The Chen's lost their luggage in Glasgow, and didn't complain, even when it was found in the wrong room at the hotel where we had stayed ... but wasn't delivered to them for three days. Bob Beecher set off the fire alarm in one of the motels where we stayed ... trying to dry his socks with a hair dryer ... and his brother-in-law Tony Oxborrow blew a fuse in another motel when all he did was plug in his night light!
I’ll never forget we were in Ireland at the same time Ed Sheeran was performing all over the Emerald Isle; and, we just missed – by a couple of days – the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. I’m sure my invitation is waiting for me in the stack of mail on my kitchen counter. Talk about a frenzy!!!
Travel is always fun – no matter where and when – but Ireland is the go-to place for tourists so everywhere you go there are going to be about a dozen tour busses there with you. I look forward to getting back to “normal” … wearing clean clothes … not living out of a suitcase …. and, getting caught up on family and community news!
Our tour guide Jaime - a very talented, knowledgeable and personable young woman wrote us the following poem entitled "Scotland and Ireland May 2018" which she read at our official going home dinner:
At the welcome meeting we started to break the ice as one-by-one we said "hello" and I thought, "wow, aren't they nice."
With Damian at the wheel and Anne on the mic, we were off around "Auld reeking" taking in the sights.
Then to the Scottish show ... a highlight for some. Maybe that had something to do with Thomas, the kilt flickers bum!
But enough of that, away and off to bed. It's bags at seven and we leave at eight, at least so the poster said.
The next day was golf, a palace and whiskey, a destiny stone, ruins and marmalade on biscuits.
Friday was our Skye day and a long one it would be so there was a bribe of shortbread and a Nessie guarantee.
We toasted our happy couples with a highland quaich, not the last we'd blither about weddings though, oh, for goodness sake! (Thanks, Kevin!!!)
Now don't get me wrong, and not to sound precocious, but seriously Kevin, I'm going ballistic. This subject is atrocious!
Cruising though Bonnie Scotland, ooh aye the noo, the tartan army raised a glass of whiskey or Irn Bru.
John illuminated Glasgow, as another day was dawning, but all of that was soon forgot after the bathrobe in the morning.
Stirling next and just when will King Edward learn? The Scots are not for taking as they proved at Bannockburn.
Next we crossed the Irish Sea like the Celts and Vikings of old. Paul was at Titanic with stories of Belfast waiting to be told.
The Hwangs were also waiting (and waiting) for their luggage to appear. It sat all night - but in the wrong room - so far and yet so near!
To the Antrim coast on the hunt for giants and mythology. We were too smart for fake news because there's no such thing as geology.
The city with two names is the next place we would go. Ronan spoke of a future full of peace, one his children would know.
And now we've crossed the border, we've changed from sterling to euro, here close to the hometown of my beau.
"Matthew, oh Matthew ... where for art thou, Matthew?" No, really, where are you and what are you up to?
Can you drive for an hour for some luggage I seek, then drive two more and drop it off to me here in Belleck?
Through the land of saints and scholars with tombs, Yeats and a shrine, but your only interest was in this imaginary wedding of mine!
Onward to Galway and a happy birthday we said. Now open your present, Kevin. Why is your face so red?
An abbey and marble and cliffs were in store, with buskers and thatch cottages, peat fires and more.
Speaking of fires, hey, Bob, what's the news? We know it won't happen again because Tony blew the fuse!
"Gaelic Roots" that night and did you see how fast they move their feet? Never mind about that ... there's another question about sheep!
Now all these queries about the sheep, I really was quite stuck! But I know a man, who knows ewes from rams. He's on the Ring, just past Puck.
The craic was grand so we were sad to leave Killarney, but onwards we must go to kiss the stone at Blarney.
On the road and up to Dublin, our final staging post, which means we've come to the part I really hate the most.
But not just yet, there's more to see. St. Patrick's is on the list, the Phoenix Bar, Georgian doors and more - is there anything we've missed?
We've missed our beds, our cats and dogs ... and our family, but more than that, what we've missed the most was our sweet ICE tea!
Through Scotland and Ireland, we've done so much - made such memories - so all that's left is a fond farewell and a bon voyage from me!
So, beannacht Ireland … slán Alba! We will likely not pass this way again but it has been a great time and we’ve learned a lot about your roots … and ours!
1 comment:
What a treasure trove of memories you have captured so well. Well done and thank you so much for sharing this. We were thinking of doing a book, nooowwwww I don't know. Linda you have a rare talent for putting together a memory that is just FANTASTIC!!!!
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