Ireland in Sep 2013: Kilkenny, Kinsale, Kenmare

Continuing our journey through Ireland ...

Kilkenny

Rock of Cashel 

Kinsale

Kenmare

Foggy Beach Morning

Huge Yacht

We woke up this morning to a view of this huge yacht moored just off our beach, very close to the shore. The staff are all in red...as noted through our binoculars. No celeb sightings. Thought maybe they were stopping by to pick us up for a little island hopping. Ahoy!

Don found out from our neighbors talking around the pool that anyone can rent this yacht - for $1 million/week.

Ireland in Sep 2013: Dublin

Don & I went to Ireland where we met Nancy and Mac in Dublin. Our day or two in Dublin were filled with tours, pubs and lots of walking. Since I'm playing catch up, I will relay the adventure in photos.

One of the most interesting places we went was Kilmainham Gaol, which is one of the first "modern" prisons. Not only was the history of jails interesting but the history of Ireland came alive, especially standing in the area where many leaders of the Irish Rebellions imprisoned and some executed.

 The Guinness Storehouse was a must-see. A bit too over done, we were lucky that it was not busy. We had fun learning how to pour the perfect Guinness - its a 2-step process, by the way - and enjoying our free pint in the Gravity Bar, with its 360 degree view of Dublin, was the highlight.

That night we went on a musical pub crawl that was so interesting. The instruments are unique to Ireland, as noted in the photo of young buskers around Molly McGee on Grafton St. and everyone partakes whether you're good or not. We were told that "if you can't sing, just sing louder."

Lovin' her senior year @ Penn State

Clearly it's about academics ... with a little tailgating and football on the weekends thrown in for fun. This weekend did not disappoint. Photos from Carolyn.

Labo(u)r Day weekend in FL

We love going going to Florida. 

Our condo neighbors - always up for an evening together!

Typical late-afternoon summer sky.
The clouds roll in for a late storm - short-lived.

August visitors from the other London

Just had to document our visit from Arnie and Mary Lou a few weeks ago. To celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary they had booked a week at a seemingly cute, rustic resort in the Poconos that turned out to be more rustic than cute. After a few days of golf and plans to meet us for dinner, they ended up coming here early and spending a few nights. We loved having them.

To make them feel a little like they had extended their Pocono's holiday, we couldn't provide a heart-shaped bed but we did try for a little romantic ambiance! I'm sure Arnie read love poems to Mary Lou long into the eve.

We shared a lot of laughs and caught up on their lives and kids' lives over food and wine.

Mary Lou, Don & Arnie
They brought the food!

Happy 30th Anniversary!
We first met these two just weeks after their wedding at a baseball game.

We caught our dinner fresh at King's Grocery store.
I had a special request - no eyes.