4 Leprechauns a Leaping!

Yes, we have been on the go for the last few days, and there hasn't been an internet cafe in sight! Here's a short synopsis...we've got to travel a mountain road quickly today.

We left Dublin.
Drove through the Wicklow Mountains through Glendalough
Spotting St. Kevin's Way and some beautiful churches and scenery.
Spent the night in Kilkenny at a wonderful B and B with Elizabeth as our hostess. This was our favorite B and B yet!
Drove to Waterford to see the Crystal Factory.
Spent the night in Midleton.
Visited the Old Jameson Distillery and had a taste of Irish Whiskey at 10:00 in the morning.
Drove to Killarney...spent 2 nights.
We are headed to the Dingle Peninsula today.

We'll update when we get there. Just wanted to check in with you all!

Love, The Blairs!

"Follow your nose and enjoy your holiday!" Kate, the pottery lady...

The Griswolds have almost completed their UK adventure. Tomorrow we leave on a ferry... to some of our Irish roots.

Before we give the latest...here are some answers to your questions:

• The VW Van is a dark blue.
• No "Bashowers" yet. We have usually had stand-up showers, but last night in Ruthin, we had a bath with a shower with a glass door that only covered 1/2 of the bathtub. Strange, but it was a hot shower.
• We are all wearing our deodorant; however, some of us (me included) may have to have some odor eaters or "peds" as Jennifer and I called them on the last European tour.
• Italian food is the best food in England.
• Our B and B in Bath reminded me of the Chocolate Biscuit from one of my other journeys. (Jennifer...pass this blog on to Cindy and Tracy). You all would have loved the bedding and the breakfasts.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007:

• We left Bath after a great visit at our B and B. Charlie the parrot greeted us and said goodbye to us as we left. I also forgot to write that we got to make our own orange juice through a neat machine. You just stuck 3 oranges in and out came a freshly squeezed cup of OJ.
• The VW headed through the Cotswolds of England. These quaint towns have inspired us all to come home and make our own English gardens.
• Northleach: had a neat curch and graveyard.
• The minivan headed to the grocery store and then drove on to Bibury, a quaint little town where there is a trout farm and a beautiful little stream going through the town. We also visited Arlington Row, a row of houses in that small town.
• Next, we sped up one of the motorways to Stow-in-the-Wold. We shopped and browsed and didn't buy a thing.
• The Blairs drove through Moreton-in-the-Marsh and headed north to Stratford-Upon-Avon. Stratford is the place where Shakespeare was born and spent some of his life. We got to the museums and house a little late, but there wasn't much to see. We did the "check, check" and made out way out of town.
• As we ventured out of town, we made our way to WALES! We had driven 270 miles from London on one tank of gas. We arrived in WALES at 8:40 p.m. or 20:40.
• To end our day, we drove through the beautiful Snowdonia Mountains to Ruthin.

Thursday, June 7, 2007:

• This morning, we left the Castle Hotel and walked to the Ruthin Castle. There, we met 2 lovely ladies dressed in medieval garb and one gave us a tour of the castle, while the other one showed us how to spin wool from all of the many SHEEP that we see here.
• Then we stopped at Kate's Pottery on a country road and bought a few treasures. She was delightful in her pink and white polka dot rainboots and planting attire.
• The VW van zipped up the road and headed to Betsw-y-coyd, pronounced "Bettus-coyd." This neat town is in the valley of the Snowdonia Mountains, a gathering for hikers and other nature-lovers. We ate our picnic lunch in the park and then headed on to Canaerfon.
• Canaerfon: A medieval town, home of a castle built by Kind Edward I. We toured the castle and then zipped on the road again. Whew! Are you all as tired as we are?
• Conwy: We stopped in this seaport town to rest for the night before we leave on the ferry tomorrow. We are at the Fishermore B and B with a delightful couple, Cath and Peter. (His daughter is a children's book author, so I'll probably bring home some souvenirs.)

Well, that is the latest. We'll write again in Ireland!

Sparky Goes to Bath!!!!

We felt like Sparky Griswold yesterday as we were on the search for the famous Stonehenge! We finally made it at 7:15 after the gates had closed...however, we parked on the side of the road...crossed the street and took the picture from the fence. It was what you might think....a big circle of rocks, but we checked it off our list. :) We even met a fellow American at the stop...a Texan.

Before that, though, we left London...rented a car and Adam (our driver) mastered the left hand side of the road...left hand driving part of our trip.

Here are the other highlights of yesterday (Monday):

• Renting a car at Heathrow: We had rented a midsize, but were upgraded (for free) for a VW van...it was great. (Mom, you would have loved it).
• Windsor Castle: The queen was there when we got there (according to the flag)...and when we left, she had gone)
• Eating a late lunch at Zizzi ( a great Italian restaurant)
• Stonehenge
• Traveling through the English countryside with no bathrooms, no snacks, etc.
• Finally arriving at our destination, the Tasburgh House Hotel, in Bath: This is the best treat we have had so far. We have a family room with luxurious sheets, down comforters, fabrics, and a delightful owner named Toni. She gave us a bottle of wine and we sipped on it listening to Harry Connick, Jr. and Norah Jones. (A true English treat!)

Tuesday, June 5th: A Day in Bath:

We awoke to a wonderful continental breakfast of fresh-squeezed orange juice, cheeses, fruits, homemade granola, etc. It was wonderful!
STrapping on our backpacks, we headed on the canals of the Avon River to the town of Bath.
Visited the Roman Baths...amazing.
Took the Doubledecker-Sightseeing Tour of Bath...a great way to see the city and the countryside.
Sipped a 1664 with two locals at a pub in the hub of the city center
Went to the Costume Museum (not a must, but fun to do)

We are now headed back to our B and B to rest for the night. (First, we have to find a room for tomorrow night.)

Happy trails!

Buckingham, Big Ben, and Bobbies

Our London venture has almost come to a close. We have had a wonderful time.

Here are the highlights from Saturday and Sunday:

Saturday:

• Jennifer, Baerta still works at the Garden Court Hotel...she remembered us. We tried to teach her some English.....but the language barrier was too thick.
• The Tower of London: We saw the Crown Jewels and attended a cannon ceremony in honor of the Queen's coronation
• Saw Mary Poppins in Leicester Square
• St. Paul's Cathedral...looked where Diana got married
• Ate at Little Italy's...great
• Shopped the afternoon away at Harrod's
• Stepped in one of Diana's favorite shops...Harvey Nichols
• Had a couple of 1664 beers
• When we were standing in line at the Tower, we met a girl from Samford...it definitely is a small world.
• Saw Tower Bridge....I need to look for Meg Ryan on it from that movie.
• Mile Count: 8.4
• Steps...?too many to count

Sunday:

• We have mastered the Tube, but the bus system almost threw us for a loop...literally...Stan was holding on for dear life.
• Big Ben and Parliament: We saw these during the day and at night...what a spectacular sight.
• Stan rode his first double decker bus. What fun!
• Trafalgar Square: We found cold Fantas and Cokes
• We stopped by Churchill's War Room...but didn't stop for too long.
• Organ Concert at Westminster Abbey
• We walked across the Millenium Bridge
• We walked along the Thames River...saw the Eye.
• Ate dinner again at Med Kitchen--a wonderful restaurant (there aren't many here in London) at Leicester Square
• Saw London Bridge
• We used the Water Closet at the Globe Theater (Bankside)
• Mile Count: 10.95
• Steps: 23189

Adam is a great tour guide. We are leaving tomorrow to explore the countryside...a new adventure for all of us. We'll try to write when we can.

Quotes of the past few days:

• "These double deckers sure can roll." Stan

Day 1: Mastering the Tube!

We have safely arrived in London, England. After a long 7 hour flight from Chicago...we are finally here. KK, Bubba, Adam and Karen are all ready for a long winter's night and it's only 9:15 here. We have eaten Cadbury chocolate, sipped on cider, and walked around london this afternoon.

Quote of the day:
Stan...."This is so much better than work!"

Only one mishap has occured...you'll have to ask KK about her jacket. April, you will laugh.

We visited the Samford Study Center where Adam studied in January 1999. It was fun for us all to see his old stomping grounds.

Jennifer, you will be proud to know that we only had one mishap on the Tube. Karen tried to let Adam through on her ticket, but got trapped by the double doors! Stan and Nikki did great manuevering through the mounds of people and the ticket counters. The rolling backpacks did great. We learned one tip: Roll them straight up and down...not at an angle.

Other tips:

• Pack lightly
• Wear comfy shoes (merrills and new balances are great)
• Eat before you have the "dinner" and "breakfast" on the plane: Thank goodness for Chilis Too in Chicago!
• Always have a Billy to goat your bags around (Rosemary, Tom, and Meredyth...you know what we mean!)
• Travel with friends who will be able to look at you in the same outfit for 20 days

Well, we are off to bed! More adventures to come!

The Blairs Go to Euope!

Well, it's finally here! The Blairs are headed to England, Wales, and Ireland. It's Jean Jacket's second European adventure. This time KK, Bubba, Karen and Adman are headed on an adventure together.

We'll try to post our findings when we can get to an Internet cafe'. I hope the bloggers from Jean Jacket's travel days will also check this blog to check out our destinations.