Nature Walk

8/4 - Several of us were sitting around the table chatting about different places I should see. I brought up the subject of the new nature preserve, Killamuck Bog, here in the area. In the old days the bog provided peat for the locals. The peat was used for fuel to heat and cooking.
Luck was with me. A neighbor of my cousin is very interested in the bog and was thinking of going out to walk one of the trails. He asked if I'd like to go along. Of course I agreed as long as it was one of the shorter treks.
So late the next morn, Mark and I set out. What a knowledgable young man. I learned about the plant life, endangered species, and the animal life. I saw several species of dragon flies, frogs, tracks of different animals. We stopped many times mainly to observe and a few to dodge the rain showers.
When we came to end of the trek, two and half hours had passed in a flash. Since the Manor Hotel was there waiting for, we popped in for bit of liquid refreshment.

Afternoon out

8/2 - Ann had an appointment in Killkenny so off we took. We had tea and cakes at a hotel on the patio. Then after her appointment, into the center of town for shopping and dinner. I spent many a day in this place. It was great to see it again - changes and all.

Home at long last!

7/31 - Won't bore anyone with regular trials and tribulations of air travel. I had no problem with TSA. Had plenty of wait time for my different flights which were uneventful.
But the surprise came in Dublin. I waited my turn to go through immigrations and the customs. I was tired and hungry and didn't want anymore hassles. The immigration officer looked at my passport, asked me how long I planned on being in Ireland and if it was business or pleasure. I responded I would be here for a month and it would be pure pleasure. He handed me back my passport and with grand smile on his face he said ' Welcome to Ireland '. I proceeded to collect my luggage and was directed to a short walkway. As I reached the end, all I could see was the Duty Free shop and decorated wall- Ok what's the joke. I found an official looking person and asked where to now. He pointed to the wall and said though the exit. By God there were double doors with a very small exit sign on top. So through I went into the terminal and to be greeted two of my cousins.

My guess is Irish customs figure if you make through the TSA they don't need to be bothering checking also.
After a cup of good coffee, we headed out of Dublin and down to the country.

We arrived at my cousin's house around noon. Ann and I spent some time chatting with the first of many cups of tea to come. Got myself hooked up with the WiFi, chatted a bit more, and took a few hours of sleep. When I got up I was famished. I was so hungry I didn't take time to snap a picture of the plate of food Ann put in front of me. There was garlic potatoes and plain boiled, kale, mashed turnip and carrots, leg of lamb with gravy. Oh yes, tea.

After cleaning the kitchen, Ann and I headed to Killamuck. Killamuck is the place, or town's land as they say here, where this branch of the family began. There have been many change, but the memories will remain.