Biking the Waterford Greenway (9/24)

[Chris]

For our Wednesday adventure, we made it down to the southern coast for the first time, which we discovered is only about 30 minutes away!  That area has a "Greenway" which is an old railroad converted to a biking path.  We decided to rent bikes starting in Dungarvan and heading toward Waterford (home of the famed crystal 1783, and the oldest city in Ireland, Vikings 914, although of course people have lived in Ireland for many thousands of years).

Since it was the first time biking in a few decades for some of us, we decided to do the half-ride, which was about 30 miles round trip.  Not long enough to be miserable, but long enough to be sore.  We stopped at a boxcar diner in Kilmacthomas (church of the son of Thomas?) before turning around.  It was about 6 hours with all of our stops and photoshoots.

After our ride, we walked around town a bit to stretch our legs, backs, and necks and saw Dungarvan Castle, which was a little underwhelming.  I mean it was fine, but compared to the other 3 castles we've seen it was pretty run down, only has 2 spaces to look inside, and is under reconstruction.  But it is a rare example of a polygonal castle in Ireland and it is right on the ocean!

 

We were so young and innocent before we started

Setting out for Mordor Kilmacthomas

Our first view of the ocean (for readers from Grand Rapids, the ocean is a large body of water like Lake Michigan, but with salt).

The beach

The cliffs

Picturesque

A verdant tunnel

A literal tunnel

When I realized this used to be a railroad, the half-mile underground tunnel made more sense.  It seemed like a bit of overkill for a regular bike path.  The tunnel was eerie, it was much darker (and full of spiders) than this photo portrays.  It's so dark you are required to walk your bike.  The light here is the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel (and a long exposure due to night mode).

The path was mostly through farmland

If Doug S is reading, these are small-town Irish fire trucks. 

Stopping for lunch.  All of the eateries in this one-stoplight town cater to cyclists.  This one is literally on the path.

Another view of the ocean through a little tributary

I was excited to find this green rock in Ireland, but everyone told me it wasn't green.  I'll let the internet decide.

Almost back

Stopping for a final snack at a rock picnic table

30 minutes before closing, Dungarvan Castle was empty so we got a private screening of the history of the castle.

Its primary function in recent centuries (until 1987 in fact) was as barracks for soldiers and later, police officers

A small circular room is available for weddings (small weddings presumably)

The polygonal keep

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Who me?  No, I'm not tired at all (just to be clear, this photo was staged)

The view from the outside (there are multiple depths in this image, even though it looks like one piece of wall)

Walking the sidewalk along the bay before we head home.  Just FYI, there were no rails of any kind.  One misstep puts you in the drink.

 

Bars and Stars (9/22)

[Chris] 

Today was our first trip to a bona fide Irish pub. A bar in town has live Irish music Mondays at 9 pm, so we jumped in the car and headed over.  We weren't sure how pubs work in Ireland, but we eventually found our way to some seats, I ordered my first real Guinness, and we enjoyed the music.  It sounded like it was right off a "Music of Ireland" album.  I think there were two accordions!

After we got home, it was our first clear night and there were SO MANY STARS.  I mean we are in the middle of nowhere, so there is little ambient light.  It may be helpful to view the star images in a dark room.

Baker's Bar

I've never seen Steve the bartender and Ed Sheeran in the same room, for what its worth.

Mmmmm

Was hoping she wouldn't like it...

...what have I done??

Sam enjoying an Irish cider

Sunset over castle

This was a tiny portion of the sky as captured by phone.  There were hundreds of stars visible.  And if you have dust on your screen, there may be even more!

Big Dipper over castle

Big Dipper over castle with the flash on

 

  

 (Just kidding, we have floodlights we can turn on the castle)

 

Hiking the Vee (9/21)

[Chris]

We had been recommended a little region south of us called "The Vee" which is a valley between two mountains.  We were up pretty high, and the wind was pretty biting when we started. Fortunately our clothing was mostly effective, and it warmed up over time. There are panoramic views, a lake, and several hikes.  We chose the 3 hour hike to see Grubb's Monument.  Mr. Grubb was so enamored of the view he asked to be buried standing up, facing the view (just to be clear, he is encased in stone, you can't see him!).  And we had our first sheep sighting!  

The view went on for miles

Is it too early for senior pictures?

Obligatory family 0.5 selfie

A lake on the side of the mountain (Bay Lough)

You're never too high for pancakes, amirite?

The titular vee

Walking down to the "lough"

 

There is something so peaceful about bubbling streams.

Is it way too early for senior pictures?

Me explaining how data collection works to the girls.  They are rapturously taking notes just off camera.

Sheep! And yes, they are spray-painted

More view

RIP Mr. Grubb

Samuel Richard Grubb, 1855-1921.  He served as a justice of the peace and high sheriff.  Apparently his family was kicked out of the Quaker Society of Friends for "injurious amusement," namely "attending a ball at which music and dancing form a chief part"

Gadgets & Gizmos A-plenty, Whozits & Whatzits Galore!

[Sam]

Figuring out how to do all of the normal things of life -- dishes, laundry, making coffee, etc. -- has taken a couple of weeks. Slowly, we're settling into our Irish normal. I am extremely thankful for all of the modern conveniences such as a dishwasher, microwave, and 2-in-1 washer/dryer. Not gonna lie -- I was happy to see a washer in our pre-visit photos, but I definitely had some dread about hanging clothes to dry "the European way" while reading expectations of cool, rainy weather for 3 months.  

I hope you find it interesting to get a glimpse of our gadgets & gizmos. The thing that stands out to me most is how icons/pictures are used in place of words, yet most of the time figuring out what they mean is my biggest challenge! I'm thankful for some instructions manuals tucked away in a cupboard and for Google Lens.

Dishwasher controls

More clothes washer options than I know what to do with!

Depending on which option is selected, you can wash 1 kg to 8 kg of clothes. 

(No idea how to figure out the kgs of a load without a scale though!)

Still optimizing which cycles to use -- most are 6+ hours to wash & dry.  Also kind of weird that there is no lint tray - where does it go???

 

Luckily, I just put in a slice of bread and toasts pops up.   The color scheme is NYC, perhaps evoking taxicabs.

Special convection oven controls: timer, cook durations, and my favorite - the waving hand that means "cancel timed cooking." Chris explained that it is probably because you are telling the oven to go back to manual mode. I prefer to think of it as a friendly "hello, nice to have you cooking" or....now that I know it means "cancel", I get a chuckle thinking it's a frantic hand waving "STOP!"

Getting used to Celsius! (No idea why there is an "M"!  Chris: the High Medium and Low settings are for the broiler, or what they call the grill)

The microwave turns out to be relatively straightforward after Google helped me determine all the number buttons are wattage choices (not times!) So I keep it simple -- full power 1000W, rotate the dial for duration, and push start. 

Our posh coffee machine grinds the beans and brews a fresh cup, if you can figure out the buttons (and warning lights!) Note: The Professor has optimized this machine by using masking tape to cover all of the options except for the "Coffee" icon. This prevents any confusion (or decision making) while brewing the morning joe sans spectacles. :) 

To use an outlet, one must first turn on the outlet with the white switch near it. For more dangerous devices (like the stove, oven or hot water for a shower), one must turn on the red switches. I must say, there is something intimidating about these red switches throughout the house.

Many of the switch plates have multiple switches. Luckily the Professor found that handy roll of masking tape!

All the outlets in a room tend to be grouped together in a long row on one wall

Ready for a shower? Just turn on the red switch out in the hallway & push the start button in the shower! Getting the red/blue settings to a comfortable output is still a daily struggle.

The bathroom radiator doubles as a towel rack/warmer

Analog whatzits as well!! Plastic bottles do not allow the cap to come all the way off. This makes is tricky to screw back on, and sometimes to pour, but helps with not losing the cap (and recycling, I presume.)

And finally, the front door. No handle! 

Just the little latch knob to turn and use to pull open the door.

(Note, we've learned this little latch makes it really easy to lock ourselves out. D'oh.)