Tuesday, April 29th

Galway.

We all slept hard. We've been on the move since we got here. Maybe trying to see whole country of Ireland in four days was a stretch.

We welcomed having a low key day. We visited Key Street in Gallway. It's a beautiful pedestrian only street lined with shops, cafes and people busking (playing for money). It was glorious. All the store fronts are a different color, so many people and languages.

My goal for the day was to purchase another Cladaugh ring. My mom had gotten one for me when she was here in 1995, but the band snapped. The first store I went in didn't have the correct size. They sent me to Thomas Dillons. I came to find out that Thomas Dillon has the rights to the original Cladaugh design. It's been around for 264 years. I knew Cladaughs were from Galway, but I didn't know the rest.

After shopping for a bit in Galway, we made out may across Ireland to Dublin (it only takes 2 hours to cross the entire country). We stopped to fill our BMW with diesel and 90 EURO later we were back on the road. Fun Fact, it said we could go another 756 miles on our tank of gas.

Now it's time to leave the Emerald Isle and head for the Highlands and a bit of a slower pace. I noticed on out itinerary that our plane is a TurboProp. What does a TurboProp look like ?

Our flight was pretty uneventful. The flight attendant was very sweet. I purchased something on the plane and used a credit card to pay for it. She borrowed a pen from another flight attend for me to sign the slip. Little did she know that I was carrying 14 pens with me. I'm not sure why I'm hoarding pens. Anyway, I signed the slip with my pen and told her to keep my pen because I had 13 others. She was so touched by it. Then my sister, who brought Minnesota pens for us to leave at B&B's where we stay, said we should give a MN pen to her. We did and explained that MN is where we're from. She was so touched that she gave us each a candybar. Then later she came back to tell us she didn't want to use the pens for fear she'd lose them and theiir so special....

It's amazing how far a little kindness can go.

We landed in Scotland and all four of us seemed to have renewed energy. This is the country none of us have visited. 

Tonight we're staying in Kinross, just north of Edinburgh. Tomorrow we're off to Balmoral Castle and Isle of Skye. We'll drive through the Highlands and along Loch Ness. Maybe we'll see Nessie?!

Monday, April 28th

I sleep so well, I forgot where I was. I sure did need that. Actually, we all slept in late. 

We had breakfast in a beautiful diningroom. Tender homemade scones, eggs, toast, sausage and bacon. 

Our first stop of the day was Ross Castle.

Ross Castle is a 15th century castle built around the 1450's. It was used for about 200 years, then left to fall into disrepair. In the 1950's a group of American businessmen bought the castle and the land with the intention of developing it as a holiday destination. One of the businessmen realized it would be wrong to do that. He bought out everyone in the group and set to renovating the castle. He pulled in the Irish government and they spent 20 years renovating the castle with Irish craftmen and artisians. When renovations were complete, he handed the castle and the land over to the Irish government. It was nice to hear of an American doing something to preverse history versus making money.

It was at Ross Castle that I finally felt like, "oh my goodness, I'm here!" I think it's because I'm finally on Irish time and not operating on a deficit. 

Before heading out of Killarny, we stopped for some picnic food and headed toward the Dingle Peninsula. I was behind the wheel again today. This was all going to be familiar road for me and I wanted Ellie to get to see it all.

We finally found our way into the city of Dingle. We arrived at 2:35 and to make the ferry in the next stop, we had to leave by 3:00. Tensions were beginning to rise and we all realized the schedule was too tight. We need to have some give in our schedule. We decided to skip the Cliffs of Moher and take a more leisurely pace.

We shopped in Dingle for awhile before decided to head out. 

I suggested we take Connor Pass. It's a beautiful drive with amazing views.

This was all looking familiar to me. We came to a stop along the road and I knew there was a mountain lake just a short hike up. When Todd and I were here, our friend took a picture of us standing in the stream.

It was as breath-taking as I remembered.

The mountain roads were just as I remembered. walled or cliffed on one side, cliff drop on the other side and narrow (at times only one lane). The ferry runs every hour on the half hour and out GPS was telling us that we were going to arrive at 6:23, then 6:27, finally 6:29. If we didn't make it, we were going to have to wait an hour. For those who know me well, you'll not be surprised that I drove like a local. I also prayed hard. Not a trusting prayer mind you. It was more like, "Lord, we really need to make the ferry. You will please help us? I mean, I know you can, but you probably won't". Oh me of little faith.

They had just closed the gate when we drove up. I stopped at the queue then inched forward. The very nice Irishman saw us and opened the gate. I honestly think it was about 20 seconds after we got on that the ferry was moving. "Thank you Lord". A 20 minute ferry ride and we were on our way.

The next leg of the journey felt like it took forever. We tired twice to stop at a pub for dinner, but they weren't serving or were already done serving. I really didn't want to arrive after dark to Galway, but we did. I'm so ready for bed. It's been a long (but good) day.

Sunday, April 27th

What a difference a good night sleep will do.

We awoke to sunshine over the Atlantic Ocean.

After getting ready and having a delicious breakfast, we were off to the Waterford Crystal Factory. Ellie continued to drive with me navigating. After a few wrong turns we finally made it. The tour lasted only 45 minutes, but I think we spent at least that much time in the store. 

There was a cute shop around the corner from Waterford Factory. We spent a good amount of time there too. I found my sweater there! I wanted to get an Aran Sweater while in Ireland and I found it in the little shop.

After leaving Waterford, the adventure really began. We were headed to Skibbereen. Google Maps said it would be a 2.5 hour drive. The locals said it would only take 2 hours. I think it took us closer to 3 plus a stop for lunch. Remember the scene in "The Holiday" when Cameron Diaz is driving to town and a big truck is coming toward her on a narrow road? That's what the drive was like. Ellie was champ driving, but I'm sure her hands must have been sore from clutching the steering wheel.

There were many gasps and much more laughter along the ride. Such fun!

We finally made it to Skibbereen. The purpose of going to Skibbereen was to see the town where our Great, Great Grandfather, Paul Spillane was born in 1821. He left Ireland during the Great Famine.

After leaving Skibbereen, we headed for our lodgings, Old Weir Lodge. The drive was magnificent! We drove part of the Ring of Kerry. There were mountains, sheep, goats, mountain overlooks, quaint villiages. We even went through a few tunnels along the way.

We arrived into Killarney as the sunset. We checked in, then they told us to be off to get a bit of dinner at Flesk's before they stopped serving. After dinner we came back and crashed at Old Weir Lodge.

Tomorrow we'll be off to Ross Castle, Dingle Penninsula and the Cliffs of Moher. 

Now for some sleep...

Saturday, April 26th

After a (very) long flight from Philidelphia to Dublin, we finally landed at about 9:45am.

I think I slept about 20 minutes on the flight. The rest of the group slept a little longer, but not much.

Customs...

Baggage...

Waiting...

Tired...

As we waited in lines, I couldn't help but wonder, worry, if the identity theft was going to be the shadow that hangs over my head the whole trip.

Was I supposed to not come?

That's usually the question I ask myself when things get hard.

Surely if things aren't going well, then I didn't hear God's clearly. 

"In this life you will have trouble, but I am with you."

Yes, yes. I am making the choice to trust. to submit.

I felt tired.

We made it through customs. All our bags came through.

Onto get our car. Our car.

Driving on the opposite side of the road, opposite side of the car, in Dublin, in the rain

I remind myself, we're getting the extra insurance....

As we approached the desk the car rental man was standing and smiling at us. He checked our insurance and started to send us on our way to the shuttle to get our car.

Then a pause. "Actally, I think I can help you here. We have a car. How about an upgrade at no extra cost?"

Um, okay. Yes pleases [photo to follow].

After many attempts and finally getting our luggage to fit, we were finally on our way. Ellie behind the wheel. Me with the map.

We were onto Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. It's Saturday. The line is out the building, down the sidewalk.

On moment it's raining, pouring, the next the sun is shining brightly. So beautiful.

Are we really here? Can think be real?

To be honest, I'm glad we saw the Book of Kells, but I think I was too tired ot truly enjoy them.

Back to the car. Get out the road map of Ireland. 

Well, I thought it was a road map....

We have no map. Trust.

After many turns, we are finally headed out of the city, new map in hand.

Next stop Killkenny Castle. I'm so tired.

I finally ask how badly people want to go to the castle.....

"Lets go to the B&B" we all decide.

Since we didn't really know how to get out of the city, we ended up on a small country road. So beautiful, but narrow. Ellie said she felt so much better when we finally made it to the highway.

We made out way all the way down too Tramore, along the Atlanic Ocean.

(that's car-the blue one)

We will finally get to sleep!

Tomorrow we're off to Waterford and Skibbereen.

Identity

My identity was stolen.

I'm not kidding. Minutes before I was to leave for the airport I got a message that my identity was stolen. 

My finger tips start to tingle.

My face goes flush.

I feel helpless. I feel alone.

What do I do? Who can I trust?

Seriously? Is this happening? No, I'm supposed to be leaving for the trip of a life time, not putting alerts on my credit. 

What can I do? Where do I have control in this?

I don't have control in this.

"Attempting to Lose Control"

Deep breath

I don't have control. There is only so much I can do.

I may be realizing one of my biggest fears, but I'm not alone in this.

Funny that it's called "identity theft". I always imagined if this happened, I would feel like I was in a free fall, unstable and out of control. Here I am in the midst of it.

My aunt and I were in line at Starbucks at the airport and it hit me. 

I don't feel unstable. I feel as though my feet are more firmly grounded. 

identity

No, my identity cannot be stolen.

You may steal my name. 

You may steal my credit information.

But I'm sorry. 

You cannot steal my identity.

I know who I am.

I know whose I am.

There are two choices before me.

I can worry or I can trust.

I choose to trust. Trust. Trust. Trust.

Furling & Unfurling

Furling...

I haven't even left for the trip and I've already allowed myself to be tripped up. 
Did you know when you travel internationally, your name on your ticket and your passport have to match-exactly?!

I have two middle names. 
Long story, but basically I didn't want my initials to be A-S-S. 

When I tried to check-in yesterday for our flight, there were notes all over about everything matching and so I thought I'd better call. After 20 minutes I found out that I'll have to check in at the airport and they can correct it there.

That should be it right? 
I was given a solution, wasn't I?

Then why were my finger tips still tingling?
Why did I have to keep taking deep breathes to calm myself?
Why do I feel like I need it fixed now?!


Unfurling...

I'm going to spend the next 15 days away from my family.

I've never been away from my boys for that long. 

This morning I readied them for school:

put on their backpacks

adjusted straps

good bye hugs and kisses.

Boy who willingly gives hugs held on a little longer, a little tighter.

Boy who is mostly unwilling to give hugs stood with his arms wide open.

As I sat in the window watching them make their way to the bus stop, I gave them up. I had to. I won't be here for the next 15 days. 

They'll be with their very capable dad,

but he's not me. 

He won't do things like I do.

I must let them go. I must let them go.

Lord, I trust them into your hands.

Ferns & Expectations

"It is a great loss if we greet every day with clenched hands stuffed with our own devices. We will never know what is out there waiting for us if we don't extend an empty hand to the world and wait for the wonder to happen." ~Radical Hospitality


Well, in three days I will attempt to un-clench my hands and attempt to lose control.

Control has always been a struggle for me. I wasn't always aware of it, but, non the less, it effected my life.

I very often feel like a fern after it's just broken through the ground.

It's all curled into it's self hanging on tight to break through the the ground trying to hold it down, but it continues to push and reach and strive to see the sunshine, feel the sunshine.

Until it finally breaks through

slowly unfurls

spreads it's leaves

bends back incomplete surrender with the sun shining warm on it.

Well, I'm not going to warm sunshine. I'm going to rainy Ireland, Scotland and England.

Three years ago I was trying to decide what I wanted to do to celebrate turning forty.

(I really do believe it's something worth celebrating, but I'll leave that for another post.)

The idea came to me that maybe I should take a trip to Ireland, Scotland and England with my sisters. They have always wanted to go and this may be the catalyst to get them there. Two of them said yes and we asked my aunt to go in my mom's place.

We'll be gone for 15 days. We're not going on a tour. We're making our own.

The fern in me wants to curl

wants to curl into a self protective pinwheel

but I resist. 

I will daily un-clench my hands

bend back

feel the warmth of the sun (Lord willing, I will be in Ireland after all)

focus on the Son

and surrender.

Lets see how this goes!