MIND THE GAP!!!! *cheeky* Lovin' London!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, WE WENT TO LONDON FOR ME!!! LOLOL Ok…so, er-um, I’m guessing you’ve figured out why we went to London….to celebrate my birthday--in March ’07! **cheeky grin** We stayed at the Crown Hotel Hyde Park and quite enjoyed our stay!

Crown Hotel Hyde Park, London

 

Liverpool Station

The beginning of our trip landed us at Standsted & from there, we took the train straight into Liverpool Station; then took the tube--an underground subway that is constantly speaking to all the passengers...it says to 'MIND THE GAP'!!! It took us a few minutes to figure out what it was referring to...was it the gap between the doors when they were closing, the gap between passengers (should we squeeze closer together so that more could squeeze in?)--what was it? About that time, we finally saw the GAP between the station platform & the tube--we step off the platform onto the tube...at some stops, the GAP was rather wide & others, not so much! *LIGHTBULB* By then, we had spent several precious minutes on the 'GAP', minutes we could never, tragically, get back...so, nothing doing but 'MIND THE GAP' had to become part of our experience & boy did we have fun saying it!! (I know, we're weird, but that's part of our charm! ;p ) Moving on, literally, the bullet-flying tube quickly delivered us to Paddington station where it indifferently spit us up & out onto the platform, MINDING THE GAP, mind you!! We were right where we needed to be! Out into the hustle and bustle we went, inhaled a deep breath of London(coughed and choked a bit..lol) and tried not to get ran over as we made our way across the street! Blessedly for us, we didn't have far to go! PERFECT!!

Paddington Tube Station

Hyde Park

The hotel was easy to find, easy to get to and best of all, centrally located! **yay for us!!!!** Hyde Park, Kensington Park, Buckingham Palace & 5 tube stations were all within walking distance!!! Being close to Paddington station was a big plus because that allowed us to go any place we wanted to get to that we couldn’t get to on foot! Not to mention, there was a taxi or two on every corner sporting their colorful (great conversation pieces by the way) advertisments! Our room was cozy & comfy--it was actually very spacious with a king-size bed! Inside the hotel was an onsite gym & restaurant (Clarence); outside, the hotel was situation in a cul-de-sac with a pretty little garden to lounge around in…which we took advantage of! *grin* TIP: Always ask ahead of time for check-in/out times, if they allow luggage check-ins & if there is an elevator. We were able to check our luggage in at the hotel BEFORE our room check-in time so that we could do a bit of sight-seeing WITHOUT our luggage in tow!

Hotel garden

about to eat breakfast! *yum*

Anyhoo, back around the corner of the block, on the stretch back toward Paddington station, were several little places to eat…on the left, breakfast and on the right, Fish-N-Chips! I was really excited about eating fish-n-chips in London…it was YUMMY…but what is up with the green peas??? lolol Oh & the phone booths--LOVE 'EM, TOTALLY LOVE 'EM!!!! My babykins is just the best! He ran into one and began to rip at his clothes...what else was I to do but drool and take his picutre...MY SUPERMAN!!!!! lolololololololololol

My 'SUPERMAN'! :D

Overall, we had a jolly good time exploring London, tasting new & different cuisine (mushy peas! lol), improving our 'speed reading' as the cabbys flew by, sharpening our reflexes as we jumped out of the way of zipping bicycles, zooming cars & #burningapathdownthesidewalk# pedestrians...by all accounts, it was a city that we promptly fell in love with! Who knew it would be the first of many trips that we'd take there! Cheers!

Éireann go Brách!!

One year, to celebrate mine and my daughter's birthday, we, all 6 of us, decided to explore a bit of Ireland! We found a place, Tigh Mimi      -- http://www.vacationvillas.net/Ireland/holiday-apartment-Kerry/p20476.htm, in Ballincolla/Ballyferriter on the Dingle Peninsula. A wonderful little house with loads of Irish music, helpful brochures and absolutely centrally located to all the things we did! The first day of adventuring found us all piled into a zephira and plugging down a bumpy little road, on the 'wrong' side! lol We loved it!

Our first stop had us all falling out of the car at the Gallarus Oratory -- http://www.dodingle.com/pages/gallarus_centre.html!
The Oratory dates back to 800 AD, is an example of an early christian church...as early as the 6th century monastic settlements. It was built without mortar using a 'corbel vaulting' (a neolithic tomb-maker) technique. It has one tiny windown built opposite the door. The Oratory overlooks the Smerwick Harbour. We loved seeing this place...how awesome!

Next, we went to Dunbeg Fort or An Dun Beag. Started in the late Bronze Age, 800 BC, it was used up through the Celtic period to the 10th century. It's on a sheer cliff over Dingle Bay at the base of Mt. Eagle. The view here is spectacular!! We went all thru the tunnels and imagined what could have went on in each area of the fort. Looking out over the cliff, it was hard to imagine anything but beauty. As you can see from our pics, we decided to 'vogue' on the mounds within the fort boundaries. The kids also played 'King/Queen of the Hill'! lol  Here is some useful info on Dunbeg, but always double-check the web site for updates!
Directions: Dunbeg Fort is located in the village of Fahan, 7 kms after Ventry Village, on the Slea Head Drive (R559). 14 kms west from Dingle.
Admission Prices: Adults 3.00euro; Students 2.00euro, Children over 5yrs 1.50euro, Children under 5yrs: Free. Admission Prices includes tickets to both the Dunbeg Fort and the Audiovisual Presentation
Opening Hours - Dunbeg Fort Visitor Centre: Open Daily, March - November 9.00 a.m. 6.00 p.m 7.00 pm during the summer months. Group Bookings Telephone: 066 9159755 info@dunbegfort.com

We also went out to Louis Mulcahy's Pottery--it's a store where you can buy some exquisite pieces...and I do mean exquisite or you can go to the Visitor center and make pottery for FREE! Joan was there to help the kids and boy did they have a time working the clay! If you do this, make sure you go with a at least 3-4 days left before traveling home as the clay needs to sit and dry!! 8-)) We got ours home and still have it!

After that, we skooted on down the road there to Clogher's Strand and played on the beach and in the surf for quite a while. The sprays were fantastic and it was a really good time!

For most of our meals, we ate mostly at John Benny Moriarty --  http://www.johnbennyspub.com/ !    The pub is located on Strand St. in Dingle (what we thought of as 'main' street). This place really brought Ireland alive to us! The music, the food, the people...it was Ireland, all rolled up and waiting behind a tiny door! Pushing that door open allowed a breeze of laughter and music to escort you right in among 'friends'. Smiling faces and greetings galore met you as walked through to settle on a table. Delicious aromas, cozy warmth from the March gales, friendly hospitality and laughter...it was everything I'd always read about and wanted to experience. I know that sounds a bit corny, but it's true....and there I sat. I couldn't have been happier! Our waiter, an older gentleman named Pat, was the absolute best! He was just the spice the 'ideal moment' needed. We had actually met him earlier out on the street when we had hailed to him about where a good place to eat would be. He was friendly and funny, but even more, he was a jokester! He fit right in with us! He and my husband did a few 'blarney' rounds and he eventually steered us in the direction of John Benny's to eat. Once we got there and went to order, we found out that he worked there! lolol  The kids went rounds with him as well on the milk as it was listed as 1/2 pint in the menu.  The kids asked him 'how much is a 1/2 pint?' and his answer was 'uh, it's about that much!' He was a real character and a pleasure to know! The pub owner's wife, Elis, is an Irish Musician/Artist and regularly plays there in the pub and has her own cd's out...we were priviledged enough to see her perform and get one of her cd's!The food was gorgeous too...especially the Irish Stew and the Bacon and Cabbage!

Our 2nd day landed us in downtown Dingle poking around the Oceanworld Aquarium. While small, it is one of the best we've ever been in.  http://dingle-oceanworld.ie/index.html   The ladies that greet you in the shop area were very friendly and helpful to us in general and about information concerning other things around town. We went through the doors into the aquarium area and were frankly surprised at how wonderfully decorated it was. The atmosphere was perfect and changed throughout...there was a surge tank with a waterfall, an Amazonian Display (the walls, the ceiling and the marine life!), Tropical Marine tanks, Shark tanks, Jelly Fish, Seah Horses, a Deep Water Native Tank, an Ocean Tunnel and our very favorite, the Touch Pool! The Touch Pool has starfish, rays, urchins, crabs, sharks, flounder and other stuff in it. One flounder was as big as my youngest son...it was unreal! It would come up to the surface and you could rub your hand along its side. If you leaned over the water, the rays would come up and give you a 'salty kiss'! **PUCKER UP!!** It was totally gross and we, of course, did it over and over screaming every time about how it was yucky! lolol We stayed there for hours and when we finally came out, we were soaking wet, but thoroughly happy with time--and money, well spent!

Walking down the street, we ventured out onto the pier at the Dingle Harbor. The kids posed with 'Fungi' the Dolphin...we looked at the various boats that were docked... Moving on down the street, we found the Visitor Center--great place for souvenirs, friendly staff. Across the street is a little cafe that fries Snickers, Mars Bars and a few other candy bars---'dee-lish'!!! A must try! A little further down is John Benny's and if you keep walking you run into the various shops. We did some shopping at the local grocer and found, up around the corner, a sweater store. The Irish Woolen Shop is a wonderful store. Rory, the owner and very nice man, gifted us with the history of the Aran Sweaters and about the area itself. It really was a rare treat to find out so much information from a local person...things you don't get from a brochure. We stayed there for at least an hour or two and by the time we did leave, we all had a sweater or two, a cap or jewelry and were some 800 euro lighter in the wallet!! 8-)

On Wednesday of our vacation, we went out to the Ventry area and did some horseback riding!! Yippee! We did this at Long's Horseriding and Trekking Centre -- http://www.longsriding.com/ and we had a total blast!! I, of course, was scared to death, but the rest of my family took to riding like they'd been doing it all their life! I was on an Irish Cob named 'Bob the Builder'...a lovely guy, mild-mannered, but huge! I've really never been around horses so I wasn't exactly, shall we say, you know, well...the most, comfortable! lololol The funny thing was, neither had the rest of my family, except for my husband and oldest son, but they all still took right to riding like ducks to water! I was so proud of them as they all went riding off down the trail.
I was yelling and bolstering them on...shouts of encouragement...as the guide held onto the bridle of my horse and led us down the path!!! lolololol  That was one of the wonderful things about Longs....they cater to people of all abilities. Since I was the weak link in the group, the rest decided to keep it to a slow walk through the trails. **Awwwww...that was sweet of them!*** Being on horseback and taking a slow walk through the Irish countryside was a breathtaking experience. The beauty was truly beyond words and it felt somewhat surreal. At one point, we were up on a slight peak and in one direction, we could look and see a beach area with the sun cascading over the strand. In the other direction, we saw hills of green with interwoven stone fences. It was just a magnificent view wherever we looked! Once we got back to the stables, we had pics made on the horses---my horse, Bob the Builder and Olyvia's horse, Chloe, didn't like each other and we happen to be next to each other so they started to fight! What are the odds!? The guide had to come and help us because we're both just 'greenhorns'! lol   So, if you go, don't let Chloe and Bob the Builder get next to each other!! As an added bonus,one of the owner's cows had also just given birth to twin calves the night before, one was black and one was red and he let us see them--that was great too!

Later that day, we drove around the Ring of Kerry. It was beautiful but I must admit that it didn't hold up against the raw beauty of the Dingle Peninsula. The Ring is 'smooth' and 'polished' whereas the Peninsula is rugged and even savage in some areas. I guess it's what appeals to you most. I always heard of the Ring of Kerry so of course I wanted to drive it-see it-experience it, but the Peninsula was the true jewel in my opinon--as far as the views of the ocean. We did enjoy all the towns along the Ring---Killorglin, Caherciveen, Glenbeigh, Waterville, Sneem and Killarney...we got out and explored around them and the Killarney Lakes! A wonderful way to wrap up the day.

On Thursday, the 9th, we drove out to Blarney Castle --http://www.blarneycastle.ie/  YES, we had to kiss the blarney stone! It didn't matter how many mouths had gone before us, we still wanted to do it! lol   The kids were beside themselves with excitement and, to be truthful, so were Wes and I. The place was amazing! Blarney Castle was a treasure itself, but then it also offered the Gardens, Blarney House, the Stone and Rock Close to explore as well. So, we thoroughly explored Rock Close and wandered the grounds...gorgeous! We climbed up the castle to the top and made our way to the Blarney Stone--traditionally believed to have the power to bestow eloquence on all who kiss it! The stone is set in the wall below the battlements and to kiss it, you have to lean backwards (holding on to an iron railing) from the parapet walk. A guide is there to help you as you can see below. Afterwards, we drove down to Cork and explored there for awhile and then went back to Dingle to wrap up the day.

On Friday, we spent the day in Tralee...poking around town. Tralee has loads of things to see and the restaurant that we ate in (can't remember the name...want to say it was "Harry's") had

scrumptious food and a very pleasing atmosphere. In the evening, we went to the greyhound races at the
Kingdom Stadium -- http://www.greyhound-data.com/stadia.htm?land=ie&st=12022  ! Another 'first' in our new and exciting repetoir of adventure! Being the amateurs that we were, we lost all the money that we bet, but it sure was fun! 8-o  As the last of the greyhounds were coming off the track and people were shaking hands and tossing their booklets into the trash, we turned to walk toward the exit gate.

Everyone had had a rousing good time....betting money, losing money, paying money, loaning money, winning money. Now, it was time to go home...unfortunately, in more ways than one. 

That night we drove back to Dingle, and the next morning would find us saying our 'goodbyes' to Ireland. We had a fabulous time!
Éireann go Brách!!

Notre week-end en Suisse!

We decided that since we had a few days off, we'd throw some kids in a bag, no wait, throw some clothes in a bag and load the kids in the car, yes, and head out to Schweiz! Right! Now we're cooking! We drove out of town...the kids with their pillow and blankets, me with mine and of course, my handy-dandy book on Switzerland! Wes, bless him, was dutifully driving 'the sub'. As per our tradition, we try to learn about a place before going to it, so as we're journeying onward, I'm reading aloud to the kidlings and they are ooh-ing and ahh-ing about different facts about the Swiss Miss...things like all the tunnels are lined with explosives incase another country attacks, they can blow the tunnels to keep them out...and all the houses have bunkers to sustain them in case of being at war...the reason you see CH on their tags (country code) etc. is because it stands for Confoederatio Helvetica which is the formal Latin name of Switzerland! All interesting tidbits that give you a unique view of the country you're going into...a new way to see it!

One thing I've really tried to teach my children is that while it's fine to get a sourvenir and shop a bit, culture is the point! Now don't get me wrong, I do like to shop some and I always want a token of where I've been, but what gets me going is knowing what has gone on in a place, knowing about the people...making it come alive! That is what I want my children to experience. So, we read about places, we watch shows about the places, we talk to people about the places and like now, we go to the places! Now, when we get there, the things we see and do have much more meaning to us! So, we get to Biel and it is beautiful! ..peaceful...just what we need!!

We check into our hotel and the staff is friendly, the rooms are clean...we have to 2 rooms, which we have gotten used to finally! lolol  In 2004, Gunnar, our youngest was 9 years old. Now, I was in one room fiddling with the TV and getting iller by the minute becaue the TV wouldn't come on much less turn station or anything else.  In the other room, the older boys had at least gotten the TV on, but that's all...they couldn't get it to change channels or do volume...but it was on. Meanwhile, I'd gotten fed up and threw the remote on the bed. Gunnar came out of the bathroom, jumped up on the bed, grabbed the remote and **BAM**. In less than 1/2 a split second, he had the TV on, flipping the channels and had it to his fave cartoon and laughing it up! I walked back over to where he was, the other boys walked into my room...Gunnar is oblivous....just laughing away. The rest of us are just standing there with our mouths open and then we all start talking at once about 'how did you do that'...blah blah blah!! lololololol So the 9 year old boy genius had to show the rest of us how to work the TV. What a way to start the vay-cay! So, on that embarrassing note, we decided it was better to get out of the hotel room and scope out the town! :D

Wandering down to the harbor area, we saw several anchored boats, a pier and a restaurant. The pier led out a ways where you could fish or have a lazy stretch and read a book! Over in the grassy area, people were playing soccer; on the sidelines they were watching, laughing and enjoying each other's company. After meandering all around, we finally strolled on over to the restaurant, Joran! Since it was already late in the evening, we decided to eat and get back to the room.

Waking up to a beautiful Swiss Sunshiney morn, we popped down for a yummy breakfast and then out the door to snoop around Bern! One of the best features of this trip was that there was no push to do anything...we simply were just moving at a leisurely pace...it was glorious!

We parked at the train station with loads of brightly colored graffiti marking the spot (where we parked! lol) and we walked into town! Of course, one of the first things we checked off the proverbial list was a Swiss Pocket Knife for the boys...8D  Bern, the capital of Switzerland and founded by Duke Berchtold V of Zaehringen in 1191, is represented by the Bear! When the Duke was building the city, he swore to name it after the first animal he brought back from the hunt...and that animal turned out to be a bear! You'll see the bear in statue form, on flags and in the ever popular bear pit! We absolutely loved it!!!!  We bought food there at the little concession area that sells 'bear food' and dropped food down to her. Feeding the bear was so fun! The kids were squealing with delight, laughing because they got the fruit in her mouth....it was just a very enjoyable experience!

Walking up and down the streets thru the new/old town was a pleasurable experience. The water that ran thru it (Aare River?) was beautiful and we stood there for a time just to watch it! Ahhhh...peace and tranquility! Heading on down the marktgasse, we marvelled at the many statues and local threads of history.  Speaking of history, Albert Einstein lived right here...or there...in that house on Kramgasse 49 from 1902 to 1909! WOW! In that very apartment is where he developed his theory of relativity and the law of the equivalence of matter and energy!!!!  DOUBLY WOW!!! Now, that apartment is a museum!!! **eyes doing that exaggerated blink** 

About this time, the familia is worn down and giving in to base needs...food, food and oh, um, food! So, we found a local restaurant and plop in for the yummies! Wrapping up the day, we find ourselves in Zurich tomorrow and then heading home!

Heading home, we told the kids we'd swing in to Zurich (ok, it was a bit out of our way, but who's counting, eh?!) and take them to the zoo! Our kids--this a parental brag moment, are wonderful travellers....not usually whiny or things like that, we entertain each other and have a good time of it! So, here we are in the sub and we play some sort of game, sing a song, do something to pass the time--of course we look at the scenery and yell if there is anything of unusual appearance!

The trip to the zoo was rather uneventful and all of us, except poor Wes--it was admittedly rude of us, but we saw no way around, mind you as he was driving, decided to take a nap. When we got into the outskirts of Zurich, I woke up and took a few snapshots, but nothing of real spec-tacularity...but still, it was Zurich!

I figure I can get some real shots once we leave the zoo!

  

We arrive at the zoo...lovely little jungle area....the kids are excited...us too...we go in...take some fun shots...lovely critters abound...frogs, snakes, the penquins SO ROCKED--we stayed there quite awhile. They dove and dove on the rocks...great fellows..knocking each other off, it was hilarious. 'Nyhoo...I love ele-PHAMPS and ca-MELLAS....and I was so happy to find them and oh OH OH...MY CAMERA DIED!!!! NO WAY!!!!!  I mean, did you notice how the shots just stopped? Yes, well, the old battery just kicked up its heels and said no more! What kind of respect is that? The nerve.... I was just plain sick to realize that not only could I not finish photo'ing the zoo, but I couldn't photo ZURICH!!!! **forearm is now thrown across the forehead and the intense possibility of a swoon is at hand***  Then that nagging little voice that always wants to intrude began to tell me that had I recharged the battery when we were at the hotel this wouldn't have happened. THE ABSOLUTE INSOLENCE!!! I clamped down on that nonsense so hard my head spun...oh yes..lolololololololol----oh the pain of admitting that it was my fault hurt more than I wanted to say. OH well, gave me a reason to have to visit Zurich again, right?! Right!

At least we had a wonderful time at the zoo! No more pics, but a great time!! :))