Plans......
If nothing else, this year has taught me that "plans" mean nothing. I planned so many exciting things for my 40th birth year and then....I broke my leg. Cancelled beach trip, cancelled Scotland Hiking Trip, cancelled work travel etc etc.
That may seem sad, but so many great things came out of it. I learned how to survive without driving, thanks to friends and the internet. My job was gracious enough to let me work from home. I never once wanted for anything or to get out of the house as I had so many great people around to help me. I believe I even grew closer to many people that I might not ordinarily had.
But as for the last handful of years, I had already planned a trip for my birthday. NO way, I was letting that go. I rehabbed hard as much as I could and I thought I was ready. But I was still worried and though I had the first 3 or 4 days planned, I couldn't figure out where I wanted to be on my actual birthday and I didn't want to take a chance of it being a bust. SOOOOO, I came to Ireland.
This is 3 years in a row, on or around my birthday in Ireland and might I say, it did not disappoint.
The trip through the Brussels airport was awful, so much walking, so long a line in customs etc. But I made it to my RyanAir flight to Dublin on time and on to Ireland.
As soon you as land and get to customs, you instantly understand why I love this place. Everyone is so warm and welcoming. The customers officer instantly told me Happy early Birthday and I must have talked to the Hertz rental car guy for 20 minutes.
I set off to Carlingford which did not disappoint at all. My first bar was a great choice, they had golf playing, great fish and chips and at one point I turned around to see the door open and 15 good looking Irishman walk in and I was the only female. Their banter and jokes was entertaining.
But I went to bed early as there is really no need to stay out all night as a single female and have to walk home.
I woke early to a beautiful sunrise, coffee and a short walk and then headed out for Bruna Boine.
Maybe it seems odd to tour burial mounds on your 40th birthday but for me, it's a part of 5000 year old history, older than the pyramids. I will write more about the history later.
I then toured my favorite Irish Whiskey distillery but it wasn't the plant that makes Connemara. Still cool
After the tour, I needed to find somewhere to sleep tonight, but everywhere I looked was booked. Finally Trip Advisor Came through and found an amazing hotel with awesome restaurant. It's weird but for some reason, I wanted to blow out a candle on my actual birthday and when I mentioned, I was too stuffed for dessert but it WAS my birthday, they brought me a candle, it truly made my day.
Last, I had to have a Guinness for my birthday so I walked across to the Irish Pub and the Craic did not disappoint. Very crazy. An older man named Jack struck a conversation and bought me a pint for my birthday! yes!!
What an awesome day!
That may seem sad, but so many great things came out of it. I learned how to survive without driving, thanks to friends and the internet. My job was gracious enough to let me work from home. I never once wanted for anything or to get out of the house as I had so many great people around to help me. I believe I even grew closer to many people that I might not ordinarily had.
But as for the last handful of years, I had already planned a trip for my birthday. NO way, I was letting that go. I rehabbed hard as much as I could and I thought I was ready. But I was still worried and though I had the first 3 or 4 days planned, I couldn't figure out where I wanted to be on my actual birthday and I didn't want to take a chance of it being a bust. SOOOOO, I came to Ireland.
This is 3 years in a row, on or around my birthday in Ireland and might I say, it did not disappoint.
The trip through the Brussels airport was awful, so much walking, so long a line in customs etc. But I made it to my RyanAir flight to Dublin on time and on to Ireland.
As soon you as land and get to customs, you instantly understand why I love this place. Everyone is so warm and welcoming. The customers officer instantly told me Happy early Birthday and I must have talked to the Hertz rental car guy for 20 minutes.
I set off to Carlingford which did not disappoint at all. My first bar was a great choice, they had golf playing, great fish and chips and at one point I turned around to see the door open and 15 good looking Irishman walk in and I was the only female. Their banter and jokes was entertaining.
But I went to bed early as there is really no need to stay out all night as a single female and have to walk home.
I woke early to a beautiful sunrise, coffee and a short walk and then headed out for Bruna Boine.
Maybe it seems odd to tour burial mounds on your 40th birthday but for me, it's a part of 5000 year old history, older than the pyramids. I will write more about the history later.
I then toured my favorite Irish Whiskey distillery but it wasn't the plant that makes Connemara. Still cool
After the tour, I needed to find somewhere to sleep tonight, but everywhere I looked was booked. Finally Trip Advisor Came through and found an amazing hotel with awesome restaurant. It's weird but for some reason, I wanted to blow out a candle on my actual birthday and when I mentioned, I was too stuffed for dessert but it WAS my birthday, they brought me a candle, it truly made my day.
Last, I had to have a Guinness for my birthday so I walked across to the Irish Pub and the Craic did not disappoint. Very crazy. An older man named Jack struck a conversation and bought me a pint for my birthday! yes!!
What an awesome day!
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