We're in Dublin, Ireland

We arrived in Dublin, Ireland yesterday evening. We had breakfast in Pitlochry, lunch in Edinburgh, and dinner in Dublin. Not bad, huh?

Enjoyed some Guinness and traditional Irish music at a pub last night and today we are exploring the big city of Dublin. We'll be here until we fly home . . . this Saturday.

Pithlochry, Scotland

We've been in Edinburgh since my last post. Enjoying the city and all it has to offer.

After a scenic train ride up to Pithlochry we arrived at our hotel yesterday evening. We're here for about a week and looking forward to going to listen to music at the Perthshire Amber Festival this weekend.

http://www.perthshireamber.com/

It is beautiful here and a much smaller town. Still much to explore and that's what we are off to do.

In love with Edinburgh, Scotland

We just arrived today in Edinburgh, Scotland! It's beautiful. A bit like a fairy tale. We're planning on staying in Scotland until the end of October. So, far it has been a wonderful experience.

We're in a two bedroom, two bathroom, living/dinning room and kitchen space. It's like an apartment that you can rent daily. It's very nice and it has it's own . . . OH MY GOD . . . WASHER AND DRYER! It's the best thing ever. Especially since we packed for travels to warmer places and Scotland in October is NOT warmer places. We've got one outfit each that works for this climate, hence the excitement about the washer and dryer. So, until we get our kilts, stockings, and boots we'll be getting our use out of the washer and dryer.

NOTE FOR MY MOM: If you ever wanted to dress me in red plaid . . . Scotland is the place to make it happen. : )

London, England

We arrived in London today and are staying with a wonderful host at her home. She is a friend of a friend. It's fantastic to stay in a home after our travels. We're heading to a local favorite pub just around the corner this evening and tomorrow it's downtown London we go.

 

Cairo, Egypt

We arrived in Cairo, Egypt yesterday. As our plane started it's decent we could see the pyramids and sand for as far as the eye could see. Egypt has been very exciting! Starting with our taxi ride from the airport to our hotel.

We are enjoying our hotel resort and as I type up this post Craig and I are enjoying a coffee and mango smoothie outside in one of the resort cafe's.

The temperature is very comfortable, at least at 9:28 in the morning. It is dry, obviously we are in desert country, and there is a nice breeze.  I think it will be warming up . . . we'll see how it is at 3 in the afternoon.  

This afternoon and evening we are going shopping at the Cairo Mall. Tomorrow we are doing a full day at the Egyptian Museum and then to Giza for the pyramids. Walk like an Egyptian . . .

In Athens, Greece

From Rome to Athens . . . our hotel is in a great location. We are a short stroll to the Acropolis,  New Acropolis Museum, and Temple of Olympian Zeus.

So, we are off to explore.

Alive and well in Rome

When posting doesn't come easy. It has been a real challenge to find Internet access while in Italy. Sorry family and friends. I did a much better job on my blog while in Newfoundland.

Where I've been . . .
Bologna
Reggio Emilia
Ferrara
Ravenna
Florence
Siena
San Gimignano
Volterra
Rome

It has been an experience. Many things good, some things not so good. What's up with small bathrooms, few and far between toilet seats, and sharing bathrooms. I know . . . spoiled American.

The food has been amazing, sights have been unreal, and fashion . . . people let me tell you we could use a bit more Italian fashion in North America. Wow! New wardrobe is on my next list of things to do.

Our last day in Newfoundland

Packing up, visiting with Dave and Marion, and maybe one more time to Mad Rocks.

Looking forward to seeing my friends and family back home.

Some pictures that I took the other day . . .

Birthday and Jiggs Dinner

Today was a big day for Dave, it was his Birthday! Craig and I decorated the house giving Dave a nice, big surprise for when he woke up. 

I’m not too sure how this is going to work . . . Dave is not a fan of birthdays and didn’t/doesn’t want anyone to know, but I’m posting this on my blog. So, shhhhhh!

Marion made a big jiggs dinner to celebrate . . . that thing that we’re not suppose to talk about, because it’s his all-time favorite meal. For those not familiar with the Newfoundland tradition of jiggs dinner, it includes salt beef, cabbage, potato, carrot, turnip, split pea, roast turkey with dressing and gravy. Not much huh? The salt beef, cabbage, potato, carrot, turnip and split pea are all cooked (peeled and whole) in one pot and boiled with water for several hours. Then the items are removed from the pot and served up separately. The vegetarian who generally stays clear of dairy, had her own mini-jigs pot minus salt beef and it was delicious.

Link to Jigg’s dinner info - http://newfoundland.ws/Newfoundland_Recipes_Cookbook.asp?Recipe_ID=Jiggs_Dinner

Our jiggs dinner was at lunch time, another Newfie-ism, and Marion’s brother Reg and his wife Shirley came over for our feast. It was a wonderful meal and visit. 

To the Swilers Rugby Club in St. Johns

Craig and I watched the Newfoundland/Atlantic Providences rugby team, the Rock, play against the Wolf Pack from Central Canada. Both teams entered the game undefeated and were equally matched; it was a nail biter of a game and ended a home crowd pleaser with the Rock winning. In two weeks the Rock plays against who I don’t know but another Canadian team for the Canadian Championship and it will be televised on CBC (a Canadian broadcasting station).

Link to interviews after the game http://ntv.ca/video/?p=5912

Many of Craig’s former team mates/friends were in the stands watching the game. It was like he was never gone, welcomed back into the fold, picking-up were they left off. Good times were had, with many handshakes, hugs and trips down memory lane, with all too easy smirks, smiles, and laughs. The day will have to hold’em till they meet again.  

Pictures Galore . . .

Craig sizing up a rock wall . . . .

Craig, always the jokester . . . doing his version of yoga up on a cliff.  

An old timer told Craig and Dave a Newfie Joke

This is how the joke went . . .

Back in the day, this young man living in Newfoundland wanted very badly to have his own car. Since he had no money and couldn't find work he left Newfoundland and went to Toronto. He was having a hard time saving up money and finding consistent work. One day he was walking on the side of the road in a remote area and came across a young woman having car troubles. He asked the woman, “What was wrong? “And she replied that she didn't know, but it wasn't working anymore. Much to her relief and gratitude, the young man offered to take a look. After a bit of work, he was able to get the car working again. The woman was so appreciative, she offered him some money for his work, but he wouldn't take it. He was just doing what any Newfoundlander would do, helping someone out in their time of need. Since she fancied him and thought there was a bit of chemistry between them, she went to the tree line and stripped off her clothes laying them on the ground and said, “Take what you want.” So, he took her car. When he made it back to Newfoundland he bumped into an old friend who asked how he got his car. After he told him the story, his friend responded, “I think you made the right choice, because I don’t think the clothes would have fit you.”

The Tickle Trunk, Big Dinner and a Glorious Sunset

Dropped into a kids/souvenir shop in downtown St. Johns.  

Then off to dinner . . . 

On the drive back home I had to stop and take this picture.

Ode to August's Last Day

It started out cool and gray for August’s last day

But a couple of layers kept the chill at bay

By afternoon the sun was a bloom

Keeping us warm and in a good mood

A drive along the coast side

To our Souls delight, we felt right energized

Dropped-in a café and filled our tummy

With biscuits and tea . . . oh so yummy

Took in the view with water so blue, atop rocky bay

Tossed a rock or two and laughed at the spray

Then on to winding roads to where we didn't know

Enjoying the ride, picturesque countryside

On our last stop, high on a mountain top

We picked wild berries, hidden between the big rocks

Came home relaxed and glad to be alive for yet another day 

Sights & Sounds of Newfoundland

Today I went twacking with Marion & Craig in St. Johns. For those not familiar with the term “twacking” it’s a Newfoundland term meaning to go shopping or just looking in shops. Newfoundlanders have so many unique words, different from typical North American English, that they even have their own dictionary.  For those that are interested, here is a link to a Newfoundland Dictionary website   http://www.heritage.nf.ca/dictionary/

My most favorite shop today was Fred’s music shop. Like the special dictionary just for Newfoundlanders, they also have lots of music that is very distinctively Newfoundland. It has a Celtic feel, but they also made it their own.

Link to Fred’s Music Shop http://www.freds.nf.ca/

Links to Newfoundland music that I’m really enjoying this trip:

Ian Foster http://www.myspace.com/ifbmusic

The Once (I’ve already posted this link, but here it is again) http://www.theonce.ca/music.htm

Amelia Curran http://www.myspace.com/ameliacurran

Some sights from Newfoundland:

God even rested for a day

Sort of taking a break from the blog today, it was a down, relaxing day. Not much to report, anyway.

Sending lots of love, big hugs and cool breezes to my family and friends. Cool breezes meant for those sweltering in Florida.  

Father & Son Fishing, Brigus for Lunch and Cupids Root Cellar

Gorgeous day today! It was a bright, sunny day with temperatures in the high 80’s.

I got inspired by the huge plate of freshly picked wild blueberries (by Dave) and made a big batch of blueberry pancakes for breakfast. It was decided during our pancake fest that Craig and his father Dave, would go fishing. They went out into the woods on a pond with Dave’s good fishing buddy Harvey. At the end of the day both Craig and Dave caught a fish each.

As for the ladies, Marion (Craig’s mom) and myself we relaxed for a bit, visited with Marion’s brother and wife who live next door, and went for drive along the coastline. We stopped in Brigus for a yummy lunch at the North St. Café.  

Then we drove to Cupids and I took this picture of what we think is a root cellar. It was a rather unique looking root cellar.  

The rest of the day was spent running some errands and relaxing. 

Man this island is big!

Left Gros Morne and headed back to Shearstown, where Craig’s parents live.

Took a side-trip to Twillingate, which was sort of on the way. We ate at a wonderful tea room and bakery. I had homemade baked beans with fried dough called Toutons, hmmm so good. Didn’t stay long, we had another 4-5 hours left on our drive home, but I took a couple of pictures.  

Finally, we made it to "Home Sweet Home."

Western Brook Hike, Parting is such sweet sorrow, Baby Moose, Hot Bath, and Murder Mystery Theater

After another wonderful sleep in the mini-van and more soothing wake up than the day before we had a big hot breakfast and family time. Eventually we began the pack-up process and departed the Cow Head campground.

We went for a hike at Western Brook and it was a pleasure after the Green Gardens, hike from Hell. This area is flat and mostly marshy bogs. They have boardwalks built to keep us out of the bog.    

After our hike we stopped at a chip van, which are usually vans along the side of the road where they serve French fries (a.k.a. chips) and other local favorites, such as moose burgers and soup, squid rings and pea soup. We filled our bellies, took some family photos and then said our goodbyes. Jackie, Scott, Sarah, and David went on their way back home to New Brunswick and Craig and I stayed in Cow Head at a HOTEL. No more camping for me, No-Sir-Ree-Bob.

On our way back to the hotel in Cow Head we saw a baby moose with its mom eating some vegetation along the side of the road. We stopped to take a gander. See the cutie pie below.

Once checked-in to the Shallow Bay Hotel in Cow Head, I took a hot bath. It was the best bath ever. Our room was fantastic and service at Shallow Bay Hotel was top notch.

After a long soak in the tub we hit the town of Cow Head, which really is not big at all, but none the less we took in a great show at the Gros Morne Theater (http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/play_Axe.html)  just a couple of steps from our hotel. It was a murder mystery, “The Double Axe Murders,” based on a true story; really well done, fantastic actors, great set design, and story line. Then a few steps and sometime later, we’re tucked into our bed, not a tent or mini-van, to sleep and dream.    

Car alarm wake-up, Yoga at Lake Lomond, then off to Cow Head Beach

It was absolutely divine to sleep in the mini-van last night. We stowed the back seats and set-up the sleeping gear on the flat floor. It was nice and quiet dry and warm. The only time it was not quiet was when I opened the side door to the van to go to the bathroom at 6 in the morning and set off the van alarm. Craig, who was sleeping in the tent next to the van and my niece Sarah sleeping in the mini-van with me woke to the alarm. Thankfully Craig, who had the keys (as well as the one who had locked us in at bedtime) turned off the alarm very quickly. It was a rough way to start a day and I’m sure that my fellow campers in the campground were none to pleased with me.

 

After a bit, I walked down to Lake Lomond for meditation and yoga practice. It was so beautiful and peaceful down by the lake that it made for a wonderful setting to my practice.

Then off to Cow Head campgrounds, which was about an hour away from Lake Lomond. It was a gorgeous drive through the park. I don’t know of that many national parks that are so big that after an hour of driving you’re still in the park.   

The Cow Head campground was a bit of an upgrade from Lake Lomond, in so much as you can upgrade a camping site. Our site was closer to the restrooms and as a plus these facilities were nicer - less outdoorsy. I’ve never been a big fan of openings that allow for spiders and other creepy crawlies to waltz right into areas that I blindly bare my bum.

Another bonus to this campground was the sandy beach just a short stroll from our site. For my friends in Florida, a sandy beach is no big deal, but up here in Newfoundland its a rarity, normally they have rocky beaches. It works out well for me because I’d much rather look for interesting rocks than sea shells anyways. We went for a walk on the beach, took in the fresh ocean air and scenery.

Picture pie

Caught my eye,

Big sky up high

Winds a’blowin’

 Waves a’crashin’

Fishermen at a livin’

Starfish and jellyfish a’coastin’

Sea urchins a’searchin’

Down below 

                                                  where only the rocks go