We were to meet in wheel House bar at 1145. Please have Adam and I after we checked in waite along the side so they could take us down in the elevator as he is using his shillelagh to walk around as it makes him feel more balanced, out on the cobblestones. And walking down 6 floors of steps is not a good thing. When we finally got called and was a zoo down there as there were many people exiting the ship to go home. We finally found our bus and found a seat for the two of us as we knew the day was going to be long.
First stop was Saint Patty’s cathedral. I for one was not that impressed it was small in comparison to many other cathedrals that we’ve seen but it was nice. Then we went to see Orson Welles statue in my opinion that was a waste of time but maybe that’s because I’m not at Not an Orson Wells fan ha ha.
Traffic in Dublin is worse than traffic in Washington DC there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason as to how the cars go or when they stop whole lot so it took us a long time to get out of Dublin and onto the highway to go out to Glendalough.
Our tour guid was named Annie and would you believe our bus driver was Declan? They were both great, but Declan was fabulous. We didn’t realize until later that did yesterday was Friday the 13th but it proved to be that kind of a day for Declan as he had to get us out of some of the tightest places you would believe. And it seemed like just when we thought things were going to go easily they went more difficult than ever they missed the turn to Glendalough and we went over the countryside over and the mountains which we didn’t even realize they had in this part of Ireland, but they do, it almost look like we were traveling over the hills in Italy where we’ve gone to some of the nice wine vineyards. The views on this wrong turn were spectacular. Many of us thought the same, but there are always a few who were complaining, as we were going to be late to go to Glendalough. And dinner, god forbid!
Now let me tell you about Glendalough; Glendalough monastic site, one of Ireland's most famous tourist attractions. Positioned in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the Glendalough monastic site is a fascinating early Christian settlement in a spectacular natural location, founded by Saint Kevin in the 6th century.
The extensive ruins of Glendalough include several early churches, and an impressive 30-metre high round tower. The valley stretches for approximately 3km and contains several areas of great historical interest and beauty. The Upper Lake area was the original site of the monastic settlement and features Reefert Church, Temple-na-Skellig, Saint Kevin's Cell, Saint Kevin's Bed, the Caher and various high crosses.
Ed and I didn’t see a lot of it as time was of the essence, and by the time we got there they were ready to close, but they stayed open so we could see some, and those people younger and fitter then we, could run and see more. On a goo day, it would have been a two hour drive out here, today it was over three! It was a beautiful setting that is for sure.
We left to go to the Avoca, weavers in a small town, with very, very, narrow roads, you wouldn’t believe what Declan our driver had to do, as people in there cars didn’t want to give way. I wish I had tacken a picture of this one car........ oh my, I wasn’t sure we were going to get out of that one. Like Annie said later, everything that could go wrong did, so the Mill was closed by the time we got there, but the shop wasn’t!! I bought a beautiful Irish wool sweater and scarf.
Then it was on to dinner, and that was in the Wodenbridge Hotel and Lodge. It was a wonderful dinner, but again we were rushed, oh well it is what it is as they say. We arrived back at the ship at 9:30, pm sailing was nine pm. Came to the room exhausted, but happy.
St Patrick’s Cathedral floor and Sanctuary
The hills of Dublin.
One of the pillars of Glendalough with Ed.
Our bus driver Declan
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