Ruins in the Allotment
Notes: My hostess Naomi has a gorgeous allotment (garden patch) at an estate close to her home and therein sits this old tower castle, long in ruins. Ruins are an every day visual in Ireland – they’re everywhere – but my American eyes will never tire of seeing them, just as my American heart will always skip a beat every time I see them. I’m a nerd for ruins.
The Big Top
Notes: I was given free tickets by John Dunne the butcher to see the circus that came to town. I thought I had done adequate enough research to ensure that this was an animal-free circus, however, after I took the trouble of attending (and getting askance looks by locals as I was the only adult with no children) I discovered that horses and dogs were still being used. I discreetly left prematurely. I love the aesthetics of a circus, as this is probably one of my favorite Instagram photos ever, but I cannot endorse them so long as they use animals.
Shandon – Cork City
Notes: That is some seriously sexy brickwork going on in this building, located in the Shandon neighborhood of Cork City. There is a deplorable lack of quality brickwork in Los Angeles (though there are some exceptions) so when I see buildings such as the one above I take note. Don’t the orange bricks just make you hear the onomatopoeia POP! go off in your head?
Crab Au Gratin
Notes: I won’t say much about this until the official review other than it pays to leave the crowd behind.
The Ring of Kerry
Notes: The was snapped outside the last rest stop/cafe/tourist shop on the Ring of Kerry day trip I took. Though I waffled about going because it was such a tourist-y thing to do, I am glad I did. Instead of browsing overpriced knick-knacks or indulging in a slice of cake I sat on a curb in the car park and thanked my lucky stars I was able to drop everything and run away to Ireland.
On Bus Eireann – route 222
Notes: Totally wrecked from a full day journey at The Ring of Kerry, now on my way back to Carrigaline. I can’t get over how much the bus costs for such a simple trip (6 Euro/$8-ish USD round trip Carrigaline >> Cork); it really burns my biscuits truth be told. L.A. has an equally sub-par public transit service, but at least it’s cheap.
Wellies
Notes: I knew the exceptionally pleasant weather I experienced back in 2010 was pure luck, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t very sad indeed with how much it rained and was chilly this time around. I did come prepared, though, and brought along my wellies (rain boots). People in L.A. think I’m crazy to even own these (purchased at Endless), but I loathe getting my shoes wet even when it’s only a “little” rain. The only time I regretted wearing my wellies in Ireland was when it looked like rain, or it started to rain, and I go out and then the weather cleared up. Curious stares would inevitably follow, thus making me feel like a tool.
Those boots are pretty freaking amazing, and I am jealous of your travels! I have had a crumby appetite lately, but I think that some crab au gratin might put me in the chowin’ down mood.
The crab gratin was amaaaaaaaazing. I wish I could have devoured two (I could have – the more appropriate phrase would be I wish I had TIME to devour two!)