at finding lots of things, but home cookin and catfish dinner might not be totally Blackberry accessable. Marcia suggested rather standard fare at a Red Lobster. She "navigated" us in with the Blackberry, and right next to Red Lobster was "Folks" featuring their Friday special of fried catfish. You can bet that we pulled in and logged it in the Blackberry memory. The greens had a smokey pork taste that made us want a bucket of them had the consequences not been such a bad outcome. The banana puddin and cobbler were out of the question after our meal, so we headed north on I-75.
We always stay in Buckhead when we are not Cronemobiling, and our fave is the Fairmont Inn right across from the Buckhead Diner. We have come to know the neighborhood well; some of our favorite places are here; it works well for us. The Fairmont did right for us last night as we slept off the catfish and greens.
We got a late start this morning and had a leisurley coffee at Starbucks. Then off to my favorite silk fabric store in the world, next to Shanghai. I would love to bring Honey (Marcia's mother) here, and I am willing to schedule the entire day here because I know that is what it would take. We would be happily browsing and dreaming and indulging in a tactile feast fit for an empress. Brocaide, charmeuse, duiponi, satin, name it, it's here and in abundance, though you may have to dig but that is part of the fun. My purchase was rather spartian compared to my dreams. I don't have occasion to wear the fabulous prints that I saw, so a simple pair of black silk pants and a couple of tops for travel will do me.
Next was the Container Store-always a fun shop. We managed to find several things for the fly tyer and several things for travel. Orvis had moved, so we almost missed it. Flash for fly tyer!
Next, lunch at the Corner Cafe and Buckhead Bread Company. This is an Atlanta hot spot for weekend brunch. Marcia had the chicken salad with applewood smoked bacon, avacado, tomato and red onion on fresh bread. I watched with wonder as she managed a bite, as it was real big. The cucumber salad was good too. I know because I tried some. I got the corned beef hash browns combo with poached eggs and holandaise. Fabulous! The holandaise was creamier than it was lemony, and I think that worked well with the corned beef.
We walked off our lunch at the Mandarin Antiques on Miami Circle. This is where we got the big table in the bedroom and the Empress of China chairs for the bay window. We were glad to see that they are still well stocked with lots of Asian antiques that hold our interest, but best of all was a nice visit with Peter. He is a delightful gay guy who is all aglow with new love and he loves to chat with us. He is 35 now and beginning to look for more mature love.
After a little rest, we headed out in the rain, the pouring rain, for a few errands. On the way we saw Trader Joe's which we had forgotten was here, so we had to have a little shop. Two bags of groceries and a little bag of Honey Crisp apples later we again slogged through the rain to one of our favorite restaurants in the world, the Buckhead Diner.
The Buckhead Diner is the kind of restaurant that is not embarassed to list potato chips and hamburger on their menu. That's because the potato chips are handmade from fresh potatoes and fried and slathered in fresh blue cheese dressing. Atlantans always start with this appetizer, and we follow suit. We passed on the veal meatloaf and the hamburger dinner that I saw a family enjoying across the diner. When I say, Diner, think great big chrome and neon building on the outside and mahogony and art deco and chrome on the inside. The waitpersons are all in black and white and it is definitely upscale. The wine list is unpretentious but excellent. What makes it really special is the food. Simple local ingredients cooked with a flair for the fine. Marcia had a pork chop with potato rounds cooked to a crisp with Asiago cheese lightly sprinkled on top. As far as we both were concerned, the garlic spinach stole the show. I know that we will be seeing that spinach on our kitchen island some time soon.
I got the macadamia encrusted black grouper with mashed potatoes and baby fordhook limas. Chef did fine by the grouper, the mashed potatoes were basic and simple, but enhanced by a gravy that was more like a very lemony holindaise-just a hint of the richness. The baby limas were lightyears away from anything from the plastic bag in the frozen food or, Goddess forbid, a can. These baby limas had clearly been lovingly cared for from the seed to my plate, and they tasted so. They had body. They played quite nicely with the potaotes and the grouper and the lemony gravy.
Tomorrow we will plan a stop by the DeKalb Farmer's Market on the way home.
Here are my suggestions. Check Orbitz for cheap flights to Atlanta. Then cheap hotels and be sure to check out the Fairfield. If shopping isn't your thing, maybe the new Atlanta Aquarium or the Fernbank Museum would be. They are on our list for next time, and I think next time will be sooner than last time was.
KG
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Home Again, HOT DAMN
We did dress for getting off the plane in Tampa, but it is always a shock to step into September heat and humidity after temps in the high 60's and low 70's. There was a German couple on the flight with a little baby-maybe 3 months old. Baby was wearing sweater knit leggings and a cap. It was all I could do to restrain myself from going over and snatching those things off the baby. I hope she doesn't get fried or baked.
So, we are home and disassembling and reassembling. I have a load of clothes in the washer and Marcia has reacquainted herself with the grocery store. She was up at 5:30 and I at 6:30. Really unheard of for me, but my body thought it was almost noon.
The flight back was great-British Air has our business! I almost completed 4 movies and got shut off just when the boat was about to sink on the last movie. I'll probably have to rent it again to see the last 5 minutes.
Peggie and Paul were wonderful escorts home, and home was more perfect than we left it. Vases of flowers are such a fine greeting.
Stella greeted us with some enthusiasm, but we can also see her confusion and anticipation that there will be a caregiver shift at any time. When Marcia went to the grocery, she was very concerned. I imagine that there are some doggy treats in the grocery bags that might take her mind off her worries.
It is good to go away, and it is good to be back home. As soon as the laundry is done and we have had lunch, I believe I will see what might be available for us by way of Intervac exchange for next year. We met Esther the Costa barrista from Hungary at the Hilton Gatwick, and Esther's brother rents a house on Lake Balatan....
KG
So, we are home and disassembling and reassembling. I have a load of clothes in the washer and Marcia has reacquainted herself with the grocery store. She was up at 5:30 and I at 6:30. Really unheard of for me, but my body thought it was almost noon.
The flight back was great-British Air has our business! I almost completed 4 movies and got shut off just when the boat was about to sink on the last movie. I'll probably have to rent it again to see the last 5 minutes.
Peggie and Paul were wonderful escorts home, and home was more perfect than we left it. Vases of flowers are such a fine greeting.
Stella greeted us with some enthusiasm, but we can also see her confusion and anticipation that there will be a caregiver shift at any time. When Marcia went to the grocery, she was very concerned. I imagine that there are some doggy treats in the grocery bags that might take her mind off her worries.
It is good to go away, and it is good to be back home. As soon as the laundry is done and we have had lunch, I believe I will see what might be available for us by way of Intervac exchange for next year. We met Esther the Costa barrista from Hungary at the Hilton Gatwick, and Esther's brother rents a house on Lake Balatan....
KG
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Eyefull of London
Eyeful of London
We did get an eyefull of London last night, and I managed a day of it. We were both whupped from the very full day before. I have more of an adventuresome spirit than good sense, so I was off for a walk by mid morning.
A word about our posh digs here by St Pauls. The Club Quarters is a small chain of guesthouses designed for business travelers. They are located near big centers of business and cater to the needs of business travelers. This works quite well for our tastes, and there are free electronics everywhere and even a serve yourself plastic water bottle and chilled water dispenser by the lift. The kitchenette allows us to have our breakfast and even other meals if we wish, and somewhat offsets the cost of the room in an expensive city like London. In this neighborhood, you can hardly turn around without finding espresso. There are at least three Starbucks within 100yards of the hotel, and a Costa right across the street. We found this place on booking.com-just luck. Since this is a bank holiday weekend, there was no business business to be had, and a few tourists make up some of the revenue. We paid 439 pounds for three nights-very competitive with London hotels and offering us much more.
With this in mind, I checked out the Club Quarters in NYC. I have yet to find the bargain-going for $1050 for three nights in mid-town.
So, I was off and walking, ideally towards a Body Shop nearby, but what I discovered was that this part of London is closed on the weekend morning, and it apprears that the Body Shop has vacated the premises anyway. My body will probably have to wait for Gatwick, or maybe even home. I did indulge myself in a few photos-very nice when there are so few people around.
There was alot of day ahead of us prior to our "flight" reservations on the Eye, but I was still weary from the day before, so I chose to ride the tourist bus and get an overview of the town. It was actually a good choice, as the town was packed on this bank holiday weekend before school starts, and as you might imagine, there were tonnes of kids. The kids take the red bus, so I got the yellow one. Another day with more energy I might have opted for the blue one to take me to Kensington to the V&A, but ideally another day will come.
After the bus tour, Marcia and I got a look at St Paul's. What a wonder it is! No photos allowed. It is newer than the other cathedrals we have visited, so it has a cleaner more sparkly look and no medieval knights in armour. It has plenty of marble dedicated to military victors however, and a crypt full of famous fallen like Horatio Nelson and Wellington. Even Christopher Wren who designed the cathedral is buried there along with other of his family members. Sir Christopher's epitath was written by his son: "Lector, si monumentum requiris,circumspice." If your Latin is as rusty as mine: "Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you."
On days like today it is necessary to recharge both photo batteries and my own, so a bit of down time was in order before dining at local Italian restaurant that was not so pricy and had great ravioli and gnocci. We were prepared to eat fairly light, as who knows what the Eye would do to us.
It was easy to get to the Eye, and I had prebooked fast lane tickets. A few pounds was well worth not standing in the queue, and we got to time our ride at sunset. 30 minutes goes quite fast when one has the city at one's feet. It was a clear night (I had checked the weather forecast) and we saw for miles. The Eye and the Greenwich Observatory all work well for London, as it is not a huge skyscraper city.
So, today is a rather mundane pack up and move to the Hilton at Gatwick kind of day. Maybe the Body Shop will be open.
KG
We did get an eyefull of London last night, and I managed a day of it. We were both whupped from the very full day before. I have more of an adventuresome spirit than good sense, so I was off for a walk by mid morning.
A word about our posh digs here by St Pauls. The Club Quarters is a small chain of guesthouses designed for business travelers. They are located near big centers of business and cater to the needs of business travelers. This works quite well for our tastes, and there are free electronics everywhere and even a serve yourself plastic water bottle and chilled water dispenser by the lift. The kitchenette allows us to have our breakfast and even other meals if we wish, and somewhat offsets the cost of the room in an expensive city like London. In this neighborhood, you can hardly turn around without finding espresso. There are at least three Starbucks within 100yards of the hotel, and a Costa right across the street. We found this place on booking.com-just luck. Since this is a bank holiday weekend, there was no business business to be had, and a few tourists make up some of the revenue. We paid 439 pounds for three nights-very competitive with London hotels and offering us much more.
With this in mind, I checked out the Club Quarters in NYC. I have yet to find the bargain-going for $1050 for three nights in mid-town.
So, I was off and walking, ideally towards a Body Shop nearby, but what I discovered was that this part of London is closed on the weekend morning, and it apprears that the Body Shop has vacated the premises anyway. My body will probably have to wait for Gatwick, or maybe even home. I did indulge myself in a few photos-very nice when there are so few people around.
There was alot of day ahead of us prior to our "flight" reservations on the Eye, but I was still weary from the day before, so I chose to ride the tourist bus and get an overview of the town. It was actually a good choice, as the town was packed on this bank holiday weekend before school starts, and as you might imagine, there were tonnes of kids. The kids take the red bus, so I got the yellow one. Another day with more energy I might have opted for the blue one to take me to Kensington to the V&A, but ideally another day will come.
After the bus tour, Marcia and I got a look at St Paul's. What a wonder it is! No photos allowed. It is newer than the other cathedrals we have visited, so it has a cleaner more sparkly look and no medieval knights in armour. It has plenty of marble dedicated to military victors however, and a crypt full of famous fallen like Horatio Nelson and Wellington. Even Christopher Wren who designed the cathedral is buried there along with other of his family members. Sir Christopher's epitath was written by his son: "Lector, si monumentum requiris,circumspice." If your Latin is as rusty as mine: "Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you."
On days like today it is necessary to recharge both photo batteries and my own, so a bit of down time was in order before dining at local Italian restaurant that was not so pricy and had great ravioli and gnocci. We were prepared to eat fairly light, as who knows what the Eye would do to us.
It was easy to get to the Eye, and I had prebooked fast lane tickets. A few pounds was well worth not standing in the queue, and we got to time our ride at sunset. 30 minutes goes quite fast when one has the city at one's feet. It was a clear night (I had checked the weather forecast) and we saw for miles. The Eye and the Greenwich Observatory all work well for London, as it is not a huge skyscraper city.
So, today is a rather mundane pack up and move to the Hilton at Gatwick kind of day. Maybe the Body Shop will be open.
KG
Friday, August 28, 2009
Our Day in London Towne
Our Day in London Towne
It was busy. I am tired. Here is the nutshell version. We got our Costa coffee, we met the Big Bus and had a lovely chat about Obama with the ticket seller while we waited for our Big Bus. We took the Big Bus to the Tower and spent the morning there. I was able to confirm that Grandaddy Sir Isaac Pennington actually died there, but did not loose his head or leave a bar bill.
We had lunch at Wagamama. We took the tour boat up to Westminster and down to Greenwich. We walked the million miles uphill to the observatory and looked at 0 degrees and got a photo of both of us stradling two hemispheres. We watched a show on the Ice Age at the planetarium and caught the boat back to the tower. Then a taxi to our St Paul's neighborhood for a lovely dinner at Paternoster Chop House and a short walk home to Club Quarters St Paul.
We are happy campers. Maybe St Paul's tomorrow, as we are in the neighborhood. We have reservations for the Eye at 19:30 tomorrow night.
KG
It was busy. I am tired. Here is the nutshell version. We got our Costa coffee, we met the Big Bus and had a lovely chat about Obama with the ticket seller while we waited for our Big Bus. We took the Big Bus to the Tower and spent the morning there. I was able to confirm that Grandaddy Sir Isaac Pennington actually died there, but did not loose his head or leave a bar bill.
We had lunch at Wagamama. We took the tour boat up to Westminster and down to Greenwich. We walked the million miles uphill to the observatory and looked at 0 degrees and got a photo of both of us stradling two hemispheres. We watched a show on the Ice Age at the planetarium and caught the boat back to the tower. Then a taxi to our St Paul's neighborhood for a lovely dinner at Paternoster Chop House and a short walk home to Club Quarters St Paul.
We are happy campers. Maybe St Paul's tomorrow, as we are in the neighborhood. We have reservations for the Eye at 19:30 tomorrow night.
KG
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Dublin to London
Dublin to London
As a person who doesn't do morning well in the best of circumstances, today was at least challenging. Our flight was at 12:10, so we set the alarm for 8 and were ready to head out of our Clarion Hotel room door at 8:50. This particular Clarion requires one to call for luggage assistance, as there is only a lift for luggage-not people. We were two flights of stairs lower than reception. In hindsight, it would have taken less effort to haul the luggage upstairs ourselves.
It took several tries to get the porter via phone. Then, I waited in the reception while Marcia waited in the room. I watched the 9am lorry leave for the airport and after 20 min. I asked the desk to check on getting our luggage. She said that he had left for our room, but I watched the he, and he came back with somebody else's luggage. Another nudge was helpful, and our luggage got loaded into the second 9:20 lorry. Another trolly of luggage also got loaded and we were about to be off when the family it belonged to came running after it. Not great reviews for the Clarion Dublin airport. Next time we will try the Raddisson. Maybe they furnish shampoo and shower gell as well.
Marcia ranks the Dublin Airport right down there with Detroit. When we arrived and had to debark the plane to the ground and take the lift to the terminal which was not great but not awful. After a morning of challenges, it was the last insult. Our hotel lorry left us off at a bus stop outside the terminal and the driver instructed us to go through the first building and into the second. There were trolleys available for free, but I got the wonky one. Once the luggage is loaded, why try another potentially wonky one? We followed our driver's instructions in spite of signs that instructed us to take the lift in the first building for departures. As it turns out, the signs were more reliable, so we retraced our steps and wonky wobble. Aer Lingus has very nice electronic check in which was fairly easy to navigate and soon I was in posession of our boarding passes. We headed for check in for our baggage, and were redirected by a green suited Aer Lingus woman to check in at queue 13 two floors down. So, we wonkied across the airport and around lots of confused people with other wonky trollies to the lifts and down to the 13th checkin. Here we were met by another computer checkin for our luggage. We followed directions, but the scanner didn't seem to be able to read the baggage strip, so a green suited Aer Lingus man directed us to another queue with a real person (who must feel quite smug about her job security).
Next, and without the benefit of breakfast or coffee, we had to negotiate the TSA screening. I have taken to asking for the express line for Marcia, and we were directed to "domestic screening". The guy who decided whether you can go in domestic screening is a Salvation Army chaplain wearing a reflective vest??? He was about to redirect us based on our destination when I explained that we had been directed to this queue because Marcia has knee replacements, and he compassionatley waived us through. Marcia actually had an easier time than I did, as I had not prepared and had two pockets full of change-one euros and cents and one pounds and pence. I never got my shoes off, and made several trips through the electronic screener before I remembered my mobile phone in my lower pants pocket. Once everything had passed, I was able to reassemble myself, and head for Starbucks. What a relief. We even got cushy chairs. Marcia held down the cushy chairs and watche the luggage while I fetched.
Starbucks is familiar territory the world over, but...Burger King, where I went for a breakfast protein hit, adapts somewhat to local culture. We had our first Breakfast Buttys. We could have had them with Budweiser, but I much prefer most anything to Budweiser and particularly in the mornings, Starbucks is a better friend. Buttys are breakfast food-egg and bacon or sausage and sometimes cheese on a bun with ketsup, aka tomato sauce (to-ma as in "your ma" toe). They hit the spot, though I confess to eyeing the Tabasco at the seafood bar with some desire. I wonder if there are any Southern Wimin who eat eggs with ketsup, but I bet plenty of us go for the Tabasco. I suspect the "Mc Illihenny family" makes Tabasco passable in Ireland.
So, we got fed and I even got the seafood bar waitperson to use her scissors to open my food saver sealed packet of meds and supplements. I pointed out that I was not allowed sharp objects and would be reduced to gnawing it open, and she took pity.
We waited patiently for our flight, and I continued to wait in queue behind a woman who had no notion of merging. Then there was a maze of tunnels and declines and stairs up and stairs down and a walk on the tarmac and the final climb to the plane and a final check of the boarding pass and the usual contortions for loading computer case and easing in to buckle up. If I never again see the Dublin airport, it will be fine!
They are actually building a new airport terminal, but we share Fenton's pessimism that it will get finished or be adequate to the task. They have been building it for many years and the current economy is not good, and once it is finished it will probably be outdated anyway.
Heathrow was easier. We took a dot2dot transport rather than a taxi, and it was great. We got a tour around Kensington and down to Chelsea by the Thames. I was following the ride on my Streetwise London map, and except for the ongoing dialogue in German by the couple in front of us, there was silence. I have come to think that the best tours are silent with a map in hand.
Our digs at the Club Quarters St. Paul's are just perfect for us. We found it at booking.com for reasonable price compared with other hotels in London, and it has a queen sized bed which looks like a king, and a kitchenette with refer and micro and a few plates and tableware, and a lovely shower and, best of all, wi-fi is included. Free printing too. It is located within spitting distance of St Paul's, and has a Marks and Spencer's Simply Food store even closer than St Paul's. We are in heaven. The hop on hop off tour bus stops just outside the door. It seems like a good choice to get us to our destinations tomorrow.
We have had a lovely dinner of M&S choices and plan to sleep well tonight.
We also have reservations in the fast lane for the Eye on Saturday night at sunset. The weather prediction is for clear skies on Saturday-knock wood. We watched a TV programme on Ferris Wheels two nights ago. The part where people had to be downloaded via rope (139m) from the Singapore Wheel in the middle of the night after many hours of being stuck and the failure of the Earl's Court wheel were a bit daunting, but we have this shot and we will buck up and do it.
KG
As a person who doesn't do morning well in the best of circumstances, today was at least challenging. Our flight was at 12:10, so we set the alarm for 8 and were ready to head out of our Clarion Hotel room door at 8:50. This particular Clarion requires one to call for luggage assistance, as there is only a lift for luggage-not people. We were two flights of stairs lower than reception. In hindsight, it would have taken less effort to haul the luggage upstairs ourselves.
It took several tries to get the porter via phone. Then, I waited in the reception while Marcia waited in the room. I watched the 9am lorry leave for the airport and after 20 min. I asked the desk to check on getting our luggage. She said that he had left for our room, but I watched the he, and he came back with somebody else's luggage. Another nudge was helpful, and our luggage got loaded into the second 9:20 lorry. Another trolly of luggage also got loaded and we were about to be off when the family it belonged to came running after it. Not great reviews for the Clarion Dublin airport. Next time we will try the Raddisson. Maybe they furnish shampoo and shower gell as well.
Marcia ranks the Dublin Airport right down there with Detroit. When we arrived and had to debark the plane to the ground and take the lift to the terminal which was not great but not awful. After a morning of challenges, it was the last insult. Our hotel lorry left us off at a bus stop outside the terminal and the driver instructed us to go through the first building and into the second. There were trolleys available for free, but I got the wonky one. Once the luggage is loaded, why try another potentially wonky one? We followed our driver's instructions in spite of signs that instructed us to take the lift in the first building for departures. As it turns out, the signs were more reliable, so we retraced our steps and wonky wobble. Aer Lingus has very nice electronic check in which was fairly easy to navigate and soon I was in posession of our boarding passes. We headed for check in for our baggage, and were redirected by a green suited Aer Lingus woman to check in at queue 13 two floors down. So, we wonkied across the airport and around lots of confused people with other wonky trollies to the lifts and down to the 13th checkin. Here we were met by another computer checkin for our luggage. We followed directions, but the scanner didn't seem to be able to read the baggage strip, so a green suited Aer Lingus man directed us to another queue with a real person (who must feel quite smug about her job security).
Next, and without the benefit of breakfast or coffee, we had to negotiate the TSA screening. I have taken to asking for the express line for Marcia, and we were directed to "domestic screening". The guy who decided whether you can go in domestic screening is a Salvation Army chaplain wearing a reflective vest??? He was about to redirect us based on our destination when I explained that we had been directed to this queue because Marcia has knee replacements, and he compassionatley waived us through. Marcia actually had an easier time than I did, as I had not prepared and had two pockets full of change-one euros and cents and one pounds and pence. I never got my shoes off, and made several trips through the electronic screener before I remembered my mobile phone in my lower pants pocket. Once everything had passed, I was able to reassemble myself, and head for Starbucks. What a relief. We even got cushy chairs. Marcia held down the cushy chairs and watche the luggage while I fetched.
Starbucks is familiar territory the world over, but...Burger King, where I went for a breakfast protein hit, adapts somewhat to local culture. We had our first Breakfast Buttys. We could have had them with Budweiser, but I much prefer most anything to Budweiser and particularly in the mornings, Starbucks is a better friend. Buttys are breakfast food-egg and bacon or sausage and sometimes cheese on a bun with ketsup, aka tomato sauce (to-ma as in "your ma" toe). They hit the spot, though I confess to eyeing the Tabasco at the seafood bar with some desire. I wonder if there are any Southern Wimin who eat eggs with ketsup, but I bet plenty of us go for the Tabasco. I suspect the "Mc Illihenny family" makes Tabasco passable in Ireland.
So, we got fed and I even got the seafood bar waitperson to use her scissors to open my food saver sealed packet of meds and supplements. I pointed out that I was not allowed sharp objects and would be reduced to gnawing it open, and she took pity.
We waited patiently for our flight, and I continued to wait in queue behind a woman who had no notion of merging. Then there was a maze of tunnels and declines and stairs up and stairs down and a walk on the tarmac and the final climb to the plane and a final check of the boarding pass and the usual contortions for loading computer case and easing in to buckle up. If I never again see the Dublin airport, it will be fine!
They are actually building a new airport terminal, but we share Fenton's pessimism that it will get finished or be adequate to the task. They have been building it for many years and the current economy is not good, and once it is finished it will probably be outdated anyway.
Heathrow was easier. We took a dot2dot transport rather than a taxi, and it was great. We got a tour around Kensington and down to Chelsea by the Thames. I was following the ride on my Streetwise London map, and except for the ongoing dialogue in German by the couple in front of us, there was silence. I have come to think that the best tours are silent with a map in hand.
Our digs at the Club Quarters St. Paul's are just perfect for us. We found it at booking.com for reasonable price compared with other hotels in London, and it has a queen sized bed which looks like a king, and a kitchenette with refer and micro and a few plates and tableware, and a lovely shower and, best of all, wi-fi is included. Free printing too. It is located within spitting distance of St Paul's, and has a Marks and Spencer's Simply Food store even closer than St Paul's. We are in heaven. The hop on hop off tour bus stops just outside the door. It seems like a good choice to get us to our destinations tomorrow.
We have had a lovely dinner of M&S choices and plan to sleep well tonight.
We also have reservations in the fast lane for the Eye on Saturday night at sunset. The weather prediction is for clear skies on Saturday-knock wood. We watched a TV programme on Ferris Wheels two nights ago. The part where people had to be downloaded via rope (139m) from the Singapore Wheel in the middle of the night after many hours of being stuck and the failure of the Earl's Court wheel were a bit daunting, but we have this shot and we will buck up and do it.
KG
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Sunday in Arklow
True to Marcia's manure indicator of rain, it has been a rainy and blustery 24+ hours, and we have been content to edit photos and watch movies. The DVD rental place will certainly miss us when we are gone.
We have come into Arklow for more DVD's and some lunch and some internet and some grocery shopping. We have been stalled on several accounts. Lunch was delayed till 13:00 because restaurants do not open till then on Sunday. After lunch was out internet plan. Our lovely Enter and Escape Internet Cafe was closed. Marcia had already walked quite a way because most parking spaces are taken, and she was not willing to do another block to check on the other internet cafes. I apparently found the heathen internet, so I'm getting some things done. Won't be able to post photos till tomorrow at the earliest, as I know she is sitting in the car, and the hip is bothering her.
We leave Clone Strand on Wednesday and fly out of Ireland on Thursday. We have till the 30th in a place near St Pauls, then on to the Hilton airport in preperation for the flight home on the 31st. It will be good to see Stella again and sleep in our own bed and shower in our own shower, and Marcia is really missing the hot tub at this point. In the meantime, we hope for a clear night to do the London Eye. Wish us luck.
KG
We have come into Arklow for more DVD's and some lunch and some internet and some grocery shopping. We have been stalled on several accounts. Lunch was delayed till 13:00 because restaurants do not open till then on Sunday. After lunch was out internet plan. Our lovely Enter and Escape Internet Cafe was closed. Marcia had already walked quite a way because most parking spaces are taken, and she was not willing to do another block to check on the other internet cafes. I apparently found the heathen internet, so I'm getting some things done. Won't be able to post photos till tomorrow at the earliest, as I know she is sitting in the car, and the hip is bothering her.
We leave Clone Strand on Wednesday and fly out of Ireland on Thursday. We have till the 30th in a place near St Pauls, then on to the Hilton airport in preperation for the flight home on the 31st. It will be good to see Stella again and sleep in our own bed and shower in our own shower, and Marcia is really missing the hot tub at this point. In the meantime, we hope for a clear night to do the London Eye. Wish us luck.
KG
Journey Back to Arklow
Journey Back to Arklow
I had a great morning walk around Dublin with my camera after breakfast. We made our checkout time of noon at the Conrad and were content to sit in Pearce Station for about an hour waiting for our train. We struck up a conversation with a 75yo woman who was headed south for the weekend. She has a free rail pass (available at age 66) and travels as she pleases. She also got a British senior pass, but it came in the mail to her friend in the UK, and the friend won't send it on to her. She is figuring out ways to get another one, like telling the ticket seller that she lost hers and needs a new one. She has friends and family all over and just takes off... Sounds like the good life to me.
The train was once again crowded, and our new friend barely got a seat which she galantly offered to Marcia. Soon a family traveling with a baby offered Marcia a seat and eventually there was a lady getting off who directed me to her seat. Marcia and I switched with the idea that I would soon be photographing the coastal scenes. However, they weren't easy to get to from the inside seat, and soon I was chatting away with this family. They seem to use the Irish diaspora for their own travel. They went to 6 weddings in a row last year, and it took them to Chicago, Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco, Singapore and Hong Kong. They have been to Africa for a visit with a cousin, and all over Europe. The daughter (mother of the baby) worked in Munich until she got pregnant. She was a hospital cleaner, a coffee roaster and finally worked in an Irish bar. They were great fun, had that dry humor down, and love to chat. Arklow came up before I knew it.
It was good to be back in the slow lane again. We picked up our DVD's and some groceries and headed for Clone Strand. It was a beautiful sunny day. However, Marcia tells the weather, or at least whether it will rain or not, by the smell of manure on the fields. If there has just been manure spread, it will certainly rain in 24 hours. So, we got our dirty clothes in the wash asap. It has taken 24 hours for it to start, but it is here. The clothes are dry, but I must admit that I have found it more important to edit photos and blog than fold clothes, so quite a few are hanging on hangers on the living room (the reception) windows.
There is a great stir fry being woked up behind me, so I think I will sign off.
KG
I had a great morning walk around Dublin with my camera after breakfast. We made our checkout time of noon at the Conrad and were content to sit in Pearce Station for about an hour waiting for our train. We struck up a conversation with a 75yo woman who was headed south for the weekend. She has a free rail pass (available at age 66) and travels as she pleases. She also got a British senior pass, but it came in the mail to her friend in the UK, and the friend won't send it on to her. She is figuring out ways to get another one, like telling the ticket seller that she lost hers and needs a new one. She has friends and family all over and just takes off... Sounds like the good life to me.
The train was once again crowded, and our new friend barely got a seat which she galantly offered to Marcia. Soon a family traveling with a baby offered Marcia a seat and eventually there was a lady getting off who directed me to her seat. Marcia and I switched with the idea that I would soon be photographing the coastal scenes. However, they weren't easy to get to from the inside seat, and soon I was chatting away with this family. They seem to use the Irish diaspora for their own travel. They went to 6 weddings in a row last year, and it took them to Chicago, Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco, Singapore and Hong Kong. They have been to Africa for a visit with a cousin, and all over Europe. The daughter (mother of the baby) worked in Munich until she got pregnant. She was a hospital cleaner, a coffee roaster and finally worked in an Irish bar. They were great fun, had that dry humor down, and love to chat. Arklow came up before I knew it.
It was good to be back in the slow lane again. We picked up our DVD's and some groceries and headed for Clone Strand. It was a beautiful sunny day. However, Marcia tells the weather, or at least whether it will rain or not, by the smell of manure on the fields. If there has just been manure spread, it will certainly rain in 24 hours. So, we got our dirty clothes in the wash asap. It has taken 24 hours for it to start, but it is here. The clothes are dry, but I must admit that I have found it more important to edit photos and blog than fold clothes, so quite a few are hanging on hangers on the living room (the reception) windows.
There is a great stir fry being woked up behind me, so I think I will sign off.
KG
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Neolithic Ireland
Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth and Tara Hill
Mary Gibbons tours has both Rick Steves and Lonely Planet's endorsement and now she has ours as well. She singlehandedly illuminated Irish history from 6000BC to the present as we drove through Dublin and on to the neolithic sites of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth and beyond to Tara Hill, home of Celtic Chieftons. All this in spite of the Sardinian Pups who would not stop talking and had the pre Galaleo perspective that the universe revolves around them.
I really should learn more about the implications of calling these guys "Pups", as Eithne warned me against using the expression. However, whatever awful meanings it has, these guys deserve it, and if their mothers are implicated, I'm very sorry on several accounts. They finally went to sleep after lunch.
I hardly know where to begin. Newgrange was excellent on so many levels. How often do you get to see the buildings of late Neolithic peoples-things made 1000 years before the pyramids of Egypt and 500 years before Stonhenge? We got to see the unexcavated mound of Dowth on our way in, and go into the mound at Newgrange. This is not recommended for claustraphobics. I am borderline claustraphobic, and managed by an internal dialogue and the intellectual fascination with the whole thing, but I can tell you that I would not be going in that thing on a daily basis, and probably never again for that matter. I wouldn't have missed it, but....
Knowth, by the way, is under excavation, so no one is currently allowed in.
Our Mary is quite clever, and took us to the information centre after we had visited the sites. We had a light lunch of soup and sandwich at Newgrange Farm and had a little time to visit the animals in the petting zoo before boarding the bus for Tara Hill.
Tara hill is the home of the Celtic Chieftons and gathering place for Irish Celts for ceremonial occasions. All that is left is a few hills, but on a clear day you can see 1/3 of Ireland from here. Though it had rained off and on all day, it cleared for our visit. There was stiff wind and it was a bit cold, but it was clear. Really fantastic.
Mary got us safely home, or near enough. I was plenty thirsty for a Guiness, so we made our way down St Steven's Green to the Mall (but a very fancy mall) an on to a pub for a pint. The Ashes is still on, so we saw a bit of today's play on the big screen. There was an early bird dinner special at Marcia's fave French restaurant on the Green, so we gave it a go. Neither of us could refuse the boulibase and we were not disappointed. The goat cheese salad was quite fine as well.
We are hoping for a little time to explore a bit before checkout at noon tomorrow and train departure at 13:00, but a later wake up would be in order for both of us. I probably won't get to the photo editing till we are back at our home on Clone Strand this weekend, so posting won't happen till next week sometime.
KG
Mary Gibbons tours has both Rick Steves and Lonely Planet's endorsement and now she has ours as well. She singlehandedly illuminated Irish history from 6000BC to the present as we drove through Dublin and on to the neolithic sites of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth and beyond to Tara Hill, home of Celtic Chieftons. All this in spite of the Sardinian Pups who would not stop talking and had the pre Galaleo perspective that the universe revolves around them.
I really should learn more about the implications of calling these guys "Pups", as Eithne warned me against using the expression. However, whatever awful meanings it has, these guys deserve it, and if their mothers are implicated, I'm very sorry on several accounts. They finally went to sleep after lunch.
I hardly know where to begin. Newgrange was excellent on so many levels. How often do you get to see the buildings of late Neolithic peoples-things made 1000 years before the pyramids of Egypt and 500 years before Stonhenge? We got to see the unexcavated mound of Dowth on our way in, and go into the mound at Newgrange. This is not recommended for claustraphobics. I am borderline claustraphobic, and managed by an internal dialogue and the intellectual fascination with the whole thing, but I can tell you that I would not be going in that thing on a daily basis, and probably never again for that matter. I wouldn't have missed it, but....
Knowth, by the way, is under excavation, so no one is currently allowed in.
Our Mary is quite clever, and took us to the information centre after we had visited the sites. We had a light lunch of soup and sandwich at Newgrange Farm and had a little time to visit the animals in the petting zoo before boarding the bus for Tara Hill.
Tara hill is the home of the Celtic Chieftons and gathering place for Irish Celts for ceremonial occasions. All that is left is a few hills, but on a clear day you can see 1/3 of Ireland from here. Though it had rained off and on all day, it cleared for our visit. There was stiff wind and it was a bit cold, but it was clear. Really fantastic.
Mary got us safely home, or near enough. I was plenty thirsty for a Guiness, so we made our way down St Steven's Green to the Mall (but a very fancy mall) an on to a pub for a pint. The Ashes is still on, so we saw a bit of today's play on the big screen. There was an early bird dinner special at Marcia's fave French restaurant on the Green, so we gave it a go. Neither of us could refuse the boulibase and we were not disappointed. The goat cheese salad was quite fine as well.
We are hoping for a little time to explore a bit before checkout at noon tomorrow and train departure at 13:00, but a later wake up would be in order for both of us. I probably won't get to the photo editing till we are back at our home on Clone Strand this weekend, so posting won't happen till next week sometime.
KG
Dublin and Howth
Dublin and Howth
It was an inauspicious beginning to a great day. We were up early to be sure we caught the 9:05 train to Dublin. There was no traffic all the way into Arklow till we got to the actual turn into town. Nothing! The DVD store had a 24hr drop box, so we got rid of the videos-whew. Getting through town to the train station was a breeze. Apparently rush hour happens later in Arklow.
Since there are two early morning trains, 7ish, we expected the station to be open. Not. It began to rain, and the benches were not under cover. We hovered in the doorway for some time. Marcia decided to go sit in the car, but I stuck to my position with the luggage. At about 8:45, the stationmaster opened the door and soon a small crowd of people arrived. We had a nice conversation with a local man who enjoyed travel.
We can now think of several reasons for catching the train in Gorey. One is to get a seat. Perhaps a few of our Arklow crowd got a seat, but we didn't. Chivalry is stone cold dead when it comes to train seats. Eventually Marcia got a seat.
There was not much to see, though, we passed by the sea, as it was pouring rain and the windows were fogged in.
Pearse Station is closest to our hotel, so we got off there and easily got a cab to the Conrad. Great room with comfy beds and all the amenities. We stashed our stuff and headed for Howth.
Tickets were purchased at the machine and we were soon on our way-I held the door of the train for Marcia.
Howth was quaint and lovely. You will see it on the photo blog. I walked and walked and gawked at seals and sails. We had a lovely tea at a little restaurant and Americans from Virginia sat next to us. She mistook the calamari for onion rings, and soon we were in conversation. We are not particularly fond of their politics, but enjoyed talking with them for awhile.
I'm afraid I made Marcia accomplice in my train crime. I though I had bought round trip from the machine, but after we were off on the return train, closer inspection revealed that I had not. I suggested we not draw attention to ourselves, and if need be, I would pay the fine. As it turned out, there was a little tasting party at the Pearse Station when we arrived, so we grabbed a little spring roll and the exit checker, who had his free food as well, waved us through. The hospitality is great here.
We indulged in hotel internet at E19 for 24 hrs. I had a little walk in the rain to Tesco for a big 2L bottle of water. We had excellent dinners at the hotel restaurant. MDT had the osso buco and I the almond crusted sea trout. Both were excellent and the sweet potato ginger lemongrass and cocanut milk soup was light and subtle and excellent.
Because we had a 7am wake up, we were soon off to sleep.
KG
It was an inauspicious beginning to a great day. We were up early to be sure we caught the 9:05 train to Dublin. There was no traffic all the way into Arklow till we got to the actual turn into town. Nothing! The DVD store had a 24hr drop box, so we got rid of the videos-whew. Getting through town to the train station was a breeze. Apparently rush hour happens later in Arklow.
Since there are two early morning trains, 7ish, we expected the station to be open. Not. It began to rain, and the benches were not under cover. We hovered in the doorway for some time. Marcia decided to go sit in the car, but I stuck to my position with the luggage. At about 8:45, the stationmaster opened the door and soon a small crowd of people arrived. We had a nice conversation with a local man who enjoyed travel.
We can now think of several reasons for catching the train in Gorey. One is to get a seat. Perhaps a few of our Arklow crowd got a seat, but we didn't. Chivalry is stone cold dead when it comes to train seats. Eventually Marcia got a seat.
There was not much to see, though, we passed by the sea, as it was pouring rain and the windows were fogged in.
Pearse Station is closest to our hotel, so we got off there and easily got a cab to the Conrad. Great room with comfy beds and all the amenities. We stashed our stuff and headed for Howth.
Tickets were purchased at the machine and we were soon on our way-I held the door of the train for Marcia.
Howth was quaint and lovely. You will see it on the photo blog. I walked and walked and gawked at seals and sails. We had a lovely tea at a little restaurant and Americans from Virginia sat next to us. She mistook the calamari for onion rings, and soon we were in conversation. We are not particularly fond of their politics, but enjoyed talking with them for awhile.
I'm afraid I made Marcia accomplice in my train crime. I though I had bought round trip from the machine, but after we were off on the return train, closer inspection revealed that I had not. I suggested we not draw attention to ourselves, and if need be, I would pay the fine. As it turned out, there was a little tasting party at the Pearse Station when we arrived, so we grabbed a little spring roll and the exit checker, who had his free food as well, waved us through. The hospitality is great here.
We indulged in hotel internet at E19 for 24 hrs. I had a little walk in the rain to Tesco for a big 2L bottle of water. We had excellent dinners at the hotel restaurant. MDT had the osso buco and I the almond crusted sea trout. Both were excellent and the sweet potato ginger lemongrass and cocanut milk soup was light and subtle and excellent.
Because we had a 7am wake up, we were soon off to sleep.
KG
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The National 1798 Rebellion Centre in Enniscorthy
The National 1798 Rebellion Centre in Enniscorthy
I had never been to a museum that I could find nothing of value to recommend until yesterday. We were really ready to learn about the conflict here and thought this would answer some of our questions. Not! It was listed as an award winning museum. It has my award for the worst.
It started with a little bridge up to the entrance of the building. The planks of the bridge form a time line with names and dates of other countries that achieved some hallmark of democracy. This seemed a good start.
We paid E6 each. The museum is spiral in arrangement and all the walls are used. Display 1 is outside the spiral and shows old silent films of the aristocracy indulging their every whim as the peasantry barely survived. The films were on 4X6 screens set in a display. Around the corner the outer spiral begins with the debate between Anglo-Revolutionary Thomas Paine and Edmund Burke, Anglo-Irish Conservative. Next is a wall depicting Anglos of the period and the audio reveals their prejudice against Irish Catholics. It was fairly loud even for my diminished hearing. In the middle of the spiral were more displays about how the Irish Catholics were dispossessed of their lands over the years, and two interactive screens with princess phones on either side. Marcia was busy working one of the screens, so I got the other. The screen worked but the phones were out. When Marcia finished, I worked her screen. Since the second display on the outer spiral wall had kicked in, there was audio blasting on both sides so that it took heroic feats of consentration to get any content. My computer screen displayed the content of the legal documents that allowed disposession of the lands, I think.
I had some hope that the movie would do a better job of filling in the details. Doors opened to a little auditorium with about 10 chairs behind a barrier and 4 screens. Screen 4 displayed the computer command of what we would watch, and it never changed-3 screen theater oriented to the left. The movie began with a rag tag group of Irish Catholics discussing the upcoming battle. A girl sings in Gaelic-no subtitles, so I have no idea-maybe if I were Irish I would recognize the song. Even if there were subtitles, reading them would be a challenge. The barrier in front of our chairs had an iron bar that interfered with view. In addition, there were decorative staves beyond the barrier that cast stave shadows over the screen. The movie was about the battle at Vinegar Hill near Enniscorthy. The Irish Catholics were slaughtered. We were left to wonder how this began the democratic republican movement in Ireland.
Next was a wall depicting the historical genealogy of the Irish Republican movement(s). As a person with a family tree more like a shrub, I have some expertise in reading complicated genealogical trees, but this one was beyond me. Green and white boxes with dates and names of various Irish Republican movements and lines going hither there and yon. In the middle of this room was a bank of several interactive screens with flags of various democratic nations positioned in between. I chose the screen by the stars and stripes. Not working. As a matter of fact, the only screen with anything going had the Windows 98 logo, but was stuck there.
Next room was children's games which we left to the family with the two children. I did get one photo-this one for T&T about the Irish rebellion in Newfoundland. They got trounced there as well.
I did find out who Father Murphy was-leader of the rebellion for a time and killed by the British though they never knew of his importance. There is a photo of his monument in front of St Mary's in Arklow on the photo blog.
Brief review: the museum of overstimulation and underinformation.
Maybe my Oxford History of Great Britain will fill in more details.
Enniscorthy seems a sweet little town with some industry. However, the N11 runs right through it. Not like I-75 through Jax, but like 301 through Callahan. Since N11 is a major artery, it was not too surprising to see traffic lined up for blocks and very large lorries navigating their way around downtown rotaries. It made Marcia's nerves bad.
There is a castle, but it was closed for refurbishment.
We opted for lunch at a Fish and Chips place in Oilgate-fresh cod and, since it is new potatoe season, fresh chips. They were great.
Marcia's nerves were far too frayed to go to Wexford, so we headed home via the R741 with a stop at the Tesco in Gorey. We were home in time for me to get a walk on the seacoast road. This time I had my binnocs, and I swear I saw a couple of puffin.
KG
Friday, August 14, 2009
Coastal Drive
We headed for the coastal drive with a goal of finding the waterfowl reserve and maybe have a look around Wexford. We thought the coastal road would be preferable to the N11, so with map in hand, we headed out. Though we both have control needs, neither driving nor passengering meets them. It always turns into a wild ride. We do get better at, well, endurance, but it takes an energy toll.
As passenger I got better views of the sights. The sea occasionally made an appearance, but we were often as much as a kilometer away with farms and hills between us and seeing the sea. There were other lovely things to see. Two churches caught my eye, and you will be able to see them on the photo blog.
I love windfarms, and though I understand the desire to have totally unspoiled view, I find they have a silent and productive beauty in their own right. I wonder what the Dutch and the Greeks thought about their windmills when they were new? I even saw a windfarm off the coast, in the water.
I wasn't able to get photos of thatched roof cottages, but we saw them. One in particular was quaint as quaint can be. Blue window and lots of colorful flowers all around. There are just not places to pull the car over to get a photo, so I watch them go by.
After about 1.5 hours, we made it to the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve at Raven Point. Apparently there are blinds for birdwatching somewhere, but I didn't see them. I was tired and decided to make the short walk to the beach as opposed to the 10k circle hike where I might have found the blinds. Big birding time is winter when great numbers of waterfowl show up. Swans and ducks and tern....
The beach could have been anywhere in the beach world. Families bring beach seats, or set up a little pop-up tent and launch their kite and get out the beach sports toys. Dogs love the beach and no one seems to feel the need to post signs everywhere about what dogs can and cannot do. One guy had 5 dogs-very happy and sandy dogs. It is still school holiday, so there were quite a few kids too. Little groups of Moms and their kids climbing aboard a picnic table and stashing their sand pails and shovels for sandwiches and crisps.
It was our lunch time as well, so we headed for Nellie's pub in Curracloe. We were the only ones in the pub most of the time, but other people had probably chosen the Omaha Beach Restaurant at the back of the building. We were both ready for fish and chips, and we weren't disappointed. We don't so often get cod in North America, and we enjoyed it.
I am struck by how expensive things are. A bowl of soup was E4.25, which would be about $6.50.
I was knackered before lunch, and after lunch I was truly knackered. I can only hope that my energy is going towards the goal of defeating infection so I can get back to myself. The swelling is almost totally gone, and as of today, I am on the last of the antibiotics. I'm also getting weary of timing my meals so precicely that my antibiotics always have an empty stomach to work in, but it is really small price to pay for getting rid of mean bugs.
We opted to head back home on the coastal road and find a way to pull off so that I could photograph a few things.
Back home, the neighbors were waiting to greet us, as they do almost every time we drive up unless there are interesting things on the other side of their field. They agreed to pose for a group photo. Wish I had gotten audio as well, but you can sorta fill that in for yourselves. If there is a difference in accent, I haven't noticed.
KG
Wednesday in Arklow
Our mission today was to get our cell phones topped off, and, if possible, pick up a few chick flicks at the DVD rental store.
The T-Mobile top-up attempts were arduous and circular in nature. I tried to sign up for an online account and opted to just put in any address on the sign up page. Big Mistake! I also tried several PINS before noticing that a PIN had been assigned to me and was on my T-Mobile SIM top-up card. By then, the T-mobile web page was understandibly suspicious, so I gave up and headed for the car where Marcia was waiting. On the way it occurred to me that the guy who sold me the phone needed a local address, we were in Edinburgh at the time, and I gave him the Frederick Hotel. We decided that I would go back and hunt up the address and postal code and give it another try. However, there was no opening my new account without the correct PIN, and there was no creating a new account, as the system knew that I already had an account. I did however, get the phone number for topping up and the internet cafe guy didn't even charge me for the few minutes I used. I had just left Marcia with a 5pound bill for him for our first session-wrong currency, and all I had in euros was a 50 which I had gotten at the cash machine. He was gracious, and I assured him that we would be regular coustomers for awhile.
I was on my way back to the car when I noticed that there were a sizeable number of well armed soldiers and the local police surrounding several vehicles on my route. They were in front of the bank which is also in front of the tourist office where I am on daily chats with the woman in charge. It was she who gave the best directions for Dr. K, and yesterday gave me the most of his psychosocial. So, seeing that pedestrians were passing through without problem, I walked up to her and asked what was happening. She explained that they deliver several million euro to the bank every Wednesday, and since there have been roberies, some involving the IRA, the army now protects the delivery. They will go on to other towns nearby, so that Brinks van actually carries at least 15 million euro. Apparently the soldiers are friendly enough, but with one word answers only. You can pass through them, but don't put a hand on the van. If you do, you will get a warning, and if you don't heed, they will shoot-at the feet or legs, not to kill. We chatted about the dismal economy for awhile and about her great work as a tourist assister. She knows everybody in town and went to school with most of them. She got an Aussie couple out of two parking tickets because she knows the police chief and explained that they truly did not know that they had to pay, or how to pay for parking. I like her very much.
Once back at the car, we decided to try the option of calling the T-Mobile top up number. We had to use Marcia's phone, as mine was so low I couldn't even get the initial call through. So, I was well on my way to accomplishing my goal, which requires really listening to different accents on both ends of the line and figuring out which address to use -billing for the credit card or sign up for the phone and using words to clarify the letters of postal codes, etc., etc., ad nauseum. Marcia's phone went off-out of cyberchange. Nobody was laughing. Our only option for a phone would be Eithne's cell that needs a SIM card, and it was back in the house on Clone Strand.
I decided that I would like to rent a few DVD's so that we would have something to look forward to, so I headed down the street on foot to look for a DVD rental. On the way down, I asked a man where the DVD rental was, and he directed me to the right down the street saying it was a small store, and the larger store was on the Wexford Rd. I was off in pursuit of the one in town, and whilst in search of it I passed by the mobile phone and other electronic equipment store where the guy was very helpful to us the other day. The guy who runs it has earned my admiration as one of the bravest men in Arklow. He was not sure if it could be done, but he was willing to give it a try. It would not go through for E18, but it did for E24-E24x2. So, for about what we paid for the phones, we were able to top them off, ideally for the rest of our trip. I never found the little video store, but I did find the victuallier and picked up four little lamb steaks for E5. Two coups in 15 min. after a morning of frustration. We are like children.
Next we tackled the DVD rental. Marcia was able to park in the Tesco lot while I walked 5 min to the "big" store. This was a bit more vigorious than I anticipated, as I had to make the trip twice, having forgotten to bring my (recently useless) mobile in order to give them the number. Mid week rentals were a bargain at 4 for E12 for 4 days.
If I ever get a tatoo, it will be of a cell phone pad on my left forearm. I do better with letters than numbers, and I might be able to work out a word with my new 11 digit phone number, give or take a special area code depending on one's location. It would also work for many European cash machines that only show numbers.
So, we headed home with lamb, 4 DVD's and working mobiles. Marcia worked out the correct area code and combination of 0's so that we can be in touch, and made a kick butt dinner of lamb and potato salad. I have two more days of antibiotics and more energy daily. Marcia is looking at possible adventures involving rail travel. We are also hoping the sky clears for meteor showers tonight.
KG
The T-Mobile top-up attempts were arduous and circular in nature. I tried to sign up for an online account and opted to just put in any address on the sign up page. Big Mistake! I also tried several PINS before noticing that a PIN had been assigned to me and was on my T-Mobile SIM top-up card. By then, the T-mobile web page was understandibly suspicious, so I gave up and headed for the car where Marcia was waiting. On the way it occurred to me that the guy who sold me the phone needed a local address, we were in Edinburgh at the time, and I gave him the Frederick Hotel. We decided that I would go back and hunt up the address and postal code and give it another try. However, there was no opening my new account without the correct PIN, and there was no creating a new account, as the system knew that I already had an account. I did however, get the phone number for topping up and the internet cafe guy didn't even charge me for the few minutes I used. I had just left Marcia with a 5pound bill for him for our first session-wrong currency, and all I had in euros was a 50 which I had gotten at the cash machine. He was gracious, and I assured him that we would be regular coustomers for awhile.
I was on my way back to the car when I noticed that there were a sizeable number of well armed soldiers and the local police surrounding several vehicles on my route. They were in front of the bank which is also in front of the tourist office where I am on daily chats with the woman in charge. It was she who gave the best directions for Dr. K, and yesterday gave me the most of his psychosocial. So, seeing that pedestrians were passing through without problem, I walked up to her and asked what was happening. She explained that they deliver several million euro to the bank every Wednesday, and since there have been roberies, some involving the IRA, the army now protects the delivery. They will go on to other towns nearby, so that Brinks van actually carries at least 15 million euro. Apparently the soldiers are friendly enough, but with one word answers only. You can pass through them, but don't put a hand on the van. If you do, you will get a warning, and if you don't heed, they will shoot-at the feet or legs, not to kill. We chatted about the dismal economy for awhile and about her great work as a tourist assister. She knows everybody in town and went to school with most of them. She got an Aussie couple out of two parking tickets because she knows the police chief and explained that they truly did not know that they had to pay, or how to pay for parking. I like her very much.
Once back at the car, we decided to try the option of calling the T-Mobile top up number. We had to use Marcia's phone, as mine was so low I couldn't even get the initial call through. So, I was well on my way to accomplishing my goal, which requires really listening to different accents on both ends of the line and figuring out which address to use -billing for the credit card or sign up for the phone and using words to clarify the letters of postal codes, etc., etc., ad nauseum. Marcia's phone went off-out of cyberchange. Nobody was laughing. Our only option for a phone would be Eithne's cell that needs a SIM card, and it was back in the house on Clone Strand.
I decided that I would like to rent a few DVD's so that we would have something to look forward to, so I headed down the street on foot to look for a DVD rental. On the way down, I asked a man where the DVD rental was, and he directed me to the right down the street saying it was a small store, and the larger store was on the Wexford Rd. I was off in pursuit of the one in town, and whilst in search of it I passed by the mobile phone and other electronic equipment store where the guy was very helpful to us the other day. The guy who runs it has earned my admiration as one of the bravest men in Arklow. He was not sure if it could be done, but he was willing to give it a try. It would not go through for E18, but it did for E24-E24x2. So, for about what we paid for the phones, we were able to top them off, ideally for the rest of our trip. I never found the little video store, but I did find the victuallier and picked up four little lamb steaks for E5. Two coups in 15 min. after a morning of frustration. We are like children.
Next we tackled the DVD rental. Marcia was able to park in the Tesco lot while I walked 5 min to the "big" store. This was a bit more vigorious than I anticipated, as I had to make the trip twice, having forgotten to bring my (recently useless) mobile in order to give them the number. Mid week rentals were a bargain at 4 for E12 for 4 days.
If I ever get a tatoo, it will be of a cell phone pad on my left forearm. I do better with letters than numbers, and I might be able to work out a word with my new 11 digit phone number, give or take a special area code depending on one's location. It would also work for many European cash machines that only show numbers.
So, we headed home with lamb, 4 DVD's and working mobiles. Marcia worked out the correct area code and combination of 0's so that we can be in touch, and made a kick butt dinner of lamb and potato salad. I have two more days of antibiotics and more energy daily. Marcia is looking at possible adventures involving rail travel. We are also hoping the sky clears for meteor showers tonight.
KG
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Ireland
Time is money here at the internet cafe, so I won't bother to put the photos in order. If you click on them you can see the titles I have given them. The one of the swallow on nest should be immediately followed by the cling film and rock solution for swallow droppings.
Thus far, Ireland has been mostly a place of rest and recoperation for us. We have gotten a whirlwind tour of Dublin from our house host, Fintan, who is quick to tell us that he is a Libritarian and add his Libritarian views to our tour. His wife, Eithne (pronounced Eth-in) had a wonderful meal of poached salnmon, green bean salad w raisins, mashed potatoes, and tossed salad w tomatoes and mozerella.
We were off to our new home on Clone Strand in Castletown. Finton was driving, and because we were having a political discussion, he missed the exit on the N11 and we had to go some distance to the next one. So, we missed our reference points for how to get to the town of Arkley, but we got a scenic tour. We were also treated to a ride into Gorey where we had a little Guiness (like chocolate) and enough of a tour of the Tesco to pick up provisions for the morning and get the basic lay of the land.
We are both driving. It's a Toyota Carolla automatic transmission. The roads are narrow, but here in the country there is little traffic and it is only occasionally actually hair raising, but always there is the possibility that something really big will come around the curve and you will have to occupy very little road space very quickly. Particularly annoying are cars similar in size to ours who insist on taking their half out of the middle. Cars here are mostly small, though I have seen a KIA Sorento and we have even seen a Hummer. Farm equipment is very big with enormous tyres that require one to totally stop as far over as possible to give them rightaway. Ideally there is a driveway or turnoff to pull off a bit. They don't go very fast, so you have time to look for space or back up.
So, Friday when we were on our own, we ventured into Gorey (Guaire) and had a shop. Several shops to be sure, and then a park so that I could check out the town and the internet cafe. Looks like we will be quite limited in internet adventures these days. There is one internet cafe in Gorey and it has use of only their coin operated computers. No wi-fi. Blog entries will have to be composed at home and posted at the cafe unless for some reason the computers cannot take my USB drive.
Friday when we were shopping, my tooth began to act up, and by Saturday morning I knew it was not home remedy responsive. Eithne was very helpful, but getting a dentist on the weekend was not going to happen. I was not too worried as I have a few narcotics and figured I could make it through. The thing is, if I take these narcotics small amounts at a time, I do fine, but continued use merits, well, gastric spew. So, starting Sunday morning I was an occasional toilet hugger and in pain. It took pretty much all day for the narcs to leave the system, and extra strength tylenol delt with most of the pain. I was worried about getting into the dentist. Monday morning Marcia and I were in Gorey looking for the first dental surgery when we got a text from Eithne that I had an appointment in Arkley at 11:15 with Dr Kavanaugh. So, we were on our way to Arkley.
Finding the Dr. was not so easy for us. Though we have a fairly detaled map of Ireland, we do not have little towns like Arkley mapped, and though the map we have shows that Arkley has an infornation center, it doesn't say where it is. We got several people to give us directions, including the receptionist at Dr.K's, but we were still going around in circles. Turns out that we were passing it time after time, but it is on the second floor between a closed bookstore and a clothing shop. We did find the information centre and met a lovely woman who informed us that Dr K is the best in town-more expensive, but the best. She gave us the most specific directions and it was fairly easy to find and to park.
Here is where culture comes into the mix. I had the information that Dr. K was in the Medical Centre in the Hibernian building. So, to my US mind, this is a medical complex and probably glass and steel. Nope! Go up the flight of stairs between the bookstore and the clothing store. It says Medical Centre on the transome over the door. Enter the door that says "Waiting Room" where you will meet either Dr K's wife or son. Since Dr K's wife had a funeral, we eventually met both.
I had made Marcia turn around when we left home, as I had forgotten my palm phone which has my list of meds and doses. I figured I could take the SD card out and they could print my list. I even took my usb photo reader in case this was needed. However, Mrs. K has no computer, and doesn't request a list of meds anyway. There was a form to fill out about my health history, but it was one page one side and fairly brief. I did note, with some relief, that she has a credit card machine.
It is quite a freindly and chatty waiting room with a tv running for additional chat material. Mrs. K introduced me to the other USer who happened to be waiting for the doc as well. She was just getting teeth whitening done. She is over here for a month with her boyfriend. Lives in Philly. Our converstaion was mostly about driving. She was impressed that we were driving. (we are simply nerve wracked).
She was called in for her treatment and replaced by an older man who just wanted 2 minutes to talk with the Dr. He was granted this even though Mr K, the son, did not know him-asked for his name. It's just that kind of practice. Next in was a mother and her softly sobbing 8yo son. Eventually the doc took him in and sent the mother back to the waiting room. Mrs K would make occastional excuses to check in on him and report to the mother that he and the doc were getting along quite well. The lad came out smiling and excited about his dental adventure. In the meantime, we talked about the tv drama of a couple who had moved from the UK to Spain as young hippies and were now considering a return for the sake of their young child-to get a good education. We all advised them to stay in Spain, but they opted for the UK.
My turn. I do like Dr K and his son. I explained, he checked it out and Rxed me antiboitics with a plan to call him back if needed and go to my doc when I got home. He did ask if I was good with taking meds as prescribed, and I said that I was very good, and I have been. It cost me E30.
The upshot of this trip is that we have discovered that Arklow (An tlnbhear Mor) is prehaps a shorter distance from us and has two internet cafes and a big Tesco and a little mall. We might just be headed back, since we have a tourist map and all.
I am better today, though the swelling has yet to disappear. No more pain and I am eating like I usually do. I'm very glad to have my coffee back.
This house if very fine! Eithne and Finton are as fond of light and open spaces as we are (though the house has a footprint about the size of our living room). It is a short walk to a beach or two on the Irish Sea. We can see it from our upstairs bedroom window, and enjoyed a full moon over the sea the first night here. I also got in a beach walk on Saturday, and intend to do it again soon. Though we have neighbors on both sides, we have high hedges that give us downstairs privacy (short i making it more like, preva-cy). Our closest neighbors across the lane (barely the size of one car) are a small herd of yearling cows. They greet us enthusiasticaly when we drive up-perhaps hoping we picked up something special for them at Tesco.
We are in love with the washing machine that has a short cycle at 32degrees. No more waiting for 2 hours for our clothes to get done. On sunny days we can do several loads. Loads are about 3 shirts and a pair of pants-perhaps a few socks as well. The clothes dryer is outside the block house that houses the washer. Finton built this little block house himself, even making the trusses-the only wood part. Wood is shipped in, probably from somewhere in Scandinavia. The doors of this house are in beautiful knotty pine.
It might be that I could work in one adventure today, and that might be to Arklow. Our mobiles work here, though we are charged at a higher rate, so I am running out of credit on my SIM card. We can text at 11pence but voice calls are 98pence (since we bought our phones in the UK, we are charged in pounds and pence as opposed to euros and cents). Texting has been a real challenge to me, as I cannot find the space key. I know that this is kharma. However, to my surprise, my techie guru partner is as challenged as I am on this. So, our messages tend to be one word if possible, and one very long word otherwise. To add to our frustration, the mobile times out as we are in the process (pro' -cess). Still, a few voice messages when one has a painfully swollen hot face are well worth it, and the alternative would be to buy yet another mobile here, which would cost even more than the phone calls we would make. I am grateful that our existing mobiles work at all. We did check into getting usb internet connections, which can be done like the mobile, on a SIM card, but the device alone would cost E80, so for 3 weeks the cost would be a bit much-even for the internet addicted.
So, that's the catch up. If you haven't gotten your email answered, it's because I cannot get to it. We will be back in the UK at a hotel, ideally with internet access in Aug 27. Otherwise, home by Sept 1.
KG
We were off to our new home on Clone Strand in Castletown. Finton was driving, and because we were having a political discussion, he missed the exit on the N11 and we had to go some distance to the next one. So, we missed our reference points for how to get to the town of Arkley, but we got a scenic tour. We were also treated to a ride into Gorey where we had a little Guiness (like chocolate) and enough of a tour of the Tesco to pick up provisions for the morning and get the basic lay of the land.
We are both driving. It's a Toyota Carolla automatic transmission. The roads are narrow, but here in the country there is little traffic and it is only occasionally actually hair raising, but always there is the possibility that something really big will come around the curve and you will have to occupy very little road space very quickly. Particularly annoying are cars similar in size to ours who insist on taking their half out of the middle. Cars here are mostly small, though I have seen a KIA Sorento and we have even seen a Hummer. Farm equipment is very big with enormous tyres that require one to totally stop as far over as possible to give them rightaway. Ideally there is a driveway or turnoff to pull off a bit. They don't go very fast, so you have time to look for space or back up.
So, Friday when we were on our own, we ventured into Gorey (Guaire) and had a shop. Several shops to be sure, and then a park so that I could check out the town and the internet cafe. Looks like we will be quite limited in internet adventures these days. There is one internet cafe in Gorey and it has use of only their coin operated computers. No wi-fi. Blog entries will have to be composed at home and posted at the cafe unless for some reason the computers cannot take my USB drive.
Friday when we were shopping, my tooth began to act up, and by Saturday morning I knew it was not home remedy responsive. Eithne was very helpful, but getting a dentist on the weekend was not going to happen. I was not too worried as I have a few narcotics and figured I could make it through. The thing is, if I take these narcotics small amounts at a time, I do fine, but continued use merits, well, gastric spew. So, starting Sunday morning I was an occasional toilet hugger and in pain. It took pretty much all day for the narcs to leave the system, and extra strength tylenol delt with most of the pain. I was worried about getting into the dentist. Monday morning Marcia and I were in Gorey looking for the first dental surgery when we got a text from Eithne that I had an appointment in Arkley at 11:15 with Dr Kavanaugh. So, we were on our way to Arkley.
Finding the Dr. was not so easy for us. Though we have a fairly detaled map of Ireland, we do not have little towns like Arkley mapped, and though the map we have shows that Arkley has an infornation center, it doesn't say where it is. We got several people to give us directions, including the receptionist at Dr.K's, but we were still going around in circles. Turns out that we were passing it time after time, but it is on the second floor between a closed bookstore and a clothing shop. We did find the information centre and met a lovely woman who informed us that Dr K is the best in town-more expensive, but the best. She gave us the most specific directions and it was fairly easy to find and to park.
Here is where culture comes into the mix. I had the information that Dr. K was in the Medical Centre in the Hibernian building. So, to my US mind, this is a medical complex and probably glass and steel. Nope! Go up the flight of stairs between the bookstore and the clothing store. It says Medical Centre on the transome over the door. Enter the door that says "Waiting Room" where you will meet either Dr K's wife or son. Since Dr K's wife had a funeral, we eventually met both.
I had made Marcia turn around when we left home, as I had forgotten my palm phone which has my list of meds and doses. I figured I could take the SD card out and they could print my list. I even took my usb photo reader in case this was needed. However, Mrs. K has no computer, and doesn't request a list of meds anyway. There was a form to fill out about my health history, but it was one page one side and fairly brief. I did note, with some relief, that she has a credit card machine.
It is quite a freindly and chatty waiting room with a tv running for additional chat material. Mrs. K introduced me to the other USer who happened to be waiting for the doc as well. She was just getting teeth whitening done. She is over here for a month with her boyfriend. Lives in Philly. Our converstaion was mostly about driving. She was impressed that we were driving. (we are simply nerve wracked).
She was called in for her treatment and replaced by an older man who just wanted 2 minutes to talk with the Dr. He was granted this even though Mr K, the son, did not know him-asked for his name. It's just that kind of practice. Next in was a mother and her softly sobbing 8yo son. Eventually the doc took him in and sent the mother back to the waiting room. Mrs K would make occastional excuses to check in on him and report to the mother that he and the doc were getting along quite well. The lad came out smiling and excited about his dental adventure. In the meantime, we talked about the tv drama of a couple who had moved from the UK to Spain as young hippies and were now considering a return for the sake of their young child-to get a good education. We all advised them to stay in Spain, but they opted for the UK.
My turn. I do like Dr K and his son. I explained, he checked it out and Rxed me antiboitics with a plan to call him back if needed and go to my doc when I got home. He did ask if I was good with taking meds as prescribed, and I said that I was very good, and I have been. It cost me E30.
The upshot of this trip is that we have discovered that Arklow (An tlnbhear Mor) is prehaps a shorter distance from us and has two internet cafes and a big Tesco and a little mall. We might just be headed back, since we have a tourist map and all.
I am better today, though the swelling has yet to disappear. No more pain and I am eating like I usually do. I'm very glad to have my coffee back.
This house if very fine! Eithne and Finton are as fond of light and open spaces as we are (though the house has a footprint about the size of our living room). It is a short walk to a beach or two on the Irish Sea. We can see it from our upstairs bedroom window, and enjoyed a full moon over the sea the first night here. I also got in a beach walk on Saturday, and intend to do it again soon. Though we have neighbors on both sides, we have high hedges that give us downstairs privacy (short i making it more like, preva-cy). Our closest neighbors across the lane (barely the size of one car) are a small herd of yearling cows. They greet us enthusiasticaly when we drive up-perhaps hoping we picked up something special for them at Tesco.
We are in love with the washing machine that has a short cycle at 32degrees. No more waiting for 2 hours for our clothes to get done. On sunny days we can do several loads. Loads are about 3 shirts and a pair of pants-perhaps a few socks as well. The clothes dryer is outside the block house that houses the washer. Finton built this little block house himself, even making the trusses-the only wood part. Wood is shipped in, probably from somewhere in Scandinavia. The doors of this house are in beautiful knotty pine.
It might be that I could work in one adventure today, and that might be to Arklow. Our mobiles work here, though we are charged at a higher rate, so I am running out of credit on my SIM card. We can text at 11pence but voice calls are 98pence (since we bought our phones in the UK, we are charged in pounds and pence as opposed to euros and cents). Texting has been a real challenge to me, as I cannot find the space key. I know that this is kharma. However, to my surprise, my techie guru partner is as challenged as I am on this. So, our messages tend to be one word if possible, and one very long word otherwise. To add to our frustration, the mobile times out as we are in the process (pro' -cess). Still, a few voice messages when one has a painfully swollen hot face are well worth it, and the alternative would be to buy yet another mobile here, which would cost even more than the phone calls we would make. I am grateful that our existing mobiles work at all. We did check into getting usb internet connections, which can be done like the mobile, on a SIM card, but the device alone would cost E80, so for 3 weeks the cost would be a bit much-even for the internet addicted.
So, that's the catch up. If you haven't gotten your email answered, it's because I cannot get to it. We will be back in the UK at a hotel, ideally with internet access in Aug 27. Otherwise, home by Sept 1.
KG
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