Thursday 31st July.

I know I skipped over Wednesday but in truth there wasn't much to report on.  Today I achieved a goal which I have been thinking about for a while here in Kerry. I climbed Coomanaspic, which is an extremely large hill outside the village of Portmagee, myself and my friend decided to tackle it yesterday and we only made it up a bit of the way, today we decided to try for the Grotto which is situated quite close to about 3/4 from the top and once there we decided to climb to the top.

Such a great feeling to get to the top, I'm not sure how high it is, however, it is described as one of the highest places in Ireland to be reached by car and we did it on foot.  It was an endurance feat and we both felt great at the top.  Coming down was nearly more difficult as you are forced forward all the time and it was extremely hard on the knees. All in all it took us about 58 mins from house to top and back.  Not bad going for a couple of 'walkers'.  The image dosnt really do it justice.

Namaste
Marie.

www.googleimages.ie

Quiet Tuesday 29th July

Didnt do too much today, my regular walk alright with Carmel and later on went out for dinner to the Ring of Kerry Hotel, a beautiful dinner in fact of salmon darnes, on a bed of mash with asparagus spears and buttery sauce, scrumptious.  Later on we visited the village for Irish Music Night in the Bridge Bar.  Home later about 12 midnight so straight to bed.

Not a lot to report is what I said.

Namaste
Marie.

Monday 28th July.

Did my usual walk with Carmel and afterwards headed home to escape the madness that Portmagee village has become, due to the fact that scenes for the upcoming Star Wars 7 are being filmed on Skellig Michael, a World Heritage site no less, what with security guards on the car park, cars all over the rest of the village, and coverage on the radio about it all, leading to more people heading into the area.  The quiet sleepy village has been transformed by this activity.  Apparently Mark Hamill was spotted on Skellig Michael after getting out of a helicopter and no doubt other luminaries will be spotted in due course.  It has been all kept under wraps for the last number of months and now its all out in the open, literally :)

I'm not a Star Wars fan although I did see the very first one when I was a teen but 'the extent of it.
I'm very surprised that permission was granted to film on a World Heritage Site of such significance, but its been generating a lot of money in the area so I guess the pros outweighed the cons in this regard.  There is even a naval vessel the 'Roisin' patrolling the area around Valentia Island and the waters around Skellig Michael.  Madness !!

image courtesy googleimages.ie

Skellig Michael, World Heritage site.




We had a lovely night last night, as we headed to Reenard and O'Neills on the Point, which is a gorgeous little restaurant with gorgeous fish dishes, we had calamari (squid) which was delicious and then we headed over on the ferry to Valentia and then drove around to Portmagee village.  We stopped off in the Fisherman's Bar to listen to a very good musician and then headed home in the early hours.

Namaste
Marie.

Addendum to Sunday's post..................

Just saw this on FB and its relevant to charlie chaplin................its a bit deep but its good.

Sunday July 27th.

A bit of a dull start but up and at 'em as a friend and her new partner were in the locality and there was a possibility that they might call so a bit of a tidy up was undertaken.  However said friend and partner never materialised however on the the bright side house was tidied up.  Decided to take advantage of the nice weather today and head out for a picnic with the dog in tow, and decided to head for Waterville about 10 miles or so away from us here in Emlaghpeastie.  Waterville is a small little seaside town in Kerry and its most famous claim to fame (sorry Waterville locals) is the fact that Charlie Chaplin used to spend his holidays in this sleepy little town with his wife and family in the Butler Arms Hotel, a real olde worlde hotel, even today.

There was a vintage car and tractor rally on as well and OH loves that sort of thing so we mosied around the exhibits and then headed to the local arts and crafts market to browse around. Got myself a copy of Solzhenitsen's The Gulag Archipeligo for a euro :)  Will read that over the next few days.  Got myself a copy of Lenin in Zurich a while ago but its proving not such an interesting read, might be something to do with the tiny print, which is hard to keep a tab on.  Anyhoo i'll persevere.

After leaving Waterville seafront with an FOC really decrepit old wash stand, we  headed to the Watervillle Golf Club which was heaving with helicopters, so the economy in Kerry must be picking up, and then headed around the coast road to St. Finians Bay, which is popular with surfers, where we parked up and had our picnic of tea (from flask) and lobster sambos which were delicious I must say.  Doggie enjoyed running around the grass and beach with me running after him, as he wasn't on his lead.   Then we headed to Portmagee where we met up with friends and had a drink in the Bridge Bar and then headed home as OH still isnt feeling the best.  He is now in bed with two paracetamol and I am blogging.

I will finish up now and watch a bit of TV.  Image below is from Butler Arms Hotel website and shows a little bit of the olde worlde atmosphere of the place.







www.ButlerArmsHotel.ie

Namaste
Marie.

Gloriously sunny Saturday 26th July.

Today has been another lovely sunny one, blue skies and warm sunshine.  After a slow start today went and got my hair done as its been a while since I had it blow dried.  Afterwards got some lovely fresh buns from the local shop to have with a cup of tea.  OH isn't feeling so good today, he feels fluey and not the best.  Despite this we went into the village to our friends as he had to do a job on their patio doors.  Had a nice sit out in the sun with another cup of tea (a staple in Ireland) and some scones.  Now we are home and  he is lying down so hopefully he may feel a little better later.

A friend of mine is down in Kerry at the moment and she may be over to us tomorrow so better get cracking on tidying around a  bit. LOL.  Also a neighbour popped in this am and brought two lobster and a crayfish so that needs to be prepped for dinner as well as a salad to accompany it.  A nice pinot grigio to accompany said repast will definitely be partaken of :)

These images are not of ours but they are pretty similar :):)


Namaste

Marie.

Hot and sticky Friday July 25th.

Today was one of the hottest days this summer with temperatures of 27 degrees celsius which is very hot for Ireland.  Despite the heat I walked for over an hour (8-10km) with my friend which is a route we have started doing and it certainly is a workout, especially in this heat.

After I came home and showered I had lunch and myself and OH headed into Cahirciveen, the nearest town, for a grocery shop and a few bits and pieces. Whilst we were in there got a call from our son who is in Corfu (he is a captain) and works on a boat to tell us that a friend of his had died suddenly of a heart attack, at the age of 25 in Melbourne, Australia, and he was understandably shaken and shocked.  The poor young man, and his poor family who were en route to Australia when he passed away.  What terrible news to receive, no matter who or where one is in the world.  RIP Josh.

This evening will be spent quietly with dinner, a couple of vinos, and TV.  We have had a busy week, out and about and OH is exhausted, and so it has to be said, am I.

No particular reason for the pug piccy other than my DD2 loves pugs and I sent her this image earlier.

Namaste
Marie.

Thursday 24/7

A late but great update tonight.  We were out most of the day walking and catching up with friends and later on we went to Ballinskelligs beach for a walk and an early pint before dinner but there was a festival on and we ended staying there for dinner and only got home at 10pm :)

Now sitting listening to RTE Gold.  Brilliant oldies and goldies, fire is lit, dog is at my feet, OH in bed, glass of vino at grasp, whats not to love ?  piccy is of Ballinskelligs beach but its not today !!
Namaste
Marie.

Wednesday 23/7

Today was spent enjoying the scenery as we went out for a road trip followed by lunch in the Royal Hotel, Valentia.  The weather was somewhat overcast after a lovely sunny start but we persevered none the less.
Lunch was calamari with salad and fries and OH had fresh fish with salad and fries. We had a few drinks as well so it was a really decadent treat in the middle of the day.

After the lunch we did a long walk around the island before heading back to the village and called into our friends for a little while for a cup of coffee.  Once home we relaxed and I fell asleep on the sofa. OOps.
It will be hard to sleep tonight.


Namaste
Marie.

Tipping down Tuesday 22/7

Just a quick catch up, have been absent due to problems with connectivity here in Kerry as we are now on holiday.  Weather was glorious on Sunday whilst travelling down here but woke up Monday and it was misty, wet and miserable, and today hasnt been much better so far although as I look out the window the mist is lifting so optimism is the order of the day.  Meeting a friend at 3pm for a walk so fingers crossed the rain and the mist stay away for an hour or so.

Namaste
Marie.

Friday 18th July.

Up early to go to UCD to get some references, unfortunately School of History office closed so unable to complete that today.  GRRR.  Hate that :(  Ah well I'll now  have to wait until after my holidays.

Been watching the awful details on the Malysian airline which crashed over Ukranian airspace.  What a horrific tragedy.  A truly international event of epic proportions and its hard to believe that the true explanation of events will come to light.  Sky News do great wall-to-wall reporting so will keep up to date with their reports.  People from all over the world, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Canada,( maybe others)  have lost their lives and among them 80 children including 3 infants.  As well as these unfortunates so many people on the ground have lost their lives, some 500 civilians killed and 1400 injured.  So much of this conflict has gone unreported, maybe now something good will come out of this tragedy which will put an end to this senseless war.

Let us all show our loved ones how much we care about them as we never know when they will be lost to us, indeed we never know what we have until it is lost........

Namaste

Marie.

Thursday 17th July.

Busy day today getting organised for holidays, washing and ironing, packing etc.  Took doggy out for a walk and visited our neighbourhood secondhand bookstore as wanted to get a copy of 'pride and prejudice' for my Italian student who wanted a copy and she's leaving on Saturday morning.  Got her a copy and also got a copy of Solzhenitsyn's 'Lenin in Zurich' which I will get my teeth into when we got on holiday.

I also had my offer letter confirming my place on the MA 'Women Gender and Society' which I had applied for in May and had been conditionally accepted.  So excited and happy now ! cannot wait to get started.
This evening I had another training session (the last) for my Mentoring/Volunteering role which starts in the autumn which I am also looking forward to.  A lot of challenges coming my way. Bring them on :)

As a consequence of the two above mentioned I am having a few celebratory drinks.  Yay me :)

image courtesy www.googleimages.com

Namaste
Marie.

Tuesday/Wednesday 15th-16th July

Missed posting yesterday so having a bit of a two day thing going on today.
Yesterday morning was quiet enough and in the afternoon I visited Mum in the nursing home and we visited my father's grave as we hadnt been there for a few weeks.  Think she was quite upset and wanted to leave very shortly after we got there.  That is to be expected as it is only two years since he passed away and they were married almost sixty years.  Last evening went for along walk with the doggy as it was a lovely evening DS telephoned from Italy and gave us an update on  his job which all seems to be going very well and I then went to bed quite early.

Wednesday am up early and  headed off on my bike as I had a number of appointments, one at 9, one at 9.30 and one at 11.00 so got plenty of exercise on my bike today and all before lunch. Later on in the day I took it easy as I had training from 6.30 to 9.00 for my volunteering.

Home at 9pm as it finished early and spent the evening sitting with DD1 and chatting with her Watched an interesting programme about great white sharks and how they are being tracked in California with a view to finding out their common movements, ie where they return to again and again, in a effort to ward off attacks on people.   Image below is of a basking shark which is not dangerous, just trawls the ocean finding food with his mouth open !!



Namaste

Monday 14th July, Bastille Day.

Not that being Bastille Day is important as such as its a French National Holiday, however in a corner of Ireland, in Killala, Co. Mayo there are huge celebrations there each year to commemorate 1798 as the French sent a small army of 1000 men under General Humbert to the United Irishmen in their fight for freedom from the British.  Alas it was a failed attempt. In addition my own son has been living in France for the last three years but he is currently in Italy working so we do have connections with La Belle France.

Monday started off busy enough with a trip to UCD to return some library books and then a visit to Bishopsquare to fill in my holiday forms for SW.  All of the above done on my trusty bike so I got lots of exercise yesterday.  In the afternoon I went to visit a college friend - also on the bike - and we had tea and biscuits in the garden, it was lovely and warm albeit very windy, it was almost autumnal it was so windy:) However as I left the heavens opened and it lashed rain on the journey home, but it was all downhill so didn't take too long to get back.

After dinner just relaxed and watched a couple of very interesting but very different programmes.  One was Panorama about ISIS in Iraq and Syria, very disturbing and upsetting, especially some of the images in the program of shootings and beatings,  and the other was about The Secret Life of Your clothes, which was narrated/presented by a very upbeat Nigerian man who travelled to Ghana which is where most of the secondhand/charity shop clothing ends up.  There is a huge trade there in these clothes and he travelled around visiting places where the trade is carried out.  It was a fascinating insight as I regularly donate to Barnardo's and never think beyond the feel good factor that one gets from 'donating' aka decluttering one's home and wardrobe of clothing no longer needed or wanted.  So its nice to see where it ends up and it is appreciated by the people there for many different reasons.

Namaste,
Marie.

image courtesy www.bbc.co.uk







image cou

Sunday 13th July - World Cup finals day.

Not that I'm a particularly avid fan of football...........more a rugby fan myself however its a big day in the soccer world.  I have to state that I'm favouring a German win, purely as we are all Europeans :) LOL
A lovely Saturday night with my best buddie Helen, a few vinos, lasagne and salad, followed by brie, hummous and crackers.  Today we went for two walks, one with the doggy to keep him happy and then a longer one together.  Afterwards I dropped her home and went to visit Mum in the nursing home.  All good there.

Back home dinner of salmon en croute and a vino.  Now settling down to watch Germany V Argentina with hubby back from his Shannon adventures :) with a cuppa and some chocolate cake courtesy of Al>>.

Image courtesy www.google.ie

Namaste
Marie.

Friday and the living is easy..........

Another weekend in prospect and OH is away boating this weekend with some buddies.  Its just us 'girls' here at home holding the fort............ with bobby the dog of course :)  Spent the day getting the groceries, cleaning, tidying, that sort of thing and prepped a pasta bake for dinner.

After dinner went to Dundrum for some shopping with DD2 who is heading to Portugal tomorrow for a weeks' holiday with her classmates.  Spent quite a bit of time there (and quite a bit of money) but got myself some nice bits and pieces as well, then finished off with a visit to M&S food hall for some goodies for when we got home.

In bed by midnight with doggy (he had a bath yesterday so he's allowed upstairs as a special treat.)
However I was unable to sleep (not his fault) must have been due to the full moon or something :( GRRRR).

Have my best friend coming over tomorrow night for food, vino and she's staying over so we can have a good catch up.

Here's a piccy of the doggy taken a while ago.

Namaste.
Marie.

Friday fun..............

Today is one of those days that has a will of its own.  I slept in and OH brought me up a cup of tea to get me moving. Up at 9am and did my shopping list, otherwise I'd forget what I need :)  DD2 is heading off on her Y6 holiday and was working today so got her up and tea and toast at the ready, otherwise she would head off on an empty stomach.  Headed off to AL>> for groceries and despite buying two bottles Pinot Grigio, it still only came to 74 euro which is very economical.  Since changing from LI>> to AL>> we have saved at least 300 euro overall which isnt to be sniffed at. :)

this afternoon was spent gardening, tidying up and listening to the cabinet reshuffle.
Later will bring DD2 to House of Fraser for some bits and pieces before she heads off on her holiday.
May treat myself to some new stuff as well.

tomorrow I will be prepping for my best buddies arrival for dinner, drinks and overnight stay, chat, vino, food, it dosnt get better that that.  Image below of vino chosen for tomorrow night's girlie night \  two bottles for 13.98 - happy days.

Namaste.

image courtesy www.google.images.

Thursday........ again........where do the weeks go?

I have a little remiss about posting on the blog so will try to give an overview of the last couple of days.
Not a lot has been happening to be honest.  Yesterday though I met with some of my college buddies for our weekly 'book club'.  well it started as a book club but we do not read any books any more :)  We just meet and chat and catch up which is even nicer than a book club.

I have been organising to get my references together for my MA application which I sent in some time ago.  The referees names are on the application but I have to get the actual documents together for the final submission and hopefully I will get approval, at the moment I'm showing as 'conditional acceptance'. With heading off on holiday next weekend I want to get all my ducks in order before I leave.

Had my volunteer/mentoring training last night which went very well and next week we have two sessions Wed/Thurs.  Then I have a final parent mentoring training session as most mentors will be mentoring teens, but I have requested to mentor parents.  Looking forward to being matched and getting to meet the mentee soon.  It will be challenging but I am looking forward to it.

Namaste
Marie.

Monday 7.7.2014

Not a particularly busy or exciting day.  Just the usual chores around the house, also made hummous and more h/m coleslaw.  Most of the morning spent doing laundry and household chores. :( In the afternoon I went out to visit mum in the nursing home, she is in good form and settled in very well there.  Took the doggy  for a walk and was dismayed to find that our local Jesuit Community grounds where everyone walks their dogs have put up 'No Dogs allowed' signs all over the  place.  So had to walk doggy on the streets which is very sad.

I am reading a great book at the moment, albeit it isnt fiction, its 'Inside Putin's Russia' written in 2004 by Anna Politkovskaya who was shot in her apartment lift not long after it was published.  I have had a fascination with Russia since I was a teenager studying history and completed  a great module this year 'Culture and Revolution' all about Russia from the 1917 Revolution to the Death of Stalin and all I can say is things are no better there now for so many,  than they were under communism. But I guess many people know that, especially in light of the present day Winter Olympics at Sochi and Putin's open antagonism to gays.  Image below of one of the propaganda posters from Stalin's era glorifying womanhood and motherhood.

Anyway enough of the socio political chit chat, have a great day, hope I get my 'get up and go' back as its sadly lacking at the moment.  Miss being in college and the stress of study and producing assignments.
LOL.

Another NSD today - no spend day - up to three in a row.  Love being MSE.
Namaste.
Marie.

Tennis................Mens final day

Today was an even lazier day than yesterday.  Managed to make some  hm coleslaw and a nice dinner but that was about it.  Most of the afternoon was spent watching Federer V Djokovic.  Dismayed that Federer didnt do it but it was a very entertaining match indeed.  Federer gave his all but just not quite enough.

Now watching Johnny English Reborn which is slightly ludicrous but entertaining all the same.

Namaste
Marie

pic courtesy daily.mail.org.

Sleepy saturday

After a late night last night and quite a bit of vino I was still up early today and got stuck into the hoovering and dusting upstairs in the house.  DD2 wasnt too impressed being woken up by the dulcet tones of the hoover.  DD1 brought myself and OH up a cup of tea which was a nice surprise before I got started.
Despite the energetic start to the day I took it very easy as the day progressed and had quite a restful day.
I did however make some banana muffins to use up some black bananas which turned out rather delish.

Tonight after dinner DD2 went babysitting to 9pm and then she is heading to work from 10pm to 5am :(
the graveyard shift !! and DD1 went to visit a friend in Co. Clare so is staying overnight.  OH is going out to the pub and a friend is calling over with vino and beer for a girly chat.  Might have a cuppa and some of those banana muffins as well.

Just going to watch Netherlands V Costa Rica after dropping OH to pub and then dropping DD2 to her work.

Namaste
Marie.

Friday 4th July Independence Day

What can I say ? Where have the last six months gotton to?  I have been busy finishing my degree, getting Mum into a nursing home and the other day to day stuff that I do as a busy wife and mother of two (well three really but one's in France) plus OH and doggy Bobby.

I am delighted to be back on the blog and will endeavour to keep posting my ramblings.  Finished my degree on 16th May with my final archaeological exam.  Got my results on the 6th June and passed everything so degree is now in the bag.  Graduation is in September.  In the meantime I have applied for and been conditionally accepted for an MA in Women, Gender and Society, a two year part time course. So onwards and upwards, new challenges ahead.

My DD2 completed her final exams at school, the Leaving Certificate.  She worked very hard the last couple of years and also worked hard revising and studying for each exam.  So hopefully she will get her first choice - Veterinary Medicine - fingers and toes crossed.

DD1 has decided she too wishes to go to college and has enrolled in BIFE to do Animal Care and Husbandry which will be necessary as she wishes to be a Veterinary Nurse so we are three women who come September 2014 will all be in college studying.  Poor OH is the only one of us earning a wage. However I have a student coming for the school year which will pay my first years MA fees and contribute to the household budget so all is not lost.

This evening we are heading out OH & I that is, for a meal to a local fancy restaurant courtesy of a GrabOne voucher, 4 courses x 2, and a bottle of wine for 69 euro which is good value.  Looking forward to it, now gotta find something smartish to wear smartish.

Something nice below which emphasises how I feel about books and words in general.

Namaste