Dr. McLellan, Dublin, mom-jeans

Travel now

There were so many reasons why people do not travel. First, they count the monetary cost. Secondly, it takes time away from the aspects of life that cry out for priority. Third, we can do it "some day".

We traveled widely in the Unites States and Canada when we were first married and then with our children. We began to go on extensive trips to the Eastern Seaboard and South when our children could benefit from the adventures. After the kids got out of college we thought it was time to head out of the country and especially to Europe. During college, our daughters each spent time abroad: in England and in Argentina.

At sixty we started our major trips outside the United States. First to England and Scotland, then to Ireland and Italy. We have had some wonderful times and met interesting people. Of late we have had to put plans on hold due to health issues and hope soon to get back on schedule. We are now able to afford the money and time. "Some day" has come upon us and we hope it lasts.

Our message to others is: do it now. Some day may never come or go away too quickly.

There is lots to see.

Ghetto: Factory or foundry

 

 

In Venice you will find the first Jewish Ghetto. They wished to separate them from the other population so they designated an island where a foundry stood to be the home for Jews. The word for this place was "ghetto".  We were there several times. We visited the museum, talked to folks in the large central court, and had dinner there one evening. We were there when they celebrated Rosh Hashanah. Reminded one of the Merchant of Venice.  The bottom photo is one of only a couple of stores in the area which is one of the least commercial in Venice.

FOREIGN RENTAL CARS



Aside from the Ford Focus rented in England and the Renault rented in Scotland, these cars represent recent rentals. The little blue job is a Nissan out of Dublin and was a good car, especially because it had so much damage when we got it from Hertz that they could not see what I did to it with all those close hedge rows.

Here is a Mercedes B Class we drove in Italy. We are parked here at Lake Como near Bellagio. It was good in the Alps on the narrow roads. It is a diesel and got excellent mileage. We rented from Auto Europe and they were great to work with.

I have told the story before, but I rented a tiny car in Calgary to drive the Ice Fields Parkway. I assumed that they would not have one and would upgrade me as usual. They did not and we traveled in this lime green Mazda 2 (actually more like 1.5). We rented from Thrifty, but actually got this from their sister company, Hertz. I still like Auto Europe best.

Mike McLellan discusses photography

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP -  Some of us have favorite photos we have taken which likely do not stand alone without explanation. I take several every trip and each one brings me a certain joy which, however, is lost on other viewers. I like details and I like looking straight up or straight down at them. Here are two examples. You may not like them, but I don't care...

 

 

Ceiling detail in small stairway of the Archeology Museum in Dublin Ireland

 

Looking straight up at the Pantheon in Rome, Italy

No need for 'selfies' ...

This is a sample of a photo of us in the Arena in Verona, Italy. (Cool place by the way.) There is almost always a person close by taking a picture of a traveling mate at such a place. We just walk up and ask if they would like a photo of both of them together and they usually agree. Then we ask them to take a photo of us. The only problems we have had have  been in the United Kingdom where we always seem to choose a person from France and have to shift into hand gesture mode. Still works. Some people would not do this for fear of losing their camera, but we don't ask just any one and wait until they feel free to hand us their camera. Besides, this is a great way to get to talk to people or meet someone. After you have handed someone your camera they seem to become friends,

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Guinness Brewery - Dublin

Mike and Marietta at Newgrange

 

Atop "The Vee" County Waterford, Ireland

Druid Stones, Kenmare, Ireland

Part of Trim Castle, Ireland

IRELAND WEEK - SUNDAY

 

PLACES OF WORSHIP 

 

Presbyterian Church, Downtown Dublin

 

Chapel at Trinity College, Dublin

 

 

 

Church at the Hill of Tara, County Meath, Ireland

IRELAND WEEK - Saturday

Another pub

The Cliffs of Mohr

IRELAND WEEK - Friday

Yes, Ireland is very green...

 

IRELAND WEEK - Thursday

 

Dingle

 

Off of Dingle - The Lying Man Island

 

IRELAND WEEK POST NUMBER III

All roads lead to or from here in Ireland

 



IRELAND WEEK Post Number IV

MUCKROSS HOUSE, COUNTY KERRY 

 

View from the front

 

 

View of the side garden

 

 

IRELAND WEEK II

Newgrange and Hill of Tara, County Meath, IE

IRELAND WEEK I

 

Central Dublin

We went to dinner and a concert

We went to dinner and a concert at the Borgesse Palace in Florence and Mike got to be part of the entertainment.

 

Next week is our annual celebration of the Irish

National Geogaphic

 

The National Geographic for March 2014 has an article on the Duomo (Cathedral) in Florence. This

picture above is from a window high up on the Baptistery across the courtyard. While the Duomo is a wonderful place to visit, if possible get a special pass to the second, third stories, and dome of the Baptistery.  It is not an easy climb, but you get up high to see, close up, the mosaics. Below is from the third level before entering the dual-sided dome. I was not sure I'd make it - as I am writing this it is obvious that I did.

 

The Baptistery in Florence, Italy

In the middle of Greater Portland

The aquarium in the SE.

Suitcases

We receive dozens of travel catalogues. Some are about trips or on transportation. Others are clothing and equipment sales. I read most of them. The ideas of where to go and how to get there are exciting. The catalogues listing all of the new gizmos for travel make me want to try them.

Last trip my trusted suitcase died. I had purchased it in Pennsylvania years ago when its predecessor bit the dust in mid-trip. This last suitcase had many miles on it. It had flown many trips and taken countless car rides. It suddenly needed to be replaced. I was ready.

The new case I got has four wheels instead of two and is very light. My old one seemed close to the airline maximum when empty. The new one has more handles and lots of features that the old one did not have. More importantly it is not all black.

One of the things I try to do is travel light and prefer to keep to a carry-on bag. When going away for a month I find this impossible. I know others can do it, but I can’t. This being said, checked luggage has to be unchecked which means standing at the baggage carousel. Nearly every suitcase on that thing is all black. While I had gussied up my old one and it had unique wear marks, it still looked like most of the rest.

I am looking forward to my next flight and not only packing the new case, but rejoicing in seeing it come up to greet me after the trip.