Last Ireland post (except for rugby photos)

Before the rest of the Ireland photos, I want to mention something. We're watching an episode of Weeds, and I need to say this. Hunter Parrish, I know you're just 21 (and usually that really is too young for me to be interested, but in your case I'll make an exception). If you read this, just know that, as long as I have a face, you have a place to sit!


Hunter Parrish

Okay, now on with the rest of the Ireland photos.


Our trusty steed.


The east coast, south of Dublin.


My other half, pursuing his photographic endeavors!


I shot the photo of this jogger not because he was cute (he's okay, but there were outright hotties around there) but because of the shirt. Can you see the logo on the breast? On the east coast of Ireland, and the jogger who goes by is wearing an NYPD shirt!




This is very Ireland--the grassy hills going right up to the beach.




This was at a condo development on our way. They had a lighthouse theme and this "lighthouse" at the end of the parking lot. Behind it, you can just see a lightship docked there.


They did have a nice marina there. I guess that's part of the attraction of those condos.


This church was on our way and looked nice, but we couldn't get a good angle for a photo.




The Rock of Cashel




Hore Abbey below/across the way (or what's left of it)


Another view of the Rock.


Back on the road. How about that for a tight fit? See where the tires ran? Yes, it's that narrow!


One last stop.


Again, I couldn't get a good angle for a shot (unless I wanted to stand in the high-speed traffic, one land in each direction, no shoulder road--in which case, I wouldn't be alive to share these photos!).


A look inside the abbey.

Okay, that does it for Ireland, except for the rugby photos. And there are plenty of rugby photos to share!

More Ireland

Our next stop: the Cliffs of Moher. Yes, I shared a couple of photos right after we got home, but now I'll share a few more.

But first, shots from outside a pharmacy where we stopped.









I know, I know. Why is he boring me with these shots? Because I can! :) No, seriously, I found it interesting the way they do these pharmacy signs over there. Probably comes from being a pharmacist's kid and having grown up working in a pharmacy.

Not all of the pharmacies had both types of signage, but some, like this one, did. As you can see from the first two photos, they had modern-looking signage, including the lit up green cross that appeared to be universal for pharmacies. But, as you can see in the next two shots, they had older-style signage, too, including, I gather, the name of the head pharmacist.

Still awake?

Okay, as a reward for sticking with me, here are some Cliffs of Moher shots.




I loved the way the sun was breaking through these clouds over the water.


Cliff cows. There was some fencing, as you can see, but there wasn't enough to keep all of the cows from straying too far. Either they know to stay away from the edge, or people occasionally hear, "Fucking mooooooooo... *splash*"




O'Brien's Tower, at the top of the cliffs



I wish the weather had been better. At least a little less haze would have helped. *sigh* Anyhow, there you have them.

Next up: travels along the Irish coast... but, of course, not the same coast with the Cliffs of Moher. I mean, that would just be redundant! :)

Wow!

Before I go back to Ireland photos, I had to share this photo. It's not mine.

It's an AP photo of a fire retardant air drop on one of the fires in California. This is one of those photos that can't be planned. I'm sure the photographer just happened to be in the right place at the right time. With that said, if I were in his/her shoes, I'd be putting this on my wall. What a shot!


Click on it to enlarge

I'd love to know the effect that C-130 swooping so close by had on those people on the deck. Blown over? Slammed into the wall? No idea, but it has to be more than ruffled hair!

Aughnanure Castle

Continuing with castle photos...


A view from inside the grounds


This sign says a lot

I'm sharing the photo of the sign, because it says a lot about our experience in Ireland. If you read the warning (click on it, if you need a larger version), it says, in essence, "Pretty please, don't do anything bad here... or we'll rip your fucking lungs out! Thank you very much!"

Really, either ask nicely or warn us, but I love the combination approach. :)


This one is linked at full resolution (just click on it), in case you want to read the details.

If you do read that one, you'll get some insight into why so much of the Irish castles aren't so much castles as "ruins." That's largely courtesy of King Henry VIII of England, with help from his daughter Elizabeth. It's interesting how well Elizabeth seems to have come off in many accounts, because much of what I've read through the years has shown her to be rather brutal.


The stone steps up through the castle were narrow and tough to climb, so this rope was fixed to the wall to help everyone stay upright.


Steps up from the second level to the third.


This one is full-res also (just click on it), so you can read about various castle inhabitants, if you care to.


Inside the roof of the castle.


Castle cow

Well, I did promise you that there were cows there, so there you have one. After all, there was a field at the castle, so there had to be cows, because it's Ireland and that's the law! :)


Marc shot this photo. This archway was once over the entry to a hall at the castle. Now it stands in a wall that is outdoors on the grounds. What once was a hall now is a collection of ruins.

That will do it for the castle. More Ireland to come!

It's about doggone time!

Former Sen. Jesse Helms dies

To quote comedian George Wallace, anticipating this day, "Senator Jesse Helms died today, and it's about doggone time!!!"

There are plenty of good people whose political views differ from mine. There's nothing wrong with that. Even some of the current GOP mean well (no, really!), although that does seem to be a shrinking group. But the well-meaning shouldn't be confused with this nasty, bigoted asshole. If ever there was proof of the old line, "only the good die young," this is it.

Good riddance, evil old fucker.

Back to Ireland

Before launching into the next group of photos, I just want to note that my only reason for watching the U.S. Olympic Men's Swimming Trials is that I love swimming. Yup, that's it. I swam a lot as a child, and I just loooooooove the sport. So I watch, despite having to watch those men standing there with their big chests and broad shoulders exposed. That's just hard to watch. Mmm hmmm. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

Okay, so now let's look at some more Ireland photos.


Our stop: Aughnanure Castle


As we pulled up, this pup watched us from her neighboring house and then started heading our way.


Once we parked, she came over to say hello. She was very nice!


In the field next to the lot, there were horses grazing...


...and relaxing.

Not to worry! There are cows in another field near the castle. You'll see one in the next post. :)


Our new friend jumped with ease up onto the wall. BTW, I just love this photo. If you visit us, you may someday find a print on our wall.

Now this was funny. Apparently, at least one of the horses was territorial and not too friendly! For all I know, this is an ongoing rivalry.


The horse comes over. To really see what's going on, we need to zoom in.


Look at how they're looking at each other! If needed, click on the photo to see a larger version and get a look at their eyes!


Having given up on the wall, she found a nice spot in the parking lot. Here, you can see her looking nonchalant about the whole thing.


There were sights to enjoy before we reached the castle itself, like this flower.


I thought this was a pretty view.


Here's a panoramic view from inside the castle grounds.

Marc gets all of the credit for that last photo. He had me shoot a set of photos with the idea of stitching them together in mind. If he hadn't pushed me to do it, we wouldn't have that photo.

Next: a castle cow and some snapshots from around the castle.

Before we continue with the Ireland trip...

Let's fast-forward to today, just for this one post.

Two of our dogs, Mandy and Dodger, have been having serious itching problems. I just bathed them less than a week ago to try to address this issue, but the scratching hasn't stopped. Also, they've had anti-flea treatments. The cause of their itching has been a bit of a mystery. A frustrating mystery.

Hoping to resolve their issue, and thinking that perhaps a new shampoo was irritating their skin, I went to Petco for something designed to relieve itchy canine skin. While I was there, I saw this...



I beg your pardon? Love Glove? What sicko thought that was a good name for a pet product?

*sigh*

On a happier note, the canine cleanings are complete. Believe me, it's a lot of work, and I'm glad it's done!

At least it gives us a chance to enjoy some singing. Singing? Yes, singing.

When each dog is done being shampooed and conditioned, they are asked to "shake it out." That's the phrase they know for shaking dry. Invariably, the repeated requests to shake out will result in Marc and me singing (with apologies to the Beatles--and anyone with a fondness for the song "Twist & Shout" *grin*):

Shake it out, Dodgie*, now,
Shake it out, Dodgie,
Twist and bark,
Twist and bark,
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon Dodgie now,
Come on, Dodgie,
Come on and work it on out.

(*or Mandy)

Yes, it's just nonstop laughs around here! (Well, it never gets old for us!) :)