Bob, 

Welcome back! Given how long you dragged out your last trip report, may I assume that is an evil grin?  As soon as I have a moment away from an important deadline I am going to look at all your photos. Looking forward to the opus!

Michele

Michele  -- More of a perplexed, bemused smile.  My plan is to 'wrap this up' QUICKLY this year -- 'corse, that was my intent, LAST year, too.  

Carrie K -- Sorry that we missed each other, but given the chaotic weather in Galway during our visit and the CHAOS that is the Dublin airport, I can't say that I was suprised.

Now, On With The Show:

According to the post, THE GAME IS A-FOOT,

 http://ireland.activeboard.com/index.spark?forumID=65127&p=3&topicID=16362670

THIS was the plan:

13 June (FRIDAY The THIRTEENTH !!): Depart GNV via ASA @ 12:47, arrive ATL 2:10 PM. Depart ATL via DELTA @ 5:15 PM for overnight to AMS.

14 - 16 June: Arrive AMS @8:10 AM, Train into city. Purchase 72 hour IAMSTERDAM Cards. Drop off luggage @ Tulip Inn Amsterdam Center. Visit Museums, take Canal Tour, Brown Cafes and ...

Departing AMS via Aer Lingus @ 20:40, arriving Cork City (ORK) @ 21:20 and pick up rental car. Drive to Watergrasshill.

17-19 June: Visit family and try to stay out, from under foot, as they ALL prepare for their 21 & 22 June departure to Northern Italy. Morning of the 19th, drive West to Drimoleague. Spend the afternoon visiting with The Laird O' Coomleagh, up in the Melaugh (I butchered the spelling, I know) Valley. We're hoping to entice him DOWN off the mountain, to maybe have dinner, in Bantry. If so, it will be a FIRST, for us.

20 June -- Haven't a CLUE -- May stay in either the Millstreet/Killarney area, or MAY opt to find a place around Lough Derg (Ballina/Killaloe), to 'pick up' some previously missed sites .... ???

21-22 June: Have booked two nights at Carraroe House B&B, in Carraroe, Co. Galway. Hope to do a day trip to Inis Mor via the Rossaveel Ferry, on Sunday.

23- 27 June: Drive via Clifden, and Doo Lough, to our two bedroom apartment at Westport Quay. Day trips to include Croagh Patrick -- my wife informs me that we ARE going to climb, "At least SOME of the way up!" -- Sigh .... ---Achill Island, Mullaroghue and the Museum, in Castlebar.

27 June: Mad DASH to Dublin, with a BRIEF stop in Strokestown. Check in to Staunton's On The Green. May/May NOT keep the rental car -- parking and the extra day's rental fee are still LESS than round-trip taxi fare to the airport ....

28 June: FINALLY meet SiobhanP, from Fodors and TravelersToGo, for the drink I've owed her, these many moons. Also, to celebrate her recent wedding, her birthday, on 27 June (I know HOW OLD, but I'm NOT telling!!! )

29 June: Depart DUB via Delta @ 11:20 AM, arriving ATL @ 3:10 PM. Depart ATL via ASA @6:30 PM, arriving GNV @ 8:01 PM

As plans go, it was pretty well researched, thoroughly anylized and carefully prepared. Having been blessed with MOSTLY idyllic weather, generally accident and incident- free on virtually every previous visit, it can be said that I was confidently optomistic that this year -- visit number 10 -- would be no exception.

Now, the GAME is done. Optimism and pessimism hold sway no longer, in the time and place where tommorrow has become yesterday.

'No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.' Once plans collide with reality, adaptation becomes the key to survival.

So, to sum up, semi-tritely:

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

And, quite possibly ---

It was the BESTEST of times.

Details, to follow ...

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 21:17, 2008-07-16

 

I've been absent from the boards for quite some time, other than to 'drop in' (briefly) to check on the status of things, etc. . .

I MEANT for this report to be wise, witty, and timely Honestly, I did but LIFE interrupted...

I find it Humblingly Ironic, that as I was preparing to start an arrogantly bombastic diatribe upon the subject of Over and Under Planning, that unforeseen events -- not the least of which, was the EARLY arrival of my newest Granddaughter!, TS Fay (and her subsequent minions), a Cancer scare with my FIL, that thankfully proved to be just that, intervened.

And so, LIFE, as it often does, would derail my best-laid plans and intentions and making my life rather interesting..

Then, a couple of week's ago, it got down-right COMPLICATED --

A few Mondays ago, my FIL fell and broke his hip and though he is now home and recovering relatively nicely, our lives have become a blur of work, hospital (and now, home) vigil, retrofitting their home to be wheel-chair and walker friendly and assisting with providing care, companionship and general assistance.

Those of you familiar with me through my previous Trip Reports and comments here and on other travel sites, are also familiar with my FIL, the family dynamic and our over all situation and will not be surprised when I say that there will probably not ever be a Trip Report for June of '08 and that I will like wise, probably remain more-or-less mute over the next few months.

 

Rest assured, though, that I'll still be 'dropping in', still be dreaming about my next chance to visit 'Home' (Ireland) and thinking fondly of my Internet Friends.

 

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 16:36, 2008-10-13

Bob,

Congrats on your new granddaughter! Sorry to hear about the family problems. I hope your FIL continues to recover. He will appreciate all your efforts to retro-fit his house to accommodate his new needs.

Glad you are still checking in from time to time. And when you do have the time to plan another trip we will be here to offer our 2 cents.

Michele

Bob, sorry to hear the sad news and glad to hear the good news. While you are assisting providing care, providing companionship, and general assistance -- don't forget to take time for you so you will be able to continue helping your FIL. Hope he is feeling stronger each day. We will sure miss hearing from you with your witty comments and recommendations. Take care, youngka