|
|
| Photos For Tropical Breeze Courtesy Of Clare Johns |
Touring Ireland, Kissing The True Blarney Stone
To the Editor:
I come back from every trip and feel this was the best! Well this was the BEST. Ireland today is fresh and vibrant. It’s gone techie and their food much improved. The pubs are still great with great beer. With this being my fourth trip to the green country I’m happy to say there are still 50 shades of green and seeing it with much sunshine made it extra special.
|
Clare Johns leans over backwards to “Kiss the Blarney Stone.” At right, Johns with Tropical Breeze in front of one of the many historic castles of Ireland.
|
This was advertised as a “Walking Tour through the Emerald Isle.” Being a single traveler was a little scary, but as usual there were other singles and we paired up quickly and became fast friends. Our walks through the country were long enough to enjoy but not too tough. There were 22 in our group and only five of us did the extension to the north part of Ireland to Derry. This trip I had the opportunity to “Kiss the Blarney Stone.” After climbing 137 steps, I was apprehensive to throw myself backwards to accomplish this feat but did so and was proud!
Being a small group with a great guide and a super bus driver made us like a family on a road trip. Blackberries grow all over Ireland and we ate our fill. With the weather being 5 to 10 degrees above normal and no rain, flowers were still blooming all through the country side. Ireland has many walled gardens and tropical blooms thrived. Our extension to the North was extra special. That part of the country has been at peace for the past three years and they are looking for tourism.
We went to the Giant Causeway and spent three hours exploring wonderful paths to see beautiful stone columns and views of the sea.
Because our group was small we got to a few places not on the schedule, namely the Carrick-aRede and Larrybane, a rope bridge spanning two large rocks overlooking the Atlantic. We had to walk a mile over hill and dale to scare ourselves silly crossing this bridge that swayed with the wind. This is a national treasure of Ireland. Originally the fisherman built this rope bridge to get to the edge of the ocean where the salmon ran during their spawning season. We also went to Bushmill Distillery and sampled their fine whiskey. We visited Yeats’ grave and had a fine walking tour of Derry, which is divided by the Foyle river. I sure encourage anyone that loves beauty and enjoys walking to consider a trip to Ireland to soak up memories.
Clare Johns
Clearwater
|
Front Page 
Images / Video 
