Big Mac Index

I neglected to include this note so I must apologize. I did find the price of a Big Mac in Ennis, Ireland. I forgot to check in Derry. In Ennis it was 3.70 Euros. In Grove City it is $2.95. This places the Purchasing Power Parity at .8 (2.95/3.70=.8). Since the exchange rate is about 1.40, the dollar is selling at a huge discount. It is very expensive to travel in Ireland.

No value meals were eaten to make this report.

Ready or not, here I come

I'll be in Klumbus this evening. I really enjoyed this trip. Most of the requisite sights and experiences remain unseen and unexperienced. I must return soon.

Last day in Dunquin

There are quite a few tropical plants here as it seldom freezes or snows. Ireland is across from Newfoundland!


This is the tail end of the riders in a Triathelon. Note how narrow the road is. It is much narrower elsewhere on their ride! The water is too cold for most of the rest of us but they have already finished a swim!

Today is the last day to spend in Dunquin. Yesterday I walked to the Blasket Iseland ferry dock. The weather has been bad enough that the natives are complaining about it so it is no wonder the ferry is not operating. I got some pictures but, like most of them I will probably have to lighten them up as the camera isn't as forgiving as it needs to be.

There is only one sight I know of left to see and one day left to see it. The Kilmalkedar church was built in the 12th century and a surprising amout of it still survives, according to theguide books.

I'm typing this as Judy and Dan go to the Dunquin church.

Tomorrow I will scoot across to Dublin and spend the night near the airport. Dublin will have to wait untill my next trip. I was intending to spend the last two days there but discovered this little event called the All Ireland. There are sure to be no hotel rooms to be had there. Kerry and Dublin are facing off for the 32d time for the national Irish Football championship. A very big thing.

This is some kind of wildflower on the road to the Blasket Center. That is in Dunquin also. There are a few places to walk to from here but none very far or difficult. I will come to Ireland next time with proper hiking togs. Mount Brandon and even lesser hikes need good hiking shoes.

Tonight we will go to Dingle to eat at Out of the Blue. Reputedly the best fish in Kerry.

Kerry plays Dublin in the All Ireland on Sunday. Kerry usually wins. There is talk of little else.

Dingle has at least fourteen music pubs. I've not been to one of them. I'm concerned about the drive back to Dunquin well after dark. There is only one pub in Dunquin (Kruger's) and it doesn't do music.

I should add, because of the All Ireland I decided not to take a chance on lodging in Dublin this weekend. I'm staying in Dunquin until Monday. I was able to get a room in Dublin for monday night.

Mountain climbing

This is the only shot that came out today of the mountain climb. It is a hut or ruined house across a saddle of the peak that I clambered up. I walked from the house we are renting for about 3 miles. Some of it was vertical. I passed a remnant of the filming of Ryan's Daughter from 1953 or thereabout. I have pictures of a schoolhouse. That is all that appears to remain. Kruger's Pub has contemporary photos.

I am bootlegging service from a B&B that is closed but has failed to disconnect the WIFI. There is no ther service available in Dunquin. Guilt prevents me from sending more.

The Dingle Loop

This is the Galarus Oratory, a mandatory stop on the peninsula. The claim that it has never leaked is a lie. There are calcite stains on the ceiling. It looks like the walls are shifting a teeny bit.

Yesterday we went to Dingle to look about. It is a small town with a church, a whole bundh of pubs, restaurants, gift shops and hotels. Dan got a SIMM for charlie's phone. Nothing else insisted on going home with me. There are a number of nice restaurants. Dingle is known for seafood.

Today Dan and I drove around the west end of the peninsula. We stopped at the Oratory and a bunch of great vantage points. The sun cooperated! When we got to Dingle we found the the best seafood place (Out of the Blue) doesn't serve lunch. We had to take the place next door. Not too bad.

On the way back to Dunquin we stopped at a promotory fort and a ring fort/beehive huts. The ring fort has defensive possibilities. The promotory fort has no military potential whatsoever.
It may have been a monastery or something.

Dan's place has no internet so I'm imposing on the proprietor of the B&B I stayed at before I found Dan. I'm going to leave soon so I've got other things to take care of. More later.

I found the Snyders!

It looks like I will stay in Dunquin.

Dunquin

This is a view from the Dingle Peninsila west of Dunquin looking west. The winds have been unusually strong.

I had a nice walk in the area. I still haven't met up with Dan Snyder yet. I'm staying at An Portan, which is across from the only pub in town. If I don't connect with Dan today, I'm going to Dingle or thereabout tomorrow. I've seen as much as needs seeing here.

I was asked to pay attention to what two wheel vehicles I see. There have been a few motorcycles and I onlysaw a single motorscooter. There have been quite a few bicyclists. I understand there are a few bicycle races hereabout. Some of the cyclists were kitted out like racers.

The wind is not a problem. The salt mist it smears on my glasses is annoying, though.

I'm having quite a pleasant stay, all in all. Indeed!

Doolin

I was minding my own business in my B&B room when I heard a helicopter approach. I landed 20 meters from my room! It seems the landlord's son is a bit of a local celebrity.I am staying tonight in Doolin. This is a far better music venue than Lisdoonvarna. I was enjoying a rather bland set of Trad music when a pair of visiting musitians arrived. Twas something to experienced. Picture dualing banjoes but the competition is far more sophisticated!

Anyway, before the visitors arrived, my request for Derry Aire without lyrics was honored. I was flummoxed, gobsmacked, and whatever else you wish to describe it. It brought tears to my eyes.

I toured the Cliffs of Moher. Very impressive. I have photos.

I met a local legend musician named Seamus (James) Cullinan. It was entertaining watching him chat up a girl from California. If I return to Doolin, I will get him to play Peggy Gordon. He is really quite good.

It rains in Ireland

Sofar it has rained every day. It was also windy in Derry. Not too cold, though.

I was most disappointed by Lisdoonvarna. The music was a bust. The weekday crowd is old! There is quite a bit of dancing but the music reminds me of Lawrence Welk. I was hit on by a pair of biddies who were looking for someone to dance with. I declined. I don't dance well.

Today I will go to Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher and see more of the Burren. In places it is quite lush. Not at all like Cromwell described it, "No tree to hang a man, nor water to drown him, nor earth enough to bury his bones."

I stayed last night at Wild Honey, an upscale B&B. I enjoyed it, but I will downscale in future. ATMs are scarce in this immediate area and "They don't take Murican Spress" so I must use cash.

I should have mentioned that in Derry I saw a Starbucks, MacDonalds, Burger King, and Subway. Fortunately I couldn't find a sharp stick to jam into my eye's. I fled the area in horror!

Lisdoonvarna

Lisdoon Lisdoon Lisdoonvarna. I was going to stay two nights here. The music I heard coming into town was terrible. I'm leaving tomorrow. Somewhere twixt here and Dingle I'll stay tomorrow night.

Distances are short over here. It took me most of the day to drive here from Derry but I was detoured and did stop some.

Driving over here is an adventure. The roads that do have a centerline are often quite narrow. It can be exciting when a truck or bus is coming at you! I've checked the mirrors a few times to see if I hit the stone wall or the vehicle in the other lane. So far not.

I have great flexibility with my own wheels but I can't sightsee as driving takes my complete concentration. I have been able to keep up with traffic and 100 KPH doesn't seem fast until you are doing it under these conditions.

I will take more pictures. I promise!

I should add: Get back in the market! The dollar has risen in value, oill is more expensive, the Euro is down. These are typical when I leave the country.

Still in Derry

This is a footbridge over the Foyle River. It looks a lot like a suggestion I made for one over the Old And Dingy and Olentangy River Road from St John Arena to the Schottenstein Center. Thatr would have made for better traffic flow, speed and safety. Instead they built that Art Nuveau atrocity that is just big.

I wonder if this is the "Rainy Season"? It has been rainy and windy last night and today. Not too cold, though.

I went to the genealogy place and had a nice conversation with the entire staff (one). He gave me a couple of suggestions and some encouragement. There is no information to be had on Bernard McGurk. Not likely to be any either. His brothers present possibilities, though. I can probably do the rest from home.

I found the problem with my camera and it appears fixed. (See bridge photo) I gotta go back to the Trad bar tonight and try again for photos. That means more Guinness. Ah, the sacrifices I must make!

I plan to leave here tomorrow.

Derry or Londonderry or XXXXXXderry

I'm staying at a hotel inside the walls. They don't close the gates at night anymore.

I drove here from Dublin yesterday. It isn't very far, actually. I stopped at Monahan and Omah and still made it in less than four hours, including a detour down a very narrow road. I've often sought out the roads without centerlines. Not, however, with oncoming semis and while driving a standard transmission car with right-hand drive. Exciting!

My camera is not working so I have no photos to show.

Last night I went to a Bogside bar for a Trad music session. Among the other tourists I met a girl born in Cincinnati and living in Columbus! If only I were forty years younger!

Leaving today for Ireland

I'm leaving this afternoon for the Auld Sod. Since I will be out of the country, I suggest that readers of this blog consider returning to the stock market. In past trips overseas the Dow has gone up.

I will be gone for 16 days. There is no set itinerary other than a visit to Dingle. I'll be in Tyrone and Derry looking for the clan base. I will probably spend the last two days in Dublin. All of these places deserve the whole time, but I'm going to just do a recon on this trip. Next year I hope to come over and do a bit of walking.

I've rented a manual transmission micro car. Hopefully the clutch is under the left foot! If not I've some adapting to do!

Last day in Napoli

I fly home tomorrow. Today chose to be rainy. I've seen almost all the museums I wish to. There is one site I will save for a future visit. I found an entrance to Pausylipon on one of my walks. It seems you must make an appointment to visit and I didn't do so this time.
This is a view of the Bay of Naples from my hike Monday. I also found these guys playing bowls.
I'm fed up fighting this internet link and the sun is back out. I'm going for a walk.

Buon Anno

Happy new year! Shirt sleeves again today. It was about 55 degrees here. Nice way to start the year.

I did the Big Mac index again the other day. Note that Micky Dees sells beer here as well. The index is about $1.62. Worse than Paris! I've been cooking some of my own meals and eating at peoples houses. The food is wonderful here. It is nice to have friends in a town like Napoli. Unfortunately Italian women want to feed you too much! I lost a little weight in Paris but have more than made up for it here.

The Duck waddles!