Friday May 14th
A different journey begins- woke this morning to a forecast of colder weather ahead. I am getting accustomed to it. I really do function much better in cold than I do in heat. Maybe I should look for a short work experience here!! No- too expensive! Two nights ago I had a tia maria and coke. Got the bill and nearly choked on it 8euro. No wonder everyone drinks wine (3euro) or beer?
On the same subject (money) Ireland really is in a bad state as far as the recession is concerned. The bus journey around the entire island has been very eye opening on that topic. They talk about “celtic tiger” time when Ireland absolutely flourished and went through an enormous boom in building and construction. Homes reached as high as 1 million a piece and many young families took out huge amounts of morage. Then we all know what happened two years ago. Well the result is an astounding amount of buildings (very modern) all left vacant signs everywhere “Vacant-To Let” You can see it everywhere not just in the major cities. They are seeing the tourist industry as a means of bringing the economy back up again. Brings benefits to us tourists but also hits us in some ways depending on where you stay.
Unfortunately amid all this I have caught what has turned out to be a nasty chest infection not just a cold? Have sought medical help and am much better in the last two days. Still taking the medication for while yet. Phil, God bless her (-thankyou Phil), just managed to skype me twice when I was a bit low. Talking to someone from home did just as much good as the medicine. It is fantastic to talk to someone and you can see them and they you. I did miss a day in Kilarney as I stayed in bed in the hotel room rather than go out in the cold. It meant I missed out on the tour around the Ring of Kerry but I felt I would be in trouble if I didn’t take some care. I will go back and do that by myself. Anyway I feel so much better. As I type I have three layers on-am taking no chances.
Left on the hotel shuttle to go to the airport this morning to pick up the car. Not altogether impressed actually. The process (of getting an already booked car) took two hours!!!!!!! There were quite a few of us not happy. First as usual we presented ourselves at the appropriate desk in the terminal-filled out all the papers-left an imprint for 1200euros (yes you heard right) got the keys and then had to walk outside and wait for the shuttle to where all the cars are kept (miles away). That was in the freezing wind and took far more than the 15mins we were told. Upon arriving at yard we were driven up to actual car and just dropped!!! No chance to ask pertinent questions like which way to go!! We all drove around to the office and one at a time said what we thought. I will never again hire from this group-“SIXT”. I should have gone with Thrifty!!!! The whole experience was nothing like any of the other 7 times I have hired a car?
Anyway I have a zippy little black Reno coupe. Picture attached. I managed to make it to the hotel I am staying in tonight (or what I thought was the hotel) and pulled right in front of a Guardia (police) car. Turns out I had parked in the middle of a speeding trap. Honestly didn’t look like that! Anyway I begin to reverse to go around and I can’t for the life of me get the da.... thing in reverse. I got out of the car and just shrugged!! The gorgeous young Guardia got out smiling. I could imagine what was going on in his head. He told me to get in and he got in the passenger side and showed me. I was prepared for a talking to instead he settled in and chatted Blow the cars that are speeding past!! Once he knew where I came from I got a long story of how he loves Australia as he was there just recently. He then gave me fantastic directions and asked if he could do anything else to help. Shame I couldn’t say what I really thought!
Have settled into the hotel (Hilton) nice but very expensive for everything except the room for the night which is a barging. You pay for everything else. Hence I have ventured to the local Tesco (Woolworths) centre for food. After a wee nap have been working out where I am going. I have also looked at the budget and worked out what I am spending on accom and food as well as petrol. Things are ok-just nice not too tight.
I will admit after 14 days in the company of others, today was a bit strange being alone again. Many of the older ladies on the trip couldn’t get over the fact I was driving around on my own .However it is good to do my own thing in my own time.
Tomorrow I drive from here, Dublin near airport, to Wicklow. I am there for three days. They have internet so I will be able to blog again. I am hoping to visit a number of places during the days and then return at night to B and B. I have already rung the B and B to confirm the booking I made from home before I left. It all sounds really great. Will let you all know.
Miss you all but I will get over that!!!