Trip to Ireland
For my spring half-term break (week of 13 February) I went to Southern Ireland for 5 days. I was actually planning to go to the Netherlands and Belgium on a tour with Protocol Teachers, the organisation that recruited me to teach in the UK, but the tour fell through 2 weeks before departure due to failure to get the minimum numbers. So I had to scramble around a bit and was able to put together a trip to Cork and Killarney. I’ve wanted to go to Ireland for years, and was making plans to visit when I was living in Germany 5 years ago. Unfortunately Ireland was experiencing both Hoof and Mouth disease as well as Mad Cow’s disease at that time. Since I was living on a dairy farm at the time, I was not allowed to go. So, 5 years later, I was able to finally visit the Emerald Isle. On my way there, I was a little surprised that I was not nearly as excited about this trip as I thought I would be. Maybe it was because I did not get enough time to anticipate the trip (I made my trip arrangements only a week before I left). A couple of other factors: forecast for rain all week and closed venues since it is the off-season.
When I arrived in Cork Airport on Tuesday, I was greeted by a sunny sky and lush green grass. I realised that though it hasn’t rained much in Colchester, we really had not seen the sun for several weeks. The first thing on my itinerary after arriving in Cork city: going off to visit the Blarney castle. The weather was superb for February, with the sun glistening off the lawn and foliage from last night’s rain. Despite being considerably more North than Colchester, the early flowers such as daffodils and crocuses were already blooming. I was surprised to see the variety of broad-leaf trees and bushes that kept their leaves through the winter. Some of the trees that do lose their leaves for the season were actually budding already. I was beginning to realise why they call Ireland the Emerald Isle. The castle itself was not that terribly exciting over other castles. There were no commentaries, or other information describing the rooms. The top of the castle was the famous Blarney stone with an attendant (which another tourist said he recognized from 6 years ago when he visited last) who insured you didn’t fall. I mustered up the courage and took the backwards plunge to kiss the stone. They say it gives you the gift of the gab. I hope it means to be able to speak more eloquently, not just to speak without ceasing.
One of the interesting things that happened at the Castle was that an American couple got engaged on the top. She got so excited that the ring fell out of the box when she hugged him. Since they did not see it fall, they had no idea if it was still on the top level, bounced to the left and down a level or two, or bounced to the right and fallen right off the Castle. Understandably she was very distraught as fellow tourists searched the area. I was looking a level bellow for the ring, hoping that it could be found. They must have had the luck of the Irish with them because she spotted it 10 minutes later near their feet. By the way, she said yes.
The next day I visited Fota Wildlife Park where many of the animals roamed around the park freely and then Cobh – the last port of call of the Titanic. I had a bit of the luck of the Irish with me that day, too. The sun came out just at the right times, and I was able to have very good connections with trains to get to Killarney by 6:30. When I arrived for the 7:30 traditional music concert, I was told that the printed information was incorrect and the venue was to be held some 30 minutes outside of Killarney. The coaches were scheduled to leave at 7:00. I thought my luck ran out until I found out the buses were delayed, and I was able to catch the last seat on the coach and still make it for the event. How cool was that! I got to watch a Ceili (looks like square dancing), and sit in a pub listening to locals play their music.
Over the next few days, I took a tour of the Ring of Kerry by coach, visited a bog village museum, wandered in and out of tourist shops, enjoyed a very green walk in Killarney National Park and took in more traditional Irish music. My last Irish event was attending a concert by Altan, which was a great way to end my trip.
In the end, I was not hampered too much by the rain, and there was only one thing that was closed for the season that I wanted to see. Seeing the high number of hotels, hostels and B&B’s I was really glad I went during the off-season. A very successful trip! Photos from the trip have been included in Kevin's Photo Albums. Take a look!
Kevin
When I arrived in Cork Airport on Tuesday, I was greeted by a sunny sky and lush green grass. I realised that though it hasn’t rained much in Colchester, we really had not seen the sun for several weeks. The first thing on my itinerary after arriving in Cork city: going off to visit the Blarney castle. The weather was superb for February, with the sun glistening off the lawn and foliage from last night’s rain. Despite being considerably more North than Colchester, the early flowers such as daffodils and crocuses were already blooming. I was surprised to see the variety of broad-leaf trees and bushes that kept their leaves through the winter. Some of the trees that do lose their leaves for the season were actually budding already. I was beginning to realise why they call Ireland the Emerald Isle. The castle itself was not that terribly exciting over other castles. There were no commentaries, or other information describing the rooms. The top of the castle was the famous Blarney stone with an attendant (which another tourist said he recognized from 6 years ago when he visited last) who insured you didn’t fall. I mustered up the courage and took the backwards plunge to kiss the stone. They say it gives you the gift of the gab. I hope it means to be able to speak more eloquently, not just to speak without ceasing.
One of the interesting things that happened at the Castle was that an American couple got engaged on the top. She got so excited that the ring fell out of the box when she hugged him. Since they did not see it fall, they had no idea if it was still on the top level, bounced to the left and down a level or two, or bounced to the right and fallen right off the Castle. Understandably she was very distraught as fellow tourists searched the area. I was looking a level bellow for the ring, hoping that it could be found. They must have had the luck of the Irish with them because she spotted it 10 minutes later near their feet. By the way, she said yes.
The next day I visited Fota Wildlife Park where many of the animals roamed around the park freely and then Cobh – the last port of call of the Titanic. I had a bit of the luck of the Irish with me that day, too. The sun came out just at the right times, and I was able to have very good connections with trains to get to Killarney by 6:30. When I arrived for the 7:30 traditional music concert, I was told that the printed information was incorrect and the venue was to be held some 30 minutes outside of Killarney. The coaches were scheduled to leave at 7:00. I thought my luck ran out until I found out the buses were delayed, and I was able to catch the last seat on the coach and still make it for the event. How cool was that! I got to watch a Ceili (looks like square dancing), and sit in a pub listening to locals play their music.
Over the next few days, I took a tour of the Ring of Kerry by coach, visited a bog village museum, wandered in and out of tourist shops, enjoyed a very green walk in Killarney National Park and took in more traditional Irish music. My last Irish event was attending a concert by Altan, which was a great way to end my trip.
In the end, I was not hampered too much by the rain, and there was only one thing that was closed for the season that I wanted to see. Seeing the high number of hotels, hostels and B&B’s I was really glad I went during the off-season. A very successful trip! Photos from the trip have been included in Kevin's Photo Albums. Take a look!
Kevin
posted by K. Stoesz at 10:26
1 Comments:
Dear Kevin; I have just read a number of your entries, They are very informative. As a retired teacher, I still enjoy "tales from the classroom". Your story of how at least one of your classes seems to be going is somewhat of a "horror" tale. 31 students in one class is something I experienced many years ago while still teaching Grade 5 and/or 6. The largest classes I ever taught at Miller were probably just under 30. If a class that large has some members that are not in a co-operative mode of behaviour, it becomes pretty difficult to do a credible job of teaching, but at this stage of the game, you probably know that better than I do. My only forays into the classroom these days is subbing a day here and there. If a particular class makes that difficult for me, I take note of that with a mind to say "NO!!" the next time I am called for that group. I've really had no difficulty the few days I've been to Miller this year.
Thanks for passing on your condolences through your parents on the death of Irene's brother Ken. It's been a tough winter for the Warkentin family as we've visited and prayed a lot for healing in Ken's life. It was not to be. Or we might say, it was not to be in the earthly sense.
Jonathan mentioned that the two of you got to know each other in university. Jonathan seems to be enjoying his job as a teacher. His job is a term job, so I guess he'll be looking for a job again this spring. If I read you correctly, I expect you'll be doing that out here as well. I wish you success in that endeavour, if that is what you in fact plan to do.
May God continue to bless you with strength and enthusiasm for the job you have undertaken.
Frank Kehler
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