Oughterard Connemara

Today I thought I would share some more pictures of Ireland from my recent visit.
Oughterard is a very pretty little place that we passed through on our way from Galway to Clifden. I suddenly saw the river and Beccy kindly stopped for me to take a few photos. It was very peaceful with the rippling water and the late afternoon sun. I would have liked to explore a little more but we didn't really have time on this trip.

Archives:
2008: Portugal-7 Cork is Stylish
2007: Witty Wednesday-15 + What are Timbits Enid asks

A place to sit!

Beccy and I noticed this amusing little seat outside one of the shops in a little place called Clifden where we spent two nights.

Archives:
2007: Victorian Chimney Pots+ Update

G Hotel Galway First Impressions

The drive from Dublin to Galway was uneventful and we had no trouble finding the G Hotel, but we were were not particularly impressed with the outside as it was part of a small shopping complex.
However once through the door it was everything you would expect from a top hotel. The staff were efficient and we were quickly checked in and shown around the facilities; below is the largest sitting room. The interior was designed by Philip Tracey
In this lovely sitting room you can enjoy a little peace and quiet.

Not quite sure about the silver balls hanging from the ceiling!
This is the view we had from our bedroom window. Although the main road ran outside the hotel, with the excellent glazing there was no noise. These beds are the most comfortable beds I have ever slept on, I would love to have one at home, I don't think I would ever want to get up.
Philip Tracey is famous for his hat designs and there are pictures in all the bedrooms.
Even the bedside lamps looked like a hat.As we were shown to our room we were given a welcoming cupcake. My one criticism would be that there was no kettle in the bedroom and it would have been lovely to have a cuppa without having to go down and order one. However there was a complimentary bottle of water in the fridge.



We had our cocktails in this rather dazzling room. Beccy had a Mojito and I had a 'Casanova' described as 'A sharp tasting cocktail designed for men who like seducing woman'! I chose it because it was champagne as well as raspberry puree and apple juice. Tell me do you think it looks like a drink a bloke would choose?
Below is one corner of the restaurant where we were about the enjoy breakfast when I took this photo. I won't go into detail but the all the food was excellent. While we were there we used the spa facilities, Beccy had a body wrap and head massage; and I had a body massage. Following this we relaxed with a fruit smoothie and we both agreed we enjoyed being pampered and we would like to stay there again.

I have my son-in-law to thank for this luxurious stay, he was away working in the north of the country, while we were enjoying ourselves, it doesn't seem fair somehow! I think Beccy is planning to go back with him in the not too distant future and I'm sure he would enjoy it as much as we did.

Archives:
2008: I should be so lucky
2007: Briam

Killiney Beach in July

On the last day of my recent trip to visit Beccy and the grandchildren we decided to take a walk on the beach. Even though there was quite a strong breeze it was sunny and warm. The beach was deserted, which is quite unusual, and I think it might have been because it getting towards lunch time. I took this little video of the beach and the family having some fun.

Ben decided on the games, and the boys v girls...the object was to try and get a big enough splash from the stones to get the opponents wet. His second game was a surfboard race with stones being the riders on the pieces of wood. This is good old fashioned fun using imagination and things found on the beach. Better still it cost nothing and was fun! I thought it was a most enjoyable way to spend my last morning with the family.
If you are wondering why I said 'ow' it was the shock of getting wet and if you are also wondering why my grandson was wearing a hat in summer it was to keep his hair straight!

I will be showing you some more pictures of my trip when I have time to process the photos.

Archives:
2008: Witty Wednesday-57 Speech Therapist and Visitor Update
2007: Fun Monday-26

Postcard from Connemara for Fun Monday #125

Our hostess this week is Mariposa she says

Let's talk about TEARS. What images spring to mind when you hear the word ‘tears’? Have you ever had tears of laughter and tears of joy? When was the last time you had tears of joy? Tears of laughter? Tell us about it!

Well I'm actually on holiday staying with my youngest daughter this week so I'm slightly bending the rules. We are having a lot of fun and one of the things we did was a ride on the beach at Cleggan in Connemara. We woke up to rain on Saturday morning and began to wonder what we had let ourselves in for but it did clear sufficiently for the duration of the ride. I haven't ridden for a few years and we had to be assessed to show we could control a horse by trotting and cantering in a ring. As you can see Beccy looks happy enough on Rocky.

I suppose you want to see me on my horse, Tom, just prove I really did the ride. This is the beach and we rode across to Omey Island which you can only do at low tide.
Afterwards I was so stiff and sore the tears I could have shed would not have been tears of joy. Nevertheless a beach ride has been on my bucket list so I would not have missed it for the world. Sadly I do now realise that my riding days are over as the old joints are no longer supple enough.

Archives:
2008: A Partisan's Daughter
2007: Gifts from France

Killiney Bay Part # 1

The day after I arrived in Dublin we awoke to snow but by the afternoon it had cleared and the sun was out so we decided to take a walk along Killiney beach.
In the summer they actually import sand to parts of this beach; in winter it's all pebbles, but it's still a popular place to enjoy the sea or exercise the dogs.

The beach looks deserted but I assure you there were quite a few people out walking. I just got lucky whith my shots!


The two photos below were taken from the road looking down onto the beach from the other end. The photo immediately above shows Killiney Hill and you might be able to spot the place where I took these last two shots.
Beccy and I had a lovely walk in the sun on Tuesday morning and it almost felt like a Spring day.

You can just see the mountains, that are currently in my header, in the background of these pictures. Also some snow on the high ground.
The gardens of these houses are very well kept and we saw the gardeners hard at work.

Archives:
2008: Witty Wednesday-37
2007: I'm the proud owner of an Eggbeater T-shirt

Manderley Castle, Killiney Quiz

A little guessing game who do you think lives behind these gates; if you haven't a clue this will give the game away!

Archives:
2008: I could have had pigeon pie
2007: Fun Monday-4 Why I love where I live

Silent Saturday

A view taken on my recent trip to Ireland.

Archives:
2007: Ladies who Lunch
2006: Get that car cleaned