July 28 Update
We had a wonderful weekend - we were forced to take a holiday because our house had been promised for this weekend before we had it - and it turned out to be a blessing.
After therapy in Listowel on Saturday, we drove north to Tarbert and took the car ferry across to Kilrush in County Clare. Actually, there was such a long line for the ferry that we missed the first one and were #2 in line for the next one. This was no big deal, as they run every 30 minutes during this tourist season, and we actually enjoyed walking around the pier at Tarbert. The ferry ride was kind of fun, too - we drove on, then were able to leave the car and go up on top, where there is an observation deck, so it's like a real boat ride.
Upon arrival we drove north to Kilrush, and walked around that pretty town for a while - talked to a very nice lady in the Tourist Info office. There's a lot to see around there, but we had been advised by some parents in Listowel to go ahead north - that the area north of the Cliffs of Moher was very beautiful. So, we headed north along the coast. Being who we are, we were supremely confident of finding an inexpensive and perfect B&B. As we drove through several really hopping tourist towns on the coast, we started looking - and saw many No Vacancy signs. We went on north of Liscannor, nearly to the Cliffs of Moher - stopped in at 2 B&B's - No Vacancy. By now it was about 7:00 Saturday night and I (MFE) started getting a little worried - but our luck held. We went back through Lisconnar, and about 1 km out of town, turned in a lane for Sea Haven B&B - she had one opening - not "en suite" (In Ireland, that's with a private bath). It was a very reasonable room and price, so we jumped on it and were very glad.First of all, it may have been the last opening that night on the Co. Clare Coast! And, it turned out to the great - the proprietor was Sheila Lees and she was friendly and helpful. It was walking distane to the pubs. The room was small but adequate and sharing a bath was not a problem (and that's probably the only reason it was still vacant, waiting for us). The breakfasts were excellent and we had a view of the bay from our breakfast table - my idea of heaven! Also, to top it off, there were 2 Irish Setters living there - we became quite friendly!
On Sunday morning we went to the Cliffs of Moher - only about a 15 minute drive - what a prime location we had! The Cliffs are spectacular - straight up from the ocean. There is a walking trail to the top, which we took and then walked along the top for a while (with many others!). Dana took lots of pictures and I did lots of oohing and aahing. When we walked down, the path up and the gift shop/restaurant at the bottom were absolutely packed - we were really glad we hadn't waited any later to visit.
We then began driving further north. The first km was hairy - cars park along the road, not wanting to pay the 5 euro parking fee - this makes the road very narrow and it is packed with tour buses. We manage go get behind one heading north and let him clear a path for us - which helped.
Our next major stop was Doolin, which we loved. It is a port with boats for veiwing the Cliffs and for going to the Aran Islands. We did neither this trip, but really loved the shore, which was very large flat rocks for miles and a great view back to the cliffs. The "Burren Walk" had also been recommended - this is 26 miles in its entirety, but you can do parts of it. It is reportedly "sign-posted" and this became funny, as we had a hard time finding where to hit it, and every time we asked someone we got a slightly different explanation of where it was. Anyway, we just enjoyed the rocky coast for a long time. I sat on a rock and dangled my feet in the Atlantic Ocean and gazed on the Cliffs of Moher - what a great experience. (I also noticed and like that this was at 4:50 pm here, 10:50 Siloam Springs - just as my friends at 1st Pres were filing in and the choir was gathering to process - I worshipped with them in my mind, with my feet in the ocean!).
We walked through the little village of Doolin several times - we thought. Then, the last time through, we went on a little further and found another whole part of the village, including - FINALLY - a sign for the entrance to the Burren Walk. By then I was pretty tired so I enjoyed the scenery from an outdoor table at a pub while Dana took a part of the walk. When he returned we drove back to our B&B - a wonderful day.
We had 2 good dinners - Saturday night McHugh's pub, followed by traditional Irish music (guitar, fiddle, and....... bagpipes!). Sunday night we at at the Lisconnar Hotel - amazingly economical and very good, and again a beautiful view of the bay.
Monday we drove to Ennis - a beautiful market town. We had tea with Ciara Keane, my recuriter, and then walked around for a while. We then drove back to the ferry and drove to Killarney where we spent the night with a family from Kerry Down Syndrome. Real life started again the next morning with therapy in Killarney.
Mundane things - I have an appointment for a hair cut!! I have driven a little, but Dana still does most of the driving - the roads are really, really narrow! The Irish people have been very friendly and helpful - I often feel like we've become friends with the people who show us houses to let! The accent is getting easier to understand, and we're picking up vocabulary. The most crucial so far is to say "ring" or "phone", not call, as call means to make a visit.
The Down Syndrome caseload is heavy right now because everyone wants to try - however, I think there will be some attrition after a month, which will make it more feasible. Right now I am working hard, and getting pretty tired. There's a Bank Holiday in 2 weeks - a long weekend, and I look forward to that!
We are still house hunting, still nothing perfect, but we have looked at a few possibilities both in Killarney and Tralee, so we're feeling a little more optimistic!
That's all for now - still no regular internet access, so no pictures on here - but when they come, you are going to love them!
After therapy in Listowel on Saturday, we drove north to Tarbert and took the car ferry across to Kilrush in County Clare. Actually, there was such a long line for the ferry that we missed the first one and were #2 in line for the next one. This was no big deal, as they run every 30 minutes during this tourist season, and we actually enjoyed walking around the pier at Tarbert. The ferry ride was kind of fun, too - we drove on, then were able to leave the car and go up on top, where there is an observation deck, so it's like a real boat ride.
Upon arrival we drove north to Kilrush, and walked around that pretty town for a while - talked to a very nice lady in the Tourist Info office. There's a lot to see around there, but we had been advised by some parents in Listowel to go ahead north - that the area north of the Cliffs of Moher was very beautiful. So, we headed north along the coast. Being who we are, we were supremely confident of finding an inexpensive and perfect B&B. As we drove through several really hopping tourist towns on the coast, we started looking - and saw many No Vacancy signs. We went on north of Liscannor, nearly to the Cliffs of Moher - stopped in at 2 B&B's - No Vacancy. By now it was about 7:00 Saturday night and I (MFE) started getting a little worried - but our luck held. We went back through Lisconnar, and about 1 km out of town, turned in a lane for Sea Haven B&B - she had one opening - not "en suite" (In Ireland, that's with a private bath). It was a very reasonable room and price, so we jumped on it and were very glad.First of all, it may have been the last opening that night on the Co. Clare Coast! And, it turned out to the great - the proprietor was Sheila Lees and she was friendly and helpful. It was walking distane to the pubs. The room was small but adequate and sharing a bath was not a problem (and that's probably the only reason it was still vacant, waiting for us). The breakfasts were excellent and we had a view of the bay from our breakfast table - my idea of heaven! Also, to top it off, there were 2 Irish Setters living there - we became quite friendly!
On Sunday morning we went to the Cliffs of Moher - only about a 15 minute drive - what a prime location we had! The Cliffs are spectacular - straight up from the ocean. There is a walking trail to the top, which we took and then walked along the top for a while (with many others!). Dana took lots of pictures and I did lots of oohing and aahing. When we walked down, the path up and the gift shop/restaurant at the bottom were absolutely packed - we were really glad we hadn't waited any later to visit.
We then began driving further north. The first km was hairy - cars park along the road, not wanting to pay the 5 euro parking fee - this makes the road very narrow and it is packed with tour buses. We manage go get behind one heading north and let him clear a path for us - which helped.
Our next major stop was Doolin, which we loved. It is a port with boats for veiwing the Cliffs and for going to the Aran Islands. We did neither this trip, but really loved the shore, which was very large flat rocks for miles and a great view back to the cliffs. The "Burren Walk" had also been recommended - this is 26 miles in its entirety, but you can do parts of it. It is reportedly "sign-posted" and this became funny, as we had a hard time finding where to hit it, and every time we asked someone we got a slightly different explanation of where it was. Anyway, we just enjoyed the rocky coast for a long time. I sat on a rock and dangled my feet in the Atlantic Ocean and gazed on the Cliffs of Moher - what a great experience. (I also noticed and like that this was at 4:50 pm here, 10:50 Siloam Springs - just as my friends at 1st Pres were filing in and the choir was gathering to process - I worshipped with them in my mind, with my feet in the ocean!).
We walked through the little village of Doolin several times - we thought. Then, the last time through, we went on a little further and found another whole part of the village, including - FINALLY - a sign for the entrance to the Burren Walk. By then I was pretty tired so I enjoyed the scenery from an outdoor table at a pub while Dana took a part of the walk. When he returned we drove back to our B&B - a wonderful day.
We had 2 good dinners - Saturday night McHugh's pub, followed by traditional Irish music (guitar, fiddle, and....... bagpipes!). Sunday night we at at the Lisconnar Hotel - amazingly economical and very good, and again a beautiful view of the bay.
Monday we drove to Ennis - a beautiful market town. We had tea with Ciara Keane, my recuriter, and then walked around for a while. We then drove back to the ferry and drove to Killarney where we spent the night with a family from Kerry Down Syndrome. Real life started again the next morning with therapy in Killarney.
Mundane things - I have an appointment for a hair cut!! I have driven a little, but Dana still does most of the driving - the roads are really, really narrow! The Irish people have been very friendly and helpful - I often feel like we've become friends with the people who show us houses to let! The accent is getting easier to understand, and we're picking up vocabulary. The most crucial so far is to say "ring" or "phone", not call, as call means to make a visit.
The Down Syndrome caseload is heavy right now because everyone wants to try - however, I think there will be some attrition after a month, which will make it more feasible. Right now I am working hard, and getting pretty tired. There's a Bank Holiday in 2 weeks - a long weekend, and I look forward to that!
We are still house hunting, still nothing perfect, but we have looked at a few possibilities both in Killarney and Tralee, so we're feeling a little more optimistic!
That's all for now - still no regular internet access, so no pictures on here - but when they come, you are going to love them!
posted by Arkansas Travelers at
11:14 AM
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