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!

Day one in London!, happy birthday to me!,,

We all made it London safe and sound...Maureen arrived about three hours late...we got to nap a little more in the airport while we waited...after a quick stop at the hotel to drop off our bags off we went to Covent Gardens...walked a bit and stopped for a bottle of wine and some apps..there was live entertainment and lots of  snacks....First a four piece sting group and then an opera singer...

Back to the hotel with about 30 minutes to get ready for dinner.  We headed over to Fiona's to meet my friend Melissa...great bday dinner...grilled avacados..prawns and a fig salad app..dinner was fish cakes,,,lamb,,,scallops...chicken Kiev and steak...and fabulous desserts..all of our favorites was the sticky toffee pudding!  Fiona even offered us an after dinner drink which we all took advantage of..it made for a great night if sleep....

Today we are off to a bus tour..afternoon tea and the London eye!  See you tomorrow morning!

Hello london!

We have arrived...made the trek from terminal 3 to terminal 2 to meet up with Maureen....unfortunately her flight is delayed about 2 hours...so we will relax and enjoy a cup of tea...as you should when in London..and wait for her arrival...then off to the city we go  on the tube!

Preflight cocktails...

Our trip has begun In The USAIRWAYS international  lounge...baileys beer and vodka..guess who is having what....and lots of snacks....vacation has begun..

Test a photo..

Just a test to be sure I know how to upload a photo...hoping to see beautiful scenery like this !