Wednesday, Third Day in Ireland

Friends,
Today began rather late according to Tom. My alarm went off at 6:30 and I promptly turned it off. Tom, of course, was up, had eaten and was ready to go. I staggered into the bathroom and got ready to greet the day. We packed up and put the luggage in lock-up while we played in the city. The sun was actually in the sky this AM. Thought it might turn out half decent. Wrong! Get to that later.
We headed for Grafton Street which is said to be the most expensive street in the world. Don't know how true that is but we couldn't afford to even window shop. We could afford some postcards and stamps, though. Made our way down to the Grand Canal. This side trip was exclusively for Tom. It was a heck of a long ways to go to see a "ditch" half full of water. Apparently they partially drained it to clean it out. Poor Tom. He was very disappointed. We went on our way to see the Grand Knight. All you Catholics will know who I mean. By this time our sunny day disappeared and you know what happened. Off and on. We enjoyed our tour of the Ely House (1798) which used to be a real person's home. a rich person. Gorgeous frescos, marble fireplaces, statues, etc.I met the man of my dreams.(see pic) Now it is the headquarters for the Kof C.
On our way again, we passed a real protest march. Small then but later the news reported 10,000 people. They were protesting the small return the farmers have on their meat, milk and produce. We met a young Ital. professor who got us in free to see the Book of Kells at Trinity College. Very interesting but I am glad we didn't pay the 5E to get in. We made our way to the Thrifty car rental. That was another adventure. Apparently I forgot to raise the limit on our debit card and we were denied. A call stateside to Tammy at T&C banks set that right but it took awhile. Thank you Tammy for getting us out of a jam. On the road in our "new" Ford Focus. 12km on it. But by that time it was rush hour. Here is Tom on the right side of the car on the left side of the street in rush hour. My stomach was not well. We eventually got back to our hostel and I had to run in and pull our luggage up a flight of stairs while Tom drove around the block bcause their was no parking. Luckily he had a red light so I could throw the luggage in, and we were off.
Driving thru Dublin did not get any easier, but it is a good thing we have been married for 31 years. A few angry words were bantered about. Finally the highway, actually M8. It took us forever to get to Cork. The round-abouts are definitely a trip. We had to keep reminding ourselves, the left, the left side. Stopped by the Rock of Cashel and took a pic but it was late and it was closed. Cork finally. and rain. Found our hostel. It is a Bar and hostel. Definitely smaller that Paddy's. Our ensuite bathroom is not in the room??? Very tiny room with 3 bunks. Took a walk to find a bar open with food. They stop serving food at 9-9:30. Ate at a modern Italian and had the best Tiramisu ever.... Alright, but I did walk all day. Now I am ready to go to bed. Will send our laundry out tomorrow AM before we go to Blarney. Could get used to that. Good night friends, and hello Marla. Love you mom.


Trinity College




The name says it all.




Flower mart on Grafton.




One of the entrances to Trinity College.




The "Grand Canal"




Wedgewood frescoes & marble fireplace insured for over a mil. euros.




Ulysses-the man of my dreams.




Farmers protest. The man has a cow hat on.




Rock of Cashel-A castle on a limestone outcropping. It's undergoing renovation.




Statues at the Heritage Center at Rof C