Posts

You will not be seeing posts from me everyday, probably not every other day either. We are not here on holiday, so there will be many a days we do routine stuff around town and to us it's just not noteworthy.  Like today, went to the bank this morning, walked to Lennon's for our fruit & veggie shopping. Walked back the apartment, got the car and drove to the mall (rain) for the rest of our grocery's at Tesco. (Tesco's are generally associated with a mall) Strange, but there are also butchers & bakery's in the malls too.  Stopped at the bakery and picked up our breads for the week.  Had lunch, took a little walk (3-5 miles) and came home for coffee & tea. Along the way I do take a few pictures that I will likely post on face book.  I call these 'one-time' stories.  SO when we do get around to playing tourists, I'll post.

Athlone the Town

Athlone “at the heart of Ireland”

Birds-eye view

It dawned on me, I’ve already posted a few random pictures of our tiny town, and the River Shannon area out my window, but have yet to talk about the city, or location, itself.  It’s not very big, population of about 22,000 and there is only one bridge that crosses the river that connects the ‘westside’ and the ‘eastside’ of town. (The birds-eye view I borrowed from the internet, you can see 3 bridges. The top one is the motorway (freeway) the next one is a train trellis, and the bottom one is the bridge) We have a small castle which dates to the 12th century and the oldest pub in Ireland, dating back to 900 A.D. What’s great about

Sean’s Bar is it not just a tourist attraction, it’s a favorite with the locals as well. Most buildings are colorfully painted, with flowers everywhere. We’ve counted 7 churches and 2 shopping malls. It’s a typical town with a main street barely big enough for two-way traffic and the sidewalks are no better. To avoid the traffic jams, there are a number of one-ways streets, which I continue to discover. In fact, in order to get to our apartment, we must drive here & back again on one-way roads. Along the banks of the river there are numerous parks and walking paths. We have only explored 3 of them so far. There is one movie theater and three funeral parlors. A couple of small medical centers – think the largest hospital is up the road in Roscommon. We have a train station that can connect all four corners of Ireland. North of the town is Lough (Lake) Ree, very popular with boat enthusiasts and a waterpark (in the water) at Hodson Bay. River Shannon, which splits the town in two runs about 225 miles; from Dowra, the most northern navigable point, to Limerick in the south where it joins up with the Atlantic. When originally built the bridge had a large swing gate for boats, but in 1846 they changed that and built a lock and weir (dam). We’ve been told the river floods in the winter, so it will be interesting to watch the weir disappear as the water rises. The loveliest part of Athlone is the people we’ve met so far – the locals.

John, the lock master from Wales showing us his boat, which he made himself

Our very own personal banker, Paul.  Beyond and above to get us all set up in Ireland. 

Paul

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Wonderful Barn

This is another of those great finds – what is it and why is it there?

“The Wonderful Barn” it’s called is rather an impressive spiral shaped building on the estate of the Connolly family.   This location is not listed anywhere on any travel guide book and was very difficult to find. (I found out about it looking for the weird and unusual in Ireland.)   In fact, we stopped and asked two different locals, one had never heard of the place and the second looked it up for us on Google.  If you blink you’ll miss the sign that says, “Wonderful Barn – private access road”. As we drove along the little dirt road we came upon numerous private plots of gardens (mostly veggie) and a few folks tending them.  Off in the wee distance you could see the top of this unique structure.   Driving around the corner you are instantly struck with, what was at one time, a wonderful estate.  Surrounded by high stone walls, and a very impressive home.  As we approached the estate it was obvious no one lives there and we were the only ones around.  In fact, all the first-floor windows are bricked up, second-floor windows are boarded up.  The front yard grass is cut, but there are no other signs of the estate being cared for (there was a padlock on the gate to the back yard).  The only sounds were that of the M6 (motorway) which totally ruins the seclusion and peace this home once offered.   The ‘barn’ was built in 1743 and no one really knows why it was built in the shape it was.  Perhaps following a famine in 1740 it was built as a granary, or used as a gamekeeper tower.  At the back of the property, on either corner of the walled garden, we could see two dovecots.  These are smaller round structures with open tops, and little holes throughout that house doves or pigeons. (also used for food).  I’m glad we could find this unique structure and get pictures. I've posted all pictures here. Perhaps it will make a great subject for a painting someday.

Kilkenny

James Arthur Butler

When visiting with my Uncle Hal he mentioned that his son (my cousin) David had traveled to Kilkenny for a Butler family reunion.  I thought our ancestry was English and found this interesting.  So, we decided to check out the history of the Butlers in Kilkenny.  What better place than the family castle.  It was built by the Marshall family in the 1100’s, but became home to the Butlers in the 1300’s and remained as such until 1969.  Apparently the last Marquess did not have any sons to pass the estate along to so he sold it to the town for 50 pounds.  The city has maintained and continues to restore the castle since.  Inside I did see a portrait of James Arthur Butler and he did in fact look like he could have been any one of my Dad’s brothers.  Long ago, perhaps one of my distant cousins moved to England and established our clan there.  I was told to check the family tree of the Butler/Ormond family.   I’d like to think this is our family castle.  They are having a family reunion in early August – I just may go!

We spent the morning at Birr Castle and did not leave much time for Kilkenny, which is a hot tourist town with lots to see. So, we’ve decided we need to return one day (maybe when we have visitors hint-hint).   We found a very convenient parking spot that was listed as 1-hour parking but we decided not to move the car and take our chances.  (The parking ticket cost us 40 euros.)

First order of business was food, so we stopped at the “Blaa Blaa Blaa” on the River Nore.  This
place was no bigger than a closet, but the sandwiches were some of the best we’ve had yet.  From our little table outside, we watched a number of boys jumping off “John’s Bridge” into the river.  Very entertaining and looked very refreshing. I snapped photos along with all the other visitors as we left.

We could hear the buskers as we approached the castle – a small group of boys playing quite a lively tune on various instruments.  So far, the day was feeling very festive (eeghads I’m feeling like a tourist).  The grounds of the estate are open, free of charge, to the public, and there were folks there with blankets spread appreciating the warm summer weather.  We took a quick stroll through the Butler Art Gallery (the current show was of a gal that liked to draw buildings – a good perspective artist) and then purchased our tickets to view the interior of the castle. The first stop is what would be have been the basement of the castle, with the floor covered in basically a clear plexiglass type material so you can see how the original flooring and walls appeared.  This area was also a source of protection and/or escape if need be.  The few rooms we did tour are massive and extravagantly decorated.  The Picture Gallery was the most impressive, with its ceiling colorfully painted and the large number of portraits of previous marques, friends of the family, and a few Kings and Queens.
 
The Smithwicks brewery tour was most unusual, and enjoyable, in that they used holograms to do most of the talking.  Monks in the beginning when the brew was made by them, and then the family gallery portraits spoke to us, and each other, telling the history of the brewery.  Of-course the tasting room was the best as we were able to enjoy a glass of the wonderful brew and visit with a couple of Brazilian fellows.

We strolled around the outside of the Cathedral Church of St. Canice (they charge to go in) and opted NOT to climb the round tower for catastrophic reasons.  I'm sure the view from the top was wonderful.

By now we are both very tired and knowing we have a two-hour drive through the Irish country side to get home we did not stop anywhere else.  I did pass one of the oldest Inn’s in Kilkenny, Kytelers. Reportedly run by a witch back in the 1300’s.  But I WILL visit it next time.

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Nellie's Rock

We went on a hunt today for our first dolmen.  Nellie's Rock in Lecarrow - just north of Athlone. This location being a tomb is debated, even though some artifacts have been found in the general area, but what is known (and I find more interesting) is that a woman by the name of Nellie raised her daughter under these stones.  She built up walls with mud and straw doing her best to provide shelter & to simply survive in the 1850's.  A very difficult time since the great famine was the 1845-46 time frame.  It sits on private land now and surrounded by chain-link fence.

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Strokestown Park Home

We were looking for the Irish National Famine Museum located at the Strokestown Park Home in Strokestown. We found it, but this has been our biggest disappointment to date.  Generally, I try real hard to find the positive out of any & all locations, but this left me flat and honestly feeling used. The famine museum is located in the original stables on the estate.  Converted for various displays, it was still cold and held the dank horsey smells of a stable. The museum gave us the history of the region of how folks lived, what led to the great famine, and how people survived – or didn’t.  Perhaps it was the same all across the country, but I’m not sure why it’s listed as the ‘national’ famine museum since it focused on just the local regions.  The history lesson here was boring. Granted, the history of the great famine would not be full of great stories or wonderful moments, but it was presented in such a way as to put me to sleep.  No mention of the coffin ships which were significant at the time.  

So, when it came time to tour the house I was either anxiously anticipating something great, or prepared for more disenchantment.   I got both.  The last person that lived in the house moved out in 1981, Olive (can’t even remember her last name). She passed away in 1982. The home began to fall into disrepair and was purchased in 1996.  The new owner is beginning to refurbish the 3^rd floor room-by-room which we did not see.  The first two floors are in major need of help.  It was like touring a potential tear-down.   Now, the furnishing are original so that was a bonus, some dating back to the 1700’s.  The tour guide said ‘please don’t touch anything’, since nothing was roped off, but there were a couple of tourists that touched everything behind her back.  Really PISSED ME OFF.  I half expected one to pocket one of the candle sticks from the mantel.   I suggested to the guide at the end of the tour they place ‘don’t’ touch’ signs everywhere, or at least rope-off to preserve what’s there.

The most interesting thing about this home was it was built to deceive. The wings on either side are rounded to give the illusion of being larger than they are.  The wing to the right is the stables, and the wing to the left is the servant quarters and kitchen.  The family only lived in the center part of the home.  For symmetry sake, there were two doors placed in each of the downstairs rooms; one was a working door the other fake, led- nowhere.  This was all done on purpose. 

Borrowed from the internet (not mine)

The walled garden was okay, I’ve seen better.

The Woodland Walk was interesting in that someone had placed a number of fairy doors, etc. in and around a couple of trees along the walk.  It’s shaded and very cool as you walk along the path and I was really hoping to see some wee folk, but never did.   We did hear some mysterious buzzing every now and then.

Photo Album

Clonmacnoise Monastic City

Two different locals asked us if we’d been to Clonmacnoise, “it’s just a wee bit down the road, aye ya need to go there”, “have you been to Clonmacnoise yet?” So today we took advantage of the morning sunshine and plotted our trip.  Actually, it is just a wee bit down the road, only 30 minutes south.  However, it’s off one of those itty-bitty rural roads, which has no right calling itself a road – one lane, just enough room for one car, let alone two. In fact, the garman said “road” as we turned onto it (that should be my first clue of what to expect). I often wonder if I’m really driving down someone’s driveway instead.

We thought, okay, this is going be a great local secret, not easy to get to – out here in the middle of nowhere.  Not.  We arrived before the place was ‘open for business’.  So, we wondered through the cow pasture (avoiding the pies) and took pictures of the castle ruins situated on a mound alongside the River Shannon. The remains are from a castle built in 1216, but destroyed in the 14th century. Not part of the Clonmacnoise monastic city.

By the time we got back from our stroll there was one other car in the parking lot. Thirty other spots available, but they are parked right next to us.  Irish humor?

The doors did not open until 9am so we had to wait for the staff to arrive (about 10 of them).  We thought a lot of employees for such an obscure location. HA!  We paid our 6 Euros, and watched a short history film about this 1400-year-old location which was first settled in 544 by St. Ciarán.   The three largest & oldest high crosses (10th, 11th & 12th centuries) have been brought indoors for safe keeping.  This place is OLD and has an enormous amount of

St. Ciaran (open air chapel)

history associated with it. It was one of Ireland's greatest sites for religion and learning back in the day. But, throughout the centuries, and a lot due to its strategic location, it had been attacked and ravaged by just about every side imaginable – locals, Normans and English.  Still today there are pilgrimages a couple times a year, which are attended by hundreds, honoring various Saints, including the founder St. Ciarán (buried there). Interesting how some folks place coins around the tomb (chapel). Not sure what their purpose is.  Pope John even attended a pilgrimage one year.

I would have thought today was another pilgrimage due to the number of people that kept arriving –literally by the bus load.  After we finished our (my) picture taking madness, tea and coffee and quiche in the café, there were NINE buses in the parking lot.   We did pass one more on the ‘road’ out – pulled over in the bushes and waited for him to pass.

Arial - not mine, borrowed from the Internet so you can get an idea of the size & location

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Birr Castle

So far, out of all the castles we’ve seen – this is the most unique one yet.   It’s more than a medieval castle, museum and grounds, it’s a home.  It’s been a working, living, home to the Parson family for almost 400 years.  The current Earl of Rosse still lives here with his family.  It’s very evident they have worked hard to preserve their heritage and estate.  This is a very interesting family with lots of interests.  They’ve turned their home into a money-making estate and yet kept their private lives. private.  They do open their castle/home to tours, but we did not take one (this time). 

The castle and grounds are set up as an attraction you can walk around and enjoy, which we did!  (Be sure to check out the photo album below for all the photos) The grounds are great, huge park-like areas.  Apparently, one of the ancestors was into collecting trees everywhere he went so there are many different varieties- some very tall ones too.

See Tom?

There is a Science center, filled with photos and exhibits in Astronomy, engineering, photography and botany.  Which pretty much sums up the family’s history and varied interests over the years.  Also on display in the courtyard is the “first high-performance steam turbine” which was invented by a son of the 3^rd Earl Charles Parson.

From science to children’s play area.  A rather unexpected surprise, not at all what I anticipated seeing at a castle.  There is a touch of whimsy throughout the area with a number of fun structures to spark a child’s imagination and burn off some energy. (They say the tree house is Irelands’ largest) I watched a video about this castle before we left and I remember the current Earl has many grand kids, perhaps this really was all built for them to enjoy, but the locals seem to treat it as a park.

Anyway, within the 50 acres estate, there is a walled garden, green house, river garden, pavilion, lake, bridges, waterfalls and of-course the Great Telescope.  This is not just any telescope- it was built in the 1840’s by the 3^rd Earl himself and was the largest in the world for over 70 years.  This is massive and very impressive for a home-made telescope.  I would have loved to have seen it in use, but don’t think they use it anymore.   He even put in his own N-S alignment meridian stones to easily plot the stars.  With this telescope, the Earl discovered “the spiral nature of certain nebulae – leading to their identification as galaxies”.

I’m hoping to return before the end of summer – now that I know more about them, I’d love to see how they live inside their castle because I love the outside. 

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Fore Priory Ruins

I was given this great little book about Myths and Folklore of Ireland. Great reading and fascinating old stories.  In it I found quite a number of oddities I intend to seek out over the course of the year.   My first foible is the ‘tree that would not burn” and the “water that will not boil”.  Both found at Fore Village and its Monastic sites a short distance from Athlone, but we got so much more.  We still have to drive some crazy little rural roads to get there and pass through a couple of very small villages but it was so well worth the search. We approached the town by driving under the original city gate erected in 1642.

There is still today a very small village of Fore sitting alongside the ruins.  We stopped in at the little café for tea, coffee and cake (of-course) and had a great chat with Bibi O’Reilly (daughter of the owner) who is studying to be a daycare teacher at the Athlone Institute of Technology.  She was very inquisitive and asked about schooling in the states, we talked about women’s rights, and (again) what’s up with America politics. (ugh) She drives up from Athlone on the weekends to help and make extra money.

Right down the road from the café and sitting at the base of the rock of Fore are the ruins of a Benedictine Priory and across the street from that the ruins of St. Fechin’s church and an odd little building, The Anchorite’s cell.

The Anchorite’s Cell is half up the mountain side with no visible path to it, in a pasture and surrounded by cows. The home is preserved and locked up tight because apparently there is still a Latin inscription on the wall from the last occupant of the home.

“Behold me, Patrick Beglan, dweller in the sacred hermitage. I am hidden and buried in this hollow heap of stones.  Beneath the towering rock for a monument and a sanctified abode; an undefiled sanctuary, a house hitherto without stain.  The wayfarer, therefore, whoever he is, will perceive this tomb.  Let him say may the soul of the hermit who dwells (here) reach heaven A.D. 1616”
This was a home for hermits, looked after and held in high regard by the villagers.

Just a short distance from this structure are the remains of the original church built by Saint Fechins in the 7th century and later added on to in the 12th century.  One of the most remarkable features of this structure are some the original and massive stones used, and still in place.  The beam over the doorway weighs 2.5 tons and most walls are 4 feet thick.

Down the hill (and across the street) are the awesome remains of the priory itself.  What struck me odd about these ruins, besides the cows roaming freely, were the local children that ran around the structures like it was their playground – completely indifferent to the significance.  I suppose this is the difference when one grows up around them.  Fortunately, remaining stairwells, and some rooms have been barred against entry for safety & preservation.   At the top of the hill and a long staircase are the remains of the “Columbarium” or dove/pigeon house.

There is a great history lesson associated with these ancient ruins and the many monks that inhabited the buildings over the years, but I really want you to know about my original search for a tree that won’t burn and water that won’t boil.  I found them both.  The water from Saint Fechin’s well was said to cure most aliments but if anyone tried to boil it a tragedy would befall them.  Sitting in the middle of this dried-up well is an alder tree, again legend says anyone attempting to cut it down or burn it will die the next day.  Over the years, and before it dried up, people who visited the well would actually bottle water and take it with them.  Visitors would also tie prayer ribbons to the tree for well wishes, and then more recently, the practice of hammering money into the tree itself would bring good fortune.  We did not pound anything into the tree, but did place a couple of coins in the joint of two branches.  Legend or not, good fortune is always welcomed.

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Art Exhibit in Straffan

Friends are easily made in Ireland, whether in person or on-line.  Sean Curran is such a friend who I met almost a year ago on Face Book (FB). Before we left the states, he asked the opinion of his FB friends if we thought he should retire and solely paint for a living.  “Did we think he could make a go of it?”  After seeing the postings of some of his work on line, everyone agreed.  YES! That is what he’s done and is actively pursuing his passion of painting and selling his works.  Mostly in water colors now, but has painted in other mediums in the past.

We took a short trip to Straffan on the outskirts of Dublin to see his exhibit. Being held at the Straffan Antique and Art Gallery.  The large stone home is privately occupied, but the carriage house and stables have been converted to a wonderful set of shops; gifts, piano’s, antiques, art gallery and tea room.  After viewing Sean’s show we enjoyed a yummy breakfast at the tea room.  We’ve gotten into the wonderful custom of sitting outside in the warm sunshine & fresh air.

So, can now say I have seen his work first hand and in person it’s splendid.  His attention to detail is wonderful.  I would have loved to purchase one of his works, (even a print) but honestly, they are priced a wee bit out of my range.  He had sold quite a few already.

We drove around the village of Straffan and found a “boot sale”.  Basically, this is a yard sale. Items are laid out behind cars with the trunk open (trunk = boot).  It was being held on the grounds of the church.  We did not find any treasures, but did enjoy checking out what was there.

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Tri-Athlone

Just this past Saturday our great little city held their annual “Tri-Athlone”. Stating at 5pm with a 200-meter swim in the River Shannon, then 26-mile bike ride to the little town of Brideswell and back again, then finished up with a 5K run all around the city streets of Athlone, ending at the little square behind Athlone’s Castle right in front of Sean’s Bar.  It was wonderful since most of the participants were locals and there was quite an exuberant start and finish to the race.  Fortune also shown on all partakers since it was in the 70’s most of the evening.  Which, being this far north, sun doesn’t set until well past 10pm.  Tom and I shared a hamburger from the street vendor, watched and cheered alongside the locals and drank our Smithwicks from Sean’s bar at the finish line!

Damian

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Home Sweet Home

It’s not always going to be a bed of Irish clover for us. So you get the good, the bad and the ugly of our adventures.

What a challenging 4 days it’s been for us, but we are finally in our apartment.  Here I thought it was easy to find an apartment, rent it and get yourself set up.  But of-course that’s if we were in the states, but not so in a foreign country being the foreigners.

I had been following Daft.ie (home rentals) for a good 8 months, learning Irish locations and watching apartments come & go.  This particular unit came on the market before we left the states, but I never thought it would still be available when we arrived.  Apparently, the landlord had to do some work to the place before he would rent it again since the gal before us lived here for 4 years. What they did was throw out the living room furniture, pull the carpet, put down vinyl wood looking flooring, brought in two huge overstuffed black vinyl chairs and a new glass top chrome table with grey vinyl chairs.  None of which is my taste whatsoever!  It’s all very cold and hard, there is nothing soft or warm with this furniture, so I’m challenged to make it better for us.  But hey, it’s new (we think, or were told).  Oh, and an old wooden coffee table which should have been given to Good Will a long time ago.  Anyway, we spent the first two days cleaning the apartment.  My guess is the gal before us cleaned it herself when she moved out, so while work was being done it sat the entire time, unattended.  I was surprised that the owner and/or his agent never really checked any cabinets, closets, etc. or had the place cleaned after the work was complete.  Oh Vey! Besides random pots/pans/cups and plates -  In the kitchen we found the remains of onions and garlic and god-only-know what else in a wet juicy mess in a cabinet. (gag) It’s taken us 3 days to get the stink out. Spiders decided to move it since they were not being challenged and NO ONE vacuumed under the beds.  I don’t think this is normal even for Ireland, I just think we ended up with two very inattentive men to deal with who had other agendas on their minds.  We did not pay a cleaning deposit, but 2 months security deposit (because we are foreigners).

We had to sign up for internet, again another challenge for us.  It would appear that lots of folks here use ‘hot spots’ via their smart phones.  Well, the phone we purchased is a simple smart phone, but not big enough to handle a ‘hot spot’.  Either we get another larger phone, or go with a direct line to the apartment.  We went with the direct line and the guy came today to set us up.  Which is a good thing since it was difficult to use the wifi in every café we could find.  Hard to sit for hours and blog in a public place and I was beginning to have internet withdrawals.  Let me tell you, it’s not easy exposing yourself to so many unfamiliar things and NOT having the comfort of familiarity such as internet and face book, or a family connection.  But I’m better now.

Surprisingly the bank account has been the easiest to establish.  We now have our own wonderful personal banker, Paul, at A.I.B.  He has been the most helpful, friendly and accommodating fellow we’ve met yet.  He told us on a Friday what we need to establish an account (as Americans). We went back in on Monday with everything they needed, we filled out the paperwork and 4 days later we get a text from the bank that say’s “Welcome to A.I.B.”  and we have yet to deposit any money with them.  I suppose our bank in the US will make it more difficult to transfer funds and charge us an arm and a leg for doing so.

Our greatest relief from of all of this is to look out our sliding glass door across the River Shannon. We can sit on our patio and watch boats all day if we like as they go north or south through the lock. We watch fishermen fish, geese, ducks and swans swim. (To see what we see, check out the photo album below.)  We’ve already met the lock master – John.  We’ve been told the river floods in the winter, that will be interesting to watch, I’ll keep you informed.

PHOTO ALBUM

Achill Island

It was time to get out and see some more Irish countryside; so we took a short drive from Westport, through Newport, Mullranny and onto Ireland’s Achill Island. Not only does it have some of the most spectacular and beautiful shorelines in all of Ireland, Achill is also the largest island in Ireland – only one bridge connects it to the mainland.  We traveled through two small towns, which also boast of stunning views of the ocean.  However, in Newport, the tide was out so the little inlet of water was not so spectacular as there were many boats ‘on-the-hard’ waiting for high tide again. Driving along the shoreline was wonderful, but as always, a little scary with it’s narrow “R” (rural) roads – I don’t imagine I’ll ever get used to them.

Once over the bridge we notice the bike/walking path. This is the Great Western Greenway and is a favorite among bike enthusiast and for good reason. It’s 42 kilometers (~26 miles) long and for the most part, it’s away from the road, hugging the coast line. Just a couple of places does the path come back onto the road, albeit they have their own lane, but remember these are not wide roads. One of the couples staying at our B&B hired a bike touring company to take them (and their bikes) out to Achill.  They drop you and your bike off and then you ride back to Westport.

We had started out searching for the Deserted Village and along the way found wild sheep and vistas to take your breath away.  Up and around every corner was another amazing scene with rolling hills, sheep baaing back & forth at each other, the wind blowing, waves crashing – I thought I was going to go nuts with everything to take in at once.  I must have jumped out of the car a few dozen times with the many ‘kodak’ moments in every direction.  This was very reminiscent of our last trip to Irelands wild Atlantic coast line two years ago.  Wowzeers!!  At one point two young rams decided to head butt in front of the car, I was so thrilled to be witnessing this I forgot to grab my camera. I was giddy at this point.

After lunch at the Ted's cafe, we passed by Kildavnet Castle owned by the son of the legendary Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley and finally found ourselves staring up a hillside full of remains of 80-100 stone cottages running along the hillside for approx. one-mile. This is the Deserted Village “the area itself is rich in archaeological artefacts including megalithic tombs dating from the Neolithic period some 5,000 years ago. Local field systems and site remnants indicate that settlement in this area dates from at least early Mediaval times”.  Beside the village is a cemetery, still in use today.  The view from this hillside was spectacular all the way down to the ocean.  My photos just don’t do it justice.

There were many sheep grazing in and about the ruins being watched over by a farmer and his dog.

Shep is a one-year old border collie and just learning the ropes (which would put most dogs to shame) the farmer say’s ‘he’ll be a fine herder’.  Watching Shep run up and down the mountain moving these sheep around being directed by various whistles was incredible. Those dogs love to run!!





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