Sunshine & Shamrocks

October 11-12, 2008

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September 14, 2008 - After Hurricane Ike - Day Two

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September 13, 2008 - After Hurricane Ike - Day One

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September 12, 2008 - Preparing for Hurricane Ike

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September 10, 2008 - Night-Blooming Cereus

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September 6, 2008 - Buzz & Maggie wedding

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August 11-12, 2008 - Clayton in Houston after our vacation

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August 4 & 5, 2008 - Paris - London - Houston

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Finally getting around to posting our last vacation photos. The final two days were all about the metro/tube, train and plane. We made it home after a wonderful vacation. This turned out to be a really good way to keep a photo journal of our travels.

Videos taken on Eurostar from Paris to London

August 3, 2008 - Twenty-Second Post

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As is the custom with blogging we have reached our 22nd post and therefore must list 22 things about ourselves. (Some people think it is 100 posts but that is the way it was before today...the new trend is post 22 and then again at post 1022).

1. We established the new trend of 22 things about yourself after your 22nd post, because we are cutting edge.

2. We have tired feet and legs from our trip.

3. The roads we drove in Scotland and Ireland were so narrow, plus you drive on the wrong side of the road with the driver in what should be the passenger’s seat, this made us suck our panties up our ass a few times and had to stop and pull them out.

4. There are no shoulders on the roads to pull over and take a picture...disappointing.

5. There are 8,000 steps at the Cliffs of Mohr if you climb both sides....and we did.

6. Mom never took her eyes off the road while we were driving...and I drove the car.

7. In France they speak a different language...that we do not understand fully though we figured out toilette quickly.

8. If you take one long day and walk a big circle around Paris you will see everything...and you will sleep like a rock.

9. Technology is great . . . posts from our daughters blogs made Mom cry a few times!!

10. Clayton is a tear jerker too.

11. We are in our late forties physically (now) but in our early twenties mentally.

12. French TV is quite different from U.S. TV late on Saturday night...WOW!!

13. Paris is cheaper if you get salami, cheese and bread to eat and only drink water from the river.

14. We purchased apartments in Edinburgh, Westport, Mumbles and Paris...will decide later which ones to keep.

15. We ate fish and chips for the first five days in Scotland and Ireland....mmhhmm we loved it.

16. Each time it rained hard we were not affected... (knock on wood).

17. Today is our 34th anniversary...we got married when we were 10 years old.

18. When Mom was born I had my Dad drive me over to view her at the hospital.

19. We have had several passions in our lives...but now our only passions are our family and each other....and that is the way it should be.

20. I wore the same pants for the last 22 days....they have a rip in the ass...and Mom keeps trying to get a picture of it.

21. Paris is truly the city of love...everyone must add it to their list of things to do before they die.

22. We want to say hello to everyone and let them know that we have extended our vacation indefinitely. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

August 3, 2008 - Paris France

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Visited St. Sulpice Church

Walk to Orsay Museum

Large crowd lining up for an inline skate race

Musee d'Orsay

View from the Orsay

On our walk back to hotel

After our 34th anniversary dinner

August 2, 2008 - Paris France

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Walk and lunch

Two famous cafes

Lunch at Cafe Bonaparte

St. Germain-des-Pres Church

Eiffel Tower

August 1, 2008 - Paris France

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Started the day at the grocery store for picnic food and then a walk to Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg gardens

Plastic exhibit by Christophe Dalecki

River Seine

Notre Dame

River Seine

Louvre gardens

Monument near the Louvre

Under the Pyramid at the Louvre

Beginning our visit at the Louvre

Bronze statue 1780

Mona Lisa in the background

Mona Lisa

Painting by Eugene Delacroix 1827

David (Jacques-Louis) 1748-1825
Sacre de Napoleon

Veronese 1528-1588
Les Noces de Cana
The Wedding Feast at Cana, painted in Venice 1562-1563

Bernardino di Betto, dit PINTURICCHIO 1454-1513
La Vierge et l'Enfant entre saint Jerome et saint Gregoire le grand. Vers 1502-1508

The Winged Victory of Samothrace is a third century B.C. marble sculpture of the Greek goddess Nike (Victory). Since 1884, it has been prominently displayed at the Louvre and is one of the most celebrated sculptures in the world.

Aphrodite, known as Venus de Milo, discovered in 1820

Crypte du sphinx

The Louvre (Effiel Tower in the background)

Dinner near the Louvre

The Louvre gardens

Effiel Tower

Photos taken on walk back to hotel

Feeding the birds at Notre Dame

Notre Dame

River Seine

Church bells

The Louvre

The Louvre

Avenue des Champs-Elysees

Arc de Triomphe

Pond near the Eiffel Tower

July 31, 2008 - London to Paris

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St. Pancras International Train Station London - Eurostar

Printing train tickets

Clock at train station

Looking for an electrical converter to use in Paris

Quick breakfast at train station and then wait to board

Photo taken through window on train

The next few photos were taken just as we were arriving at Paris Nord

Smart car parked on Paris street

Our hotel in the background

View from hotel window

July 30, 2008 - Cardiff Wales to London England

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Breakfast at Wetherspoon in Cardiff

Traditional Welsh breakfast

Car parked outside restaurant

Cardiff Train Station

On the train headed to London

Photos taken on the train ride

Paddington Train Station in London

Many of these French students were sitting around us on the train

Dinner at restaurant near our hotel in London

Cardiff Train Station

Another accidental video

July 29, 2008 - Rhymney, Swansea & Mumbles Wales

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Millennium Stadium - Cardiff Wales

Photos taken in Cardiff on walk to get our rental car

On the road to Rhymney we sat in traffic due to an automobile accident. Made us feel like we were home in Houston traffic, all be it better scenery.

Rhymney - 'Ye ole Mum's soil'

Stopped in The Cake Shop for breakfast/lunch run by two older Welsh ladies. Once we picked out our lunch sandwiches, we turned to look at their pastries and immediately noticed the Welsh cookies that I have made before. I mentioned that I had the recipe for those cookies (they called them Welsh cakes) but I had to wait until my Mum was in her 80s to get it. They both asked, as well as a lady who was a customer in the store, if my recipe stated that they must be cooked on hot rocks. I told them "Hmmm, nope, my Mum forgot to mention the rocks". This drew a huge round of laughter from all of them.

Welsh Cakes

A relative lived on Carno Street

Photos taken of Rhymney from the outskirts of town

Swansea

This photo has a bird on a limb in the center, but probably difficult to see

Rental car

Mumbles

Stopped for a little, yummy snack

Asked this nice couple if I could take a picture of their dog. I mistakenly had the camera on video, and didn't realize, so you can view the dorky video below. They were sheep farmers until two years ago when they retired and moved to Mumbles. Their dog retired from sheep herding and moved with them.

This location dial shows points of interest along the shoreline in all directions

On our walk we spotted two small American flags at this home

Jennifer's hotel - Dad said the three of you may have stayed at this hotel

Photos taken on the drive back to Cardiff

Rainbow

Swansea video

Mumbles videos

July 28, 2008 - Dublin Ireland to Cardiff Wales

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Another travel day
Stopped at this airport cafe for coffee.

All these bottles were left just before rounding the corner for security check at the Dublin airport.

Just landed in Cardiff Wales

Luggage Carousel

Checking bus schedule from airport to Cardiff City Centre

Cardiff Castle

Photo taken on a walk in Cardiff

Dinner at Prezzo

City streets of Cardiff

July 27, 2008 - Galway to Dublin

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Tea and cookies in our hotel room

Packed and off to the train station

Waiting in line to board the train for Dublin

On the train

Mother and her two daughters sat across from us on the train

Checked into our hotel room and headed to Trinity College to view The Book of Kells. The Book of Kells contains a lavishly decorated copy, in Latin, of the four gospels. It has long been associated with St Colum Cille (c 521-597) who founded his principal monastery on the island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland, in about 561. The Book of Kells was probably produced early in the 9th century by the monks of Iona, working wholly or partially at Iona itself or at Kells, county Meath, where they moved after 806 AD, when Iona was attacked by the Vikings in a raid which left sixty-eight monks dead. The Book of Kells was sent to Dublin around 1653 for reasons of security during the Cromwellian period. Photos taken around Trinity College.

Took a walk down Grafton Street

Stopped for dinner at Bewley's

After dinner, continued our walk through the streets of Dublin

Street performers in Dublin

July 26, 2008 - Galway Ireland

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Our last day in Galway

o'maille is a very nice family owned store in Galway. They sell all kinds of knitwear and tweeds. We had a very nice visit with the owners who are exceedingly knowledgeable.

Eyre Square

Lunch at Food for Thought

Sights of the city

Pictures taken in hotel

Dinner at McSwiggan's where we shared a Guinness

July 25, 2008 - County Roscommon, County Mayo and Connemara

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Rented a car for a drive to County Roscommon, County Mayo and through Connemara. Arrived back at our hotel close to 1am after a nice day traveling off the beaten track.

County Roscommon

Tree at the entrance of Strokestown Park National Famine Museum, County Roscommon

Strokestown Park National Famine Museum

Original kitchen in the house

Stables

Big pot used to cook soup for Irish famine victims

Museum exhibits

Check out the reflection in the window

Roundabout traffic sign

After touring the museum, we stopped off at County Roscommon Heritage & Genealogy Centre. The genealogy curator was on holiday so we left contact information. The next few photos were taken at the Centre.

Westport, County Mayo

Statue of St. Patrick

Dinner at J.J. O'Malley, Westport

Pay for parking

County Mayo

Clew Bay, County Mayo

Grounds of Croagh Patrick

Clew Bay, County Mayo

Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage - mountain, 2,500 ft high, County Mayo near Westport. Legend connects it with St. Patrick, and its summit has long been a place of pilgrimage.

National Famine Memorial - A bronze ship sculpture memorializing the Irish potato famine, often referred to as "coffin ships". They carried Irish emigrants escaping the effects of the potato famine. These ships, crowded and disease ridden, with poor access to food and water, resulted in the deaths of many people as they crossed the Atlantic. Owners of coffin ships provided as little food, water, and living space as possible.

Grounds of the National Famine Memorial

Clew Bay, County Mayo

Connemara

Doo Lough (Irish for Black Lake)

Stone Cross in Doo Lough Valley - In the early 1800s the rural people in County Mayo were dependent on the potato for food and were the hardest hit during the Potato Famine in 1845. In the winter of 1849, approximately 600 starving Irish walked 12 miles from Louisburgh to Delphi Lodge to get food from their landlord but were turned away. On the walk back, almost 200 died along the side of the road.

Stone wall

By the time we made it to Kylemore Abbey, it had closed for the day.

July 24, 2008 - Cliffs of Moher & Burren

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Cliffs of Moher

Hotel room

Photos taken through bus window on the drive to the Cliffs of Moher

Arriving at the Cliffs

Slideshow in visitor center

Cliffs of Moher

The Burren

Photos taken through bus window on ride back to Galway

On a street in Galway

Video taken at Cliffs of Moher (will post three more later - taking too long and it is time to get on the road)

July 23, 2008 - Galway Ireland

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Cute little shop in Galway

Street with colorful buildings

View from the only window in our hotel room

One of the paintings on the wall in our room

Wonder who that is up ahead

Street sign on the building

Well behaved dog just hanging out

Cute little bird

Street performers

Small market with lots of fruits and veggies

Little shops

We sat outside for a late lunch at this little cafe

Looks like they have figured out a way to keep the pigeons from annoying customers

The next few photos were taken around River Corrib

Street artist

Someone was playing around with the blocks

Sights and sounds in Galway

July 22, 2008 - Glasgow Scotland to Dublin and on to Galway Ireland

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Dublin airport after our flight

Waiting at the bus stop in Dublin

Bird on the roof at train station in Dublin

On the train to Galway

Look closely and you will see our reflection in the window

Galway Train Station

Outside the train station

Dinner at McDonagh's

Gertrude DeGenhardt print on the wall at restaurant

Hard to steal this bicycle

Street artist - sculpted a dog and puppy with sand

The streets of Galway

Friendly little dog we saw walking back to our hotel room

Look who I caught in this photo

Our hotel room

Our hotel is very close to the train station

Street musicians in Galway

Street artists in Galway

July 21, 2008 - Drive to Inveraray, Oban & the Southern Highlands, Scotland

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Starting our drive to the Highlands

A short break

Inveraray

Making a new friend

Inveraray Maritime Museum

Enjoying the scenery

Shared fish & chips at the Royal Burgh Cafe

Couple of photos for someone's collection

Visiting with a new friend

Shops in Inveraray

Narrow side street in Inveraray

Church tower

Inveraray Castle

View from the castle grounds

Inveraray Castle

Sheep on castle grounds

Photo taken on drive between Inveraray and Oban

Street in Oban

Beautiful flowers seen all along our drive

July 20, 2008 - Edinburgh to Glasgow

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View from hotel window last night of our stay in Edinburgh

Waverly Train Station Edinburgh

On train before departure

Travel day

Train after arrival in Glasgow

July 19, 2008 - Edinburgh Scotland

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Yummy Scotch Pie

Pub had some dirty glasses

The remains of the chocolate giraffe

Crazy Scots

Queens Road Garden East

Edinburgh Castle in background

Castle Street sign

Flower stand on Princes St

West Princes Street Gardens

This bench had 'Jennifer slept here' carved on it

Bicycle race, concert and other activities in West Princes Street Gardens

Hard Rain Project display in West Princes Street Gardens near fountain

Lantern in the park

Royal Mile - St. Giles Cathedral

Bus traffic in Edinburgh

Dog spotted on a walk along Princes St

A little lady crossing the street in the rain

A little shop on Princes St

Jenners is a very large department store where we made a pit stop

Naturally, we could not pass up the opportunity to stop in at Waterstone's Book Store

MacTavish family history

the slug and lettuce

One of our pleasures

and this is another

Concert in Princes St Gardens

Fountain in Princes St Gardens

July 18, 2008 - Edinburgh Scotland - videos

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Royal Mile

Rock Bagpipers

Seagulls on Royal Mile

Street Performer

Bagpiper

July 18, 2008 - Edinburgh Scotland

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North Bridge - Edinburgh

Making a call in a phone booth on the Royal Mile - Looking for someone to help find my eyeglasses

Little side street off the Royal Mile

Couple little shops we stopped in to have a look

Stopped at Deacon's House Cafe on the Royal Mile for coffee and a little treat

Nice little resting place for the birds

Intricate carvings on St. Giles Cathedral

Royal Mile street sign

Edinburgh Castle in the background

The Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom used in Scotland

Statue at the entrance of Edinburgh Castle

Seagull perched on telephone booth

Another little side street off the Royal Mile

Calton Hill

Waverly Station

Chocolate giraffes we bought to enjoy in the room

Waverly Station

The most misplaced item of the day

July 17, 2008 Edinburgh Scotland

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Scotland, at last!

Street performer on Princes St

Scott Monument, Princes St

First dinner - Fish & Chips

Cafe Piccante - yummy fish & chips

Street signs outside hotel

Statue of Sherlock Holmes - a tribute to author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sea gulls perched on building ouside our hotel window

July 17, 2008 London to Edinburgh

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Outside Heathrow Terminal 5

Interesting Signs at Heathrow Terminal 5

July 16, 2008 Houston to London

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YES!!! DAY ONE!!!

Isn't she the cutest thing!