Blarney

Wednesday of this week – in between working very studiously on papers! – I experienced an Ireland-must: Blarney Castle and the Stone!

But first we stopped at the Rock of Cashel, with buildings dating from the 1100s to the 1700s.

 

Pictures while in a moving bus – not bad. The countryside was incredible!

 

Blarney Castle. I giggled through the whole waiting in line and kissing the stone. Does the gift of gab transfer into writing ?!

 

Extensive Castle grounds.

 

Cork city.

 

Traditional Irish pub. Where I had water. Seriously.

 

My time in Ireland is quickly dwindling – three weeks left! – so I will hopefully be doing all the Ireland-must-sees soon.

Spring in St. Stephen’s Green

Dublin had some sunny and not-freezing weather this past week! I celebrated on Monday with my first ever affogato (gelato and espresso), in St. Stephen’s Green. A beautiful day to enjoy the beauty of spring!

Notice the maroon and gold tulip in honor of ASU graduation this week! Weird to think I could be a college graduate right now …. nah…..

Northern Ireland {Carrick-a-Rede and Giant’s Causeway}

After returning from Edinburgh Wednesday and turning in a paper Thursday, it was time to head to another new country on Friday (May 3) – this time just two hours by road!

First stop: Carrick-a-Rede Islands. The water color was incredible!

Next stop (the big ticket item!): Giant’s Causeway. So impressive. And – as a bonus – the strongest wind I’ve ever experienced in my life! It threw me off balance a couple of times. Unfortunately, the one fall I did take (and fall I did), could not be blamed on wind, only on my tendency to trip on steps. The inch long cut on my left palm was not life threatening.

Lastly, we had some free time in Belfast. We went to City Hall’s Titanic Memorial Garden (the Titanic was built in Belfast!).

Edinburgh

After three very full days in London and one in Cambridge, I headed on an overnight bus to Edinburgh, Scotland with a friend from London! Gotta love adding a new country and city to my places!

Our bus left London around 10:30 pm and arrived in Edinburgh around 7 am. On our first day, Tuesday, we explored the city on a walking tour.

The next morning, Wednesday, we started at Edinburgh Castle.

Next we had coffee at a very special place: the cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote parts of the first two Harry Potter books! And they were not shy about the fact. The most unique thing was the in the bathrooms: a multitude of notes to Rowling and quotes from the books.

And, finally, we finished Edinburgh with a visit to the Royal Palace.

After six very exciting days, I returned to Dublin. School work or something.

Cambridge

I spent Monday, April 29, in Cambridge visiting a friend who’s doing a one year masters program there.

Passed this in King’s Cross Station.

After tea, scones, and catching up, she took me on a Cambridge walking tour. It was gorgeous!

We even got a view from the top of her college’s cathedral!!

And, finally, late afternoon coffee, a blurry picture by a guy sitting next to us, and back to the train station (so I could catch a bus to Edinburgh!).

London Running Tour

My life may be revolutionized: running tours.

While I certainly am not the first to think of this, and nor did I come up with it, I am impressed. No bulky tourist bags or supplies to carry around. Just running shoes and a camera phone (only down side: the less than optimal pictures my phone takes!).

Run. Walk/take pictures. Repeat.

My Sunday morning tour. Run to Hyde Park.

Through Kensington Gardens.

Back through Hyde Park and through Green Park to Buckingham Palace.

Through St James’ Park (a first time for me! Not sure how I’d missed this one before – it was so peaceful!).

And, finally, to Trafalgar Square. Run back to starting point if you have time – or take the tube back (like I did!) if you don’t.

My quick Monday morning tour was to the Millenium Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

I had perfect spring weather and TONS of happy spring flowers!

Think I could make a career out of being a running tour guide??

London

Right, so time is going way too quickly. Classes are over and I’m in the thick of papers and a final exam … but somehow I’m finding time to travel. Something about priorities.

After my last class for the semester, on April 25th, I flew from Dublin to London. On Friday and Saturday, I attended the Hillsong Women’s Colour Conference. 7,000 plus people worshipping Jesus in one place: WOW.

I rode the London Eye (which I hadn’t done on my past two visits) on Saturday night. Positive: the views at night were incredible. Negative: the pictures not so much.

Sunday was my only London exploration day. After a morning run and church at Hillsong in the West End, I wandered around Kensington, which is my favorite area of London (well, tied with Trafalgar Square!). First, the Gardens.

Then Kensington, South Kensington and Hyde Park.

And finally, this slice of heaven near Trafalgar. Usually, food chains from the US do not taste the same in other countries: this was no exception, but it was still pretty dang amazing.

Saturday Adventures {My Own Neighborhood}

It pays to explore the region around your own neighborhood – and sooner rather than later!  A mere 3.4 miles from my doorstep I can be running along Dublin Bay.

And through St Anne’s Park.

A much needed ocean long run.