Day 11
Easy day today. We took Kristen Pony Trekking about 11. We had seen a bunch of hand painted signs around the area and we followed about 20 of them out into the middle of nowhere to the farm. It was kind of run down but they had a bunch of horses, ponies and cows. The couple running the place had been doing it for 40 years. They were still going strong.
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There was an Italian family there at the same time and others coming and going as well. Kristen and Jill put on helmets, saddled up and got underway. The woman gave Jill a boost onto the horse and I though Jill was going to have a kinniption, but she made it up. Kristen looked good in the pony's saddle. I had the good sense to stay behind. The girls took about a 45 minute ride down the deserted street leading up to the place. As they passed by on the way back, Jill begged to be excused while Kristen continued. She had a good time and we told her we'd take her back but she's unsure. She'll have to go out on her own next time. I talked to a very nice couple from Dublin - Dave and Nancy. Dave had formerly been the drummer for the band called th Brilliant Trees that had recorded an album in Atlanta and toured the East Coast. He loved New York. He said he had never been outside Dublin (in Ireland) until recently but he and Nancy had started exploring the West of Ireland. He had previously thought the Irish countryside a little too primitive but now likes it (at age 37). He was aghast at the state of the roads. |
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After that we went to the Burren Visitors Centre and had a lunch of soup and sandwiches and tea in their dining room. Nice until the tour bus of Americans arrived then it felt a little crowded.
Toured the Burren exhibit and watched a film. The stuff that passes for museums in this country - it was nice but I think we dropped about $15 on admission which was a bit excessive. Being as we had seen some of the larger sites yesterday, the ticket woman recommended a ride into the National Park which was really just a remote, desolate area, with some holiday homes sprinkled in. Nice, and we also discovered a few ruins of our own.
Drove back to Lisdonnvarna, the matchmaking center and sought out the Burren Smokehouse. They smoke fish on premises but no demonstrations. There was a video but we did not see it. We did buy some cheese and smoked salmon, though, since Kristen may now be a smoked salmon fan. A tour bus of French took home a big box of the stuff - I think they have a refrigerator on board for that purpose! I bumped into a woman and said "pardon" (in French), she said "Excuse Me" in English and we both had a chuckle. She said something in French that you say when two people say the same thing at the same time (like "Jinx") but I forget what.
Toured the Burren exhibit and watched a film. The stuff that passes for museums in this country - it was nice but I think we dropped about $15 on admission which was a bit excessive. Being as we had seen some of the larger sites yesterday, the ticket woman recommended a ride into the National Park which was really just a remote, desolate area, with some holiday homes sprinkled in. Nice, and we also discovered a few ruins of our own.
Drove back to Lisdonnvarna, the matchmaking center and sought out the Burren Smokehouse. They smoke fish on premises but no demonstrations. There was a video but we did not see it. We did buy some cheese and smoked salmon, though, since Kristen may now be a smoked salmon fan. A tour bus of French took home a big box of the stuff - I think they have a refrigerator on board for that purpose! I bumped into a woman and said "pardon" (in French), she said "Excuse Me" in English and we both had a chuckle. She said something in French that you say when two people say the same thing at the same time (like "Jinx") but I forget what.
Saw an internet cafe in town so decided to take a chance. We had brought our laptop with us to try and back up some photos. I was able to plug right in, get online, check emails (nothing of importance), check the backyard cam (crashed the day we left) and upload some photos for backup purposes. Unfortunately his line must be very slow because it took 2 hours to upload 200 photos. (We've taken about 650). But at least that will back up some of the best ones, and I was able to email the parents with a link that I hope they will be able to view. Had a nice conversation with the Internet cafe guy.
What the hell do I do all day surfing the net if I was able to view 2 weeks of email and anything else I cared about in around 15 minutes?
While the photos were uploading we went to a pub for a refreshment, then when we saw the upload was still in process we went across the street for Chinese food. It hit the spot even though it was not the same as what we would get at home. We've had about enough pub food. Wontons, spareribs, chicken curry and beef satay and wine and beer for about 50€.
While the photos were uploading we went to a pub for a refreshment, then when we saw the upload was still in process we went across the street for Chinese food. It hit the spot even though it was not the same as what we would get at home. We've had about enough pub food. Wontons, spareribs, chicken curry and beef satay and wine and beer for about 50€.
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Drove home through a beautiful near-sunset, overlooking the ocean. Of course no pullouts but we enjoyed it anyway. Came home, snapped some photos, chased away the cat that has been trying to get in since last night, watched all the swallows and the crow that lifts his tail feathers every time he squawks.
Jill and Kristen are watching TV (pathetic) and I'm enjoying the view. Day 12 >>> |
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