Wonder-Melon!

I stumble across the strangest things when I'm Google-ing.

Oops!

This week I had the pleasure of enjoying the Kilworth community children's drama performance. My two little friends, Kerry and Lee, had a few bits to perform each and I recognized a few other kids from here and there as well.
The evening was entertaining (to say the least) and afterwards I was chatting with one of the mom's from our mothers & toddlers group, and since I had only met her youngest who wasn't in school yet, she started pointing out the others.
"I think I saw your oldest on stage," I said gesturing at a rambunctious 9 year old with long blonde hair, "She looks a lot like you."
There was an awkward pause.
"'She' is a boy." Miriam said finally.

Ah.

Friday FAQ

Right, so here are the first few answers to your questions! I know there are more of you out there just dying to ask me some more questions about Ireland, so feel free to leave more in the Comment Box, and if there's are a lot I might do another post next Friday! Wouldn't that be exciting?!

How are the grocery stores different than (Canadian ones)?

Everything is smaller. You couldn't find a 4-liter jug of milk if you paid a million dollars for it. They come in 1 or 2 liter portions (and there's no fuss about 1% or 2%...its semi-skimmed, or "fresh" -whole- milk).
Eggs come in packs of 6 most of the time, there are no "jumbo" cereal boxes or chocolate chips to be found, and I had quite a time trying to find molasses for my gingersnap recipe because no one knew what it was!
Peanut butter has a bright US flag on it ("REAL AMERICAN PEANUT BUTTER!") and ("REAL CANADIAN!") Maple syrup is outrageously expensive.
The most popular grocery stores (Centra, Supervalu, Tesco, etc) have home delivery services and nifty little vans that zip around and drop off their bundles of joy.
There are loads of bakeries and butchers around every corner.
I can't think of anything more right now. Next!

Do you have Starbucks?

In theory, yes. I haven't seen one, but I heard there is a Starbucks in some remote corner of Cork city. Needless to say, its not very popular (I just have to point out that there is a little chain of corner stores called Spar that sells Tim Hortons donuts. Tim Hortons is loved. Starbucks is not. Ha!). The most popular coffee chain is an Irish business called O'Briens which is kind of like a blend of Starbucks and Tim Hortons. Its hugely popular and hugely over-priced!

What is the fashion trend there?

It isn't that different from what was going on in Canada when I left. A few things I noticed were:
1. a certain style of wide leg jeans (I like!!)
2. loose-fitting waist-length jackets with empire waist, big buttons, and 3/4 length sleeve.
3. long fingerless gloves that reach to elbow to make up for that 3/4 length sleeve,
4. Fake tans are HUGE here. And disgusting. People are shamelessly orange.
5. The ugg boot is also a hideous favorite.
But who knows, maybe those things have entered the Canadian scene while I was away??
For guys I've noticed a lot of buzz/crew cuts, wide-striped hoodies, and an overall skulky, goonish, appearance. Not that I'm judging. Its just an outsiders opinion.

What kind of music is on the radio?

Again, its all very similar-- thanks for ruining my authentic Irish experience globalization!
Then again I'm not a huge radio-listener so maybe it is really different. When I first arrived it seemed like all they played was "Bleedin' Love" by Leona Lewis, "Do You Know" by Enrique, not to mention a lot of Westlife (which is an Irish band...and it sucks). But really, most other music is like Coldplay, Snow Patrol, and other things I don't know :P

What are the most common kinds of cars?

In my pre-Irish life I knew five different types of vehicles: the car, the van, the truck, the JEEP!, and the RAV!!!
Now there is a sixth, the van/car. Its like a tiny fat, short van. And its popular over here. But mostly there are just cars. And I don't know their make. I just know they are cars.
There are NO trucks here (except for one....you'll read about that in a sec) And I've only seen one jeep and it lives down the road.

Any strange animals?

The strange thing is that there are no animals.
At least not wild ones. No bears, no snakes (thanks to St. Patty?), no wolves...
The scariest thing you will meet here is a badger, and the last one I saw was looking a little deflated on the side of the road. I saw a fox once too, and that was neat. But mostly there are just a lot of birds.

Where are all those cute sheep farmers?

Apparently they are out tending their sheep as sheep farmers tend to do, and not attending church to meet young single Canadian girls! I spotted one once, and he was just arrived in town driving a truck and wearing wellies and wool sweater. I was walking on the other side of the street, otherwise who knows what romance might have blossomed...

What's the most exciting place you visited so far?

Oh boy...I don't know! I really loved Kilkenny, especially climbing the tower, the Mitchelstown Caves, but the Giant's Causeway was pretty sweet too!

How many cobble stone streets are there around?

It depends how old the city is. There aren't any in Fermoy, but there's a few in Cork, and Kilkenny was riddled with 'em! (they hurt if you are walking in thin little shoes like mine!)

Is there a McDonalds around?

There are plenty of Mc'Ds...with the "euro-saver" menu that I love. Erk. Really I'm not a huge fan so I've only eaten there once, but Matt could probably tell you the location of every McDonalds in Ireland.

What's the temp / climate like compared to here?

I think its a lot like the climate on the west coast. Rainy and mild. The cold is a very different cold than Kamloops....its very damp and it gets into your bones! Brrr...
Its very windy and overcast lately, but apparently in July and August they will get "highs" of 17!! haha...
The weather is really very volatile. It will be shining happily for 20 minutes and then suddenly you look up because everything has gone kind of dark and suddenly there is this NOISE. Rain pelting on the glass of the sunroom! Then 15 minutes later is stops and the sun shines again. Lather rinse repeat.

What is a popular snack?

"Crisps" aka chips (The 'tayto' brand is the general favorite), and "Chips" aka fries! Not really very healthy is it?!

Well that's all until next time...if there is a next time!

What Do You Want to Know?

So I was trying to think of ideas for a blog post.
I know you guys think I'm like Superblogger or something and I never run out of ideas.
Not.
(heh. the reallly geeky inner-child that grew up in the 90's loves it when I say that)
Anyway the thought came to me, Hey you are in Ireland. Write about Ireland. People want to know about Ireland.
Well the sad fact is that when you've been in a place for a while you just get used to things, and I couldn't really think of anything about Ireland to write about!!!
So I leave the next post in your capable hands.

What do you want to know about Ireland?....

Happy Birthday Liz!

The big 2-0!!!!
We'll have to do some proper celebrating when we are reunited in the Fall....if you come back! Cause it feels like I haven't seen you since that picture was taken. Miss ya!!!

One of a Kind?

I always thought our (deceased-- bless her senile soul) dog Shen, being a unique Beagle/Retriever mix, was one of a kind. However, I've spotted a dog in the nearby village of Kilworth that looked a LOT like her! Just a little big longer and not quite as "chubby" (read: obese). Just as friendly too....
I wonder if Shen had some long-lost Irish relatives she never mentioned to us....?

Sweet Surprise!

Been having sort of a bad few days this week, but I got the perfect pick-me-up in the post today!


Thanks to all my lovely valleyview friends!!!

What Have I Done?!

I think I might be crazy...
A few of you might already know I've applied to TRU's culinary arts program...but I just found out I got in!
I'm partly nervous, partly excited, and partly...undecided.
On one hand I'd love to learn more culinary skills, especially in the baking department. I really enjoyed working in that area last summer at Homewood, and two friends there who've been through culinary school encouraged me to go for it.
On the other hand, I'm not convinced I'd like working in the industry...the high-pressure environment might not be Jill-compatible.
I figured that even if I don't decide to become a professional chef, I'd always have that option to fall back on, and its always good to have the skill.
SO...my future is secured for another good chunk of time.
I will be living in Kamloops again, and going to school.

The adventure begins August 2008!

More Exploration

Today Christine and I visited a special spot that has been on my "to do" list almost since I came...
Glanworth Mill.

Glanworth is a small village a few miles out of Fermoy, but which might have been fairly important historically judging from all the old ruins there. One being the watermill...
Nowadays the mill has been converted into a gorgeous cafe/furniture boutique. Check out the link...the style was rustic country cottage-ish...I LOVED it!
We had lunch in the cafe...portions were HUGE, and very tasty...then browsed the antique-y bits and pieces, (a bead of drool may or may not have dribbled down my chin...amazing stuff there) and after that we did my favorite part! We went out back and explored the ruins of the castle!

We climbed the stairs and then poked around the doorways and towers, and I climbed all over the walls (good thing it wasn't too windy, I might have died), and took over a hundred pictures!
It was absolutely beeeeautiful there! I wanted to bring you all to look around. It just reminded me of the kind of place we would have killed to play in as kids. So cool.

You may have noticed I'm not at my most eloquent today...I'm using a lot of those dots...and I'm being fairly repetitive. Sorry. What can I say? I'm tired and uninspired. You're just lucky you got a post at all :P

Bingo Head

When someone is really good at math, people generally say they have "a head for numbers".
What about those (hypothetical) people who aren't so good at math? Don't they get a fair share, or are they completely devoid of cranial numerals?
I have a theory.
Those (hypothetical) people who don't have a head for numbers, only have a head full of them.
And their head is sort of like a bingo cage, in which random numbers bounce, and tumble, and twirl, each quite recognizable, but without any sense of order.
This makes keeping track of them all very difficult. Its even harder to find a pattern, or string them together in any sort of understandable structure. Working out a mathematical problem in a bingo head is almost impossible.
But of course that leaves open the option of writing it down and working it out on paper.
Which I think these (hypothetical) people find very like the final stages of bingo.
When a bunch of random numbers stop moving and line up one by one so that you can get a good look at them.
They still don't make any sense, but if you're lucky you might get the answer you're looking for.

Back To The Grindstone...

The Easter Break is officially over, so my day trip adventures may become less frequent* as a result. My week is back to the usual routine, which was terribly hard to accept this morning at 7AM, which felt like 6AM due to the clocks going ahead yesterday. I spent the day at the cafe in Cork, and business was slooooooow. I was going to go to a table quiz tonight, but I'm pretty beat...my feet and legs get sore from standing all day, and I stayed an hour longer today which didn't help. Plus my house is a complete disaster and that always makes me feel fried.
I have some studying to do, crafts to cut out, sunday school lesson to prepare, grocery shopping to do (the cupboard is in a dire state), planning meetings and Bible studies to attend, not to mention almost daily show-up-and-help-out appointments to do with the youth work.
I sound kind of cranky. I'm not, I swear. I am actually looking forward to getting back into everything.
But I'll let you in on a little secret...I'm easily overwhelmed!
Ok...so that's not really a secret.
So would someone please remind me why I'm (hopefully!) going into the infamously high-pressure occupation of the culinary arts?!?!
Don't worry if you can' t figure it out. I can't either.

*"Less Frequent" is more grammatically correct than "More Infrequent" isn't it? With academic requirements looming over my head this week, I'm getting a little paranoid. It seems like so long since I've done "schoolwork"!

A Little Bit of Cobh

Yesterday I spent a few hours in the little seaside town of Cobh (Gaelic "Cove"), mostly learning too much for my brain to retain about the history of Irish emigration. My first stop was the Cobh Heritage Center, which is set in a restored Victorian railway station...very cool!!! Very light and airy, with lots of red brick, and dark hardwood beams overhead. I especially enjoyed all the Victorian era props, like big trunks and suitcases. I paid 6 Euro to walk through "The Queenstown Story: A Dramatic Exhibition of the Origins, History, and Legacy of Cobh- a Unique Irish Port Town".
It was quite a long and detailed exhibit...part of it was on the potato famine and how it began the mass exodus of Irish to North America. Cobh was the port that all the emigrants left from. Another part of was on the Titanic, because back when Cobh was "Queenstown" it was the last port that the Titanic stopped at before it sank. Another bit was on the Lusitania, the passenger ship that was torpedoed not far from Cobh by a German sub during the second world war. Admittedly I only skimmed a lot of info boards because it was all just sieving out of my brain anyway. I did study the little "life scenes" and enjoyed the videos though. Actually, when I was watching one clip on the Titanic a newspaper photographer asked me if he could take a picture of me! Since the anniversary of the Titanic is coming up in April, I guess they're probably doing a little article on it. Stupid me didn't ask what newspaper he was from!! Now I will never know if I've made it into the annals of Irish history forever! After that, I walked along the road, enjoying the beautiful sunshine and sea! It was divine.
I even climbed a lot of stairs to see St. Colemans Cathedral, but that didn't lead to anything except a good view of the town, and a bad shot of the church building (it was too tall to fit into a picture!).
It was a beautiful building though, and the town was very picturesque. I wouldn't mind going back there another day, since there was still a lot to see and do. Unfortunately I had to take the train into Cork at 2:30, which was fun. I like the train waaaaay better than the bus. Sure, the views aren't as nice, but it doesn't feel so claustrophobic, and its a lot smoother. Not to mention it is WAY faster!
Anyways, that was my trip to Cobh! Sorry I don't have more pictures, but it was a busy day in the town and I felt too self conscious to bust out the camera in the middle of the street.
I am such a bad tourist...

The Kilkenny Daytrip

I was completely exhausted last night, so I just put up the pictures because I didn't have the energy to write about my day.
I'm still tired this morning (haven't been sleeping well) but I'll relay a few details so that you may live vicariously through me.

Though I was planning on taking the bus up to Kilkenny today, Christine invited me to go with the family on Monday instead, so that worked out really well. (I'm especially grateful since its pouring rain at the moment!)Kerry and Lee

I met her parents who are over from England for the Easter holidays- they were an absolute delight! Very funny and very British! (In case you were momentarily confused, the picture is of Christine's children...not her parents!!!)
I think the drive was about two hours, and we were glad to get out of the van to stretch our legs when we arrived.
The city was really cool, I liked it immediately. It had unplanned helter-skelter cobblestone streets winding this way and that, tall brightly-painted shops crammed together, each vying for a little window space to clutter with their goods. Neon signs were nowhere to be seen, everything was painted in that retro vintage look. There were dark little nooks and alleyways called Butterslips weaving between the main streets. Very cool.
Kilkenny Castle dominates the centre of the town and it was packed with tourists (like me!) even this early in the season. I couldn't get the tour of the inside because it was already full. I wandered the gardens instead, and we took a peek inside the design centre which was full of all kinds of high-end souvenirs and goods. I coveted some of the woolen stuff, especially the blankets. The jewelery was beautiful as well, and I treated myself to a little silver celtic knot ring because it was reasonably priced, and it was on my list of things to get that I made before I left. Unfortunately my fingers were swollen when I bought it, so as soon as the swelling went down, I realized its a little too big! Oh well.
We ate lunch at the cafe above the design centre, which was very "posh" to lil ol' Humble Spud* Jill. I loved the look of it though, with dark hardwood floors and exposed beams on the ceiling, big round windows, and white-washed stone walls...siiiigh. Beautiful.
Afterwards I parted company with Christine & co. to do a little exploring on my own. I had 3 destinations in mind: Rothe House, Black Abbey, and St. Canice's Cathedral. I had forgotten Matt's guidebook at home, I had no map, and I couldn't for the life of me find the tourist office! No problem. My keen sense of direction luck will get me there!
Many random churches and quiet roads later, I stumbled across Black Abbey. It didn't look as interesting as I had hoped, so I just passed it by and spotted a tower in the distance.
St. Canice's Cathedral sounded like the most interesting stop judging from the guidebook, mostly because it had a tower that you could climb for a view of the city. Ever the thrill-seeker, that made it my first priority...


There didn't appear to be anyone around to give the tour of the church, so I meandered over to the tower and peeked inside. It was there that I met this guy:I wish I had got his name. He was the funniest guy ever, very friendly and we chatted for like 20 minutes inside this tiny little tower. He had been to Canada so we talked about that, and we talked about Ireland and the differences between Canadian French and European French (I'm an expert, dontcha know?). He was really awesome, and very touched that a crazy Canadian tourist would want his picture haha! (I think he must get lonely sitting in that tower all day). When we parted after my climb, we shook hands and he kissed me on the cheek, and told me to send his love to Canada. I swear it wasn't creepy! He was a really sweet old guy.
The Tower itself was pretty cool as well. To get in you had to duck through a tiny door and pay your 3 euro, then there was a ladder to climb.
Then you got to a floor, took two steps to rotate yourself in the opposite direction, and climbed another ladder. Repeat five times and dizzify well. After the top ladder you had to squeeze through a narrow opening in the stone ceiling and then you were on top! Here's the view.

About four German (I think?) tourist guys were right behind me and they were laughing hysterically (which was a little...unnerving!). Finally one of them pointed below and said, "One of our friends is stuck halfway! He got scared...won't go up, won't go down!"
It was pretty funny.
After that I just wandered the town, eventually found the tourist info centre, and then met up with the group to head home. We took the scenic route, where I saw the castle in Cloheen, the view from a mountaintop in Waterford, Lismore Castle, and Ballyduff. Exciting stuff!
Anyway I've just got back from another day out- this time I spent the afternoon in Mallow. It wasn't the most thrilling experience of my life, but I did get to see a castle ruin, which I might post pictures of later. For now, I'm going to go sleep or something. I'm completely wrecked.



*Tragedy occurred recently...the Humble Spud was closed and repainted a hideous shade of green (I didn't know there was such a thing, but there is) and renamed. I almost cried. Not really.

Sight-Seeing in Kilkenny

Kilkenny Castle

Flower bud in the Butler Gardens

Entrance to Kilkenny Castle

Castle outside Cloheen

Angel Monument, St. Canice Cathedral

Grave near St. Canice Cathedral

Happy Easter!

I hope you are all enjoying your Easter weekend, eating lots of food, and good stuff like...chocolate! 'Cause I'm sure indulging in some of that cocoa-y goodness now that my Lent fast is over...probably more so than is good for me. Karissa, the mars bar you sent was much appreciated.
Tomorrow is a special Easter service at the church, and then I will be having dinner with my good friends the Kevany's (you might remember them from my Boxing Day Adventure). This will be the second Easter I've spent away from home. I remember last year was really hard, but ended up being really fun, and I think it will be easier this year because it IS the second year, and not the first.
I am planning on busing up to Kilkenny early next week, and maybe meeting up with a fellow SWIM volunteer there. Now that the weather is getting better I want to see as much of Ireland as I can. I'm officially halfway through my time here, and its just flown by so fast! I know this second half will go even faster, so I'm trying to make the most of it.
In other news, has anyone been watching American Idol this year? I've been catching bits and pieces here and there, and got most of the episode from Wednesday tonight. I really wasn't too impressed. Maybe America has been milked dry, or maybe the really talented people slipped through the cracks somewhere along the way. The only ones I enjoyed were the 17 year old kid, and the Irish girl (not just because she's Irish, either!). And I was pretty happy that the crazy old rocker lady got kicked off, because frankly...she scared me. The tiny Asian girl was REALLY annoying. Does she really think whining is cute? Ick.
Anyway that's all the rambling I have for today.

This is Why You Pray

On Tuesday Matt and I had big plans to tour the Mitchelstown Caves, then head up to Cashel to see the sights there, which included museums, historical walks, and of course, the famous Rock of Cashel (which is in fact an ancient castle/cathedral type ruin). We pored over our guidebooks (if you want to know, "Let's Go: Ireland on a budget" *Matt's* is waaaay better than "The Unofficial Guide to Ireland" *Mine*) and struggled with the bus routes and times the night before. We figured we had it planned quite well, and walked down to the bus stop for the 9:55 AM bus Tuesday morning. I even called the caves ahead of time to make sure they were open. I was feeling very confident and pleased with the touristy day ahead of me.

Unfortunately our bus didn't arrive until around 10:30 (I think...?) and the bus driver charged me for 2 tickets instead of one, so things got off to a rough start. Not only that but the driver seemed new and I wasn't sure he knew his route, so I was paranoid he wouldn't stop at the caves since it wasn't an official stop. I was very relieved when he pulled over on the main highway (motorway) and dropped us off across from a clearly marked "Mitchelstown Caves 3km" sign.

The weather was gorgeous! For the first time in weeks, it felt like a proper warm spring day! Beautiful.
The road we walked along was quite a peaceful and picturesque country lane, with the Knockmealdown mountains ahead of us and the Galtees behind. It wasn't long before we came to an intersection in Burncourt with more signs, one indicating we had 1.5 km to go. Not so bad.
When we arrived at 12 pm we bought our tickets from the elderly woman in the house, and waited for the next tour to start at 12:30.
Since the weather was so nice we didn't mind, and whittled time away sitting at one of the little picnic tables situated outside near the surprisingly large paved parking lot. I wasn't expecting a parking lot at all to be honest, since the caves are privately owned and operated by the family.
Nevertheless, it seems to be a popular spot since it wasn't long before a variety of other tourists arrived, including very typical American family, and three non-English speaking, non-smiling, French tourists. Despite my losing our tickets five minutes before the tour began, and then finding them again, we DID finally get to enter the cave, and we had a pretty sweet Irish guide that was pretty funny and enthusiastic.
There was a no photography policy which SUCKED because the caves were suuuper cool! Really amazing. Right from the beginning it was fun because the stairs were really steep going down, and everything was wet and dripping and warm (12 degrees all year round, which was warmer than outside!) and the ceiling was low, which was ok for people of my stature, I only had to bend my neck a little. I felt sorry for anyone taller. The guide told us how a farmer by the name of Michael Condon discovered the cave 170 years ago when he was mining for limestone. He dropped his axe and it fell into the cave. Farmer Condon proceeded to explore the cave by candlelight. (I can't imagine doing that. I think I would wet myself)
Essentially the caves haven't changed since then. They have installed some concrete steps and rails, and lights, but the actual cave shape is the same. And its huge! The caverns were enormous! We only saw a small portion of it as well. Off limits there was one tunnel that came to an underground lake, and a opening with a 20 foot drop, and one or two other parts as well.
The formations inside the cave were absolutely amazing! Not so much the stalactites and stalagmites ...I'd seen bigger and better ones in the Guatemala caves...but the ripply "ribbon" formations and strange shapes and "faces" in some of them were really cool! There were even crystal bits in some, and we even saw a fossil of a coral on the cave wall! It was so neat! Apparently in the next couple years they will open up two more caverns to the public.
Anyway, Matt and I were pretty pleased with our well-spent 7 Euro, and feeling very positive, we weren't too concerned about the minor detail that we didn't know where to catch the bus to get to Cashel. That was mistake #1.
"Let's head to Kilbehenny," we thought. "It's only 2.-something km, and its a town so a bus is sure to stop." So we started walking in the opposite direction we came from.
Oh foolish young mortals.
That was BIG mistake #2.
We walked and walked and walked and walked.
The distance seemed longer going this way. Maybe its just because we knew time was running away on us. It was 1:35 PM when we got out of the cave, and we had sort of wanted to be IN Cashel at that time. Not walking down a very, very, quiet country road towards a small town hoping to catch a bus that MIGHT pass by.
After a very long time, we emerged on the side of the highway. It didn't look to much like a town as...the side of a highway. So we headed to the nearby Gas (Petrol) Station and asked how far it was to the nearest bus stop.
3 STINKIN' MILES.
What the heck?! So pretty much we would have been better off if we had gone back the way we came after the cave tour. Darn.
Anyway, we didn't waste time crying over spilled milk, so we started walking on the side of the highway. Which I hate. Because the cars go so freakin' fast. After walking for what seemed like infinity hours, with people staring at us because we are crazy for walking this way when there is nothing for miles, we came to an overpass under construction, and we didn't dare venture going through with all the big semi-trucks threatening to smush us against the concrete. So we crossed the highway to what looked like a side road that would lead us back on after the overpass. Needless to say...it didn't.
I won't say that going this way was Mistake #3 though, because I think going under the overpass would have been the Final Mistake Of Our Lives.
It was probably around 2:30 around this time I think. The road ended up leading us away from the highway and back into the countryside.
It was very...peaceful. And frustrating.
Eventually we arrived back at a familiar intersection. So we went back to our original bus drop off point. Thinking, hoping, praying, that maybe the bus would pick us up.
Actually I was having an ongoing one-way conversation with God for most of the afternoon. It consisted of,
Thanks for the great weather God, because this would have been pretty bad if it was raining, but honestly it would be really nice if you could send someone to offer us a ride to the next bus stop. Or even better..Cahir. And if you were feeling really generous they would be heading to Cashel. That would be really awesome. And maybe they could be...um...Christian, cause that would make me feel more comfortable. Please? Because I'm getting pretty hungry and tired, and we really wanted to see Cashel today, and this is kind of ridiculous. And it will be scary if it gets dark. I could call someone but I would feel stupid, and its the Easter Break and I don't want to disturb them. PLEASE GOD SEND US A WAY HOME!!!
We arrived at the place the bus dropped us off and traffic was heavy, and no one was likely to stop to offer us a lift, and technically it would be illegal for us to hitchhike there anyway. So we just kind of stood there despondently, looking sad and hoping the bus would come by soon.
It did.
But it didn't stop despite the frantic and idiotic waving of my arms. (Thanks for backing me up there by the way Matt...:P)
After that it was major decision time. We had a few options.
1. Hijack a car merging onto the highway.
Neither of us are comfortable driving standard transmission. Next?
2. Bust out the puppy eyes.
I tried. Didn't work.
3. Walk.
Oi, my aching bones! Its a LONG ways to the next town.
4. Call someone from Fermoy.
I reeeeeeallly don't want tooooo.....
C'mon God! I prayed. We really need a ride. Please.
Would you believe that just at that moment a big truck pulled over right in front of us?
And would you believe that it was Peter, someone I knew from church in Fermoy?
And Would you believe that he was headed to Cashel?
I didn't believe it at first either.
But he was.
God is so good.
Peter dropped us off on Cashel's main street and we walked to the Rock and spent an hour or so taking pictures.



Peter then picked us up and drove us back to Fermoy. We stopped by the Happy Chan chinese takeout, and stumbled home, completely wrecked. I fell asleep around 5 or 6 pm in my clothes, and didn't wake up until 7am the next morning!Anyway the important thing is that we got to Cashel and took lots of pictures.
Haha! Just kidding.
The important thing is that we survived. And took lots of pictures.
And there were valuable lessons learned. Such as plan the details. Bring a snack and water. Make sure your phone is charged, you have extra camera batteries and memory chip, have cash, and don't forget to pray and expect an answer.
And if you ever get the urge to pray for me, please don't ignore it... :)

Irish Aspirations Acheived

Last year's St. Patrick's was an Irish Experience to be sure, but this year is probably as Irish a St. Patrick's Day as I'm likely to experience ever!

Despite the combined Canadian-ness of myself and Matt (who stopped in for a visit this week, during his tour of Europe) we enjoyed a thoroughly Irish parade in small-town Fermoy, which was surprisingly long! There were plenty of red leprechaun beards, tall green hats, and shamrocks to go around! I felt especially Irish when I could pick quite a few people out of the parade that I knew, and waved or chatted to others in the crowd!(One of the girls from our Teens Club)

Afterwards Matt and I popped into "Charlie Browne's" for some free Irish Stew, and yes...I tried my first Guinness!!!
The adventures continued yesterday, but I'll do a special post on that later...

I Am Alive

Sorry the blogging has slowed down this past week, its been busy and I guess I just haven't been in the mood. Sam and Karen have come and gone, so the house is now empty and...mine. Sort of.
This weekend the entire youth group is coming over for an all-nighter, so that should be an adventure! Then its Patrick's Day, and I have the next 2 weeks free of commitments so I might take a bus somewhere new and exciting.
Then its back to the grindstone.
Anyway I must go vacuum the floors now. Moving is a messy business.

A Walk in Killworth

Welcome to another stroll through Irish countryside. Today we are going to Killworth, a small area about five miles out of Fermoy. The village is not much more than a few corner stores, a church, and a school. Killworth is mainly considered "country living"; there are a lot of little farms and such. We're going out of the main way, onto a little trail. Meet your tour guide, Jill. A wee Canadian lass, that looks not more than five years old judging from that lovely picture.

Luckily she has a more experienced partner, here. I think we've see him before...Ahh, take a look at that quaint old bridge we've just crossed. A truly picturesque bit of stone and moss.

The forest is very quiet except for the burbling brook. The weather is typically undecided. One minute we are basking in sunny rays, but the next we're zipping up our coats and squinting at foreboding dark clouds. And then then sun shines again. And then you feel tiny spits of rain coating your cheeks and eyelashes. Sigh.

Hold on everybody! Get a good look at your very first ever, real Irish shamrock in it's natural habitat!

Now we're coming up to another bridge. Be careful, its a little slippery. That's right, pull out those tourist cameras and try and get some artsy shots. There's really no one around to laugh at you.

Right- here's a bit of Irish flora. I can't remember what its called but I'm sure your very knowledgeable guide can inform you. She's really good at remembering those sorts of facts. Thanks for joining us on this little walk. It's been a true delight.