(Looks wide- believe me it isn't)

Hello All
Sorry been a wee bit busy since last I posted. My last day in Kilkenny was spent visiting a glass blowing centre and a couple more historical places. By now I understand the difference between a church, an abbey and a cathedral. I even had a lovely lady give me a private tour of a Cistercian monastery because it was quiet and the boss wasn’t around.
Just as well I am not rich and I live so far away. Both counts stop me buying things. I tell you I have been tempted so many times.
Yesterday I left Kilkenny and drove to Cashel. -the ancient ecclesiastical centre and kingdom of Ireland. Lovely drive- even took a quick photo of me as I was driving. It gives you a good idea of what most of the roads (egR660) is like. It took about 2 hours because of the size of the road as I often have to stop to give way.
Lovely township Cashel like a quaint village but with all amenities. Did a long sticky around in the afternoon and guess what I came across!! A teacher with her third grade class of around 30 walking around the township with their little clipboards visiting various points of historical interest. Of course you can guess what I did once they stopped and in a very orderly fashion sat down for a snack. I went up and introduced myself to the teacher. She was great and fascinated with what I was doing. I might add she had 1 yes 1 parent with her and the kids did not move all the time we talked. I was very aware of what she was supposed to be doing and tried a couple of times to move away but she wasn’t worried. The kids just kept smiling at me.
Funnily enough I go into a certain church this morning and got chatting to a lady and what do I find? All the first communion chin’s sacramental symbols hanging beautifully around the church just happened to belong in part to the same teacher and her children!! The school is called St John the Baptist. As today is Saturday and schools are closed I couldn’t go and visit. Wouldn’t it be lovely though if we could set up some type of buddy system between the two schools. I think I might visit the school on my way out of town on Monday. Can’t hurt- I’ll think about it a wee bit more- keep you posted on that.
Tomorrow I plan to visit the “Rock of Cashel”. Again the historical ruins of both a castle of the first kings of Ireland and the first ecclesiastical community. I tried to go this morning but as rounded the corner to go up to the "rocks" carpark a gardia (policeman) stopped me to say they couldn't let any more people up there. Reason was a huge group of over 300 people( big for here) had turned up and were protesting- something to do with money being spent on historical sites. Anyway that's why I am going tomorrow. More of that after the visit.
Keep well.

Cheers

Anne(Tess)