PaddyKraska
Registered User
Posts: 15
(2/18/03 7:07 pm)

Feb 5th, 2003- Athy & Moone- Pt 3

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Part 3
Now, a word about bathrooms & showers. I am 6’ tall and a big girl. At Woodcourte House, the shower was an add on. I had to pop the frame and put it back together afterwards in order to take a shower. It wasn’t the most uncomfortable (that was yet to come), and it did have a little heater just in the bathroom which Jeff and I took advantage of every time!! We took showers and giggled about the circumstances and got ready to hit a pub.
About 7p, one of Pats’ guys came and got us- it was raining and drizzly- not too terribly pleasant but better than back in Indiana! Roads- hmmmm- I think the way it works is pretty much you go where ever you want on the road until you come up against another car, and then you go to your side. Not too much white knuckling it for me on the way there, but the way back was much worse. He dropped us off at town square and we tried to figure out where O’brians was. We tried a bunch of different doors, and they weren’t it. We stood looking confused til someone walking told us that it was the dinky market that we had gotten soda at earlier!! You walk in the front of the store, and at the back (all of 7 feet) was an old fashioned saloon door you walk thru. 4 small tables, a bar seating four, a tv and a mirror (get this, instead of having two tvs, they have a mirror set up across from the tv, so you can see the tv from both sides of the room! Inventive!!) The young lady that had served us earlier was behind the bar (and the counter at the store if need be) and we inquired about Mr Francis O’Brian who liked to “chat”. She laughed and said that was her father who would be in soon. By that time we were already enamored of Guiness, so we order a couple of pints an proceeded to chat. Turns out her hubby is American and from Holland, MI, not far from us. We chatted a bit (very fun) til himself showed up.What a doll!!! Looking every bit the Irish chap with his tweed jacket, he proceeded to give us a good round of history of the Kilkea/Athy area. There was some game of something on the tv, and he and Jeff started talking about soccer vs football. Well, apparently there is also Gaelic Football. “No padding like the sissy Americans” per Mr O’Brian. Oh, and don’t forget hurling…. At this point my mind wandered…. But he made sure he explained all the fine points to Jeff, rewinding a tape til he found the parts he wanted Jeff to see. By this time we are a couple of pints in, and Mr O’Brian goes searching for a song I have to hear in his box of cassettes- “On the banks of sweet Kilkea”- finds it and sings along with it for me!! I got the info on it, and I’m trying to find it for my mother.
By this time we were pretty toasty, so we tried to leave, coming back a few times for more stories. Of course, we promised to come back soon (hows August?) and stumbled next door to the Leinscter Arms for a quick dinner, then a white knuckle taxi ride to the b&b, and sleep. (In a much warmer room)

fran
Unregistered User
(2/19/03 3:53 am)

great reading!

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I'm really enjoying your "journal"-- gotta love the wooly jumpers! My husband & I just got back from a 10 day trip-- he is Irish with relatives there that we visited. We took sweatshirts for the teenage boys he didn't know what to say when thanked for the jumpers. HUH? And since I am Polish, I can relate to the kishka-like black pudding but still can't eat either one...
I'll be watching for your next installment--- wish I had kept a better journal than I did but the many pints got in my way!
Fran

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1178
(2/19/03 7:16 pm)

Re: Feb 5th, 2003- Athy & Moone- Pt 3

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Paddy,

LOL about the shower! Many older B&Bs have added en suite bathrooms to rooms that were small to begin with. In Ireland they are called "tight". There is one in Killarney (that I do describe it as tiny) where one person that stayed just had to take a photo of the "bathroom in a closet" and the "creative use of space". Another person who was very tall said the shower was like being in a coffin.

As for heat...well that's a whole other subject! (Though a hair dryer does a great job heating a small room.)

Michele

flyhigh
Unregistered User
(2/23/03 10:17 am)
 
We want M O R E ! (please)

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Best dialog of a trip I have seen.... Please think of more! ....Love it!

robin
Unregistered User
(2/26/03 4:06 pm)

Enjoying the journey

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I am enjoying your journey. My husband and I are heading to Ireland in September. We are also from Indiana as you say you are from. Tell us more!

When we travel, I always take along a diary so I can write about each day...otherwise by the end of your vacation you have forgotten the details of the first day.

Michelle, I am so looking forward to your book. Is it out yet? When in March do you think? Maybe I should send the $$ now. Let me know!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1209
(2/26/03 6:59 pm)

Re: Enjoying the journey

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Hi Robin,

I agree completely with you comments. We are all enjoying Paddy's continuing saga. I expect my book to be ready on St. Patrick's Day. How appropriate!

Michele

PaddyKraska
Registered User
Posts: 20
(2/27/03 6:11 am)

Indiana

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Heya-
We live in Mishawaka, right outside South Bend. It totally killed me that the whole time we were in Ireland, the weather was waaaay better there than here!! And thanks so much for your kind words about my rant!! I'm having fun reliving it!!
Paddy