I am sure the afternoon off has done me the world of good. I do feel rested, still blocked up and a tight chest, but not going to let it stop me! Thanks for all the sympathy.
Woke up to pouring rain this morning. The rain over here is like a stealth assassin. It just creeps up and attacks. One minute it is sunny and the next it is pouring. Unlike at home, where rain is heralded with a blast of wind or a crack of thunder. OMG…I am talking about the weather again, aye I am indeed I am!
First stop for today was Blarney Castle, about an hours drive from Kenmore. I stayed way longer than I intended. It rained most of the time, but that is what a Drimac is for! The gardens were beautiful and there was just so much to see and do. Strangely, I had not been expecting too much, but I loved it. Clambering around the castle tower was a challenge. I went down to the dungeon and must have bumped my head 20 times. Then up the tower to kiss the Blarney Stone. You can only imagine how steep and narrow the staircase is and hard the climb is, if you have been here.
Mom, I did stop for a moment and think that you had climbed these same stairs and kissed the stone about 55 years ago. Bet you didn’t imagine that both your daughters would do it in the future.
As I mentioned to Mendy on FB, I was under huge pressure not to give up. Behind me was an 80 year old guy wih his daughter. He struggled and puffed and panted, but he made it up. He then proceeded to do the backbend and kiss the stone!!!! I felt like an absolute dork for taking to my ‘sickbed’ yesterday.
The view from above was fantastic. The gardens are blooming and the colour is incredible. I was super excited to see a Poisonous Garden- a secret hidden fantasy, I confess! I took lots of videos and made copious notes! If you fight with me, best you don’t drink home made tea.
Anyhoo, next minute it was after 3pm already. So back to the car to head to Cork. So glad that I changed my hotels to stay 2 nights in one place, instead of one night in Blarney and one night in Cork. Turns out Blarney is only 15 minute drive from Cork.
Oh yes, I met a woman from Fort McMurray in Canada, she is one of the people whose homes burned down in that awful fire. So she decided to travel for a month to Ireland! Talk about having crap to deal with when you get home. She is doing virtually same trip as me, just in the opposite direction. So we could pass some travels tips on to each other.
Have a great room in Cork, in a pretty alley wih a waterfall at the end! It has been pouring all afternoon. So I just ventured out to get cough mixture and for a quick dinner. Will do a hop on hop off bus tour tomorrow if it is still raining!
Raining at Blarney Castle
Crawling in the dungeon
Atop the castle
Kissing the Blarney Stone
I am taking up gardening
Guarding the cannabis plant
Humungous tree
Perfect fairy garden
In front of Blarney House
Bluebells remind me of Llangollen canals
Zoom on the guy on the left’s hairdo
Entrance to my hotel
Leanne Maree's blog 
Despite the rain and the flu you really enjoyed Blarney as I just knew you would. Your photos are wonderful!! The Emerald Isle proves to be just that. Twas in those gardens where I sought the fairies. They hid away from from me, but I knew they were there! If I Remember correctly there were no bars across the wall. Just the strong arms of an Irishman preventing me from falling.
Love the entrance to your hotel. Reminds me liitle of the one we stayed in in Venice.
Enjoy you day today. Keep well covered and safe. Sending you lots of love,hugs and kisses.
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Someone must have fallen on their head….there are bars ro hold as you go backwards
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Your good mood definitely comes through in this blog entry. You must be feeling much better.
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Also a bit rested, which helped a lot
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You were VERY brave to do the Blarney Stone thing……what with vertigo etc!!!!!! There was NO WAY I was going to climb those narrow stairs, let alone leaning backwards from a dizzy height. …….just watched Keith from down below!!!! Am pround of you girl!!!!!!!!! Hope you will feel much better as the time passes………gotta be for Bruce!!!!!!!
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Lol…it was a challenge! But worth it. My big panic is that rope bridge at Giants Causeway….I am not seeing that one happening for me! I am nursing the flu thing carefully thanks!
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Great pics Mrs Schmenks, sorry I missed the what’s app call but was in a public loo at the university, so a bit loath (I’ve kissed the stone😘) to answer the call. Glad you feeling better.
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Aah now that makes sense. I couldn’t figure the I am done! Whatsapp lol. The call was a misdial!
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Had trouble posting my comments… Love your pics, Ireland is beautiful. That dungeon looks scarey though, must be lots of skeletons in there… Hope you are feeling better.
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Much better thanks
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I love that Blarney Castle, it looks amazing!
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