We’re taking a break from Dublin, at least in this post, to recall our first trip to Ireland. We were here because I was playing in the World Handball Championships, held in Kilkenny. But the highlight of the day wasn’t Kilkenny. It turned out to be the road to Coolboy. Continue reading “The Road to Coolboy”
Welcome to Kilkenny. We’ve Been Expecting You!
It was dark and chilly when we finally arrived at our hotel in Kilkenny. We parked the car and dragged our tired bodies into the hotel lobby. “Ooooooh, there you are! Welcome to Kilkenny! We’ve been expecting you!” I had to look around to make sure she was talking to us. Continue reading “Welcome to Kilkenny. We’ve Been Expecting You!”
The Road to Kilkenny
Our foodie tour has come to an end, so we’re on our own again. We’ve been enjoying Dublin and we’re feeling good. I’m feeling especially good because I had to help my Better Half with her share of the tastings at the Celtic Whiskey Shop. Hey… this might be a good time to tell you about our first trip to Ireland, quite a few years ago. It started on the road to Kilkenny. Continue reading “The Road to Kilkenny”
Delicious Dublin Foodie Tour, Continued
We’re in the middle of a Dublin Foodie Tour – a “Delicious Dublin” foodie tour, to be exact. After starting our day with a big Irish breakfast, I wasn’t sure I’d be ready for a foodie tour, but we’ve bravely persevered thus far. The tour has been excellent. Our stomachs are already full, but we must press on! Continue reading “Delicious Dublin Foodie Tour, Continued”
Let’s Go on a Dublin Foodie Tour!
If we look straight up from where we’re standing, we see a giant needle made of polished steel that seems to extend all the way to the heavens. We’re on O’Connell Street in Dublin, standing at the base of The Spire. This is the meeting point for our Dublin Foodie Tour. We’re ready to go! Continue reading “Let’s Go on a Dublin Foodie Tour!”
Irish Breakfast!
It’s our first day waking up in Dublin. We arrived yesterday afternoon, checked in to our hotel, and spent the rest of the day in a part of town called “Temple Bar.” The main item on today’s agenda is a foodie tour. Those are always fun. But first – an Irish breakfast! Continue reading “Irish Breakfast!”
Hello Dublin!
We’re in Dublin! We’re excited. One of our favorite getaways ever was a trip to Ireland many years ago. We fell in love with Ireland. There’s something special about it. The Irish people themselves turned out to be the main attraction, but everything about this emerald-green island just grabbed us. Quite a few years have passed by since then, but we finally made it back. Continue reading “Hello Dublin!”
Seine River Cruise – Last Day
Today is the last day of our Seine river cruise through Normandy. But what if I’m not ready to get off the boat? I might not be ready to give up sitting on our French balcony, refreshment in hand, watching the lush Norman landscape slip lazily by. Oh well. Ready or not, it’s almost time to move on. Continue reading “Seine River Cruise – Last Day”
Auvers-sur-Oise and Vincent van Gogh
Yesterday was all about Claude Monet. Today is all about another great painter, Vincent van Gogh. This morning we docked at Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, just fifteen miles from Paris. Van Gogh spent the final months of his life living in a quiet little town near here called Auvers-sur-Oise. Today we’re going to visit Auvers-sur-Oise and get better acquainted with the life of Vincent van Gogh. Continue reading “Auvers-sur-Oise and Vincent van Gogh”
Giverny and Monet’s Gardens
We’re docked this morning at Vernon, a small town on the Seine, fifty miles downstream from Paris. Vernon was founded by Rollo in the 10th century. (Remember Rollo?) It was a defensive outpost on the French/Norman border, back in the day when the weapons of choice were swords and axes. We’re here because Vernon is close to Giverny, where the great impressionist painter, Claude Monet, made his home. Today we’re going to visit Giverny and Monet’s gardens.
Continue reading “Giverny and Monet’s Gardens”
