Happy Birthday to the Queen

Today is the Queen's 80th birthday (sadly, was not able to be one of the thousands outside Windsor trying to see her); she has reigned for 54 years, too! She has no plans to retire.

In other important news, Cherie Blair has cost the Labour Party over 7,500 GBP in hairstyling. This is causing quite a kerfuffle.

note: for some reason the first article blogged yesterday has disappeared. But at least the one with the pictures appears to still be there. If had to re-upload those pictures again, I might have come unglued.
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Ireland -- part 2

8 April - spent morning shopping in Adare, before heading off to Limerick for more exploration and evening celebration for Clare's birthday Upstairs at Dolan's Pub, famous for live music. Heard Clive Barnes play slide guitar -- okay show, but we both preferred the opening act of an acoustic guy, Pete Lamb, from Galway. At midnight, Ben the bartender brought Clare a half-pint with three birthday candles taped to it :)

9 April -Happy Birthday to Clare and Jeppe - headed toward Kenmare, via the Dingle Peninsula -- seriously one of the most beautiful places on earth. Stopped in Tralee for 'lunch' (lunch is rather hard to come by in Tralee on a Sunday). Stopped in Blennerville to see the tallest windmill in Europe and Ireland's only commercial windmill. Stopped at beach when someone shrieked in delight to see Tralee Bay turn to blue-green waves. It was so cool to see tall mountains on one side and sugar sand and waves on the other -- see, Florida isn't the only place with beach. Then we drove on the tiniest (so far on trip) road through Conor's Pass. Stopped at tip-top and could see ocean on both sides of the peninsula!

Stopped in Dingle (such a funny name). Did not see Fungie the famous Dolphin. Bravely set forth to Slea Head, along road which continues around the end and back to Dingle... point was to locate the Western-most pub in Europe. Stopped in Riaisc at lovely pub/B&B, Tig Bhric (Brick House - where I will definitely be staying next time!), before visiting monastic site and heading back along same road, as were informed we had passed the Westernmost pub in Europe. It is easy to miss things when trying to navigate tiny roads and be ecstatic over sight of constant ocean (guess who that was). Part of the reason we missed it as well might be that it is quite the dullest establishment on earth. But at least we can say we were there :)

AND they really do herd sheep down the roads (the one-lane roads) in Ireland!

Dinner back in Dingle. Clare bravely drove us to Kenmare, which is quite a bit further than it looks on the map due to tiny roads, wind-ey curves, mountains, tunnels, and pitch darkness. Arrived at 11pm. Crashed into bed.

10 April - shopped in Kenmare, famous for lace, although was unable to locate any pressies that could afford for persons back home. So I bought some yarn instead from the coolest girl named Tree. (Another name that I like is Echo. just a tangent.)

pictures have now maxed, so will have to trick Blogger now...