Missunderstood Heron?…What’s that?…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
The scenery of the Killary Fjord directly behind the Misunderstood Heron couldn’t have been more breathtaking!

“Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland” 

“The Guinness World Records, a reference book published annually listing world records, came about in 1954 when the managing director of Guinness attended a shooting party and argued with other competitors about the fastest game bird in Europe, and failed to find an answer in any available reference book.”

A sunny day coupled with our lack of new photos has prompted us to get out for some sightseeing, especially when we’d have an opportunity to travel on unfamiliar roads.

The roads to our two chosen locations, the Misunderstood Heron and the historic Kylemore Abbey, were as scenic, narrow, and winding as we’ve experienced closer to our home base.

Visitors can hike in the scenic area and then head to the food truck for food and refreshment.

The two venues are no more than 15 minutes apart, 10.5 km, 6.5 miles, so it made sense to see both sites in one day. With the day’s post uploaded and dinner in the refrigerator to be cooked if we didn’t eat at the food truck, we were free to spend as much time out as we’d like. It proved to be a full day.

Today, we’re sharing photos and the story of the Misunderstood  Heron (correct spelling), a highly unique dining establishment, originally an actual food truck but now a converted shipping container, offering more space for their food prep.

The sign outside the remodeled container represents a food truck.  Note the spelling of the name.

Also, we’d planned this outing to see how I’d do with the tremendous amount of walking required at the Kylemore Abbey. More on that tomorrow.

In the event we chose to buy dinner-to-go from the food truck, we brought along an insulated bag but after years of travel seems to have lost some of its ability to keep things cold for long.  

Most of the items on the menu appealed to me but weren’t suitable for my way of eating without considerable modifications.  As busy as it was, there was no way I’d ask.  Tom didn’t care for any of the items on the menu.

Subsequently, we visited Kylemore Abbey first. If we purchased dinner first, we’d have been rushing at the abbey, concerned the food would spoil. We love low-stress days.

We hadn’t been sightseeing on a Sunday, preferring to go out on weekdays to avoid crowds and traffic. Were we in for a big surprise when the long queues of slow driving vehicles occupied the narrow roads. With no shoulders on the winding roads, passing is dangerous.

As mentioned here in the past, Tom is an impatient driver with little tolerance for traffic. Fortunately, he kept his cool, knowing we were in no rush and the long drive to both locations was fine. Had we not needed photos so desperately, we would have waited until midweek when both locations were open simultaneously.  

Many tourists head to this remote location which is well advertised in tourist information materials.

The Misunderstood Herons simple reality hit home with many other tourists and us. Not only are online reviews excellent, but the enthusiasm on the faces of visitors certainly indicated their pleasure at visiting this unique eating establishment with one of the finest views in the land.

From their website here, we are sharing the following. They wrote:

“How does one come to set up a food truck in the middle of nowhere? Love of food, Connemara, and each other.

We have both always wanted to run our own business, and when our time in Dublin was coming to an end, the brainstorming began on what we could do to make a living in Connemara. We both love food but didn’t have enough money to buy or rent a kitchen to operate from. We had seen the food truck movement in the states and thought that we could do something similar here while focusing on good coffee and simple, fresh, and tasty food.

We searched deals for second-hand food trucks within our budget, found one that hit the mark, and just went for it. With much help from friends and family, we managed to open up in time for Easter 2017. It was starting small with very few foods and drink options. We wanted to focus on doing what we did well and growing from there.

A wooden spool converted to a chair!

Now going into our third season, the time has come when we have outgrown the original truck and need a bigger space to prepare and cook in. Our answer is a 20ft, a second-hand container which we are converting into a kitchen on wheels. The design is funky, unique, and still has the same feel as the original truck with hatch service and outdoor seating. 

With the addition of a looped coastal path at Killary Adventure Center, we decided to move the location to this car park which is 50m down from our original site. From Easter 2019 onwards, people can go for a walk along the shore and finish off with a bite to eat and a cup of coffee.

With great reviews on TripAdvisor, it’s no wonder, so many visitors stop by the unique eatery with its stunning scenery.

We will keep making our food with the same ethos of tasty, simple, fresh, and local.”

We were both impressed by their ingenuity and fortitude in making such a success of their unique business. They’ve received many awards and write-ups in publications worldwide.

The stupendous view behind the Misunderstood Heron food truck, overlooking the majestic Killary Fjord in Connemara County Galway. 

Although there wasn’t anything suitable for my way of eating, nor were the menu options appealing to Tom’s taste buds, we were thrilled to have visited the enchanting Misunderstood Heron (great name!) while relishing in the exquisite surroundings.

Enjoy the day!

Photo from one year ago today, July 15, 2018:

We stopped along the Crocodile River for a few exciting photos. For more, please click here.

The Amazing Race…Baby steps…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
We are hanging out, not doing much, like me.

“Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland” 

“With 22 letters, the town of Muckanaghederdauhaulia is believed to be
Ireland’s longest one-word place name. The name derives from Muiceanach
idir Dhá Sháilemeaning, meaning ‘pig-marsh between two salt waters.’”
We’re not thrilled with today’s photos, but they are the last we had we hadn’t previously posted. This fact has motivated us to get out today. With the sky clear, we’re taking off as soon as we upload this post.
 
We could be gone for several hours, and it made sense to get today’s post online, leaving us free to take our time. Once it’s past 4:00 pm, I find I have a hard time sitting down to prepare a post. I’m a morning person.
Cow grazing by the fence along our driveway.

Although I continue to improve each day and no longer wear any plasters or bandages, I’m still not 100%, primarily due to becoming exhausted in the early afternoon. Today will be good practice for me to deal with the feeling of exhaustion while out and about.

After all, we’ll be on a cruise in 28 days. I need to be ready to visit many ports of call along the way, including two full days in St. Petersburg, Russia, on tour with about 12 other passengers. I’ll have to keep up.  

I’m trying, forcing myself to walk several thousand steps a day and climb that steep hill in front of the house at least four times a week, going a little further each time.
Mom and baby.

Today’s tour will require a fair amount of walking, another opportunity to see how I do.  I haven’t felt like going out much, and that’s why we are low on photos, having used the last in our inventory today, none of which are very exciting.  

Two days ago was the five-month anniversary of the bypass surgery. I’ve beat myself up for not progressing more quickly, but after reading online forums, I’m doing pretty well compared to many others.  

Black cow with yellow ear tags.  Animals aren’t branded in Ireland and many other countries. In today’s world, with concern for efficiency and the animal’s well-being, plastic ear tags are used. It is claimed it is no more painful than a human having an ear pierced.

Some patients recover in three to four months, while others may take a year or more. If it weren’t for the lack of energy and afternoon exhaustion, I’d feel great.

Lately, during the many quiet days and evenings we’ve spent “at home,” I’ve been watching a few missed seasons of The Amazing Race, finding it a perfect distraction from feeling lazy and physically unmotivated.  

A portion of one of last night’s episodes from Season 27, which I watched at 10:00 pm while Tom played with his computer, took place in Zambia and Zimbabwe, Africa.  

Big brown cow.

Having been to both of these countries twice, it was fun to see the contestants tackle tasks in places we’ve been to during our time in these countries. We’ve been to approximately 80% of the locations they visit, if not more.

When looking back to our tour of Victoria Falls in 2018, both from Zambia and Zimbabwe sides of the falls, I recall how much I struggled to make it up the hills and steps. Below is a photo of Tom crossing a bridge in Victoria Falls while I stayed behind, feeling I couldn’t make it. Blamed it on lack of surefootedness.  Now I realized I couldn’t breathe, and my legs could hardly move due to a lack of blood flow.

I was happy to see Tom safely return from climbing to the top of the wet slippery bridge. Tom tackled this wet bridge without me. I’m not reasonably as surefooted as he is. It was slick, the visibility was poor, and I wouldn’t have been able to take photos in the heavy mist, so I stayed behind with Alec while we awaited his return. I was getting worried when he’d been gone a long time.  Seeing him in his yellow poncho made me sigh with relief. See the post here.
Then, I realized why I struggled the past almost seven years in the country after country, on tour after tour, when my heart had three (of four) major arteries 100% blocked, most likely for years. It amazed me (and the doctors) I avoided a deadly heart attack. It’s no wonder I was often struggling to climb steep hills and many steps while we were sightseeing.

Regardless of the tiredness, I’m feeling hopeful, knowing eventually this will improve. I am grateful to be alive and to be able to continue this magnificent journey, one baby step at a time.  

We’ll be back tomorrow with new and, hopefully, more exciting photos than we presented today.
Have a peaceful Sunday.                         

                         Photo from one year ago today, July 14, 2018:
Louise and Danie joined us for dinner last night at Kambaku, the popular restaurant at the golf course in Komatipoort, as we celebrated their belated birthdays. For more details, please click here.

Remembering…Woulda, coulda, shoulda…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
“Do you have any carrots?”

“Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland”  
“Since the foundation of the Irish Free State in 1922, the Irish harp has been the official emblem of Ireland, not the shamrock which is more commonly used.”

What is the quality of life we strive to achieve when at any moment, we can start over again to create a better life? Our lives are a compilation of memories, from moment to moment, day to day, and year to year.
A ruin with a tin roof.

And, yet many of us suffer a degree of angst over what we could have done, should have done, and what we should do in the future.  Often, this angst is precipitated by the needs, wants, and perceptions of others.

At other times, we experience stress and worry placed upon ourselves when our preconceived notions supersede our past and present decisions, many of which provide us with joy and fulfillment.
View across the bay.

The magic of free will, which a portion of the world is blessed to possess, allows us to make choices. Each choice we make, whether we’re aware of it or not, is driven by something deep within us that even we may not fully understand.

Readers frequently write to us, suggesting what we “should” be doing in any country, sites we “should see,” restaurants where we should be dining.  
Another example of vegetation-covered ruins.

In many cases, these excellent and thoughtful suggestions are taken seriously, and we may pursue our thoughtful reader’s well-intentioned recommendations. Thank you for writing, and please continue to do so. 

But, for us, the reality remains, we do exactly what we want to do, taking the word “should” out of our vocabulary and replacing it with “shall we do this?”  Together we decide. At times, we may not agree, but each of us will make our case for and against and, the stronger case wins.
Cattle in the pasture next to our driveway.
And then, our lives roll out, building memories that will last a lifetime, that based on this website, we’ll always be able to recall from the thousands of posts we’ve done here. We look back almost every day.

The magic of our lives is the opportunity we’ve had to play a role, however, small, in the lives of those who dream of traveling or have traveled. Through our posts, some of our readers may find comfort; share in the joy of adventure; acquire the satisfaction of a curiosity: or merely seek enjoyment in the often mundane meanderings of two world travelers who made a difficult decision to leave everything behind to explore the world.
This brown cow often stands when we drive by.

Each day, we’re building memories, whether profound or straightforward, leaving us with a sense of fulfillment and challenge, more than we ever dreamed possible in this life.  

Thank you, dear readers, for “traveling” with us.                      

Photo from one year ago today, July 13, 2018:
We couldn’t believe our eyes when we spotted this elephant digging a hole to access water in the ground below.  Please take a moment to watch our video at the top of the page. For more photos, please click here.

Switching from red wine to what???…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
A white house on the road to Roundstone with two historic buildings on the grounds.

“Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland”  
“Ireland has been used as a location for several famous films including Star Wars, The Princess Bride, Braveheart, and Harry Potter.”

We’re back from Clifden and grocery shopping. Everything has been packed away into the two tiny refrigerators and vegetable drawers. We have to be especially careful not to purchase food that must be frozen.
Ruins of the shore of a bygone era.
The tiny freezer in the small refrigerator in the laundry room barely has room for a thing. Our ice cubes and trays occupy 40% of the total space, the remaining left for what is hopefully enough to get us through one week until we shop again.
 
With over 90 minutes of driving time to head to Clifden and back, the closest supermarket, we don’t care to make the trip more than once a week. We’ve already scoured the village for sightseeing opportunities and have exhausted our options. 
 
Once we were settled here and I was off all pain medications, once again, we put our usual “happy hour” on the agenda. My goal has been to consume no more than 177 ml, equivalent to two 3 oz. Glasses of red wine on the days we imbibe. Its been a relatively easy goal to achieve and maintain.
These dilapidated farm buildings represent a period of strife in Ireland when many left the country due to the potato famine.
We prepare dinner and don’t drink alcohol for the remainder of the evening. We spend one-hour chatting and sipping our chosen adult beverage, and afterward, I switch to Pellegrino Sparkling Springwater (no alcohol) while Tom returns to his usual iced tea. This works for us.  
 
We don’t imbibe so much that it impacts our health, well-being, and quality of sleep. Once we’re on the cruise, with drinks included based on our priority in the Crown & Anchor Society, I will continue this regiment while Tom may have a final drink with or after dinner.
 
Here in Ireland, it’s been difficult for me to find a red wine that I not only like but is also affordable at a price I’m willing to pay. To my taste, the average cost of a moderately good red wine, preferably a cabernet sauvignon or merlot, is at least Euro 12, US $13.50 plus tax.
A pair of Connemara ponies are not only white but also varying colors.
This same quality of wine in South Africa, the home of many great vineyards, was at Euro 2.67, US $3.00. Even the finest imported wines in South Africa were rarely over Euro 8.89, US $10.
 
Several weeks ago, there was a sale on six bottles of wines at the SuperValu market. (There isn’t an actual liquor store within a half-day drive). It was priced at Euro 30, US $33.75 for the half dozen bottles.  
 
I’d seen these same wines from Chile at SuperValu priced at Euro 12, US $13.50 each but hadn’t purchased any. But, for the excellent price and few other affordable options, we bought six bottles of red.  
 
It’s not as if I’m a wine connoisseur. I’m not. I hadn’t had any alcoholic drinks or wine for over 20 years and only started drinking wine a few years ago on cruise ships, finding my taste buds weren’t as picky or refined as they’d been in the 80s.  
Another photo of the village of Roundstone, population 214.
Still, four bottles of the red wines sit on the counter in the laundry room. I can’t get it down, and nor am I going to force myself to drink something I don’t like.  After doing a little research, I decided that I needed to find something more suitable for me while we were here in Ireland.
 
I prefer a lower alcohol beverage since my tolerance is relatively low. I found a couple of low alcohol options online…Ketel One Botanicals and Smirnoff Vodka Infusions, each with 25% less alcohol and infused with flavorful botanicals.
 
SuperValu doesn’t carry the Ketel One brand, but they easily had the Smirnoff brands and flavors. We purchased two of the smaller than usual bottles in two flavors. It is suggested that sparkling water or other clear non-sugary mixers be added with ice. 
Black and white cow.
The low alcohol content appeals to me because no sugar is added, and the carb count is zero. Each bottle was priced at Euro 13.60, US $15.30. Each serving is equivalent to a shot glass, and each bottle should last me for quite some time. Each bottle contains 750 ml, 25 ounces, the same amount in a bottle of wine.  
 
This beverage will last me twice as long as a bottle of wine, and if the taste is good, making the change while here will be worthwhile. Traveling the world doesn’t mean we’ll always be able to get familiar products at prices we’ve become accustomed to. But, it certainly inspires us to try something new and different.
 
Tonight we’ll toast to all of you!  Have a fantastic Friday!
Photo from one year ago today, July 12, 2018:
We laughed so hard when we saw this baby baboon grabbing its mom’s hair to hold on while sitting in this unlikely pose. For more details, please click here.

Cleaning…It’s a beastly thing to do!…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Beautiful horse…

“Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland”

“The potato famine was exacerbated by the actions (and inactions) of the British government at the time, leading some to suggest that the famine was essentially
a form of genocide exacted on the Irish.”

We were spoiled during our 15 months in Africa. Whether we were traveling to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, or living in Marloth Park, we didn’t have much to do when it came to cleaning.  

Our entire cleaning consisted of Tom’s doing dishes while I washed the countertops and stovetop after preparing a meal. I don’t recall ever making the bed in those 15 months. Of course, during the last three months in Marloth Park, I didn’t do a thing.

We were lucky to have two of the finest and most reliable cleaners in Marloth Park, Zef and Vusi, under the management of our dear friends and property managers, Louise and Danie.  

A boggy area at low tide.

Most weeks, Zef and Vusi worked for seven days and were off only on weekends during a holiday. We still took care of the above cooking-related clean-up when they were off on a Saturday and Sunday, knowing they’d be there on Monday.  

During those days, admittedly, we didn’t bother to make the bed other than to pull up the fluffy duvet and fluff the pillows. If we made a mess or spilled something, of course, we cleaned it up. 

Tom and I are very tidy in our day-to-day lives. We neither leave clothes or bath towels on the floor, papers collecting throughout the house, or glasses and dishes sitting on tabletops.  

We don’t leave dishes in the kitchen sink. They’re either washed or, if available (as it is here), placed into the dishwasher. In Marloth, many renters left their dirty dishes for the cleaners.  

We distracted the white calf along the road to our driveway.

We didn’t leave dishes for them other than after an occasional dinner party when we needed the help.  Here in Connemara, when the lovely cleaner Ann arrives once a week, it’s about changing the bedding, dusting, vacuuming, and washing floors and cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms.

When Ann became ill a few weeks ago and could not clean, we were on our own.  She’d offered to send someone she knew, but we decided to wait until she felt well and could return. As it’s turned out, we’ll have been without her help for a total of three weeks.  

It appears she won’t be returning until July 25th, after which we’ll only have one more week we’ll need her. We leave on August 8th to head to Dublin to spend one night in a hotel before flying to Amsterdam the following day. As of today, that’s four weeks away.

As we approach the small village of Roundstone…

We won’t have her clean on Thursday, our normal cleaning day, since the property owner was responsible for the cleaning last week. We’ve been paying Euro 60, US $68 for the four hours of work each week.

Very seldom does a property owner provide a cleaning service unless the cost is low for the country, and the tradition is that holiday rentals include a cleaning staff, daily or weekly.

While in Belize; Kenya; South Africa; Morocco; Trinity Beach, Australia; Fiji;

Bali; countless hotels and cruises; cleaning staff was included. All the remaining locations required we pay for a cleaner, ranging from a low of Euro 27, US $30 to a high of Euro 60, US $68, here in Ireland.

Subsequently, today, without Ann able to clean, once again, we’re on our own.  This morning for the first time in so long, I can’t remember, I changed the linen on the beds in the master bedroom. 

Roundstone, Ireland.

We’ve slept in separate beds during our time here in Ireland to avoid any possible injury to my healing legs. This has been the only time we’ve slept in separate beds, but since they were right next to one another, it didn’t seem that odd. We wouldn’t have slept in different rooms if there weren’t the two beds in the master bedroom.

Tom had offered to make the beds, but I took on the challenge myself. Certainly, enough time has passed I wouldn’t cause myself any injury in taking on the task.

It was undoubtedly challenging, mainly since I had trouble bending over, especially with the two beds low to the floor. But, I got through it and felt a degree of satisfaction in accomplishing this otherwise simple task.

Today is laundry day which is usually every two or three days. With our limited wardrobes and wearing the same warmer clothes in the chilly weather, we can’t avoid doing laundry frequently.

Ruins are left in place with respect for ancestors and history.

After breakfast of bacon and eggs (my three doctors said I could continue with my low-carb way of eating), I cleaned the entire kitchen and dusted tables in the living room. Soon, Tom will vacuum the whole house while I clean the bathrooms. At that point, well, be good for another week except for daily tidying and cleaning.

Tomorrow, we’ll go sightseeing and grocery shopping. For now, I’ve decided only to cook easy meals; some form of protein, a few cooked vegetables, and a salad. This week I prepared a complicated and time-consuming low-carb chicken casserole requiring standing on my feet for a few hours. I’m not ready for that yet.

Now, I must get back to the laundry and hang the clothes on the indoor clothes-drying rack. As cool as it is, it may take two days for the heavier items to dry.  (There isn’t a dryer or outdoor clothesline here).  By the end of the day, everything in the house will be clean, and we can settle back into our comfortable ordinary lives.

Be well!

Photo from one year ago today, July 11, 2018:
This female kudu has a heart-shaped marking on her neck. When she became a regular, we named her “Cupid.”  For more photos, please click here.

A visit to Roundstone, Ireland…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
As we drove into the small town of Roundstone, with a population of 214, we were impressed by the design of the colorful properties on the main road.

“Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland”
“Ireland and the UK share a chequered history. In 1801, Great Britain
annexed the Kingdom of Ireland under the Act of Union; in 1921, the Anglo-Irish
Treaty established the Irish Free State, an independent dominion of the British
crown partitioned from Northern Ireland; and in 1949, the Republic of Ireland
became fully independent from the UK.”

We’ve concluded that I can’t sit in the car for long periods. There’s rarely a location where we can pull over with the narrow winding roads, enabling me to get out and walk. It was easier on an airplane when I could walk up and down the aisles every hour or so.

On days like today, misty and cloudy, when we’re staying in, I get up and walk every 30 minutes rather than remain stuck in a chair for extended periods. The walking adds to my daily goals and, without a doubt, helps me feel much better.

This bay is Roundstone, referred to as Round-stone Haven as early as 1684.

Yesterday, after spending an hour in the car, I could barely walk to and then up the few steps to the little market. And yet, hours later, I felt chipper and walked usually.  

It’s the “nature of the beast.” In only six weeks, healing from four surgical procedures has taken its toll on me, the first of which was five months ago, the last only three months ago.  It could take a year before I’m entirely myself.

An old door as an entrance to a stone storage area serving the above house.

After yesterday’s walking fiasco, we started rethinking the upcoming two-day tour, August 16 and 17, 2019, from the ship to St. Petersburg, Russia. Each night, we’ll sleep on the ship, meeting up with our group of 12 or so for the next’s day’s outing.

After considerable research, we discovered the tour will require a tremendous amount of walking, often up and down steps and steep hills, often over uneven pavement. We’re scheduled to pay the deposit by tomorrow, the balance soon after that for a total cost of Euro 472, US $530 (for two).

Roundstone Harbour, mainly used for fishing.
Visiting Russia won’t require a separate visa if we’re signed up with a certified tour company and spend the night on the ship. Otherwise, we’d have to get a complicated visa which we’d prefer not to do. Here are the rules for entering Russia from this site:
  • “72-hour visa-free for international cruise ship/ferry passengers only if traveling with an organized tour and accompanied at all times by a tour operator.
  • Registration is required after seven business days.
  • American citizens may receive multiple-entry visas valid for three years.”

With these considerations, we contemplated a private tour for just the two of us.  But the cost for one day was more than for the two-day time. There are few accommodations on tours (from what we’d read from other passengers) for any disabilities.

Thus, we decided to go ahead with the two-day tour, sleeping on the ship each night as required, and I’ll do what I can. If I have to miss a few challenging venues, Tom will take photos while I’ll leisurely walk around the area checking out the shops, providing the driver states it’s safe to do so.  

We’ll figure it out. In the interim, I’ll continue to walk thousands of steps per day and climb the steep hill in front of the house, at least five times a week, a little further each day, to build my strength and stamina.

Anyway, back to Roundstone, which we visited yesterday morning, taking today’s photos and many more, which we’ll share over the next few days.
Sailboat cruising in the Roundstone Bay on a lightly windy day.
Here is information on Roundstone from this site:

“Roundstone (Irish: Cloch na Rón, meaning “seal’s rock”) is a village on the west coast of Ireland, in the Connemara region of County Galway. The town of Clifden is nearby to the north. 

The anglicized name is usually considered an error on the part of the British colonial Ordnance Survey, which translated the village name; while Cloch certainly means “stone” or “rock,” Rón means “seal,” not “round.” Still, the names Cloch na Rón and Roundstone may be independent. The bay is referred to as Round-stone Haven as early as 1684 (Roderick O’Flaherty), and the rock after which it is named stands like a marker at the entrance and is strikingly round.

Roundstone is known as a home for creativity and the arts. Some of the most influential figures in Irish Art have been painted there, including Paul Henry, Jack B. Yeats, Gerard Dillon, and Nano Reid. The Roundstone Arts Week celebrates youth and the environment on an annual basis.

Church tower on the way to Roundstone.
The local Summerfest is held in July. Traditional Irish Nights are held weekly throughout July and August and offer music, song, and dance from the Connemara area. In 1998 Sean Gorham of Inishnee, Roundstone, County Galway, was engaged in turf-cutting in Roundstone Bog “when he noticed what appeared to be a series of flat stones laid at regular intervals. Believing them to be the remains of an ancient trackway, Mr. Gorham left the stones undisturbed. Through the good offices of Martin O’Malley, Roundstone, and Michael Gibbons, Clifden, his discovery was brought to the attention of the National Museum of Ireland.”

Gorham’s find was located in the townland of Derrycunlagh. Investigation revealed that earlier turf-cutters had removed part of the trackway, but its two extant stretches determined its route. The trackway appeared to date from the Early Bronze Age, while the field wall may have been earlier.

This handsome boy approached the fence for some attention, which we gladly provided.

In an article of 2002, it was stated that “Thanks are due to the late Sean Gorham, whose keen eye and interest save the trackway from destruction and brought it to scientific attention.”

That’s it for today, folks. We’ll be back again with more photos, more stories, more planning, and more considerations for the future.

Be well.
                 
Photo from one year ago today, July 10, 2018:
A mom waterbuck and her calf.  For more photos, please click here.

Quaint and charming…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Seagulls are prolific in this area.

“Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland”

    “Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle because of its lush rolling hills and vales of green. Poet William Drennan is thought to be the first to use the phrase in print in his poem When Erin First Rose.”
         

This morning while checking on ingredients for tonight’s low carb taco salads we realized we didn’t have any green olives, a vital part of the taco salad for Tom. I don’t care one way or another about olives in my salad, but Tom would be sorely disappointed without them.

This cow stopped grazing to check us out.

We contemplated driving to Carna but ran the risk they wouldn’t have olives in either one of the two tiny superette-type markets. We decided to take a risk to drive the further distance to Roundstone which is almost as far as Clifden (40 minutes) or perhaps further.

Roundstone is a popular tourist town, and lo and behold, we found olives in the second of two small markets. Also, we were low on fuel and didn’t see a petrol station anywhere.  

Ruins in the distance are covered with vegetation.

As we drove through the little town of Roundstone with a population of 214, per the census of 2016, I spotted two fuel pumps outside the post office, pointing this out to Tom.  

He filled up the car and was told by the postmaster thattoo pay for the fuel to cross the street to go to the little market where I happened to be looking for olives.  
A postman on a motorbike.
Alas, the shop owner showed me where the olives were kept in plastic deli containers in the refrigerated section. We paid for the fuel and three containers of olives and were on our way to take more photos of the quaint little town.

Now, bear with me. I, too, am tired of using the words “quaint” and “charming.” 
when describing small towns in Ireland but, that is precisely what they are. When searching the definition of “quaint,” here is what I found:
The climate in Ireland results in moss growing on many of the rocks.
 
Quaint
adjective, quaint·er, quaint·est.
  • having an old-fashioned attractiveness or charm; oddly picturesque: a quaint old house.
  • strange, peculiar, or unusual in an interesting, pleasing, or amusing way: a quaint sense of humor.
  • Skillfully or cleverly made.
  • Obsolete. Wise; skilled.
As you can see from the above, there aren’t many words in the English language as an alternative to quaint.  Then again, there’s the word “charming” with this definition from the same dictionary.com.

Charming
adjective
  • pleasing; delightful: a charming child.
  • using charm; exercising magic power
When a village has 214 residents with historic buildings, houses, and shops, one may search for hours looking for better words to describe such an area, all to no avail.  You get the picture. I feel compelled to use these two words as we wander through Connemara to check out one small town after another.
We hadn’t noticed the horse on the hill while taking the photo.

We took several photos and headed back to Glinsce. I wanted to start chopping and dicing vegetables for tonight’s meal and finally work on today’s post.

Soon, John, the fish guy, will be here.  We’re hoping he’ll have crab claws today.  We borrowed a nutcracker from the property owner, Eileen, and hope to put them to good use having crab claws as a fun and tasty happy hour appetizer.

Tomorrow, we’ll be back with photos from Roundstone.  

Have a superb day!

                   Photo from one year ago today, July 9, 2018:
Such a handsome male lion.  These lions shown today are not necessarily the lions recently spotted inside Marloth Park. For more photos, please click here.

Volcanoes continue to fascinate us…Volcano found on an island we visited in Antarctica…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Me and a few Gentoo penguins on Saunders Island, Antarctica, on January 26, 2018.  What an experience!

“Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland”
“One of the most curious facts about Ireland takes place in the town of Killorglin in the Reeks District. Here, a festival known as the Puck Fair sees a goat crowned as King Puck for three days. The Queen of Puck, traditionally a local young schoolgirl, crowns the goat.”

When we noticed this news story from a popular news source in the UK, we researched to ensure this story was true. We all know how sensationalism is rampant in the press.

Having been to Antarctica on one of the most amazing small ship cruises, Ponant Le Boreal, heading out on Zodiac boats often twice a day was an experience we’ll never forget.  

The price was high for this cruise but, in the end, we understood the reasons for the higher cruise fare. It was truly a life-changing experience that will remain at the forefront of our minds about past and future cruises.

When we confirmed the story was true, we decided to share it here. Having visited Saunders Island on that Antarctica cruise, this story suddenly had special meaning for us.

Following is the story from the news source that we discovered a few days ago and this photo from the article:

Antarctica news: Saunders Island volcano
Not our photo (obviously). Antarctica: The active volcano sits on Saunders Island near Antarctica, as seen from space.
From this site:

“Antarctica SHOCK: Scientists have found a monstrous LAVA lake under a sub-Antarctic island

ANTARCTICA scientists have just discovered a never-seen-before lake of bubbling lava under an Island in the sub-Antarctic circle.

The shocking discovery was made by the British Antarctic Survey using powerful satellite imagery of the Southern Hemisphere. The Antarctic survey confirmed the presence of molten lava in the crater of Mount Michael, an active volcano on Saunders Island. 

The small island in the sub-Antarctica circle is part of the British Overseas Territory (BOT) in the Southern Ocean, near Antarctica’s icy continent. But the fascinating part of the discovery is the lava lake is the eighth of its kind to be found on Earth.

Geologist Dr. Alex Burton-Johnson from the British Antarctic Survey said in a statement: “We are delighted to have discovered such a remarkable geological feature in the British Overseas Territory.

“Identifying the lava lake has improved our understanding of the volcanic activity and hazard on this remote island, and tells us more about these rare features, and finally, it has helped us develop techniques to monitor volcanoes from space.”

The incredible findings were submitted to the latest issues of the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research.

The researcher’s paper reads: “This is the first evidence for a lava lake within Mt Michael from data that can resolve the crater floor, and the first evidence for magmatic temperatures.

“As thermal anomalies were detected in all images showing the crater, we suggest that the lava lake is a common and persistent feature.” This is not, however, the first time scientists have suspected the presence of a magma lake in Mount Michael.

Mount Michael is an active stratovolcano on Saunders Island in the South Sandwich Islands. This small grouping of islands sits in the Southern Atlantic Ocean near Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.”

While on the Big Island in Hawaii in 2014, we were able to see the lava spewing from Mount Kilauea. Of course, we never knew of, nor did we see, the volcano. From our position close to the beach, it wouldn’t have been possible. 
This is a photo I took of a photo of when the lava crossed Apa’a Street on October 25th.
See this link for a news report. See our post from this date. Please click here.
 See our photo below, taken from the observation deck at Kilauea National Park.
This was my favorite shot from the evening with the backdrop of the glow from Mount Kilauea. For more photos, please click here.
Having had the opportunity to see lava up close and personal as we did in 2014 only adds to the adventures of our world travels. In one month from today, August 8th, we’re on the move again, seeking more outstanding experiences.

Even the quiet, uneventful days can bring adventure into our hearts and minds.  All we have to do is “Dream, Dream, Dream.”
               
Photo from one year ago today, July 8, 2018:
A calf is born weighing 100 to 150 pounds and measuring in at 6 feet tall. A calf will begin to forage at about four months old. For more photos, please click here.

Climbing a steep hill…A milestone day?…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Seafaring boat on dry dock.

“Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland”
“Croaghaun in Ireland is the second highest cliff in Europe.“

There’s a steep hill from where the house is located up to the long gravel driveway, which leads to the main road. Many times over these past two months, I wondered if and when I could tackle that hill.

I set a target date of July 4th. This date would be easy to remember due to its significance in the US as the holiday, Independence Day. The closer the date approached, I knew I was going to tackle it.

After walking inside the house for almost two months on level surfaces, with one flight of stairs to the bedroom level, I knew it was unrealistic to think the indoor walking was comparable to walking outdoors on rocky, uneven surfaces.  
Another waterway at low tide.

And thus, outdoor walking, albeit at a slow progression, is my new mission as an adjunct to indoor walking, which I must also continue. Once I can work my way to the road. Hopefully, I’ll feel confident in partaking in tours during the upcoming cruise from Amsterdam in another month.  

We’ll spend two nights in a hotel in Amsterdam and will surely want to walk around the historic city and explore the sights. My ability to walk for more extended periods is vital to this and other upcoming visits to various cities and countries.

After the cruise, we’ll be heading to England, mostly in and around Cornwall and (think scenery from Poldark, Doc Martin, and Broadchurch, all filmed in and around Cornwall and the further away, Bristol).

Certainly, while in England, we’ll take advantage of opportunities to walk into town, which is possible at a few of the four rentals, including a two-night stay in Southampton before boarding another cruise that will take us back to the US for a family visit.
This bird was identified as a Hooded Crow, or Grey Crow in Ireland, as determined by a friend (who lives in UK and Marloth Park), Lynne, who, along with her husband Mick, are expert birders.  Thanks once again, Lynne!!!

Being on a cruise requires a tremendous amount of walking and going up and down steps. It’s often quite a distance from the cabin to any of the venues we prefer overall; the cafe, the restaurants, the bars, the theatre, and more.  

During the first evening’s required “muster drill,” approximately five flights of stairs must be navigated up and down. Since I don’t have any visible signs of recovering, I’d prefer not to draw attention to myself by stopping too often to catch my breath or rest my legs.

When I first had this major surgery, I’d been told to expect 8 to 12 weeks for a full recovery. I’m sure some patients do accomplish this goal, but I haven’t been one of them.  
A cattle family lounging together on a hill
With the two heart surgeries and two leg surgeries, I may be slower than many others but then again, faster than others. It’s a personal thing predicated by many factors.
Also, today is the first day in many months I have not worn the bandages on my left leg. Recently, as my leg has healed, the adhesive from the bandage has been causing a tremendous amount of itching, keeping me awake at night.
 

This morning I took a shower, patted it dry, and put on Capri length pants to avoid rubbing the still-open wound. I’ll have to cover it when I go outdoors to walk, but for now, as I sit here in the comfy chair, preparing today’s post, it feels good to have fresh air on the leg after so long.

Small seafaring vessel.

The incision in my right thigh is still black and blue and feels as if it has needles in it. At night, I have to put a pillow between my knees to avoid the pain. (I no longer take any pain medication).

What else is still painful and uncomfortable? The incision scar in my sternum is itchy, feels as if it’s pulling the skin, and remains raised. The hardest part is having trouble bending over to pick up something from the floor or looking for something in the tiny under-the-counter refrigerator in the kitchen.

Although comfortable while sitting, the chair I use is low to the ground, and I have trouble standing up from it. My legs are still sore from the surgeries, and I don’t possess the leg strength I had in the past.
There’s not a lot of crime in Connemara. The police department in Carna is located in a tiny building. Police officers are referred to as “Garda” in Ireland.

From time to time, my heart does weird things; too fast, too slow missed beats.  These can be unnerving, but I’ve decided not to worry about it when I know this is not unusual during the first year post bypass.

Nonetheless, I feel pretty good overall. I can perform most household tasks, cook, do laundry and make the bed. Tom continues to be helpful, but now I make a point of doing things for myself.

In five days, it will be five months since the bypass, and now it’s three months since the leg surgeries. For the first time in my life, I haven’t pushed myself to do more and more. Taking it slowly works best in this game.

Nearby ruins.  Many such buildings are found in the countryside.

So, maybe today is a milestone day…no bandages for now and…I can walk up and down the steep hill, which I am currently doing each day, walking further and further. I’m grateful to be alive and remind myself of this fact every day, and each time I feel a twinge of discomfort.

Today, another rainy day, we’ll stay in and revel in a quiet Sunday, the views of the bay, the wildflowers blooming all around us, and a great meal for dinner after a tasty breakfast of scrambled eggs with onions and cheese.

Enjoy your Sunday, too!

                    Photo from one year ago today, July 7, 2018:
We were busy inside the house preparing for last night’s dinner party. But, we knew the mongooses had arrived by the high-pitched cackling and squeals. Tom always drops a few uncracked raw eggs on the ground to keep them around while we make up the bowl of six to eight eggs (depending on the size of the “band”).  For more photos, please click here.

Lions on the loose in Marloth Park…We’re missing the adventure!…Photos…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Two female lions were spotted in Marloth Park! (Not our photo).

“Fascinating Fact of the Day About Ireland”
“Ireland ran under a democratic nation and established their present constitution in 1937.”

There’s no doubt about it…we’re missing the excitement over this past month when several lions were sighted in Marloth Park, walking about the streets in search of food. Surely, they’ve found plenty in the bountiful wildlife reserve.
It would have been quite an experience to be one of these drivers on the paved Olifant road when these two females, as shown above, sat leisurely on the side of the road, oblivious of the cars stopping to take photos.

There were several occasions in the 15 months we lived in the bush that lions found a way to get into Marloth Park via an opening in the fence, often dug up by warthogs. Unfortunately, we never had a chance to see them, although we went out looking for them, slowly driving from one dirt road to another.

During those periods, we could often hear their roaring at night. Many of our friends in the park are equally excited now, as they see and hear them. Of course, we could always hear Daisy and Fluffy, the two neutered lions who live in Lionspruit, the reserve within a reserve in Marloth Park.

Lionspruit was the location for many fantastic braais and parties we attended at Frikkee’s Dam with Louise, Danie, and many others.  We were aware of Daisy and Fluffy (male) presence in the area but hardly worried about it.

Now the workers, homeowners, and holidays renters are being warned to exercise the utmost caution when walking anywhere in the park or one’s garden. There is always an after-dark curfew in place which is difficult to enforce when there are no police in the park.  

Through the hard work of local volunteers, the park is “policed,” but they cannot arrest anyone. The three security companies in the park join in the “policing” but again cannot stop anyone.

Many may dismiss the fear of lions in the park as being overly cautious. But, while we were in the park, we did a story with photos of Jonas, a local worker, now 20 years later, a popular builder and friend to the park, who was attacked by a lion in Marloth Park receiving horrific injuries.  

Somehow, Jonas survived to share the story and go on to live a productive life. If you’d like to read the story of Jonas and see photos of his scars from the attack, please click here.

Here’s our photo of Jonas when he and Danie came to visit us so we could share his story along with photos:

Jonas has scars all over his body from the attack 20 years ago when he was a young man, riding his bike at night in the dark.

Jonas speaks little English but speaks Afrikaans and Danie translated to English for our benefit on that memorable day. He was so kind to have taken the time to meet with us and retell his shocking story of living to survive a lion attack. We posted the story on March 11, 2018.

We’re hoping no one will be foolhardy and ignore the curfew and stay away from the lions who aren’t hesitant to be present during daytime hours. When such warnings were out during our long 15 months to stay, it wasn’t unusual to see children riding bikes and walking alone on the roads. Who are these people who would be so careless?
 
We’ll continue to check out what will transpire until the lions are darted and returned to Kruger. But, at this point, all efforts have been futile. We miss the park, always will, and hope to return someday soon.
 
Have a safe and fulfilling weekend!
                    
Photo from one year ago today, July 6, 2018:
Mom and Dad were very proud of their family. Ostriches mate for life. For more photos, please click here.