A Step Back In Time

Mom and I left Nenagh(pronounced like Nina!) this morning and stopped in Adare which was a neat little town in Ireland.  Each of the shop fronts had beautiful flowers that the town maintains.  Yes.  I just commented on the flowers of a town in Ireland on my blog.    

Then we drove through Tralee, which was a stop on the Europalooza 2009 tour for me, AND we stopped by Castle Hostel which is where I stayed back then.   Thankfully the owner Stephen was there!  I reintroduced myself and we had the loveliest conversation with him.  Coupled with the great lunch we had it was a great stop in Tralee.  I'm pretty sure I accidentally went in the same sporting goods store I went in back in 2009.  I thought that was interesting.  It was truly a treat to see him again.  I remember talking with him and his wife back in 2009.  Both wonderful people. Here's the post from back in 2009:  http://roseoverexposed.blogspot.com/2009/07/ss-and-ts.html?m=0

At the encouragement of Stephen, we drove the Connor Pass to Dingle instead of the regular highway and wow was it intense and beautiful.  There were several single lane highways and we had one very close(yet slow) encounter with a red van on a narrow stretch of road.  We stopped a couple of times and took photos of the beautiful areas leading into Dingle...and of course of the sheep.

Interestingly Stephen mentioned to Mom, "Oh I'm sorry you're not getting to see the true Emerald Isle."  He stated it has been about five weeks since a good rain....or maybe any rain at all, and I honestly could tell.  Don't get me wrong:  i LOVE Ireland and the scenery here.  It's just not quite as green as I remember.  Of course that's ok.  It was just interesting for Stephen to put words around why it wasn't as green as I remember.  

We arrived in Dingle at the Boland's B&B and met yet another Steven.  This time in the form of a 22 year old son of a Bed and Breakfast owner.  He was truly delightful and just wanted to talk and talk which was fine by me.  He had done an exchange program to Queens, NY in college.  I guess he was going for a truly opposite experience than growing up in Dingle, Ireland. 

We hit a nice little dinner spot and ended up at O'Sullivans Courthouse Pub for some live Irish music.  This spot was off the beaten path and it didn't seem to have too many tourists which I'm a fan of.  

It's been another great day in Ireland.  The plan is the head west to drive the Slea Head Drive then head north to see where we end up.  The plan is to do at least one night in Doolin probably on Saturday night then Shannon Sunday night.  

Oops....It’s Nenagh

But still. How do you pronounce it?

Turnberry to Nagnah in a Day

Quiz time: how would you say Nagnah? It's a town in Ireland that Mom and I stopped in last night. I'd love to know how you'd say it. I'll tell you how to really say it.

We started out in Turnberry, drove down the west coast of Scotland and caught our Stenaline ferry from Cainryn to Belfast yesterday afternoon. We landed in Belfast close to 6pm and decided to hit the road west for a few hours and that's when we ended up in Nagnah. I can't wait to hear what you say when you find out how to say it!

We stayed at the Abbey Court Hotel which is a quirky little spot. Everyone has been super nice and I've had a blast being here.

We are definitely deep in the heart of Ireland and I've had to ask several folks to repeat themselves. I'm down on my ability to understand them but I know it's just different!

We're off to Dingle tonight then the plan is to work our way up the coast to Doolin by Saturday.

Judging By the German....

We are in Ireland!

And nothing says Ireland like Subway!

More to come later. Trekking across the country at the moment!

Round of My Life

Today was one of the most special days of my life, and I wasn't expecting it.  Expectations are a funny thing.  Oddly enough, whenever I have little to no expectations things work out like they did today. 

Mom and I decided last night that we would drive from Inverness to Turnberry to be in a better position to catch the ferry tomorrow to Ireland.  The drive itself was great.  About four hours of driving through the Highlands down around Perth, then Glasgow then on into Turnberry.  

We made one stop in Auchterarder, Scotland for lunch at Delivino.  It was perfect.  We were looking for a Diet Coke for Mom and I was hunting gas for the car, but what we found was the neatest little town and a GREAT little lunch spot.  The food was great. The service was even better.  And I would venture to say we were the only Americans anywhere near there.   It was a local experience and that's what I crave!

Turnberry, Scotland is special for me as this is where I watched the Open Championship for two days back in 2009 during my first trip to Scotland.  It's also where I made a friend in Ryan from Texas who was traveling Europe as well.  It's where I slept on a beach (there's a post on here from 2009 about that).  And it's really where I felt like I accomplished something great by making it to the Open.  That first trip overseas was a real challenge and there were so many people along the way, and making it to The Open was a real accomplishment for me.  

Coming back today brought a flood of joy, peace and love that I didn't expect.  Seeing the Ailsa Craig(Google it....it's worth it in my opinion) as we came over the hill and then seeing the golf course at Turnberry was just simply amazing.  

Now here's where it gets tricky.  Mom had told me she would pay for me to play a round of golf.  I knew it would be pretty pricey but when I saw the golf course I got really excited to play.  

We went in the pro shop and they had some availability so I took Mom's offer and played the Ailsa Course At Turnberry, the same course where I watched The Open back in 2009!  It was quite surreal.  During and after the round I pointed out to Mom the area on the beach where I slept(it's over my right shoulder in the picture of me with the putter), the Ailsa Craig, the Lighthouse, the road I came in on in 2009 when I was so pumped that I had made it, and more.  

It was a blast to spend that time with her as she walked the entire round with me.  It was really peaceful being out there as well. What a beautiful golf course right on the ocean.  It's hard to describe in words for sure.  

Thanks Mom for such a wonderful day in Turnberry.  

Johnny Tourist Today

....and I'm ok with that. Mom and I took a guided tour to the Isle of Skye from Inverness and you know it was really cool. The highlands are quite interesting and very, very beautiful. Skye and the other Scottish Isles would be cool to spend some time on over the course of a week or so but since we are ripping through Scotland and Ireland in 8 days, this was a good tour today. We saw a couple of castles too, with Eilan Donan being the highlight for both of us. The history there was rich and the folks working at that castle LOVED to talk about it. Very enjoyable time there for sure.

And yes. I want some sheep.

Resourceful Highlanders

The Scottish Highlands have officially the most unique landscape I've seen.

The road from Edinburgh to Inverness(which I managed to drive without hitting anyone or anything) featured some very nice scenery.

Mom and I noticed tons of sheep in the hills(which, if you ever want to get me a sheep or a goat I will love you forever) so when we stopped at one of 7,934(seemingly) little roadside park areas we smelled something interesting. Mom thought it was sheep. I thought it was flowers. I'll let the top picture do the talking as to what you think the smell might have been.

Ok, need a hint? Here are a few:

There are no rest areas on said highway....only parking areas with no facilities.
There are no Pilot gas stations featuring nice, clean restrooms.

Need anymore hints? Hit me up and I'll tell you what the smell was!

Scott the Friendly Scot

Scott is a Scot. He works for Easirent which is a budget car rental service here in the UK. I didn't find that out until I started reading reviews this morning and found that most people had less than favorable experiences with Easirent. I prepared for the worst as I couldn't find the rental desk, called the office and found that the location was 3 miles away. Then I realized I left my passport in the room so I called again and found out they would accept me regardless. Then we rode the bus after a 20 minute wait to their location and was met by the most lovely Scot named Scott who was the guy that I had called twice already this morning. He was the most pleasant and helpful person throughout the whole process. Thanks Scott for your help this morning!

Peaceful Start to the Trip

St. Mary's Cathedral is just around the corner from the hotel I stayed in last night in Edinburgh. I popped in briefly last night for a few minutes and invited Mom to go back with me this morning after getting the rental car and getting settled in.

We were able to spend some time strolling and sitting in the quiet and in my opinion was a nice way to start the trip.

We lit a candle and just as we did that the choir started singing. It was truly very cool. If you'd like to hear more around the context of that candle I'd be happy to share if you ask when I see you.

Going With the Flow

During my morning writing today I decided one of my intentions was going to be to let go and in a sense just simply go with the flow.  

My mother joined me today for Europalooza 2018 and one of my fears was that I didn't have much planned and, in my head, I told myself I needed to have lots of "mountain top" experiences planned for her so she has the best time possible.  

The first thing she said when she got off the plane in Edinburgh?  "We're in Scotland!  Can you believe it?"  

So here I am thinking I need to have all sorts of things planned and she is just happy to be in Scotland.  

Before that I decided to read today's Language of Letting Go and I paste it here:

Going with the Flow

Go with the flow.

Let go of fear and your need to control. Relinquish anxiety. Let it slip away, as you dive into the river of the present moment, the river of your life, your place in the universe.

Stop trying to force the direction. Try not to swim against the current, unless it is necessary for your survival. If you've been clinging to a branch at the riverside, let go.

Let yourself move forward. Let yourself be moved forward.

Avoid the rapids when possible. If you can't, stay relaxed. Staying relaxed can take you safely through fierce currents. If you go under for a moment, allow yourself to surface naturally. You will.

Appreciate the beauty of the scenery, as it is. See things with freshness, with newness. You shall never pass by today's scenery again!

Don't think too hard about things. The flow is meant to be experienced. Within it, care for yourself. You are part of the flow, an important part. Work with the flow. Work within the flow. Thrashing about isn't necessary. Let the flow help you care for yourself. Let it help you set boundaries, make decisions, and get you where you need to be when it is time.

You can trust the flow, and your part in it.

Today, I will go with the flow.

Quoted from the book Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie.

Find recovery resources at Hazelden.

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What a wonderful reminder that all I need to do is let go and learn something from Mom who, at just about every flower or garden we passed on our walk around Edinburgh this morning, did this and said something to the effect of "isn't this gorgeous?":

Oh and I've already hit one object with the car....a cone on the roadside.  And you know what?  I'm thankful it wasn't a car or person and I'm choosing to go with the flow.  (Plus I'm thankful I got the full insurance coverage!)

Munich Documentation Centre

Yeah, I heard the name of this place too and thought, "What? Is this a library?"

I'll answer that for you. No. It was an INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLE museum centered around the Nazi rise to power in Munich. It might be the best museum experience I've ever had.

It's not that big. And it doesn't have a TON of stuff there but it's plenty to keep one busy for hours. They have guided audio tours which are rich with content and are themed. I started out with the Anti Semitism tour and switched to the more introductory tour....I'll just have to do the other one when I come back (hint, hint).

One story that fascinated me was the one about George Elser who for 30 days planted explosives in the place Hitler spoke at often. He set the timer to go off and missed Hitler by 13 minutes.

The picture of the road is where Hitler would march each November 8 to commemorate the "martyrs" that died in the first failed coup(around 1933 if I remember correctly).

This museum is one I highly recommend and I would it'd be good to see before going to Auschwitz or Dachau. They do a masterful job of telling the story of how the Nazis slowly inched toward the decision to totally eliminate the Jews.

Seidelei in Munich

Just had dinner at Seidelei in Munich and had authentic German venison. Patrick, the owner and who was also working tonight, was a gracious host and helped me feel very welcome. He suggested the special for tonight and is extremely good. It was the second best meal I've had behind the stuffed tortellini I had at the Austrian golf course the other day(believe it or not). Or was that yesterday?

I'm honestly tired. And I'm also having a tough time keeping track of when I've been where.....just say it out loud. It will make sense.