Trip Across the Pond- Aug. 3rd & 4th

Saturday, Aug. 3- Cork

            Saturday we drove to Cork to see the Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone.  To get to the stone you had to walk up a stone spiral staircase.  Once you were on the top, in order to kiss the stone you had to lay down on your back, grab 2 metal bars and dip your head down an opening, which of course makes for a lovely photo.  Thank heaven there was a very nice man to help you up and down, otherwise I’m quite sure I would have been stuck.

            Cork was quite congested and took a bit of time to drive through to the Belvedere Lodge, which was on the edge of town.  Luke & Em’s and Adam & Micah’s rooms had a sliding door that opened out into an enclosed courtyard garden.  This was perfect for Gruffy, he could go outside and run around to his heart’s content.  We all took turns playing hide ‘n seek under the trees and in the gazebo.  Mark, Micah, and I babysat while the other three went out for food, drink, and music.  Em set up a little picnic for Gruffy. 

            Micah hid in the gazebo and Gruffy walked around to all the garden statues going shhh, shhh.  After we went inside, we watched him from the doorway having a conversation with a statue, hugging and kissing her. A few minutes later he had his pants down and was watering the grass.  I told Micah this is the stuff I miss the most, all these little funny things Gruffydd does and says.

Sunday, Aug. 4 – Merthyr Tydfil

            We were up early, packed, and ready to head to the Cork airport. We flew into Bristol, England and Dave & Lynne picked us up in two cars and transported us all back to Merthyr.  We brought the rainy weather with us from Ireland.

Yeah back to the Travelodge – our home away from home.  Mark & I are used to it, but Adam & Micah have a disabled room with twin beds and a walk in shower.  Sounds fine, but the twin beds are about a foot apart and permanently attached to the wall. The beds are so small their feet hang over the edge and Micah’s shoulders are as wide as the bed.  The shower is a surround curtain with a pull down seat. 

            Adam said, “It’s pretty ironic, coming from the B&B to this room.”  For kids who stay in hostels when they travel, I think they will be fine.

            Micah had to do laundry, as all his clothes need to be washed, and I mean absolutely everything in his suitcase.  He also had to have food, so we made a Tesco run.

            Luke and Dave had a bachelor party to attend, so they took the brothers with them.  Mark and I went back to the hotel to rest and catch up on email, etc.