Blarney Woollen Mills

During a chance telephone conversation with my life long friend Donal McClement, he told me that the recession in Ireland was not doing much for his sales as a yacht broker and that he was going away next year for up to six months with Cork architect Stephen Hyde on his beautiful Oyster 56 yacht 'A Lady' to participate in part of the World ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers).<br><br>I fortunately knew Stephen quite ...

... action and by this point we realized that we were very tired and it seemed better to rest at this point. A few of us spent the night researching for the trip ahead. We used the Let's Go Europe 2009 book and I would highly recommend this to anyone who is even thinking about traveling. It is so helpful and points you to all of the things you would want to see and how to get to all of the spots in the most budget and time efficient manner. <br>

We had another full Irish breakfast &amp; headed down to Cork - we decided to veer off to Blarney &amp; see if the castle was still open so we could kiss the stone. We were about 20 mins too late so we found a caravan park to stay for the night &amp; headed into town to get some tea. The caravan park had a microwave so we just got frozen pizza &amp; took it back to cook. Matt finally had ...

... a sign saying there's a picnic area in 1 km. I see a turnoff and turn down it. Oops! Too soon. I'm about to make a u-turn when the GPS indicates the road I'm on will get me to my destination by a "shorter" route. That's great as it will get me out of all that traffic. This road meanders through farm country and small villages. I was a little early so this slower paced road will get me to my destination later. I stop in one of the villages for a break and ...

... We were soaked and freezing, so we found a place that sold hot chocolate, and it was very chocolate-y. Then we had another 3 hour drive back. Our driver was crazy, and scary. He was texting and talking on the phone a lot and coming very close to other cars, but we got back safely. We are now just checking our mail, and getting ready for bed soon. Alina needs to get up early to leave for Italy, and I have a lot of walking ahead of me for tomorrow!

... if I want to go to the doc. I'm off tomorrow, I'll go to Midleton and send you all this... 20 minute walk to take the bus, let's hope the toe follows! (probably more than 20 because of the toe...) If it doesn't get better before Wednesday orThursday, I'll admit the toe's victory and will say yes to Roy when he asks if I want to see a doctor. Another pick-up today (not for non-lifeguards: pick-up = jumping in the water to get someone who doesn't know ...

... would like to read about. We are touring until Sat night, where me and Scotty fly off to France, to Normandy region. This will commence our WWII saga of travels. We are to stay in a small place called 'Le Havre', which is close to the region.. On a side note, I have already made contacts such as an ecclectic old German man named Gerd who owns a cottage in Franksburg(?) Germany who invited me to stay, Irish lass' here who I now have a place to ...

(Originally published at http://www.troysgonewalkabout.com)<br>< br> <br>The port of Cobh, or Queenstown as it was briefly named in the early twentieth century after the locals got fitfully over-excited by a visit from the English Queen Victoria, makes much of the fact that it was the last stopping point for the Titanic before its ill-fated brush with the iceberg that basically made Leonardo Di Caprio&#8217;s acting career some eighty-odd ...

... wish for a job! We then headed for the sea which was a beautiful location and Maggie let me drive although I am sure it will be the last as someone yelled out of their car, " YOU'RE CRAZY!" I forgot about looking to my left. All involved were terrified as was I, but we thought it ok as it was a desolate country road. I am working on the front desk of a hotel in Cork City. Not the greatest money and even though I got offered another job for much more money in administration I ...

... and Badger's Cave (where Ricki attached herself to a tourist with a torch and followed him into the dark depths of the cave, repeatedly banging her head on the rocky ceiling as she went), before regretfully heading off in search of lunch, and our next destination. With stomachs full of the best yummiest sausage rolls in existence ...