Digital camera to stay in Ireland

Dude · Guru

Digital camera to stay in Ireland

Marie · Guru

Hi, Judy:

You are very kind and generous! I would recommend a nice, affordable point and shoot with rechargeable batteries. Kodak makes several Easy Share models that require a dock for recharging. You don't want to tie her down with an adaptor. Also, I would buy it here. I am sure it will be cheaper. (although I could be wrong - but it seemed just about everything was more costly over there.) She will also need a memory card. Get at least 1G.

Have a great trip!

Marie

Dude · Guru

Well, she'll need an adapter for the dock, won't she? I think the rechargeable batteries would be a good idea because I don't want her to have to spend any more than necessary. Either the proprietary ones or the rechargeable NiH AA's.

I'll keep looking. Thanks for the idea. Hadn't thought about a charging dock.

Okay. Kodak has a C433 for $99.95 and a European travel kit with two extra batteries, battery charging station, 1 gig memory card, two electrical adapters and case for $64.99. That's looking good to me right now.

Now I'm looking at a refurbished C530 for $69.95. That plus the travel kit may be just the ticket.

My digital has a proprietary battery which must be charged in the camera; apparently it is the only one on the planet that won't fit in the "universal" chargers. My next camera will run on AA rechargeables, I think.

-- Edited by Dude at 23:33, 2007-09-02

-- Edited by Dude at 23:44, 2007-09-02

-- Edited by Dude at 23:47, 2007-09-02

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dude:

Pretty much ANY recently current digital camera that is on the market should have a dual voltage charger -- so, in that case, all that would be needed would be a cheap PLUG adapter. Having said THAT, cameras that use "A" or "AA" battaries ARE handier, because, in a pinch, you can ALWAYS find emergency spares .... But, if you DO purchase one that uses replaceable battaries, you'l have to also buy a charger AND NiMh rechargeables and then, you'll STILL have the Adapter plug situation. In THAT case, there's not much advantage, either way.

In terms of picture quality, I've always been a big fan of Cannon cameras. Their 'A' Series have served me and mine well, over the years, though I'm currently using an 'S' Series. For pictures suitable for web display, 1 - 2 Mega-Pixel is actually OVER-KILL. The 2 or 2.1 MP camera will produce PHOTO QUALITY, 3 1/2 X 5 prints and quite decent 5 X 7's. Typical web images are between 1/3 and 1/2 MP resolution (240 X 320 or 480 X 640 ). In any case, since most cameras come with a TINY memory card, it WOULD be a good idea to get a spare, 1/2 or even a full, 1 Gig card, as well.

I'm guessing that you are talking about ANCHORESS, from over on FODORS. I had wanted to meet her, myself, but things got crazy at home and work before I left and I never contacted her to arrainge a meet. I would be willing and happy to share the cost with you, but seeing as how you are leaving so soon, I'm afraid it would have to be retro-active. Please let me know if you would permit me to 'intrude' upon your generousity, in this instance.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 09:31, 2007-09-03

youngka · Guru

Dude, this is very nice of you, and I would be interested in her web site when she gets it set up. We bought a cheapie camera at walmart, for my grandson, with 5 mp's which would be very good for internet Ebay type photos. I think Bob's idea about 2 or 2.1 mp is very good and should be inexpensive enough. I think it was under $100.00 for my grandsons. The rechargeable batteries v s batteries is a hard one to decide on. Our camera, unfortunately, "eats up" batteries at too fast a pace and friends recommended that we always buy Litiium batteries and in the long run, it would be cheaper. I found it very nice to just stock up with standard batteries and just be sure I had them with me on our trip. Sounds like Bob has some pretty good info. Most of them come with a gig card, but not many photos can be taken, so buying another larger one is a good idea too. Youngka

YaYa · Guru

Dude ,

How generous of you and you also, Bob. I'd love to buy some of the jams. I believe she has a web site, but does she take orders and send them? Also, at one time she had posted her web-site on Fodors but I don't have it.

Dude, have a wonderful trip with your sisters, Joan

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Joan: I sent you the email address for Anchoress via Private Messaging.

For any others who are so inclined / curious, here is the link to when/where she posted it:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35002521

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 15:31, 2007-09-03

Dude · Guru

Here I am, back from shopping! Yes, Bob, Sr. Julianna is aka Anchoress; I first found her on Fodor's.

Before I forget, here is Anchoress' weblog site http://www.xanga.com/AnchoressNun and here is her website http://www.iol.ie/~anchorhold/ . Her writing is just beautiful and I have lost sleep sitting up and reading her blog.

I decided to order the refurbished Kodak and the European travel kit which should have everything she will need. Bob, I will happily allow you to share in the fun--I'll PM you with my mailing address. No hurry, this is coming out of my travel savings but I think I have plenty!

Joan, I suspect that she doesn't sell the jams via post for weight and packaging reasons. I'm planning to load up my suitcases with all I can carry! My mind is blank; whereabouts do you live? Perhaps I could mail you a jar or two. We're taking her a pair of laceup Crocs, some leftover yarn and a few other items so should have some room. Over on Fodor's she had admired a tourist's shoes and we figured out that they were Crocs; wojazz gave me the idea to take her a pair since she is out in all kinds of weather selling the goodies. Perhaps someone can take her a pair of summer ones on another trip!

We are meeting up with her just south of Donegal Town and convoying in (she's trying to spare me the "madness" of Donegal's one way streets), swapping the things we are taking her for the things we are buying from her, having lunch at the Market Coffee House and maybe taking the WaterBus tour of the harbor if the tides are right. Not at all in our original plans but so much better than what we first had planned for that day.

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. Perhaps we can adopt Anchoress and any time anyone is going to be in Donegal Town area we could send things that she needs, and buy some jams. (Right now she's making golden plum, blackberry and rhubarb!)

YaYa · Guru

Judy,

I love the idea of you taking her crocs, I remember her talking about them on Fodor's. I'm of an age and didn't know what they were. I'd see them on my grandchildren and thought they were just some kind of beach shoe. Be sure to get a picture of her wearing them. I e-mailed her today and told her she had better check Michele's web-site as we were talking about her. Judy, I live on Bainbridge Island WA. I really shouldn't eat jam as I'm so fat.

You mentioned wojazz, I've missed him on the forums. I hope he's on a great trip.

Regards, Joan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

I'm glad to hear you found a camera. We look forward to hearing all about your adventures when you get back. What is your departure date? I know you are anxiously awaiting it!

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Joan,

Bill/wojazz does a lot of gigs (in addition to his day job) and is very busy in the summer. This is his website: http://www.theusualsuspectsjazz.com/

We miss him too! I'm sure he will be checking in again after the season.

Michele

Anchoress · Veteran Member

Mother Abbess is as deeply moved by the generosity of this as I am... Our work is with the homeless in many lands, especially children. And this is why we make and sell..

One American lady bought five jars of jam... taking it all home with her... For dude, we are using the few 4 oz jars we still have, so she can take more variety.. The cost of postage and packing is just too high to make it viable. I am using a xanga site as the Irish sales page; the main Order, and our Mother House is in Canada, will have our big site up in about a month, we hope. It has been a busy summer here and I am not online much even now.

So looking forward to meeting dude!! There is so much to see hereabouts; I was thinking about that this morning. Abbey Assaroe, so little known, with its poignant Mass cave and ancient Holy Well.... Rossnowlagh, with the stone pieta overlooking the whole of the Donegal coastline, the beach there and the even more lovely one nearby at Murvagh... The old Friary near where the Waterbus leaves..... Even, within 20 miles, Lough Derg....

Well, the plums and blackberries call me back to the kitchen.. we use local fruit whenever we can, and freeze as much as we can... Blessings and thanks.. Sister

CowboyCraic · Guru

Sister Julianna,

So wonderful to have you here! I have failed miserably at keeping in better contact, my apologies. I hope that you have had some successful market days and that things are going well during the tourist season.

I will pray for sun for you! Give my regards to Mother Abbess. I am working our travel schedule for next summer to include being in your area for 3 days. I am looking forward to meeting up with you and bringing home a lot of goodies. You have my email. If there are things that you might need for your works, send me a list and I will bring them over.

Dude,

You are such a jewel! I have been hunting Crocs ever since I read her post over on Fodors. This spring, there was an awful bit of flooding in her area and several lambs were lost. That is when I made my acquaintance. I was wishing for a time portal to be able to go over and help during the deluge.

Slan Agus Barrogs,

Bit

Dude · Guru

Joan, I don't need to be eating jam either, but just can't resist...I can tell myself they are for gifts, but then I will have to taste each variety.

Michele, departure date is September 16. Two weeks from today we'll have been to Knock and will be on our way to Achill Island. The following Friday is our day with Sr. Julianna.

So, Bit, does that make you the Croc Hunter? Seriously, I am desperately wishing for time travel to be perfected (and perfected is the operative word before I'm getting in that machine!). Perhaps I'm reading too many Harry Potter books. Do get in touch with me before you leave next year in case I have some crosses or yarn that I can send more cheaply with you. Perhaps Sister would like some summery Crocs for those Irish heat waves! We can also look into getting them at an outlet such as we have in the Rio Grande Valley.

Pulled my passport from the safe deposit box today and tomorrow I'll make copies of my important documents to leave with Jim. Also getting ready to send confirmation e-mails to our accommodations.

I have a question (surprised?). This will be our first time to spend any more time in NI than it takes to shop at Belleek. Obviously we will get some pounds via ATM when we get there. Now when we go back into the Republic, what if we have miscalculated and have more pounds than we want to bring home? Do we find a bank in Enniskillen and change pounds for euros, or wait until we get to Strokestown, Roscommon, etc. to do the changing? That assumes, of course, that we don't spend all our money on Anchoress' jams!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

Departure date will be here soon! So much to do to get ready. I find the prices for Belleek better in the Republic since the pound is double the dollar. However, they have a corner there with sale items. That is where I head first and where I buy. Go in the front door of Belleek. Turn left and go in the doors of the gift shop. Go straight through the shop to the right corner. I hope they haven't changed the location since my last visit! If they have you will let me know.

As for the left over pounds - you can just send them to me! I will put them to good use. wink

Actually, I would change them back into euros in No. Ireland as the bank did not charge me for that.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dude: In late June, I noticed that many of the Petrol stations along the Donegal / Derry border posted fuel prices in BOTH Euro and Pounds and indicated that they accepted EITHER. If you don't have TOO muchleft over, you could always 'drop it in the tank'.

Bob

CowboyCraic · Guru

Judy,

Thank you for the laugh and a smile, croc hunter indeed. They are hard to wrestle into a box sometimes! biggrin

Twelve days to go! I had better limber up so I can fold into your suitcase. wink

Have your started the hourly count down yet with your sisters?

I would be dleighted to carry over anything you might have for SR. Julianna. perhaps I will designate one small suitcase just for that purpose and become the central drop point. idea

I travel light as a general rule anyways.

As for exchanging the Pounds, you will most definitely get the better rate whilst still in NI.

Rio Grande Valley? I have forgotten, where do you call home?

Slan Beo,

Bit

Dude · Guru

Michele, I think our trip to Belleek is more for the tour than the shopping. And your spot is where the bargain counter was the last time we were there. Don't worry, I'll find it! Nothing personal, but I think I like Bob's idea for the extra pounds a little better than yours--not that you don't deserve them for all the help you've been to all of us.

Bob, thanks for the heads-up. Probably the same situation on the southern border area, around Enniskillen. Now if we can get the petrol situation to cooperate.

Bit, all you need to wrestle crocs is a bit of electrician's tape. Then all you have to do is convince them to shut their jaws so you can wrap it around. As they say in Ireland, "easy got as a wet foot." With Sr. Julianna's Crocs, the challenge was converting European sizes to US, and Crocs don't come in half sizes, so I went up a half size allowing for thick sox, and am hoping for the best. I'm afraid your space in the suitcase has been taken by Sr. Julianna's things, so maybe next time. From pictures on your website you look to be a tiny thing so we might be able to work something out. I'm so glad you get to go next year. I'll definitely be in touch with things for Sister. Although in my heart I'm still an Okie, I live in Kingsville, Home of the World Famous King Ranch, just about 1½ hours north of The Valley, and about 40 minutes southwest of Corpus Christi. Funny how in Texas everything is in terms of driving time rather than miles. Ireland should be the same!

Anchoress · Veteran Member

Good morning, Judy and all...

You can pay us in pounds sterling by all means. We get a fair amount that way and I have just got in from a short shopping trip "over the border" to use our sterling cash. Some things are cheaper there anyway and some things, like some coffees, we cannot get here in the South.

And yes, many shops near the border do a dual currency; but never sure of a good rate there.

Folk who come to buy often have two purses; one euros, one sterling...

Fog closing in yet again, so time to pile turf on the fire ( Irish incense) and settle to some more knitting...

Blessings.....