Killarney..jaunting car tour

Our first full day in Killarney..Wayne and I took a walk to find a place for breakfast while everyone else was getting ready..came across the jaunting cars which is a horse and carriage driver...he asked if we were interested in a ride..I think we just look like carriage ride people... I let him know we had 7 people..but most were still in bed ..he gave us a deal and his card to do come back later.

At this time of year they are lucky to get 2 rides a day and a full carriage of 7 people I am sure does not happen very often...

We came back to the house to gather the crew and headed out for breakfast..or I guess at 11am it is really brunch.

We headed over and Patrick was waiting for us...the big fare of the day!  We took a ride which was a little more than an hour with Patrick our driver and Judy our horse...the jaunting car license is very controlled..there are only 36 licenses..to ensure everyone can make a living...the license can only be passed to family member.If there is not a family member to pass the license to it is turned into the city and squashed..and ever reissued.  Patrick is 5 th generation jaunting car driver, his license will go to his nephew and then to his son Liam who is 16 months old.  Patrick Told us he met his wife on a tour about three years ago..she is from Australia..while it is off season here they depend Nov- March in Australia..

We took a ride through the killarney national park..stopped at several spots around the lake..and at Ross castle..another highlight for Elaine..very postcard looking views..we even saw a few stags which Wayne was excited to see..just wishing he had his rifle...it is rutting season so they were all out looking for a mate...we saw 2 of the 5 stags that are in  the park..they were about 10 point stags..very cool..saw a few Kerry cows which are bred and protected just for show..they are completely black and only raised in Kerry..

After our tour we all kind of wandered our own way to do some shopping..browsing etc...not many purchases but Sue and Mike did pretty well...we all made our way back to the house in the afternoon for a little rest...and of course 7 pm it was time to eat again..we headed out to dinner at treyvauds..excellent restaurant and very hight ratings on trip advisor...we had to sit at two table so there was the kids table for ..Maureen, Scott , wayne and me..and the adults table..for Sue, Mike and Elaine.  The kids table had three of the same dish which was similar to a lasagna but all veggie..the restaurant is owned by two brothers..when the check came it was in a book written by one of the brothers that you could buy.  When I read it was all about working in the hospitality industry I had to buy it...I guess their father was a very well know chef..they describe him as..Gordon Ramsey..Jamie Oliver and another chef all rolled together..the first master chef of ireland..I will have to look him up..the book is called " The Hooker InThe Lobby" .. The first line in the intro says.." If you are in any way offended by bad language, out this book down now!  ". I am sure all of my hospitality friends can appreciate that..we know what it sounds like in the back of the house..

We stopped at a bar where's he singer was just getting set up..so it was still pretty empty..found a table for all 7 of us and relaxed...good music and lots of fun..locals as well as people from all over the US.  I think Wayne and I have decided that hearing Ring of Fire everywhere we visit should be our goal...we can now chek off Ireland...what is it about that song

Fitbit tracker today 15817..7.02 miles...

Tomorrow off to tour the ring of Kerry! 

Our first night in Kilkarney...what's for dinner?

We arrived at our house in Killarney after a full day of traveling and touring...we got settled and unpacked and headed out to explore the town...we ended up at a bar called mustang Sally's to listen to some music...I don't even think they had food but if they did it would not be a place we would have eaten ...since there are 7 of us it makes it a little hard to find space in the small bars...so we wandered a bit and then realized it was 1000pm we were headed toward the house and still no food..

So what's for dinner you ask on our first night in Kilkarney...2 larges pizzas from Dominos....it was quick easy and hit the spot so it did its job...we will have much more irish meals in the days to come...

The house is great..4 bedrooms...5 full baths..and in a great location...

Excellent location, 3 min.walk to Killarney town - Sleeps 8- Private Parking - #1101040<http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p1101040>

Fitbit tracker for today 18973 steps..8.42 miles..

Limerick..Cliffs of Moher ..Adare and Killarney

Our day started with breakfast at the hotel restaurant.  Sue and Mike has people knocking on their door at 430 am..wrong room..so their sleep was interrupted...no one really seemed to get a good nights sleep...

We were picked up at 9am by Gabriel with Paddywagon tours.  Since it was just us we could pretty much do and stop where we wanted..he said I just know I am supposed to have you In Killarney between 5-6 pm...so off we went.

We decided to go right to the Cliffs of Moher since it was pretty clear and we should take advantage of the weather.  The cliffs were beautiful..and we had amazing views..sorry I still cannot post photos here....when we arrived we asked grandmom Kelly to clear up things for us and bring the sun out...and she did just that.

Since everyone will rat me out I will make my confession now..on the way to the cliffs I had a strange thought..I do not remember putting the all important all knowing binder in my bag...when we got the the cliffs I let the driver know and he called the hotel....they found my binder!  If you know how I plan a trip I would have been pretty much lost without the binder.  Fortunately we had to almost drive back through Limerick to get to Adare so it was not far out of the way to stop at the hotel to pick up the binder..but I may not live it down for a while.  

Mom hiked about half way..and the rest of us continued pretty far..A little more than  an hour hike round trip..some pretty scary high cliffs and narrow walk ways..but definitely worth the hike...the weather is so nice we were all sweating by the time we came back.

We have been told by many people that we have been very lucky with the weather...very little rain and beautiful temps...

We left the cliffs and headed to what locals call the mini cliffs..In the barren...you could almost walk to the sea and as Maureen and I were by the water everyone else was on  top of the cliffs..pretty cool...we have some great pictures..

We headed back toward Limerick..to get the all important binder...on the way we stopped at Bunratty Castle and had lunch at Durty Nellys..nice lunch of soup ..toasted sandwiches and of course  Guiness.  I had read alot about Bunratty but i did not think we could it in..Definate,y glad we did..we did not have to ego tour the castle but got an up lose view and took some photos.  We bought some fresh be

Read at the farmers marketing local cheese from the  cheese Monger.  

We continued our trip..picked up the binder and onto Adare...Adare was a quick stop.  It had a very irish  feel to it... Small homes and shops with thatched roof which were very neat..we had  a quick walk around town and a stop at the supermarket to get items for the house...Mike picked out a bottle of whiskey and we later realized that we were never charged for the bottle! bonus!  Then on to killarney..we had about and  and hour and a half drive...if was a quite drive as we were all pretty much worn out by this point.....lots of napping...

Next post... Our first night in Killarney....

Ireland day one.Limerick

The Kelly's  have made it to Ireland!  Sue, Mike  and Scott arrived into Shannon about 7am...we just Calculated  they are on about 30 hours with no sleep...they say they each got a little on the plane but not enough to really count.

Maureen , Wayne,  Mom and I arrived from London about 1230 and hopped In a cab to meet up with them at our hotel in Limerick...Scott was waiting at the door to greet us when we arrived!  What a wonderful welcome! We wandered around town visited King Johns Castle...which for my mom was the highlight so far...castle castles castles...top on Elaine's list..then stopped for lunch along the river at the LockeBar...very nice beers and seafood chowder..but no guiness yet.....wandered around and back to the hotel..for a quick refresh then to the lobby bar  for what I am sure will be the first of many guinesses while in Ireland..wandered around against until we were ready to eat...

There was a huge hurling match of the tv of bar bar we passed..it was between tippernany and Kilkenny..they played 4 nights ago in Dublin ..82000 people at the match and it ended in a draw..so they replayed again tonight..82000 people In Attendance and it was the ireland country finals so it was a pretty big deal...it was quite interesting to watch..I have no idea what the rules are or how to play..but it was really fast moving and interesting to watch..

The first Guiness was at the hotel bar before we headed out for the night.  I have been drinking lots of hard cider which is very good..Maureen's trying her way through all of the irish beers..

We walked along the river to the crowager bar...because of course it was time to eat again...and time for another drink.....off to bed...tomorrow The Cliffs of Moher..Adare and our spot for the week in Killarney....goodnight..

Hopefully some picture tomorrow night ...

Our final day in London !!

Our last day was the busiest day... We left the hotel at 830 am and headed toward Buckingham Palace.  Stopped for a little breakfast on the way..

We had a 945 ticket for the palace starting with the queens gallery... Very nice and great art work but a little long for all of us..  We then went to the Mews to see the carriages and cars.  We saw the carriage that the queen take each year to the opening  parliament.  The car Kate ride in I. The way to her wedding. And the Gold carriage that is use for coronation.  We then got to visit the state rooms.. Very cool.. We saw lots of the state rooms and saw the room where most of the royal wedding photos are taken.. Including Will and Kate's.  If you have not noticed yet I think will and Kate and the royal family are great and I am very intrigued by them .  I was  hoping to bump into them but at least I can say we stood where they did.  There was a special exhibit about growing up royal with lots of the children's clothes, mini cars, gifts and some video of the queen with the kid playing which was neat to see... Also got a quick 2 minute overview of the royal line which was interesting ...

After three hours at the palace Wayne was nice enough to give up one of his items which was the Churchill war rooms...

Then we were off the west end to fulfill Wayne's fish and chips request, he only had two thinks on his list so at least we did one.. We went to a tiny place called Gigs that was highly recommended on trip advisor... Very delicious and a nice serving ... Fish and chops was not safe enough for Elaine so she just had a salad... I have new trying to get mom to try new thing with not much success.

We the. Headed over to covent gardens to wander around a little before meeting up with Melissa at 4pm.  We saw a great performance and mom was very excited to hear hallelujah which is one of her favorite songs and she sang along to the whole song.  We met up with Melissa at Punch and Judy's for a few drink... While we made dinner arrangements to meet up with another London friend - Dean.   We made plans for dinner at so after a few drinks we headed over to a little Italian place... More drinks and lots of small plates that we shared... It was great hanging out with Melissa an Dean.

Back the tube and back to the hotel. My mom fells everyone should know that according to our fitbit trackers we walked about 16000 steps or 7.5 miles !!! Yoga does not prepare you for all of this walking...

I wanted to get caught up so we are in Heathrow right now and I am doing this on my phone ... So I apologize for any spelling  errors... See you in Ireland!

London day two..

Very busy day today...Started with a quick breakfast at Victoria station..then hopped on the tour bus...a little cool on the open top of the double decker bus..but definitely the best views..  We hopped off at the Tower of London and did our own tour..seeing some really old sections..from the 13th century.. the traitors gate- through which the worst criminal were delivered. ..chatted with a yeoman and of course the Crown Jewels..then we hopped on the river cruise that was included in our tour..cruised down the Thames to Westminster..great views of the London eye..house of parliament and Big Ben!  Hopped on the tube back to the hotel for a quick change to get ready for tea.

Back on the tube and over to the  Goring hotel for tea..of course I knew that this is where Kate spent the night before the wedding and got ready..but no one in London seems to know this..our concierge did not know and my friend Melissa did not know..but I guess it goes along with my royal family fascination...

I am having a problem with pictures so you will have to check fb for pics or just pictures through my descriptions...tea was amazing..we started with champagne and a chilled fish and lobster starter..then tea was served..2 , 3 tiered tea carts..sandwiches ..scones..clotted cream..jam and dessert...as many Replenishments as you want, and a to go box!  Everything was great..the scones and clotted cream were delicious..

Then. We were off to our 600 at the London eye..champagne experience...we had a nice glass of champagne and we took our 30 minute ride..it was pretty clear so the views were amazing...Big Ben and parliament...buckingham palace..and lots of other sights..

We stopped at what seemed like a carnival with a bar that was a carousel..the whole thing rotated..so one drink and back to the hotel to put mom to bed...wayne Maureen and I headed out for a drink and a little snack..the tea didn't quite fill up wayne...then back to the hotel and off to bed...another exciting day tomorrow as we visit Buckingham palace!