Rambling Traveler

Flickr Favorites: g.naharro

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:18:00 +0000

These pictures of the Scottish Highlands come from g.naharro's Scotland's Landscapes set on Flickr.

Things to do in Dublin, Ireland

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:34:00 +0000

An edited excerpt of our time in Dublin from my 2006 travel journal:

Day 10: After buying a daily family rambler pass, we took the bus into the city center. We walked through the Moore Street Market, but it was very quiet, only a few stands there at 10:00.

Our next stop was Old Library at Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. There was a long line, but it went very fast. In the first room, there are displays set up describing the history of the time and the books. The books are in a glass case in the 2nd room. After looking at the books, you go upstairs to the Long Room. The Book of Kells was amazing, and the library was beautiful. There are several old books displayed in glass cases. Our sons read part of the 1st edition of Jack and the Beanstalk.

We decided to try the lunch at the Porterhouse. The lamb souvlaki was delicious. Walked to St Stephen's Green where the boys played with their new soccer balls. We also wandered through Merrion Square before visiting the National Gallery of Ireland. Finished up the day with a tour of Christchurch Cathedral and Lebanese wraps for dinner. Christchurch was very interesting, the boys were fascinated by the medieval crypt.

Day 11: Back to the city center where we visited the National Museum of Ireland. We were there for about 2 hours. It was smaller than I expected, but with a lot of interesting displays. We liked the gold exhibit and the bog bodies and clothes the best. This museum was perfect, just enough to see without getting information overload. All 3 boys enjoyed it.

After some shopping, we ate delicious sandwiches and paninis at O'Neill's. After lunch, we did the tour of Dublin Castle. This was more interesting than I expected. I enjoyed the stories about Queen Victoria (the boys are calling her "the whiner" now) and we really liked the tour of the undercroft area. Our tour guide was great at creating visuals for us, helping us imagine what it was like so long ago.

We caught the bus to Phoenix Park, more room for the boys to kick the soccer ball around. The bus dropped us off at the People's Garden, and after touring so many places, resting for a few hours in a park sounded wonderful. We played in the People's Garden and visited the Wellington Monument, then went back to Dublin and to O'Neill's to try their dinner. Bring a big appetite! They serve huge portions. I had the beef and guinness stew with roasted potatoes. You could pick mashed or roasted. The roasted were delicious.

*** tip **** Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your bag. This came in very handy during our trip. Some of the restrooms weren't as clean as you might like, or might be missing soap, and sometimes you might put your hands on a railing or wall that is sticky. We used ours a lot.

More pictures of Dublin on Rambling Traveler:
Friday Photo Post: Views from a Dublin Bus
Dublin, Ireland
Anne Street in Dublin, Ireland

Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:37:00 +0000

In July 2006, Doug and I took our 3 boys, then 14, 12 and 10, to Ireland. Doug's sister, Denise, joined us. The following is an edited excerpt of our visit to the Powerscourt Estate in the Wicklow Mountains from my 2006 travel journal.

Day 9: After visiting Glendalough, we drove on to Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall. The gardens were beautiful and we enjoyed the long walk around the grounds.

There are shops inside the Powerscourt Estate, but they were extremely crowded, so we skipped the shopping and drove to the Powerscourt Waterfall.

It was crowded there, too, but no more than any nice park on a holiday. There were people having picnics, laying on blankets, playing ball, and to the boys excitement.... climbing on rocks. They climbed all around the base of the waterfall. There is also a snack bar, picnic tables, toilets, and a fun playground at the waterfall.

Like Trim Castle, this is another good day trip from Dublin.

Taking a Home Inventory

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:01:00 +0000

Teapot by jovike on flickr

Last week, I created a home inventory spreadsheet to record just about everything in our house and garage. After the massive decluttering I did last fall, I thought it wouldn't be too difficult to count our possessions. I was wrong, it still took a lot of time. Time and patience.

There are some things I didn't count. I didn't include the boys' bedrooms because when they move out, everything in their rooms is going with them. (I don't store any of my stuff in their closets, it all belongs to them.) I also didn't count any consumable products like food, cleaners, skin care, medicine or office supplies. Everything else got listed. I went through drawers, cabinets, closets, and storage containers, not to mention everything that sits out in plain view.

Why I put myself through this:

1. To calculate our net worth. J.D. at Get Rich Slowly had an article about calculating your net worth, and even though I don't think net worth is the most important number in personal-finance, I was still curious what ours was. Unfortunately, I didn't know the value of our personal property. I needed to list everything in our house and figure out what it was worth.

2. To make a comprehensive list for insurance purposes if ever needed. The list, combined with photos or videos of our personal property would make replacement of those items much easier.

3. To really acknowledge the sheer volume of stuff in our home, and hopefully do even more decluttering.

What I've learned from the experience:

1. Doing a home inventory is stressful because it makes you face everything you own. No hiding behind storage containers or drawers, and no lumping everything into one category. You have how many movie dvds and music cds? How many books are on your shelves? How many shirts, pants, shorts, shoes and jackets are in your closets? You get the idea. When you finish your inventory, you will know exactly what is in your home.

2. Do your inventory on a computer. It's easier to go back and add things you missed, or delete things you decide to give away or sell.

3. It's easier if things are put where they belong before you start counting. This would be near impossible to do without some attempt at organizing and decluttering before you start counting. I did use the inventory process to put some out of place things where they belonged, but it's important to keep counting and not get too sidetracked.

If you have children, and they are old enough to help, have them put things where they belong when you come across items like that. *Remember to add the items to your list if you've already inventoried the room they belong in.

4. Itemize carefully. The more detailed you are, the more you'll benefit from the inventory. Avoid listing things like your dishes as one item. Separate them out, otherwise you might not realize that you have 46 serving bowls. 46! That is downright embarrassing. It doesn't matter that some are plastic chip and dip bowls, some are china, some are crystal, and some are stoneware, all different sizes and collected over 18 years of marriage, 46 is way too many serving bowls. If serving dishes aren't your weakness, there is probably something else that will surprise you when you see the total number you own.

5. Go slow, but keep at it. Do one or two rooms a day and take your time going through each shelf and drawer. After a while, you might find it hard to face another shelf full of stuff, and you'll be tempted to lump it all under one heading. That's when you need to take a break and start again later.

The important thing is to not give up if you start to feel overwhelmed. Consider starting with your more organized rooms where it is easier to count possessions. The more rooms you finish, the more motivated you'll be to do the rest.

6. You can use the inventory to help you declutter and stay clutter free.
- While you are doing the inventory, keep a box close to you to put give away/garage sale items. You will be looking at everything you own and before you count an item, decide if you even want to keep it. If you don't, put it in the box and skip counting it. Just make sure you don't end up keeping what's in the box. (and if you are lucky enough to have a ruthless friend help you with some of those decisions, even better- Thanks, Deb!)

- When you are done with the inventory, you can make goals about how many lines on your spreadsheet you want to delete. If you follow the "1 in, 2 out" rule, or decide to join the 100 Thing Challenge, use the list to decide what to get rid of.

-When you go shopping, remind yourself that you'll have to enter all non-consumables into your spreadsheet. Hopefully that thought will help you avoid impulse purchases.

I've told a few people about the inventory, and so far, no one else wants to even think about attempting it themselves. It's hard to imagine counting everything, and it's scary to find out exactly what you own, but I think it's worth it.

Trim Castle in Ireland

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:20:00 +0000

If you are looking for a day trip from Dublin, I recommend taking a tour of Trim Castle and wandering around the beautiful countryside. We had a great lunch at Watson's Cafe and Pizzeria, just a short walk from the castle.

Bunratty Castle in Ireland

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:02:00 +0000

If you fly into Shannon, a great stop that first day is Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. A popular tourist attraction for good reason, I recommend it for even the most independent traveler, just relax and enjoy it for what it is. We had fun exploring the restored castle and other other historical buildings. There were also costumed re-enactors who described life in Ireland's past and answered questions.

The Ring of Kerry in Ireland

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:12:00 +0000

In July 2006, Doug and I took our 3 boys, then 14, 12 and 10, to Ireland. Doug's sister, Denise, joined us. The following is an edited excerpt from my 2006 travel journal.

Day 4: Today we drove the Ring of Kerry. We started at 8:30 in the morning before the buses started their tours. By getting an early start, and by making several scenic stops where buses can't go, we avoided a lot of the crowds all day (a benefit of driving yourself.)

On the advice of others who had gone before, we drove the route counter clockwise. The roads were winding, but not too narrow until Waterville. I liked the fuschia and montbresia flowers by the side of the roads. Our favorite place was Sheehan's Point by the statue of the Virgin Mary. The boys scrambled up the rocky hill while we took in the wonderful scenery. There weren't as many scenic views driving from Castlecove and Sneem to Kenmare, there was too much shrubbery along the roads. We saw a few tour buses pulled off at stops, but not many.

We stopped in Kenmare for lunch. Tried to get into the Purple Heather but it was full. Ate at O'Donnabhain's and it was wonderful. The beef and guinness stew was delicious. We wandered around a small market they had going on, and shopped in some stores. It is a very pretty town, and the perfect size for me.

The drive from Kenmare to Moll's Gap was nice, and the boys did some rock climbing at the Gap. After spending so much time at different stops, we were now meeting up with the tour buses that had taken shorter breaks. For the rest of the drive, we avoided the places the buses stopped.

Killarney National Park was beautiful and I would definitely recommend spending a day there for some hiking. A lot of buses at Ladies View by the store- yikes! We passed that by and stopped at a pull-out near the south end of Upper Lake where we walked through some trees and found more rocks to climb. Doug and the boys climbed down to the small beach while I relaxed up top with my sister-in-law.

In Killarney at 4:00, so we drove the Ring of Kerry in 7 1/2 hours, with plenty of time for stops. We did miss Staigue's Fort, a popular stop for others.* Had Chinese food for dinner, it was interesting to hear Irish phrases with Chinese accents!

*Another place I would like to explore is the Gap of Dunloe near Killarney. I've seen some amazing pictures of the mountain pass between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks and the Purple Mountains and I would love to spend some time there.

Australia's Twelve Apostles

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:25:00 +0000

Photos by Terry Pertile

My Brother-in-law was in Australia last February and took these picture of the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

Kylemore Abbey in County Galway

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:35:00 +0000

I took the top picture of Kylemore Abbey from the south side of Lough Pollacappul, on our way from Doo Lough to Clifden. The bottom picture is where the N59 passes the lake; Kylemore Abbey would be to the right.

The abbey was originally called Kylemore Castle and built between 1867 and 1871 as a present for the wife of Manchester tycoon Mitchell Henry. His wife, Margaret, had fallen in love with the area while visiting on their honeymoon. Unfortunately, she died in 1874 after contracting a fever during a trip to Egypt. Mr. Henry brought Margaret's body back to Kylemore for burial and constructed a gothic church in her memory.

The castle was later sold to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester, but after their mortgage was foreclosed on, the property was purchased by Benedictine nuns who had fled Belgium during World War I. The nuns turned the castle into an abbey with a boarding school for girls. The school is still open, but scheduled for closing in 2010.

Although most of the abbey is closed to visitors, you can tour a few rooms and walk the grounds, including a walled garden and Margaret's gothic church. There is also a visitor center with a gift shop and restaurant.

The Quays Bar in Dublin

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:01:00 +0000

The Quays Bar in Temple Bar, Dublin

We enjoyed a pint at The Quays one afternoon, listening to a talented musician and watching people walk by outside. Intrigued by the menu, we returned that evening for dinner. I highly recommend the seafood chowder. After dinner, we watched some musicians across the street in the Temple Bar Square.

Anne Street in Dublin, Ireland

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:19:00 +0000

Looking West Toward Grafton Street

Looking East Toward St Ann's Church on Dawson Street

Book Review: The White Mary by Kira Salak

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:24:00 +0000

Kira Salak's new novel, The White Mary is a work of fiction, but her descriptions of Papua New Guinea and the people who live there come from her own incredible experiences traveling in that county.

I first opened the book not expecting it to hold my attention, but after reading a few pages, I was hooked on a powerful and gripping story that is also easy to read.

The main character, Marika Vecerra, is a young war reporter who survives being captured by rebel soldiers in the Congo. Arriving back in the states, she finds out that her hero, journalist Robert Lewis, has committed suicide. In the process of writing his biography, Marika discovers Lewis might still be alive and she travels to Papua New Guinea to find out if it's true.

The interactions between Marika and her guide, Tobo, are some of my favorite parts of the story. Tobo's thoughts and perplexed reactions to Marika show differences between their cultures in an entertaining way. I also like how Marika's conversations with other characters introduce different philosophies of life, especially the discussions she has with her boyfriend, Seb.

Throughout the book, vivid descriptions include just enough detail to show the reader what's happening without being tiresome. I was delighted by the author's choice of words and the short, concise, descriptive sentences that flowed across each page.

Ms. Salak is a first class storyteller, and I definitely recommend adding this book to your reading list. I'm glad I did, and I'm looking forward to also reading her travel memoirs, Four Corners: A Journey into the Heart of Papua New Guinea and Cruelest Journey: Six Hundred Miles To Timbuktu.

*You can read an interview with Kira Salak on National Geographic Adventure.

Dublin, Ireland

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:08:00 +0000

The Ha'penny Bridge across the River Liffey

Scene from a Dublin Bus

We left Westport and returned to Dublin where we walked familiar streets and bridges for a day before catching a flight back to the states. It was fun to relive some of the memories from our 2006 trip.

Herding Sheep Along Lough Mask

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:14:00 +0000

After Lough Nafooey, we drove by Lough Mask, where we came across a man and his border collie herding sheep down the road.

Partry Mountains in County Mayo

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:28:00 +0000

Continuing our drive along R300, after Lough Nafooey, I took these pictures of the Partry Mountains in County Mayo. It's difficult to see the angle in the photos, but I liked how the stone walls went straight up the steep hillsides.

Lough Nafooey in County Galway

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:12:00 +0000

One of the regulars on the Trip Advisor Ireland forum recommended a scenic drive along Lough Nafooey for something to do in the County Mayo/County Galway area. I wasn't disappointed. These are some pictures I took on the west end of the lake.

Connemara's Sky Road

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:51:00 +0000

Ruins of the D'Arcy Mansion, Clifden Castle

West of Clifden is a 7 mile circular scenic drive called the Sky Road. These are all pictures from that drive.

You can also see pictures of Clifden on Rambling Traveler.

Clifden in County Galway, Ireland

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:44:00 +0000

Doo Lough in County Mayo, Ireland

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:50:00 +0000

Located in County Mayo, Doo Lough (pronounced like the Scottish Loch) is the location of a memorial to those who died in the Famine Walk of 1849.

In March of 1849, hundreds of starving people walked the 10 miles from Louisburgh down to the Delphi Lodge, hoping to get food for their families. They were turned away, and hundreds of people died on the walk back to Louisburgh.

Unfortunately, it was pouring rain and very windy the day we drove the same route, so we didn't get to spend as much time as I would have liked exploring the area. I definitely recommend the drive, though, especially if the weather is favorable. If you are in the area, Louisburgh has a small museum dedicated to Grace O'Malley that also has an exhibition about the potato famine.

Pubs in Westport, Ireland

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:00:00 +0000

The Jester

The Jester is similar to sports bars here in the states, and was a fun place to watch the UEFA Championship game between Manchester United and Chelsea.

Matt Molloy's

Matt Molloy's was crowded with tourists, but it was worth the stop. We were lucky enough to score a couple bar stools in one of the small sections away from all the traffic. In that sheltered snug, we met a couple from Nottinghamshire, England. His father was born near Westport and he had several interesting stories to share with us. We enjoyed the visit.

The Porter House

Except for us, this bar next to Matt Molloy's was all locals the night before the big game, and we listened in as they argued about which team would take the championship.

Streets of Castlebar in County Mayo

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:14:00 +0000

Main Street in Castlebar

Linenhall Street

Mulraney, Ireland

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:24:00 +0000

I liked the colors of this building.

The beach at Mulraney

Achill Island, Ireland

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:32:00 +0000

More pictures of Achill Island...

Related post on Rambling Traveler: Atlantic Coast Drive on Achill Island

Gorse Bushes in Ireland

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:34:00 +0000

We saw the golden-yellow flowers of the gorse, or furze, bush all over County Mayo and County Galway when we were there in May. The farmers consider it a nuisance, but the bright colors made me smile.

Peat Bogs on Achill Island

ramblingtraveler@gmail.com (Stacy) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Achill Island is full of peat bogs, and when we were there, people were in the middle of stacking the already cut peat. After reading about cutting peat in the books by Neil Williams and Christine Breen, it was great to actually see part of the process. Someday, I would like to see them cutting it, too. Until then, here is a video of cutting peat on YouTube.

View of Peat Bog from Minaun Heights